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Ravens national scout Douglas takes job with Chicago

Luke Jones

Photo courtesy of the Ravens Joe Douglas isn’t a household name for most Ravens fans, but his work has been critical to the organization’s success over the last 15 years. The national scout accepted a job with the Chicago Bears to become their college scouting director, a position currently held by Joe Hortiz in Baltimore. Douglas joined the Ravens in 2000 and famously filled the role of “The Turk” — the man who informed players that they were about to be cut — when their training camp was profiled in HBO’s “Hard Knocks” in 2001. Despite remaining in the background during his time with the Ravens, Douglas was largely responsible in scouting and recommending Delaware quarterback Joe Flacco, who was selected with the 18th pick of the 2008 draft and went on to become the Most Valuable Player in Super Bowl XLVII. The scout was also instrumental in the evaluation of Rutgers running back Ray Rice, who was drafted in the second round that same year. Douglas was promoted to the role of national scout following the 2012 draft after he previously served as Southeast area scout from 2009-2011. He also played a key role in facilitating the signing of

Five questions pondering Showalter, Arrington, Harvey, others

Luke Jones

Every Friday, I’ll ponder five topics related to the Orioles or Ravens (or a mix of both). Five questions … 1. Is it just me or does the acquisition of Kyle Arrington have you feeling really good about the Ravens in 2015? Baltimore is no stranger to significant roster turnover, but fans were understandably uneasy in seeing so many high-profile players depart this offseason. Since then, general manager Ozzie Newsome has done some of his finest work — on paper, at least — with this year’s draft and Wednesday’s acquisition of veteran cornerback Kyle Arrington, which addressed the last glaring need the Ravens had. Arrington isn’t a Pro Bowl player, but his experience and versatility will be welcomed in a secondary that struggled at cornerback and safety last season. The Ravens may not be the clear favorite in the AFC this season, but they could be very dangerous in December and January if — and it’s a big one — rookies Breshad Perriman and Maxx Williams are ready to contribute in a meaningful way. 2. Is it just me or are the Orioles delaying the inevitable with Hunter Harvey’s latest elbow problems? I couldn’t help but feel a sense of

Ravens release quarterback Wenning, tight end Supernaw

Luke Jones

The Ravens made several roster moves Tuesday including the releases of quarterback Keith Wenning and tight end Phillip Supernaw. A 2014 sixth-round pick, Wenning spent his entire rookie season on the Baltimore practice squad and was once viewed as a potential long-term backup for starter Joe Flacco. However, the free-agent acquisition of veteran Matt Schaub made it clear that the Ravens didn’t think much of Wenning’s future with the organization. The Ravens will also give spring and summer reps to former North Carolina quarterback Bryn Renner and rookie Jerry Lovelocke, an undrafted free agent from Prairie View A&M. Supernaw spent last season bouncing back and forth between the practice squad and the 53-man roster and even spent a brief time with the Kansas City Chiefs. In eight total games, he caught three passes for 30 yards. With the Ravens selecting tight ends Max Williams and Nick Boyle in this year’s draft to join 2014 third-round pick Crockett Gillmore, it was apparent that Supernaw was quite low on the depth chart. Veteran Dennis Pitta still hopes to play again this season, but his status remains in doubt despite a guaranteed 2015 salary. The Ravens signed Alabama guard Leon Brown, James Madison

Report: Ravens among teams with military financial deals

Luke Jones

Lost in the shuffle of the NFL’s punishment of the New England Patriots Monday was a report stating the Department of Defense paid a total of $5.4 million to NFL teams through promotional military contracts over the last few years. According to NJ.com, the Ravens were among a group of 14 teams that received funds to finance advertising and military tributes. Baltimore has reportedly received $884,500 since 2011 — the second-highest amount of any mentioned team — but senior vice president of public and community relations Kevin Byrne told multiple outlets Monday that the Ravens’ agreement with the Maryland National Guard makes “no mention of honoring soldiers.” Past advertising included a Maryland National Guard patch on the Ravens’ practice jerseys, the type of measure that probably should have made it clear that there was a financial aspect to their partnership. Of course, this blurs the line between business and goodwill for many as the Ravens have recognized military personnel in a variety of ways over the years. In fairness, there is much evidence to suggest the Ravens have gone above and beyond in their efforts to recognize the military as head coach John Harbaugh alone has visited soldiers abroad and

Hardy activated, Cabrera sent to 15-day DL

Luke Jones

Orioles shortstop J.J. Hardy made his 2015 debut Thursday after completing a three-game rehabilitation assignment with Double-A Bowie. Sidelined since suffering a left shoulder injury in late March, Hardy went 4-for-12 with a double and one RBI with the Baysox while starting all three games at shortstop. He was activated prior to the series opener against the New York Yankees on Thursday night. To make room on the 25-man roster, shortstop Everth Cabrera was placed on the 15-day disabled list with a bruised foot sustained after being hit by a pitch on Wednesday night. Hardy deemed his shoulder ready after testing it out in a variety of ways in the three games with the Orioles’ Double-A affiliate. The last hurdle for Hardy to clear had been eliminating the lingering discomfort in his shoulder that came with the full extension of his follow-through when swinging the bat, but the Orioles gave the 32-year-old a cortisone injection on April 25 to speed up the healing. Signed to a three-year, $40 million extension last October, Hardy will rejoin an Orioles club that’s received very little production at the shortstop position. Though the 2013 All-Star selection Cabrera has played acceptable defense, his .456 on-base

Hardy, Flaherty make it through first rehab game without issue

Luke Jones

Receiving his first live-game action since injuring his left shoulder in late March, Orioles shortstop J.J. Hardy made it through the first game of a minor-league rehab assignment without issue on Monday. The 32-year-old went 2-for-4 with a single and an RBI double in Double-A Bowie’s 8-0 win over Akron. Hardy and infielder Ryan Flaherty began a rehab assignment that could see both return by the weekend if all goes well. Flaherty went 1-for-4 with a double in the seventh inning. Hardy played shortstop and batted third while Flaherty hit second and manned second base. After both players exited the game at the end of seven innings, they reported no physical concerns to reporters, which is good news for an Orioles infield that’s been devastated by injuries at the beginning of the season. Hardy received a cortisone shot in his left shoulder on April 25 after he was continuing to feel slight discomfort at the end of his follow-through when swinging the bat. It remains unclear how many rehab games Hardy will play before he’s deemed ready to be activated by the Orioles. Flaherty is eligible to return from the 15-day disabled list as soon as he becomes eligible to

Saturday Night Live spoofs empty-stadium game at Camden Yards

Luke Jones

You knew it was coming. After the Orioles hosted the first empty-stadium game in major league history amidst the unrest in Baltimore this week, Saturday Night Live spoofed the happenings at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on Wednesday afternoon. Below is the video, courtesy of SNL and NBC:

Ravens roll dice with Texas Southern cornerback Tray Walker

Luke Jones

OWINGS MILLS, Md. — Looking to add depth to their secondary following last year’s nightmarish run of injuries, the Ravens rolled the dice on Texas Southern cornerback Tray Walker with the final pick of the fourth round. At 6-foot-2 and 191 pounds, Walker brings good size and could be used in press coverage. His selection continues the Baltimore tradition of not being afraid to draft FCS-level players as the organization has taken at least one in the fourth round in four straight years. In 42 career games at Texas Southern, Walker grabbed nine interceptions and made 159 total tackles. As is frequently the case with players coming from the FCS level, Walker was not a well-known draft prospect and was projected by some to be selected in the final round or two or to be signed as a priority free agent. “I was not highly recruited,” said Walker when asked about playing for the Tigers in the Southwestern Athletic Conference. “I was overlooked. I was a safety in high school.” Cornerback was regarded by most as the Ravens’ third-biggest need behind wide receiver and tight end, the positions they drafted in the first and second rounds, respectively. Five cornerbacks ended

USC running back Buck Allen bolsters Ravens' depth

Luke Jones

OWINGS MILLS, Md. — The unceremonious releases of Ray Rice and Bernard Pierce in the last eighth months made another running back a clear wish for the Ravens in this year’s draft. They added to that position with the selection of USC’s Javorius “Buck” Allen in the fourth round with the 125th overall pick. The 6-foot, 220-pound back rushed for 1,489 yards and 11 touchdowns in his junior season before declaring for this year’s draft. Allen initially figures to compete with 2014 fourth-round pick Lorenzo Taliaferro for the primary backup job behind Pro Bowl running back Justin Forsett, but he could project as the long-term starter in Baltimore. He ran a 4.53 second 40-yard dash at the NFL scouting combine and is considered an ideal one-cut runner in the Ravens’ zone blocking schemes expected to continue to be used under new offensive coordinator Marc Trestman. “They pretty much said that they like the work I do out of the backfield and that I have great hands,” Allen said. “They said they were going to put my talents to use, so I’m ready to come there and do whatever I have to do to help the team win.” He was the

Ravens add Kentucky pass rusher Za'Darius Smith in fourth round

Luke Jones

OWINGS MILLS, Md. — The Ravens began the final day of the NFL draft by filling the void of another free-agent departure with the selection of Kentucky defensive end Za’Darius Smith. Chosen in the fourth round as the 122nd overall pick, Smith is expected to help fill the pass-rushing void left behind by Pernell McPhee. The 6-foot-4, 275-pound rusher was named the defensive MVP of the East-West Shrine Game and received a late invitation to the Senior Bowl. In meeting with Smith, the Ravens made no secret about his versatility along the defensive line being an ideal replacement for McPhee. This gave the Alabama native a good idea about Baltimore’s interest in him. “That’s all they talked about,” Smith said in a conference call with the Baltimore media. “I’m going to follow in his footsteps. A lot of people are going to be hearing from Za’Darius Smith as a Baltimore Raven.” Smith did not begin playing football until his senior year of high school, but the junior college transfer emerged as a two-year starter at Kentucky where he collected a combined 10 1/2 sacks and 14 tackles for a loss in 2013 and 2014.  

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