Check out what injured Ravens, Matt Birk, Courtney Upshaw and Cary Williams had to say after Saturday’s open practice at M&T Bank Stadium.
Camp Notes with Mike Fast from 8/3/12-8/612:
Both left tackle Bryant McKinnie and defensive lineman Haloti Ngata were at practice starting on 8/3/12 after they passed their conditioning test. McKinnie was in full uniform and Ngata was in shoulder pads and shorts. Neither participated in contact drills. Ngata begin hitting on Monday, where he showed a quick burst and the ability to shed blocks with ease.
Joe Flacco showed tremendous accuracy fitting passes into tight windows. Ed Dickson was the recipient of one of those passes, a reception close to the ground in-between defenders, that resulted in a touchdown Friday. Monday, Dickson said, “I’m excited for him to be my quarterback this year.” Torrey Smith echoed Dickson’s thoughts: “I’m on the Joe Flacco bandwagon.”
Tyrod Taylor (who turned 23 Friday) showed that same accuracy, as he hit LaQuan Williams and Dorian Graham for touchdowns on back-to-back plays during Friday’s practice. Williams continues to have a very impressive camp. He’s a good route-runner and has dependable hands to go along with his special teams abilities. Another player who has been getting quality reps in the passing game is tight end Davon Drew, who has been lining up at tight end and in the slot on the Ravens’ first-team offense. Tommy Streeter is making the most of his opportunities as well. Streeter displayed savvy hands, both in separation off the line and while making contested catches. He is definitely a player to watch. While, Bobby Rainey seems to have the most momentum in the battle for the backup running back spot.
Outside linebacker Sergio Kindle took a bunch of reps at defensive end with the first team defense today, the position he excelled at while in college. Though, at one point Monday, during one-on-one blocking drills, Kelechi Osemele was handling Sergio Kindle in dominant fashion.
Jimmy Smith and Matt Birk were out of practice, both due to back injuries. Birk, Smith Arthur Jones, Bernard Pierce, Courtney Upshaw and Cary Williams did not practice Saturday in front of the fans. Because of Haloti Ngata and Arthur Jones not practicing recently, Bryan Hall and Ryan McBean got a lot of reps with the first team defense. Terrell Suggs was in attendance, was walking normally and was his usual, jovial self. While, Guard/Tackle Paul Madsen wasn’t involved either but only because he was cut Friday morning. Ed Reed did not participate in Monday’s practice while, Yanda started but did not finish, as he said “I think he had enough.”
One player who played particularly well in the secondary was cornerback Lardarius Webb. From snap to whistle, Webb contests everything. Webb was hip-to-hip with a receiver, then when the receiver came out of his break, so did Webb. The pass was low and away and Webb still intercepted in mid-air.
20,324 were in attendance at M&T Bank Stadium, including over 2,000 United States military personnel and their family members, as the Ravens celebrated Military Appreciation Day Saturday. Head coach John Harbaugh spoke after practice about the 20,000-plus who flocked to M&T Bank Stadium: “It was a great night. Everybody had a lot of fun.” Harbaugh also made certain to let everyone know: “I want to thank all the folks from the U.S. military.” As far as on the field action goes, Harbaugh said Joe Flacco and the Ravens offense looked “pretty sharp.”
Kicker Justin Tucker hit five of his six field goal attempts (the lone miss was a 60-yard attempt that was just short) on Friday. He also hit all seven of his field goal attempts Saturday, including one from 62 yards (the NFL record for a made field goal is 63 yards). Billy Cundiff had a strong day as well, as he missed just once all afternoon (a 65-yard attempt that came up a couple of yards short). Last season, Cundiff had a 14 percent drop in field goal percentage (89.7 in 2010, 75.7 in 2011), but has looked good so far in training camp.
Their next public practice is scheduled for Sunday, August 12 at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium.
