Training Camp Battles

[1/28/01]

[quote name='Wacko4Zacko' timestamp='1311359491' post='711414']
Biggest battle I see is Foxworth, Webb, Jimmy Smith and possibly Josh Wilson all competing for the two starting CB jobs.
[/quote]
And that guy Carr who started last year and will most likely start this year

[gabefergy]

[quote name='1/28/01' timestamp='1311359694' post='711416']
And that guy Carr who started last year and will most likely start this year
[/quote]

I thought that Carr would come back, but after hearing his comments I'm not so sure anymore. I dont think the Ravens drafted Jimmy Smith to be a NB. He will start this season, maybe not game 1 but he will at some point. Foxworth seems likely to start as well so where does that leave Carr? He might start a couple games, but I dont think the Ravens can guarantee him the starting role. He can clearly compete for it, but I dont think he is a better corner than Foxy.

[Ravensfan23]

I think the lockout might strip away the true spirit of position battles in camp. Because all the offseason workout were taken away, I think the Ravens will be more inclined to go with whats familiar rather then give guys a true chance to compete.

For example. The Ravens will probably insert McClain at ILB with the starters and go forward with that. Instead of rotating he and Ellerbe to see who's working better with the ones. Ellerbe will get his time with the ones, but it won't be as a audition type role, it'll be as his usually reserve type role he held last year.

Like Dennis Pitta won't truly be able to compete with Dickson for the #2 TE position.

But even with this being said, I still think they will be some interesting battles or stories to watch at camp.

Zibby vs Nakamura: This might be a true battle, and might be one that last the entire seasons, not just camp. It'll be interesting to see how the Ravens view that position. I think they really like Nakamura's coverage skills and the versatility that he adds to the back end of the defense. I also think they were really pleased with Zibby when he got the chance to start, so no matter who's declared the starter, I think both guys will see major action this season.

Cousins vs Harewood vs Reid: I personally feel that many people made too much of a big deal about the Ravens trading up to get Jah Reid. He's a very big and talented guy, who the Ravens targeted. He was within reach so that pulled the trigger. Bottomline. I watched a few Central Florida games and he seems worth the pick to me. BR.com is reporting that Zeus has been training both Cousins and Harewood. I think that is great for those 2 young guys. Cousins is very intriguing to me, because he's a guys with tons of talent and potential. The Ravens knew it would take him about 3-4 years to develop into either a quality RG or RT, and that time line is playing out. When you watch Cousins play, you see exactly why the Ravens liked him so much, but then a couple plays later you see exactly why he's considered a project. I thought 2 years ago he played really well except for a couple sacks given up to Woodley. But then again, that's the game we need our OT the most. I will be watching him hard this camp and preseason. I think with a little better hands and tougher additude, Cousins could be our starting RT or that top backup at G/T. Harewood is a guy that I don't think many know much about. He showed some flashes last season, but getting hurt really hurt he's development. Or at least it has the potential to. I personally think Harewood has the potential to be a really dominant RT for the Baltimore Ravens, but he'll have to stay healthy. 6'6 340, long arms, huge hands, and pretty good feet, you can't teach that. If he puts it together soon, a guy like Lamar Woodley might become a none factor in Steelers vs Ravens games.

Kruger vs Redding vs Jones: I don't really think this will be a battle as Redding should and will be the starter. He started to come on strong towards the end of the season and I can't wait to see what he'll do in a season where he's fully comfortable. However, I still think that Kruger and Jones will see a lot of time this year, if they earn it. Many people, myself included think that Kruger would be better served going back to the OLB position, but even with my feelings, I have to admit that Kruger started to play much better towards the end of the season. Off the top of my head I can think about at least 3 cases where Kruger should have had a sack and a couple other where he provide great pressure. The Ravens have asked Kruger to be a DE in the 3-4 and switching him back to OLB right now my hurt him more then help. He seemed to get a lot more comfortable dealing with double teams and inside play towards the end of the season. I say keep him at the 5, but allow him opportunities to stand up and rush, or drop into coverage while sending Kindle on the same side. I've said before that Jones reminds me of a Luis Castillo from the Chargers. He'll be a really good run stopper and provide good pressure rushing the passer. He won't be viewed as a great pass rusher, but his presences will allow others to make plays.

There are 3 guys I'm really looking forward to seeing this preseason. Jason Phillips, Carey Williams, and Albert McClellan. Those are all 25 year old young guys going into their 4th years, 2nd for McClellan and all have shown flashes in the preseason. With Pagano installing a more attacking style defense(like we're used to) all three of these young guys could benefit from it. Will any of them be starters this year? No, but they could very well be key reserves for the next 3-5 years.

[Guest ArmyRaven52]

I want to see Jimmy one on one with Q and Torrey, see all the aspects of his game and Torrey's. If he can be physical with boldin underneath and open it up to keep with Torrey if he can do that we may have something here.

[Bltravens]

Kindle and TorreySmith, if those guys can do half of what they are supposed to we are going to be very hard to beat.

[RavenRain]

Ray Lewis vs Jameel McClain.....

[Ravensfan23]

[quote name='ArmyRaven52' timestamp='1311444003' post='711879']
I want to see Jimmy one on one with Q and Torrey, see all the aspects of his game and Torrey's. If he can be physical with boldin underneath and open it up to keep with Torrey if he can do that we may have something here.
[/quote]

Yea also with guys like Kenny Britt, maybe Braylon Edwards, Andre Johnson, Larry Fitzgerald, AJ Green and Vincent Jackson on the schedule this year, I wanna see how Jimmy Smith uses his size against guys like James Hardy and Justin Harper in practice. If Jimmy Smith could take all those guys out of the games, we'd pretty much shutdown their offenses.

Hell if he shut those guys down, there might be a overused nickname in his immediate future. Jimmy's Vault?........ahhh maybe not.

But Chuck Pagano being the DC will be really good for Jimmy Smith, hell just him being a coach period. Chuck will know exactly how to handle Jimmy Smith because he's coached Jimmy Smith before, only his name was Nnamdi.

[r_u_kiddin_me?!]

to be honest i dont think jimmy will shut down andre johnson or larry fitzgerald. not in his first year...

im also pretty excited about the CB's, tho

[CapoRocky]

It's getting near FA frenzy time. I hope we get Edwards or Jackson to beef up the rush. I think we could survive without McClain or MacGahee this year. We are pretty deep in many areas like WR. Go Torrey, Jimmy, and Ray A.

[RoflDogs]

Haruki vs Zibby

My money is on Haruki

[ftimbo]

[quote name='Moderator 3' timestamp='1311264560' post='710587']
Where: Owings Mills, not open to the public.

When: Probably about a week after the CBA is ratified by both sides.
[/quote]

Aww man! I'm bummed i won't be able to see it this year...I've been going to the training camps at McDaniel Oooo well..

[berad]

[quote name='ftimbo' timestamp='1311531591' post='712256']
Aww man! I'm bummed i won't be able to see it this year...I've been going to the training camps at McDaniel Oooo well..
[/quote]
Earlier this off-season, they talked about possibly doing more M&T Bank practices - like the did last off-season. It would be a let-down not to have practice open to the fans but if it makes the difference in the team being ready or not, I'll swallow that pill.

[Ravenslifer]

I'm really interested in the David Reed/Torrey Smith/Tandon Doss battle for the 3rd wide receiver spot (assuming we don't sign anyone else). I'm also hoping Jimmy Smith will be able to start week one.

[XxSizzleXx]

I'd love to see Kruger come in and drop some jaws and snag a spot somewhere on the defense. We could see something from him before guys like Jones.

[XxSizzleXx]

Seeing how Jimmy compares to our other corners is a big one. It'd be nice to see him outperform everybody and land a starting gig.

[Ed_Reed20]

[quote name='XxSizzleXx' timestamp='1311544394' post='712331']
I'd love to see Kruger come in and drop some jaws and snag a spot somewhere on the defense. We could see something from him before guys like Jones.
[/quote]

I recently heard Jones was out of shape last season, which is primarily why he didn't see much time. He already had a size and strength advantage over Kruger. And with all the work he's been doing with his brother, I can see him challenging Redding by mid-season.

[Ravensfan23]

[quote name='Ed_Reed20' timestamp='1311544904' post='712333']
I recently heard Jones was out of shape last season, which is primarily why he didn't see much time. He already had a size and strength advantage over Kruger. And with all the work he's been doing with his brother, I can see him challenging Redding by mid-season.
[/quote]

Kruger started to come on strong towards the end of the season, so I wouldn't count him out just yet. Of course he's play didn't produce a lot of stats, but after watching him closes, he applied good pressure at times, and held strong against the run.

He had to get used to playing the 5 technique just like Redding did, and also had to get used to playing at a heavier weight. I think Kruger could surprise some people this season.

[FlaccoFlicker]

I'm not even going into how much I want Kreuger to do well.He needs to learn to shake the linemen cuz he did get pressure but couldn't get loose

[Ed_Reed20]

[quote name='Ravensfan23' timestamp='1311553300' post='712444']
Kruger started to come on strong towards the end of the season, so I wouldn't count him out just yet. Of course he's play didn't produce a lot of stats, but after watching him closes, he applied good pressure at times, and held strong against the run.

He had to get used to playing the 5 technique just like Redding did, and also had to get used to playing at a heavier weight. I think Kruger could surprise some people this season.
[/quote]

I'm not counting Kruger completely out; I noticed him bringing pressure too. I'm just not sure he gets a significant bump in snaps if Jones is truly prepared.

[Ravensfan23]

[quote name='FlaccoFlicker' timestamp='1311554052' post='712460']
I'm not even going into how much I want Kreuger to do well.He needs to learn to shake the linemen cuz he did get pressure but couldn't get loose
[/quote]

Chuck Pagano and C. Brooks installing more stunts, twist and movement for the Dline should help him and everyone else for that matter.

If he's gonna be an undersized DE, then use that to his advantage, don't just having him consistently bull rushing guys who are 40-60 pounds heavier then him.

Surprising Kruger drew a lot of double teams last season. I was actually surprised by that, but then I realized that most times Kruger was on the field the Ravens used only 3 man rush and the offense had more then enough blockers.

If the Ravens have a strong presences from the outside pass rush, some of those QB hurries could turn into sacks for Kruger.

[PuRock]

[quote name='berad' timestamp='1311531911' post='712258']
Earlier this off-season, they talked about possibly doing more M&T Bank practices - like the did last off-season. It would be a let-down not to have practice open to the fans but if it makes the difference in the team being ready or not, I'll swallow that pill.
[/quote]

I do believe they are still going to have at least one practice open at M&T Bank. Aaron Wilson was reporting this the other day, that they still have these plans.

But still, its not the same as McDaniels. Its a nice getaway to McDaniels.

[FerrariFan87]

Training Camp just won't be the same

They better post tons of videos this year, although that's not likely.

[757RavensFan]

I'm just hoping Kindle is 100% healthy. I'm more excited about seeing what he can do than the current class of rookies!

[harfordravenfan]

I'm with ya there, imagine if our 2nd & 3rd year guys really bring it this year and the team utilizes our new rookies more often then the norm.

[quote name='757RavensFan' timestamp='1311607203' post='712681']
I'm just hoping Kindle is 100% healthy. I'm more excited about seeing what he can do than the current class of rookies!
[/quote]

[True]

The two young receivers they drafted will be great to see how they perform in training camp alongside learning from some veterans in Anquan Boldin and Derrick Mason. I want to see how Tandon Doss does with Joe Flacco throwing to him. I'm sure he feels honoroed (I guess that's the right word?) that Flacco choose him as one of the guys he wanted in the mid rounds during the draft.

Sergio Kindle is a dark horse. He has a lot of talent and I hope that now he is healthy he can utilize it and become a contributing player on the team. I'm not expecting a 10+ sack kind of guy but if he can help add QB pressure and give Terrell Suggs a boost in the pass rush it would be very good to see.

[FlaccoFlicker]

[media]http://http://twitpic.com/5w6k8o[/media]Terrence cody is down to 350
said he did alot of running.He gunning for that spot.

http://twitter.com/#!/RavensInsider

[Ed_Reed20]

I just wanted to share this short article I read on Ellerbe. Whether you believe Preston or not, none of what he's said about Ellerbe seems far-fetched, and it sheds even more light on why he was in the doghouse last season and inactive for a stretch of games.

[url="http://weblogs.baltimoresun.com/sports/ravens/blog/2011/07/ellerbe_must_step_up.html"]Link[/url]

Let's hope he's ready to compete with McClain and Gooden.

[The Raven]

I have a scary feeling Gooden might make more of an impact in the D this year. After hearing he's put on about 20-30 pounds of muscle, he might be able to hold his own more against the run. Maybe, maybe not. His biggest problem his physicality, but with more size, he might do better. Hope he doesn't lose speed though.

I have a bad feeling about Ellerbe after readin gthat article. I think he just may be released to make a point. I'd like to keep him for depth, but it just seems like one of those cuts a coach makes to make a point. "This is my team"

[ravensfan160]

Looks like my man Arthur Jones is off to a great start. Jamison Hensley just tweeted this.

"So, biggest surprise was Arthur Jones, fifth-round pick from a year ago, instead of Redding at DE."

[scrock]

[quote name='ravensfan160' timestamp='1312496426' post='735632']
Looks like my man Arthur Jones is off to a great start. Jamison Hensley just tweeted this.

"So, biggest surprise was Arthur Jones, fifth-round pick from a year ago, instead of Redding at DE."
[/quote]

I like Art Jones, I think he has good genetics, I'm an MMA fan and his brother Jon Jones is a freak...Art worked out with his brother this offseason quite a bit, he's supposed to be in great shape