The Ravensโ newcomers have a final opportunity this week to get acclimated to the NFL before reporting to McDaniel College for training camp on July 27.
The offseason OTA schedule concludes this week with a rookie camp, allowing coaches to work more closely with the teamโs six draft picks and numerous rookie free agents vying for a regular season roster spot.
โItโs obviously a different atmosphere and tempo because the vets arenโt here,โ coach John Harbaugh said. โItโs a little slow. We take a little more time between reps. I donโt want to say it was more teaching, because there is a lot of teaching when the [veterans] are here, too. But it was a little more fundamentally-oriented, a little simpler with the calls, but they did a good job.โ
The rumors circulating about Denver Broncos wide receiver Brandon Marshall were a hot topic at the training facility in Owings Mills. The disgruntled receiver wants to be traded, and the receiver position is an area of concern with Derrick Mason (shoulder), Mark Clayton (foot), and Demetrius Williams (ankle) all slowed by injuries this offseason.
Earlier in the offseason, the Ravens explored a trade for Arizona wide receiver Anquan Boldin, but the Cardinalsโ reported asking price of a first- and third-round pick and Boldinโs demands for a new contract proved too steep.
Marshallโs contract expires after this season, so a new deal would be needed. The Pro Bowl receiver has grabbed 206 receptions in the last two seasons.
โWeโre interested in anybody that can help our team,โ Harbaugh said. โYou know [Marshall] plays for the Broncos, and heโs under contract. So heโs not a guy that weโre considering or concerned with right now. Weโll just have to see what happens.โ
His off-the-field issues are also a concern, including a pending misdemeanor battery charge. Marshall has had several run-ins with the law since beginning his NFL career in 2006.
โ[A playerโs] background matters,โ Harbaugh said. โWe want to bring guys in here that are what we consider โRavens.โ Any player that we bring in here, weโve got to be convinced that heโs a man of integrity, a high-character guy and that our players can respect him in the locker room. Thatโs going to be true whether itโs in a draft or free agency or any guys we choose to re-sign. We look at that real hard because we think those are the type of people that you win with, and weโre never going to compromise on that.โ
โ Veteran tight ends Todd Heap and L.J. Smith have been slowed by injuries during OTAs, leaving plenty of reps for rookie Davon Drew.
The fifth-round pick, who signed a three-year contract last week, will most likely contribute on special teams but has impressed coaches with his route-running ability. He credits Heap and Smith in helping him adjust to the NFL.
โDefinitely when youโre just standing around those guysโveterans that have been doing itโthatโs something that makes you want to be just like them,โ Drew said. โI look up to those guys. Anytime I have a question or something, they help me out and sometimes when I donโt even ask them things, they just come up and give me tips or pointers. Iโm appreciative of the situation Iโm in.โ
โ Former Maryland Terp and rookie receiver Isaiah Williams faces an uphill battle making the regular season roster, but he jumped at the chance to become a Baltimore Raven.
Despite having discussions with other teams including the Washington Redskins, New York Giants, and San Diego Chargers, the undrafted rookie signed with the Ravens only 20 minutes after the April draft ended.
โI just felt this was the best place for me,โ Williams said. โItโs close to where I went to school, so itโs something Iโm used to and real familiar with. I love it.โ
The 6-3 receiver has good speed but never lived up to lofty expectations at College Park, catching 64 passes for 902 yards and five touchdowns in his Maryland career.
Williams has been slowed with a hamstring injury this week.
โ Be sure to join WNST tonight at The Barn at 7:00 p.m. to meet many of the Ravens rookies including Michael Oher, Paul Kruger, Lardarius Webb, and others. It will be a great time getting to know the rookies and enjoying $1.75 Miller Lite.
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Luke Jones
Luke Jones is the Ravens and Orioles beat reporter for WNST BaltimorePositive.com and is a PFWA member. His mind is consumed with useless sports knowledge, pro wrestling promos, and movie quotes, but he often forgets where he put his phone. Luke's favorite sports memories include being one of the thousands of kids who waited for Cal Ripken's autograph after Orioles games in the summer of 1995, attending the Super Bowl XXXV victory parade with his dad in the pouring rain, and watching the Terps advance to the Final Four at the Carrier Dome in 2002. Follow him on social media @BaltimoreLuke or email him at Luke@wnst.net.
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- Anquan Boldin, Arizona Cardinals, Baltimore, brandon marshall, College Park, Davon Drew, demetrius williams, Denver Broncos, derrick mason, John Harbaugh, L.J. Smith, Lardarius Webb, Mark Clayton, Maryland, michael oher, new york giants, Paul Kruger, pro bowl, Ravens, San Diego Chargers, Terps, Terrapins, Todd heap, Washington Redskins
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