With the Ravens set to begin the 20th training camp in franchise history in less than two weeks, expectations are high for John Harbaugh’s team as they eye their seventh trip to the postseason in eight years.
As veterans report to Owings Mills on July 29th and the first full-squad workout takes place the following day, we’ll examine each position group entering the summer.
July 20: Quarterbacks
July 21: Defensive line
July 22: Running backs
July 23: Linebackers
July 24: Wide receivers
July 25: Tight ends
July 26: Cornerbacks
July 27: Offensive line
July 28: Safeties
July 29: Specialists
Below is a look at the Baltimore defensive linemen:
DEFENSIVE LINEMEN
LOCK: Brandon Williams, Timmy Jernigan, Chris Canty, Carl Davis, Brent Urban
BUBBLE: Lawrence Guy, DeAngelo Tyson, Kapron Lewis-Moore, Christo Bilukidi, Casey Walker
LONG SHOT: None
Synopsis: Replacing the greatest defensive tackle in franchise history won’t be easy, but the Ravens should feel good about the strength in numbers they have to fill the void left behind by five-time Pro Bowl selection Haloti Ngata. Brandon Williams enters his third season emerging as one of the best nose tackles in the NFL while 2014 second-round pick Timmy Jernigan will receive the first crack at replacing Ngata in the starting lineup. Though Chris Canty is near the end of his NFL career, this is an extremely young group that should give defensive coordinator Dean Pees a strong rotation once the regular season begins. With all 10 defensive linemen in camp figuring to have a shot to make to make the roster, the coaching staff and front office will have some difficult decision at the end of August.
One to watch: With Canty possibly in his final season and Pernell McPhee now in Chicago, the Ravens would greatly benefit from Brent Urban showing he’s fully recovered from last summer’s knee injury and ready to contribute as an active member of the defensive line rotation. Not only could the 2014 fourth-round pick push Canty for the starting 5-technique defensive end spot, but his 6-foot-7 frame makes him an intriguing option as an interior rusher in certain passing situations, a role McPhee often filled successfully in recent years.
One on notice: DeAngelo Tyson has been a consistent part of the rotation over the last three years, but the presence of Canty and Urban as well as the re-signing of the steady Lawrence Guy could spell trouble for the 2012 seventh-round pick. After starting four games in place of the injured Canty last October, Tyson was inactive for six of Baltimore’s final nine games counting the playoffs as Guy passed him on the depth chart. Entering the final year of his rookie contract, he’ll need a strong summer with so many other younger linemen in the mix and vying for a roster spot.
Sleeper: Casey Walker showed a mean streak during spring practices and is a former undrafted free agent from Oklahoma who was signed off the New England practice squad last December. At 6-foot-1 and 330-pounds, Walker has good size to play an interior line position and is one to watch as the Ravens evaluate which of their young linemen will be most effective against the run. He may lack the pedigree of other drafted players, but his toughness in the spring wasn’t overlooked by coaches.
