Courtesy of Baltimore Ravens Team Site
Seven seconds on the clock.
Joe Flacco’s team down by four.
The pass rush is on as he scrambles to his left. He turns and lofts a deep pass into triple coverage. Touchdown! Visanthe Schiancoe grabs the ball in triple coverage to give his team the victory.
(You can discuss this article on the BSL Board here.)
It may have only been a scrimmage during practice but the play drew cheers just the same from the almost 25,000 Ravens fans that were in attendance for Sunday’s open practice at M & T Bank Stadium yesterday. It also gave Team Joe (Offense) some bragging rights heading into the locker room against Team Sizz. (Defense)
“Just lucky. I’m sure the defense will still be complaining about it because they thought they had stopped us three times before but that’s just a fun practice”, said Flacco with a slight smile.
Even though the day ended on an entertaining note the fans who stayed the nearly two and half hours got a good look at the serious effort that goes into preparing to defend a Super Bowl title. The team ran through individual skill work, unit drills and a simulated quarter between offense and defense.
Aside from Schiancoe’s exhilarating grab there were plenty of catches throughout the day to keep the crowd entertained. Receiver David Reed had two good catches for touchdowns, one during drills and another in the full-team segment of practice. Rookie Aaron Mellette made the toughest haul on a sideline pattern and then another over the middle behind the defense.
The defense wasn’t to be outdone as Daryl Smith, Terrell Suggs, and Elvis Dumervil showed quickness getting into the backfield during the afternoon. The Baltimore pass rush looks to be very formidable for the coming season. While Moe Lee was able to tip the ball up to himself in one on one drills to gain an interception.
There were several players who did not participate such as Courtney Upshaw, and Marcus Spears but the most notable as injury concerns were Bernard Pierce, Deonte Thompson, and Ed Dickson.
Head Coach John Harbaugh addressed these concerns directly, “Deonte sprained his foot, it’s not serious. We’re going to hold him out of this game (Thursday) and then on Friday re-evaluate where he’s at. I would expect him back for the Carolina game.”
“Pierce was reported already. It’s a bruise and it’s not serious.”
So it looks as if Pierce may practice today and could possibly be a go this Thursday against Atlanta for the Ravens second pre-season game.
As for Dickson it’s uncertain just when he’ll be back on the field. “You can’t rush back from those things,” Dickson commented after today’s workout, “I’m just trying my hardest to get back out there. It kills me. I’m hard on myself.”
He was non-commital when asked if he’d be ready for the season opener against Denver. “I can’t make any predictions but, I’m working hard to do that”, he said.
So with questions about the Baltimore receiving corps the Ravens brass has made two moves in as many days to help provide more of a veteran presence.
The first, 37-year old Brandon Stokley who last played with the Ravens in 2002 was at practice and did not participate. Stokley seemed excited about returning to where his NFL career began and said that he had “many great old memories” and was ready just to “work hard and do my best to help the team.” Many fans are probably nostalgic for the fans favorite’s return while others may question if he has much left to help an offense that needs some reliable options.
Secondly it was announced that the Ravens had an agreement in principle with another former Colt, Tight End Dallas Clark. The move would be finalized only after a physical which was set for today. Clark, now 34 probably won’t replace Dennis Pitta but he will give the Ravens a solid route runner who still possesses excellent hands.
Certainly both of these signings will leave speculation open as to what they really mean. Between injury issues and underwhelming play the staff clearly felt that new more proven options are necessary at this point.
Of course as Coach Harbaugh stated, “nothing is guaranteed and they will compete for a job with the other players we have here.”
That competition continues during practices this week and into the Ravens second Exhibition game this Thursday as they host the Atlanta Falcons.
Matt has lived in Maryland his entire life and is a graduate of Calvert Hall and Towson University. has always been an avid Baltimore sports fan. Since 2007, he has been writing and talking about Baltimore sports, especially the Ravens. His work has appeared on Ravens Gab, Russell Street Report, and he currently co-hosts a podcast “The Blitz- A Ravens podcast” with Brent Harris.