Ravens Training Camp Notes – 8/15

Ongoing discussion throughout training camp on our message board.

It was a very warm Saturday afternoon, with no shade to be found around the Under Armour Performance Center. Thankfully the humidity had subsided over the last few days, or else it would have been down right miserable out there.

The Ravens practiced without shells. Shorts and helmets today making it tougher to get a accurate look at the big men in the trenches and the linebackers.

The heat may have been getting to the Ravens today. Maybe it is the dog days of camp draining on them. Maybe it’s still the recovery from the first times getting hit by another team two nights ago. Maybe it’s looking forward to the off day ahead. Either way, multiple times you could hear the coaches pleading “hustle it up” or “finish the play”. Coach Harbaugh even said at one point during a kickoff drill, “This drill is run at full speed, incase you weren’t aware.”

Breshad Perriman remains held out of practice. We also didn’t see Marlon Brown, Kamar Aiken, Lardarius Webb, Steven Means, DeAngelo Tyson, or Asa Jackson, for reasons unknown at this time. (Harbaugh did not mention them in his post practice presser). Jackson and Means were dinged up in the preseason opener on Thursday. Also missing were John Urschel and Robert Myers with the concussions over a week ago.

Of the most important things to note, Timmy Jernigan returned to the practice field in limited capacity after dealing with a foot injury. Jernigan ran individual drills and did not participate in team drills. Carl Davis still is getting the first team defensive line reps in his place.

Speaking of Carl Davis, he appears to be quickly becoming a new fan favorite. He made his way toward the sidelines at one point in front of the bleachers where fans were attending. The fans gave him a rousing applause for his efforts thus far in camp, and the preseason game a couple nights back, which he acknowledged.

The last note on the defense pertains to Anthony Levine, who did not have a great day. He was beaten in coverage in 11 on 11 drills, twice. Both times by tight ends Konrad Reuland (likely destined for the practice squad) and Nick Boyle (possibly the slowest Raven on the team…lineman included).

On the offense, not much to report except the WR battle. Joe Flacco is Joe Flacco, Matt Schaub was better than we had seen in past practices. The RBs were not contested in shorts today.

Notable efforts in the receiving game were Darren Waller, who displayed ability a few times to make catches with his hands, not relying on the body to haul them in. A key characteristic of a pro receiver, in my opinion. Jeremy Butler won the day though. He made two incredible catches, one was snatching a bullet over the middle in with his fingertips. The other was a fade to the back of the endzone floated beautifully by Flacco. Butler high pointed the ball catching it over the top of Rashaan Melvin who had excellent coverage.

On punt and kick return teams, with no Jackson or Webb today, was the trio of Michael Campanaro, Alrdrick Robinson, and DeAndre Carter. Carter had mishandled a kick on Thursday night.

Justin Tucker missed one field goal today. It was a 63 yard attempt. Hot seat? [sarcasm]

Also, long snapper Patrick Scales was seen running with the gunners on kickoff coverage. Scales filled in for Morgan Cox when his season was ended with injury last year. With Cox back in the fold, it is unlikely Scales beats him for that job, and may need to shine on the kick coverage team to earn a roster spot.

Quotes

Coach Harbaugh on how to evaluate so many guys after a preseason game.

“We got a lot of time and a lot of coaches looking at it. So we can look at every guy, we look at every play, every time they twitch, every bit of communication the make. We study it, document it, , talk about, and try to improve.”

…On mistakes made in Thursdays preseason game.

“I didn’t like that drive at the end of the half one bit. I felt like we gave them 14 points. We had gone in there talking about not giving one thing up. It was the young guys. They are in that situation for the first time so for them to put that all together is a little more difficult….They missed two tackles on one play which jump starts that drive. Along with that they didn’t call intentional grounding when they should have. Obviously the officials are very rusty. But they only get three days of practice through training camp. If they got a little more practice in training camp they might be a little bit better. I have proposed that to the NFL.”

…On any indication of Perriman returning to practice since it has been over two weeks.

“Not really I haven’t. He’s got whatever you want call it with his knee situation….If I was a doctor I’d give you more…He’ll be back sometime during training camp, hopefully soon. I hate that he’s missing it, that he’s not out here…but I know it’s out of our control, I put it in God’s hands and he’ll take care of it.”