Camp Updates

[vmax]

Upshaws no little boy...I think he'll set the corner just as well as JJ. I loved JJ as a Raven. Loved him but this is one position that it was time to get younger, faster and stronger at. Same with Cory Reddings departure.

 

I'm looking everywhere....here's some action from Day 2 (yesterdays) camp.

The pads go on today.

 

 

Rookie lineman Kelechi Osemele returned to practice on Friday for the first time since minicamp in June.

The second-round pick was held out for more than a month because of back spasms, but the Ravens eased him back into action.

"This was a good day to get him back,” Head Coach John Harbaugh said. "We were not going to put him in full force. We wanted to ease him in, just to make sure the back didn’t cramp up on him. It looks like he got through pretty well.”

In his first day back, Osemele took reps with the first team offense at right tackle. With Michael Oher back at left tackle because of Bryant McKinnie’s absence, the Ravens are looking at Osemele as the possible starter at right tackle going into the season.

And Harbaugh has confidence that the rookie would be up to the task.

"We definitely feel like he’s a guy we could plug in and he could start,” Harbaugh said. "Absolutely.”

Harbaugh added that he also thinks the players Osemele will have to beat out for the job – Jah Reid and Ramon Harewood – would be able to step in and start right away.

"But KO is talented,” Harbaugh said. "He’s tough. He’s really smart.”

Ravens Being Careful With Ngata

Defensive tackle Haloti Ngata missed practice for the second day in a row as he recovers from a hamstring injury. The seven-year veteran tweaked his hamstring running the conditioning test, and coaches aren’t rushing him back on the field.

"That’s a hamstring,” Harbaugh said. "It’s not a major hamstring, but Haloti has been around a long time and I think we’ll bring him back when the time is right here. It won’t be real long, but it’s going to be a few days.”

With Ngata out, the Ravens have been using free-agent acquisition Ryan McBean in his place. The reps could be valuable for McBean, a veteran lineman who is looking to earn his way onto the roster.

Webb Misses Practice

Starting cornerback Lardarius Webb also missed Friday’s practice to tend to a personal issue.

"It’s no problem, just something he had to take care of at home with his son,” Harbaugh said. "I expect him back tomorrow.”

With Webb not at practice, Cary Williams and Jimmy Smith took all of the reps with the first-team defense. Both of them played well, as they both had some pass breakups and played tight coverage on the receivers.

Offense Shreds Defense In Two-Minute Drill

In a two-minute drill during 11-on-11 action, the Ravens offense got the best of the vaunted defense.

Quarterback Joe Flacco marched the team right down the field and capped off the drive with a touchdown pass to tight end Ed Dickson. He spread the ball around, tossing passes to Ray Rice, Anquan Boldin and Torrey Smith.

The most entertaining part of the drive was the way Flacco was trash-talking to legendary linebacker Ray Lewis.

On one play, Lewis gambled and tried to break up a pass to Dickson over the middle, but he missed on his attempt to swat at the ball and Dickson made the catch and continued up the field. Lewis fell down on the play and Flacco shouted across the line, "That’s a missed tackle, Ray.”

These guys are competitive.

Just wait until tomorrow when the pads come on.

http://www.baltimoreravens.com/News/Articles/2012/07/Notebook_Kelechi_Osemele_Returns_To_Practice.aspx

 

[vmax]

Found more Day 23 Stuff...Check out the day Kindle had!!!

 

OFFENSE EXECUTES: The first offense fared well in full-team and two-minute exercises against the defense. In the two-minute drill, quarterback Joe Flacco hit tight end Ed Dickson for a 30-yard touchdown that capped a seven-play drive that left more than 15 seconds on the clock. In the full-team exercise, the offense finished one possession with a Billy Cundiff 24-yard field goal and another with a Flacco-to-Dennis Pitta 9-yard touchdown .

 

TUCKER CONVERTS 57-YARDER: Rookie kicker Justin Tucker converted all eight of his field-goal attempts, including a line drive 57 yarder that cleared the crossbar with a few yards to spare. Not to be outdone, Cundiff went 9-of-9. In two days, both kickers are each 13-of-13 .

 

STANDOUT PERFORMER NO. 1: Outside linebacker Sergio Kindle enjoyed a strong day. He finished with five sacks, including 2 1/2 sacks of quarterback Tyrod Taylor in a span of four plays. Kindle also came away with an interception off a Taylor pass tipped by rookie linebacker Nigel Carr.

 

STANDOUT PERFORMER NO. 2: Wide receiver Tandon Doss made a few sparkling receptions. He hauled in a nice back-shoulder pass during a one-on-one drill, a diving catch in the end zone during a red-zone exercise and a deep bomb over rookie cornerback Asa Jackson during a seven-on-seven drill.

 

NEWCOMER WATCH: With the offensive line in a state of flux due to the absence of left tackle Bryant McKinnie and the rotation of Kelechi Osmele, Jack Cornell and Cord Howard at right tackle, the presence of Bobbie Williams at left guard has been a point of stability for that unit. The 13-year veteran has meshed nicely with center Matt Birk and new left tackle Michael Oher and appears to be a worthy replacement for Ben Grubbs, who left in the offseason for the New Orleans Saints.

http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/ravens/ravens-insider/bal-ravens-training-camp-highlights-fridays-practice-20120727,0,7519162.story

[cravnravn]

Cary Williams and Jimmy Smith took all of the reps with the first-team defense. Both of them played well, as they both had some pass breakups and played tight coverage on the receivers.

 

 

Atswhatimtalkinabout.....Dam I want to see them on the field at all times!!

[cravnravn]

Ahhh Joe Flacco better watch himself, I dont think he wants to frustrate Ray Lewis.

[FlaccoForever]

Upshaws no little boy...I think he'll set the corner just as well as JJ. I loved JJ as a Raven. Loved him but this is one position that it was time to get younger, faster and stronger at. Same with Cory Reddings departure.

 

I'm looking everywhere....here's some action from Day 2 (yesterdays) camp.

The pads go on today.

 

 

 

 

VMax I find it funny that the national experts are now all of sudden acknowledging JJ's importance to the Ravens defense now that he's gone. JJ was a big piece of the defense but most of the experts ignored him when he was here, the same thing happened when Adalius Thomas left after the 2006 season (they propped him up after he left the Ravens). I wish JJ all the best and I think he will do fine in San Diego but Upshaw will hold things down here.

[FlaccoForever]

Ahhh Joe Flacco better watch himself, I dont think he wants to frustrate Ray Lewis.

 

Hey Flacco has swagger right now and Ray did say during his press conference this week that if he was Joe he would have crazy swagger right now. Ray created this monster LOL, but seriously it's good to see them having fun.

[yagersports]

This team is gonna be special special special!!!!!!!

 

If Kindle can capture his potential this could be unbelievable.

[vmax]

Here's some information on Saturdays padded practice...

 

CUNDIFF BLINKS: It took a full week of practices, but one of the kickers finally missed a field goal. After making his first 18 field-goal attempts in training camp -- including a 51-yarder and a 55-yarder on Saturday -- veteran Billy Cundiff missed wide left from 48 yards at the end of the practice. Rookie Justin Tucker connected on all seven of his attempts -- including ones from 51 and 54 yards -- to improve to a perfect 20-for-20 in training camp. Both have been impressive.

 

SLOPPY START FOR OFFENSE: In the first hour of practice, the offense made a few costly miscues in a red-zone drill. Cornerback Corey Graham picked off quarterback Joe Flacco and returned it for a touchdown. Moments later, Torrey Smith and Anquan Boldin had touchdowns taken off the board on consecutive plays because of pre-snap penalties by the offense. Flacco and the rest of the first-team offense picked up its level of play in the second half of practice.

 

JACOBY'S DROP: New wide receiver Jacoby Jones bought his own JUGS football machine to cut down on drops after they plagued him at times in Houston. But one of Flacco's passes clanked off Jones' hands and into the lap of Albert McClellan, who outraced the offense, including a hard-charging Kelechi Osemele, to turn it into a touchdown. That was Jones' only drop in 11-on-11 drills Saturday.

 

STANDOUT PERFORMER: Graham, who signed as a free agent this spring, made a pair of impressive interceptions Saturday. He stepped in front of that Flacco pass in the red-zone drill then taunted the quarterback at the end of his 94-yard sprint to the end zone. Later in the day, he made a nifty one-handed interception after Tyrod Taylor overthrew Jones in the end zone.

 

NEWCOMER WATCH: Linebacker Nigel Carr, a rookie free agent, mixed it up with a couple of offensive players. He tackled running back Anthony Allen after a short gain and screamed at no one in particular. Later he ripped the helmet off guard Antoine McClain and told him to "watch yourself" before McClain retreated to retrieve the helmet. Carr nearly had an interception, too.

 

INJURIES: Cornerback Jimmy Smith sustained a lower leg injury during the special teams portion of practice and did not finish practice, but it does not appear to be a significant injury. Rookie linebacker Courtney Upshaw appeared to injure his right arm in the second half of practice. He stayed on the sidelines but did not get back into live action. Defensive tackle Haloti Ngata (hamstring), offensive tackles Ramon Harewood (ankle) and Jah Reid (calf), guard Justin Boren (undisclosed), wide receiver David Reed (knee), defensive end Pernell McPhee (knee), and outside linebacker Terrell Suggs (Achilles) were non-participants again. Offensive tackle Bryant McKinnie (personal reason) remains on the reserve/did-not-report list. Cornerback Lardarius Webb returned to practice after being excused Friday to handle a personal matter.

 

OVERHEARD: "We've got to get 10 good plays, not just 10 plays." -- Ravens head coach John Harbaugh during a live contract drill early in Saturday's practice, the summer's first in full pads.

http://www.baltimore...0,7471852.story

 

 

Video....

http://www.baltimoreravens.com/media_library/Videos/2012/07/Training_Camp_Look_In_July_28.aspx?id=0dfc9a07da5c4a10977c842344ef18ee

Edited July 29, 2012 by vmax

[cravnravn]

Quote

 

CUNDIFF BLINKS: It took a full week of practices, but one of the kickers finally missed a field goal. After making his first 18 field-goal attempts in training camp -- including a 51-yarder and a 55-yarder on Saturday -- veteran Billy Cundiff missed wide left from 48 yards at the end of the practice. Rookie Justin Tucker connected on all seven of his attempts -- including ones from 51 and 54 yards -- to improve to a perfect 20-for-20 in training camp. Both have been impressive.

 

 

 

CUT HIM!!!!!

 

JACOBY'S DROP: New wide receiver Jacoby Jones bought his own JUGS football machine to cut down on drops after they plagued him at times in Houston. But one of Flacco's passes clanked off Jones' hands and into the lap of Albert McClellan, who outraced the offense, including a hard-charging Kelechi Osemele, to turn it into a touchdown. That was Jones' only drop in 11-on-11 drills Saturday.

 

Dear Lord, Please prevent this POS from making the squad..

Edited July 29, 2012 by cravnravn

[vmax]

Here's some transcripts....the first from Cam...

 

What do you see in his relationship with coach [Jim] Caldwell? What are they bringing out in each other? (Aditi Kinkhabwala) "You know Jim's experience, but there's another great man. I've known Jim over the years, but now to get to work with him. I'm almost humbled by the opportunity. There's another case: The guys that John [Harbaugh] brings on this staff that you get to work with and the guys that I get to learn from, even as a coordinator, and guys that I get to help develop … But, Jim's been great for the entire organization. But, he and Joe, he's just like all those good coaches; they just have a knack for developing a good relationship. I think Joe is a fun guy to get to know. I think you will see great things from those two guys, but I think that's going to permeate through our entire offense. We have a great offensive coaching staff. I would encourage all of you guys to get to know those guys. We have some stars on this coaching staff, this offensive coaching staff; we always have on defense and still do. But, there are some stars on this offensive coaching staff, and I encourage you guys to get to know those guys."

 

Joe had a career low in completion percentage and was scrutinized last year. Looking back, what you can attribute that to and are there reasons you feel this year it's going to get back up to where it was before and maybe a career high this year? (Matt Vensel) "I think completion percentage is an offensive stat. Obviously, the quarterback is saddled with it, and there are some areas that we need to improve on as an offense and every man executing his job, protection getting better, receivers getting better, Joe getting better, everybody getting better. His accuracy throughout the course of the year was really outstanding. We didn't, as a unit, execute the way we needed to, and we have addressed that this whole offseason, and I think our guys are committed to making sure our offensive completion percentage is where we want it to be. The league record is what, 72, 71.8? Steve Young still have it, I think? That's right, there at 72, 72? You are shooting for 70, and obviously, we have some work to do and we have a lot of work to do between now and when the season starts, and that will be one of our major priorities."

 

Cam, Joe [Flacco] said that he thinks the goal going into every season is to be a Top 5 offense. He feels like right now you have the pieces to be able to do that. What do you think is the key to be able to get in that range? (Garrett Downing) "Well, the first thing you do is you execute. A lot of fundamentals … And that's the process we're in right now. The fundamentals of the blocking, the route techniques, all those things are the key. Once you feel like you are getting those things established, you have to take care of the football, because you turn the ball over, you lose possessions. You look at the really good offenses, they don't lose possessions. Take care of the football, maintain, convert on third down, score touchdowns in the red zone – those are the keys for us. I think we made progress in all those areas – got in the Top 10 on third down, which is the critical down in this league, improve in the red zone, score more points, those are the things we're trying to do. With all those things being said, our ultimate goal still is to be the winningest offense in the league. You could be the No. 1 offense, I guess, and the winningest, right? We've always had lofty expectations here, and that's not going to change."

 

We talked about Ray Rice catching balls earlier. Do you want him catching that many balls? (Aditi Kinkhabwala) "Absolutely. I think if you do the study, you look at attempts. For us to do the things we want to do, we don't necessarily need to attempt passes more, we just have to continue to execute more, get that completion percentage up in the high 60s. You do that … Now Ray is still getting the same catches, but now you are adding catches to everybody else. It's really a matter of doing the math. We execute better, and that completion percentage goes way up. We're not looking to take the ball out of Ray Rice's hands. The way people stack the box against us in the run game, a lot of our completions, you can call them runs. It's from me to Garrett (gestures to reporter standing near him). You've seen that, our screen game, those kind of things. The stats are just the way they're put on paper. Ray Rice needs touches – I think we all know that."

http://www.baltimoreravens.com/News/Articles/2012/07/Transcript__072812.aspx

 

 

And from Dan...

 

I know it's early in camp, but have you seen the plan for your defense come together a little? (Joe Platania) "Right now, at this point in time, what you do is you have an installation, and you kind of draw it out over the entire camp. You're not putting in the whole defense in Day One – you're kind of putting in segments. So, what you do is when you put in segments for that day, that's kind of what you work on. It may not be the perfect situation for a third down call on third-and-nine, but that's what you got in that day. If not, you try to put in everything, and we wouldn't be ready for that. So, what you do is you work on each thing each day so you can get it on film, talk through it, get it coached up. Then, hopefully, after about Day Eight, Day Nine into training camp, then everything kind of solidifies."

 

What areas of progression have you seen Jimmy Smith make, and how much has he grown since his rookie year? (Matt Vensel) "I think a ton. The thing I think everybody kind of forgets – but it was around the league, it was all equal – is the lockout last year and nobody being here for OTAs. So, those guys came in under – everybody did, not just our guys – everybody kind of came in under a little different situation as a rookie. So, I think when you look around the league, some of the rookies took a little longer last year. Instead of starting out kind of fast, they kind of progressed as the year went on, and I think he's continuing to progress."

 

With Terrell Suggs out right now, do you think you've had to be a little more creative with your installs with some of these guys? (Jason Butt) "Nope. Not more creative at all. We have an install. We have a system, and that system is in place. And there's a lot to our system, and it's going to take nine practices probably to get in our entire system. When you get done with those nine practices, then you can evaluate where you are, and maybe what you need out of that system, more than maybe something else. But to say that we're changing how we install or anything else? Not a bit."

 

What have you seen from Corey Graham so far? He had a pretty good practice today. (Aaron Wilson) "One of the things about Corey is, that we've really liked, is his versatility. And Jerry [Rosburg] talks to the special teams, but we've played him at corner, we've also played him at the nickel spot now, and he's learned the nickel, and I've also told him to learn backup safety. You never know how things are going to go down the road. You don't know how many when you end up making all the cuts and who all is going to be here. You've always got to have those guys that are flexible, like Albert McClellan was flexible last year and went outside to inside backer. You always try to have those guys that are the hybrid guys. That guy, really, I think has had a real good camp so far. It's early, but he's had a good camp."

http://www.baltimoreravens.com/News/Articles/2012/07/Transcript__072812.aspx

[cravnravn]

Good Stuff!!!

[FlaccoForever]

Quote

 

CUNDIFF BLINKS: It took a full week of practices, but one of the kickers finally missed a field goal. After making his first 18 field-goal attempts in training camp -- including a 51-yarder and a 55-yarder on Saturday -- veteran Billy Cundiff missed wide left from 48 yards at the end of the practice. Rookie Justin Tucker connected on all seven of his attempts -- including ones from 51 and 54 yards -- to improve to a perfect 20-for-20 in training camp. Both have been impressive.

 

 

 

CUT HIM!!!!!

 

JACOBY'S DROP: New wide receiver Jacoby Jones bought his own JUGS football machine to cut down on drops after they plagued him at times in Houston. But one of Flacco's passes clanked off Jones' hands and into the lap of Albert McClellan, who outraced the offense, including a hard-charging Kelechi Osemele, to turn it into a touchdown. That was Jones' only drop in 11-on-11 drills Saturday.

 

Dear Lord, Please prevent this POS from making the squad..

 

Crav, outside of that one bad mistake by Jones he really has had a good camp so far. I tweeted Aaron Wilson and he told that Jones has looked really good for the most part so far. I can't defend Cundiff, I just can't LOL.

[FlaccoForever]

Here's some transcripts....the first from Cam...

 

 

 

 

And from Dan...

 

I can't believe I'm about to say this but I think we may see the best of Cam Cameron this year. The Ravens have never had this much speed and talent at WR and TE before at the same time. I didn't feel good last year during training camp when Cam said he would have to scale back the playbook but he was working with some young inexperienced talent (Torrey Smith, LaQuan Williams, Doss, Pitta, Dickson). I do believe Cam should have been more creative but he's right about the execution part, it helps to have the right players for your system.

[oldno82]

I feel real good about the offense with one big exception: is the offensive line going to be as good as last year's our worse? Not that it was great last year, but at least it didn't get Joe or Ray killed.

[vmax]

8/04/12

 

CONVERTING IN TWO-MINUTE DRILL On the first series of a two-minute exercise, the first offense marched 70 yards, capping the drive with a one-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Joe Flacco to wide receiver Anquan Boldin. The possession was aided by a pass-interference call on cornerback Chykie Brown in the end zone.

 

PAGING A TIGHT END With Ed Dickson injured during the early portion of practice and Dennis Pitta sidelined by a broken bone in his right hand, Davon Drew, Billy Bajema and Matt Balasavage had a chance to shine in an expanded role. But all three tight ends dropped passes that hit them in the hands, marking how significant a serious injury to Dickson and Pitta would be.

 

CAMP CAMEOS Former owner Art Modell and “The Good Wife” star Josh Charles attended practice. Five-time Pro Bowl outside linebacker and reigning NFL Defensive Player of the Year Terrell Suggs (torn right Achilles tendon) and defensive end Michael McAdoo (ruptured Achilles tendon) also made appearances.

 

STANDOUT PERFORMER So far, Paul Kruger hasn’t done anything to disappoint observers. The outside linebacker dove and tipped a pass from quarterback Tyrod Taylor to rookie wide receiver Deonte Thompson. On the very next play, Kruger sacked Taylor. Kruger then sacked Flacco twice.

 

NEWCOMER WATCH Tommy Streeter has been quiet at times, but he made a little noise Saturday. the rookie wide receiver used his 6-foot-5 frame to grab a lob from Taylor during a red-zone drill. Streeter also caught a pass from Taylor on third-and-6 that ended with rookie Justin Tucker nailing a 44-yard field goal.

 

INJURIES Fullback Vonta Leach (back tightness), inside linebacker Dannell Ellerbe (undisclosed) and rookie cornerback Asa Jackson (undisclosed) returned to practice after missing Friday’s session at the team’s training facility in Owings Mills. Center Matt Birk (back spasms), rookie outside linebacker Courtney Upshaw (bruised right shoulder) and wide receiver Tandon Doss (hamstring) sat out their sixth consecutive practice. Pitta (broken right hand), rookie running back Bernard Pierce (hamstring) and linebacker Josh Bynes (undisclosed) did not participate for the fifth straight day. Wide receiver Patrick Williams (left shin/calf) missed his fourth consecutive practice, while defensive tackle Arthur Jones (hip flexor) did not take part for the third straight day. Cornerbacks Cary Williams (unspecified) and Jimmy Smith (back) did not practice for the second consecutive day. Players who are on the physically-unable-to-perform list include offensive tackle Jah Reid (strained right calf) and wide receiver/return specialist David Reed (knee surgery). Suggs (torn right Achilles tendon) is on the non-football injury list.

 

OVERHEARD “Q is complaining again.” – Former Colts linebacker and current WBAL Radio analyst Stan White commenting on former Ravens wide receiver and current analyst Qadry Ismail insisting that wide receiver Torrey Smith had been interfered with during a play.

http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/ravens/ravens-insider/bal-ravens-camp-highlights-olb-paul-kruger-shows-his-athleticism-20120804,0,778291.story

[cravnravn]

PAGING A TIGHT END With Ed Dickson injured during the early portion of practice and Dennis Pitta sidelined by a broken bone in his right hand, Davon Drew, Billy Bajema and Matt Balasavage had a chance to shine in an expanded role. But all three tight ends dropped passes that hit them in the hands, marking how significant a serious injury to Dickson and Pitta would be.

 

 

We havent had to worry about that position since 1999..Is that kid from Morgan St still a FA?? its apparent that Drew doesnt want to step it up a notch.

[yagersports]

PAGING A TIGHT END With Ed Dickson injured during the early portion of practice and Dennis Pitta sidelined by a broken bone in his right hand, Davon Drew, Billy Bajema and Matt Balasavage had a chance to shine in an expanded role. But all three tight ends dropped passes that hit them in the hands, marking how significant a serious injury to Dickson and Pitta would be.

 

 

We havent had to worry about that position since 1999..Is that kid from Morgan St still a FA?? its apparent that Drew doesnt want to step it up a notch.

 

I would think you are right. This guy has had alot of time fo get ready for this opporgunity.

 

Is Dickson injured badly?

[cravnravn]

Dickson, Blackstock injured: TE Ed Dickson was poked in the eye during Saturday's practice and couldn't finish. Coach John Harbaugh expects him to be fine. LB Darryl Blackstock aggravated a groin injury and left practice. It's not expected to be serious.

 

 

 

You really want to get pissed off? read the piece on that fat fucker McKinney

http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/blog/nfl-rapidreports/19728832/ravens-notebook-bryant-mckinnie-says-chiropractor-advised-him-not-to-report-to-camp

 

Dosent McKinney watch 2 and a half Men?? A Chiropractor is not a DOCTOR...