While the competition between Billy Cundiff and Justin Tucker has been a daily occurrence this summer, Monday brought the most spirited showdown weโve seen as coaches and players enthusiastically watched the kickers battle.
Harbaugh jokingly quipped for players and coaches to place their bets, and the rookie kicker even showed some moxie as he implored the coaches to allow the two to have one more kick โ the final one being from 61 yards. Running back Ray Rice responded to Tuckerโs request by shouting, โHeโs got swag!โ
However, it was Cundiff getting the best of the impressive showing as he went 6-for-6, including the long from 61 yards. Meanwhile, Tucker missed his attempt from 61 yards wide right to finish a 5-for-6 afternoon.
โThat was fun. They each had their set, and they both did very well,โ Harbaugh said. โThen, we brought them back to kick the long ones. They both made those, and brought them back again to 61. Billy made it. โTuckโ missed his. He had a little bit of a [bad] snap that threw off his timing a little bit. But, they are both kicking really well.โ
Harbaugh not concerned with Megatronโs performance
Many have expressed concern with the Baltimore secondary after the big game by Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Julio Jones in the preseason opener and the show Lions wideout Calvin Johnson put on Friday night to the tune of five catches for 111 yards and a touchdown.
Johnson caught a 57-yard reception while matched up against Cary Williams and grabbed an impressive 18-yard touchdown over Jimmy Smith, who had excellent position but couldnโt track the pass delivered from Detroit quarterback Matthew Stafford. However, the Baltimore coach reminded everyone Monday that โMegatronโ didnโt factor into what the Ravens were trying to accomplish as a team on Friday.
While fans and media alike have wondered whatโs wrong with the secondary, Harbaugh certainly didnโt sound concerned about his fourth-ranked unit from a year ago.
โI donโt read too much into great receivers making plays in the preseason because weโre lining up and matching guys up one-on-one,โ Harbaugh said. โThere is no game plan involved in what we are doing now. We didnโt roll over top of Calvin Johnson. We didnโt roll over top in Atlanta for any receiver. We didnโt mix our coverages at all. We just put those guys out there and let them play.
โThatโs what you want to do in training camp during the preseason,โ Harbaugh said. โWe just want to develop our technique. When there are things that you struggle with, thatโs what you want to find out. Itโs only going to make us better.โ

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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