Special teams coordinator Jerry Rosburg indicated that Jacoby Jones, who had a rough day catching the football at wide receiver Wednesday, is a candidate to return kickoffs and punts. Jones didn’t return kickoffs last season for the Houston Texans.
"He’s really fast," Rosburg said. "I knew that before, but I’d never seen it quite up close as I have. I did know he was fast, what I didn’t know is how hard of a worker he is and what a good teammate he is. We have a guy now that’s been successful, has experience being a returner.
"He’s got a lot of different skills, but the thing that stands out is he understands how fast he is. He’s able to draw people in and then beat them. Some guys are fast, but don’t know how to use their speed. Jacoby’s fast and he knows how to use his speed."
ROLL CALL: Absences were many and they included: safety Ed Reed, cornerbacks Jimmy Smith and Asa Jackson (school), safety Bernard Pollard, fullback Vonta Leach, linebackers Brendon Ayanbadejo, Lewis, Cody Glenn and Suggs, defensive tackles Haloti Ngata and Bryan Hall, defensive end Pernell McPhee, offensive guards Marshal Yanda and Jah Reid, offensive tackle Bryant McKinnie, running back Ray Rice (unsigned franchise player) and wide receivers Anquan Boldin and Rodney Bradley. …
Several starters attended the workout, including quarterback Joe Flacco, wide receiver Torrey Smith, tight end Ed Dickson, offensive tackle Michael Oher, center Matt Birk, defensive end Arthur Jones, inside linebacker Jameel McClain, outside linebackers Courtney Upshaw and Paul Kruger, cornerback Lardarius Webb, kicker Billy Cundiff and punter Sam Koch. Birk wasn’t at last week’s workout.
Cornerback Cary Williams (hip surgery) and wide receiver David Reed (knee surgery) were present, but didn’t practice.
Williams said his recovery is going well and he’s on target to participate in individual drills at the Ravens’ mandatory minicamp next month.
"I’m working hard, I’m doing what I’m supposed to do as far as my rehab and taking it to another level," Williams said. "I push myself to the limit. I’ll be out there doing individuals, doing a little more running, more cutting hopefully. I see the doctor Friday. Hopefully, I come out of there with some good news."
Rookie offensive guard Kelechi Osemele didn’t practice Wednesday due to an undisclosed injury.
Osemele and Harbaugh didn’t indicate what the nature of his injury was, but Harbaugh downplayed it, saying: "He’s fine."
IT’S OFFICIAL: While rookie kicker Justin Tucker is now officially on the roster after being signed Tuesday following his rookie minicamp tryout, former Pro Bowl kicker Billy Cundiff is the clear favorite to retain his job.
Harbaugh indicated that Tucker will compete with Cundiff during training camp.
"He has done nothing to make us think that he can’t handle that competition," Harbaugh said. "There is always competition. Billy obviously has the edge, but everybody is fighting for their job."
Tucker connected on a 55-yard field goal during his tryout. The undrafted free agent hit 40 of 48 career field goals at the University of Texas, including a game-winner last fall over archrival Texas A&M.
"It feels great to be back and keep chasing the dream," Tucker said. "I’m here and I’m ready to work. All I can do is put my best foot forward and do my best to impress coaches, my teammates and make a good second first impression.
"I’m learning new stuff every day, whether it’s really small or a schematic thing, I’m always learning. I feel like all I can do is be me and do what I do. I’ve put in a lot of hard work, a lot of training, a lot of mental focus into trying to perfect different aspects of my technique."…
LOOKING GOOD: Offensive coordinator Cam Cameron praised wide receivers LaQuan Williams and Tandon Doss. In particular, Williams had a sharp practice.
KNOCKING OFF THE RUST: Offensive tackle Ramon Harewood has missed the past two seasons on injured reserve for various knee problems.
Now, he’s displaying obvious signs of rust as he was penalized multiple times for holding and false starts.
"I’ve got no issues, no injuries," Harewood said. "I got to work on the mental aspect of it. Physically, I think I’m there. Mentally, it’s an adjustment, all the little things that come with practicing."
