Camp Battles

[FerrariFan87]

Alright guys (and gals of course), what is going to be the most intriguing camp battle this year, save for the obvious: Flacco v. Smith v. Boller? I think the battle at WR between Clayton and Williams will be fun to watch as well as to see what Gaither can do.. your thoughts, please

[Marc2k6]

I think training camp in general this year will be a battle at every position. I'm looking forward to DB's, QB's,OL's, WR's and kicker's.

YES KICKER!!!!!!!!!!

[Slick]

I think the most interesting battle during training camp will be for TE. We're pretty thin at the position because of injuries so it'll be intriguing to see who really steps up and fills the void.

besides that, I'm interested in seeing how our backfield winds up, in addition to Gaither's development at tackle, and also I think it'd be neat to find out who will finish out the bottom half of our running back corps. Willis and Rice are in obviously, but PJ Daniels and Cory Ross have both been working hard this offseason so I wonder which will make the final cut.

[bossman419]

i wish i was going to training camp but i have lacrosse camp ... there should be a ton of intense position balttles

[bossman419]

I think the most interesting battle during training camp will be for TE. We're pretty thin at the position because of injuries so it'll be intriguing to see who really steps up and fills the void.

besides that, I'm interested in seeing how our backfield winds up, in addition to Gaither's development at tackle, and also I think it'd be neat to find out who will finish out the bottom half of our running back corps. Willis and Rice are in obviously, but PJ Daniels and Cory Ross have both been working hard this offseason so I wonder which will make the final cut.

i like cory ross but PJ has better speed and dont forget allen patrick, but it should just be a toss up between PJ and cory. and Gaither has all the tools (size, arm length, mobility) he just needs to work on footwork and technique

[Mahatma_Sloth]

I think training camp in general this year will be a battle at every position. I'm looking forward to DB's, QB's,OL's, WR's and kicker's.

YES KICKER!!!!!!!!!!

what ever happend to that lloyde guy from england is he still on the roster?

[Mahatma_Sloth]

i wanna see the battle dan cody pj daniels and injury... wonder who will win that one

[geo]

what ever happend to that lloyde guy from england is he still on the roster?

I think it was Panthers who took him, hopefully we could make a re-steal this season, he was interesting.

[Corvus]

I think the most interesting battle during training camp will be for TE. We're pretty thin at the position because of injuries so it'll be intriguing to see who really steps up and fills the void.

besides that, I'm interested in seeing how our backfield winds up, in addition to Gaither's development at tackle, and also I think it'd be neat to find out who will finish out the bottom half of our running back corps. Willis and Rice are in obviously, but PJ Daniels and Cory Ross have both been working hard this offseason so I wonder which will make the final cut.

We took 4 running backs into the season last year (McGahee, Musa, Ross, and Anderson) so its entirely possible that both Ross and Daniels will make the roster. I'd say 1 guy is the odd man out between Ross, Daniels, and Patrick. Keep in mind too that we did just resign Ross for a couple more years if I'm not mistakened.

Other than the obvious QB battle, I'm really interested in how our secondary sorts out after training camp and preseason. Obviously, Ed and Dawan will be our starting safeties but I think there will be an odd man out between Zbikowski, Nakamura, and Leonhard. And I think there may be a good chance it could be Zbikowski at the moment. Nakamura was a lot more impressive to the coaches in the OTAs and Leonhard started quite a few games for the Bills the past few years if I'm not mistakened so he has the experience edge. We'll see. Also interested to see whether Fabian (or maybe even one of our other new CBs steals one of the 2 starting CB jobs.

[geo]

We took 4 running backs into the season last year (McGahee, Musa, Ross, and Anderson) so its entirely possible that both Ross and Daniels will make the roster. I'd say 1 guy is the odd man out between Ross, Daniels, and Patrick. Keep in mind too that we did just resign Ross for a couple more years if I'm not mistakened.

Other than the obvious QB battle, I'm really interested in how our secondary sorts out after training camp and preseason. Obviously, Ed and Dawan will be our starting safeties but I think there will be an odd man out between Zbikowski, Nakamura, and Leonhard. And I think there may be a good chance it could be Zbikowski at the moment. Nakamura was a lot more impressive to the coaches in the OTAs and Leonhard started quite a few games for the Bills the past few years if I'm not mistakened so he has the experience edge. We'll see. Also interested to see whether Fabian (or maybe even one of our other new CBs steals one of the 2 starting CB jobs.

I find it unlikely that Tom Z should be the odd man out.. a third rounder? Seems wrong, very unlike what we use to do. Well they migth find an injury, but could we have all five.. Leonhard could he play CB? Anyhow Tom Z must dissapoint big time in TC if we get rid of him, for now I think he is more safe than Nakamura and Leonhard.

[Raven07]

like i have said countless times before, it really doesnt matter if or when you are drafted, you could be a 5th rounded like our Troy Smith, or a 6th or 7th round draft pick of a team.....OR maybe have the chance to be signed to a team as a Undrafted Free Agent, it really doesnt matter what category you or they, fall under.

If They go out there on the practice field as well as the Football field, and showcase their true talents to the best of their Abilities, and just a little bit more. If a player is willing to put forth the amount of time and effort into the work that is required to be a Professional Athlete and football player and have the inner drive to win and succeed, and never ever give up, then the sky is the limit for the potential one can achieve.

Remember, there's always room to improve upon your performance(s), doesnt matter what you did in college, or the day before, or the pratice before or the workout session before. What Matters is the Here and the Now, always living the Now for the Future. You can always improve upon what you did before and in the past, to think that your performance speaks for itself, and to think that your performance Says ALL of what type of athlete you are and/or should be.

The Best Athletes dont go into each game, or each year saying "ok, i've done all i can do...i've proved all that i have to prove in order to establish myself" absolutely Not, what you prooved in previous years is that, yes you are talented and yes you can perform, but unless you keep a humble, dedicated mindset about you, and Keep doing what you do and maintain the same level of competitiveness and your work ethic is dedicated and focused on always improving yourself, you'll just be another one in the crowd.....a lost talented player whom wasted his talent because he thought he "as too good or prooved enough already".

So All of our Draft Picks and U.D.F.A.'s (Undrafted Free Agents), have an equal shot at making the team and a spot on the active Roster, if all work hard and truly dedicate themselves to whats at hand and their Teams....then yes the sky is the limit.

[raven43]

Alright, I know there are going to be a rookies only camp and a veteran only camp, But the 25 is when the whole roster is going to be there. I hope so, because that's when my Aunt took off from work to take me. Could someone confirm this to be true?

[Slick]

We took 4 running backs into the season last year (McGahee, Musa, Ross, and Anderson) so its entirely possible that both Ross and Daniels will make the roster. I'd say 1 guy is the odd man out between Ross, Daniels, and Patrick. Keep in mind too that we did just resign Ross for a couple more years if I'm not mistakened.

Other than the obvious QB battle, I'm really interested in how our secondary sorts out after training camp and preseason. Obviously, Ed and Dawan will be our starting safeties but I think there will be an odd man out between Zbikowski, Nakamura, and Leonhard. And I think there may be a good chance it could be Zbikowski at the moment. Nakamura was a lot more impressive to the coaches in the OTAs and Leonhard started quite a few games for the Bills the past few years if I'm not mistakened so he has the experience edge. We'll see. Also interested to see whether Fabian (or maybe even one of our other new CBs steals one of the 2 starting CB jobs.

I wasn't sure if we resigned Ross or not. But anyway, last year we did have 4 RBs but Mike Anderson never got used and we ended up cutting him anyway. Could be an indication that we would like to narrow it down to 3 RBs (especially if we need to make space for another player we'd like to keep around, such as that Piotr guy who can kick a ball senseless). If that were the case, PJ and Patrick could be the odd men out.

As for our d-backs I think Fabian and C-Mac will get the starting role and Samari will get dropped to nickelback which hes more suited for now that hes older and not as speedy. besides that we'd need to sort out the rest of the backs to see which ones give us the most depth at the position in case we get hit by the injury bug again. With Zbikowski being a upper level draft pick and Nakamura's impressiveness in the OTA's I think Leonhard could be in trouble for training camp.

[FerrariFan87]

Alright, I know there are going to be a rookies only camp and a veteran only camp, But the 25 is when the whole roster is going to be there. I hope so, because that's when my Aunt took off from work to take me. Could someone confirm this to be true?

Yes, the full squad will be practicing that day

http://www.baltimoreravens.com/News/Training_Camp.aspx

[raven43]

Yes, the full squad will be practicing that day

http://www.baltimoreravens.com/News/Training_Camp.aspx

Thanks, I was worrying

Is anyone else going to Training camp on that day, or any other day. I might spot U

[FerrariFan87]

Thanks, I was worrying

Is anyone else going to Training camp on that day, or any other day. I might spot U

I am most certainly going sometime, I just haven't determined the day yet..

[foreversunny23]

so many exciting battles this training camp.

QB - Troy Smith FTW!

RB - Excited to see Ray Rice

OL - Interesting to see how this group gels

TE - Hopefully someone steps up and can be a reliable backup to Wilcox and HEEEAP

S - Zbikowski and Nakamura... will one of them be cut? I wouldn't mind seeing them in an exhibition fighting match.

CB - I hope these new guys we got live up to expectations

[MDmid14]

QB, WR, TE, and OL. -Yes, the entire offensive line.

[b-morebrotha]

The Wr [profanity deleted] is my first interest along with the reserve LB and starting OLB (If J.J. can hold off Burgess and Barnes)

[FerrariFan87]

I really want to see Ray Rice and also I want to see what Cameron does with Figurs, our only real vertical threat...

[raven43]

I really want to see Ray Rice and also I want to see what Cameron does with Figurs, our only real vertical threat...

C'mon, Demetrius Williams is pretty good win healthy.

[FerrariFan87]

C'mon, Demetrius Williams is pretty good win healthy.

Is he really, though? I know that's what we drafted him to be, but he has not wowed me at all, even when healthy he was only a mediocre threat at the most. However, I do expect his role to evolve this year...

[BloodRaven]

Demetrius Williams was good given the opportumities. And it looks like Figurs wont be getting any receptions this year, seems hes taking up fulltime return duties (as he should be with his stone hands)

[FerrariFan87]

Demetrius Williams was good given the opportumities. And it looks like Figurs wont be getting any receptions this year, seems hes taking up fulltime return duties (as he should be with his stone hands)

I still think we need to at least give him a shot or at least put him on the field as a decoy to open up the middle for HEEEEEEEEEEAP, Mason, and Willis/Rice, etc....

[FerrariFan87]

Players begin reporting today! Do you all think that Coach Harbaugh's tougher camp is going to pay dividends in the long run?.... I believe it is going to be great for this team and I think it will really make us a lot stronger both physically and mentally.

[die_hard_raven]

I'm looking forward to a healthy HEAP! Missing him the last 2 years has been painful. I can't wait to get a look at Ray Rice cause I think that will be a great change of pace. Of course the QB battle is what will be talked about the most regardless of what everyone else does.

The secondary was hideous @ times last year so I'm hoping we can return to having one of the top secondaries in the league. That will give us more freedom to apply pressure on the QB if the 'D' can stay healthy. There's alot of question marks for this team. We have the potential to move forward in a number of ways and really compete and there's also they chance of some growing pains.

I hope we are competitive and can fight for a playoff spot but I think as always the offense will hold the keys to that fate.

GO TS!

[Bullrush]

Is he really, though? I know that's what we drafted him to be, but he has not wowed me at all, even when healthy he was only a mediocre threat at the most. However, I do expect his role to evolve this year...

We ARE talking about Demetrius Williams, right? The one guy out of Oregon? He hasn't wowed you? Either you mixed him up with Mark Clayton or the only player in the NFL history who wow'd you was Jerry Rice.

Williams looked terrific when he was healthy. He's the only receiver on our team who makes bigplays happen on a regular basis. He has glue hands, great speed and crazy vertical jump skills, which is part of why he gets hurt so often.

[b-morebrotha]

I still think we need to at least give him a shot or at least put him on the field as a decoy to open up the middle for HEEEEEEEEEEAP, Mason, and Willis/Rice, etc....

Thats exactly what he will be used for A decoy, to open up the middle for Clayton. Heap needs to run out and corner routes the rest of his carrer

[FerrariFan87]

We ARE talking about Demetrius Williams, right? The one guy out of Oregon? He hasn't wowed you? Either you mixed him up with Mark Clayton or the only player in the NFL history who wow'd you was Jerry Rice.

Williams looked terrific when he was healthy. He's the only receiver on our team who makes bigplays happen on a regular basis. He has glue hands, great speed and crazy vertical jump skills, which is part of why he gets hurt so often.

No, in fact, he has not "wowed" me as you put it (yet)... has he wowed you???? Look, I know Demetrius has all the skills and athleticism, I just need him to stay on the field and do his thing for a whole season!

[Bullrush]

His injuries have nothing to do with what he does on the field. He wow's people on the field. His inability to stay healthy is a different issue.