Check out what training camp standout Wide Recievers, LaQuan Williams and Deonte Thompson, had to say about their performance in camp and at Annapolis on 8/12/12.
Ravens Camp Notes with Mike Fast:
The Baltimore Ravens held their last public practice of the preseason on a beautiful 83 degree day at the United States Naval Academy in front of 20,335 fans. Eight days ago at M&T Bank Stadium, the Ravens’ open practice drew another crowd of over 20,000 people. Steve Bisciotti and Kevin Plank (Under Armour Founder/CEO) were in attendance.
When the team moved to 11-on-11 drills, LaQuan Williams continued his campaign for major playing time this season with three sure-handed touchdown catches in traffic. His third was a pass from Tyrod Taylor in which Williams had to turn his body and fight off the defender to catch the pass. After practice, Williams talked about what wide receivers coach Jim Hostler and Anquan Boldin. “Just work hard, try to stand out, make plays and get better every day.” Harbaugh agreed Williams had a good practice: “Today he remembered his hands.”
On the other side of the field, Billy Cundiff made a 60-yard field goal, which Justin Tucker followed with a 65-yard field goal.
Joe Flacco continued to show his progression as top-tier NFL quarterback when he hit Anquan Boldin on a 15-yard pass on a rope, over the middle. Boldin is showing he’s still capable of playing at a very high level on a consistent basis. Tyrod Taylor also had a impressive pass, when he threw a beautiful deep ball to Deonte Thomspon for a 40-yard touchdown, beating cornerback Jordan Mabin‘s tight coverage. Thompson mentioned how, like Williams, Hostler and Boldin have been helped him out a lot in acclimating to the NFL game. Thompson said every day he tries to find something to get better at. He also talked about how Boldin has been instrumental in helping him learn how to run routes well, read defenses and get off of jams. As a whole, he praised the Ravens organization: “I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else but here.”
On the last play between those two units, Ray Rice took a toss sweep to the right, cut it back, and was met by Haloti Ngata. The defense made the stop. Vonta Leach got a bit of revenge when the second-team offense took the field. On a pass attempt from Taylor to tight end Billy Bajema, safety Sean Considine broke up the pass, but seemed to make contact early. The official didn’t throw a flag, so Leach took the official’s flag and threw it himself.
Toward the end of practice during two-minute team drills, Flacco hit Williams to start the session, beating Lardarius Webb. When Flacco came back to Williams a couple of plays later, Webb broke up the pass. Flacco looked comfortably in control in the hurry-up offense.
The second-team defense flexed their muscle, covering well and keeping constant pressure on Taylor. Bryan Hall and Chavis Williams were among those who registered sacks. The exclamation point came when linebacker Jameel McClain intercepted a hail mary pass attempt by Taylor of more than 50 yards.
Matt Birk, Dannell Ellerbe, Arthur Jones, Bernard Pierce, Jimmy Smith and Courtney Upshaw were all full participants.
