Day one: Off the field
It was a disappointing start to Ravens training camp, and it had nothing to do with the team itself. With all of the excitement surrounding the team, one had to wonder: Where were the fans?
The Ravens announced that a crowd of 3,008 attended the morning practice, but it seemed less than that. The stands at the McDaniel College football stadium weren't full, and there were plenty of empty spots on the grass hill.
The crowd topped last year's first-day total of 2,530 but many expected more. Maybe fans were still traveling home from Cooperstown, N.Y., where Cal Ripken Jr. was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame.
WELCOME TO TOWN: On one of his first carries in team drills, new running back Willis McGahee fumbled after being surprised by a hit from rookie Prescott Burgess. A fan greeted the former University of Miami star by yelling from the stands, "Hey Willis, this is Ravenstown. It's not South Beach."
EYE ON THE PRIZE: Linebacker Ray Lewis said everyone on the team has high expectations after last season's 13-3 season. "It's no secret," Lewis said. "We're not overlooking anybody, but everybody knows we're looking to be in Arizona (for the Super Bowl)."
NEW LOOK: Linebacker Terrell Suggs looks to be in the best shape of his career, especially his upper body. He seems to be built more like a defensive end than a linebacker. After practice, Suggs joked with reporters about the ongoing talks for a contract extension.
Wearing a new shirt -- it was a full-body picture of himself that read "Team Sizzles" -- Suggs said he doesn't expect the same type of contract that Indianapolis Colts defensive end Dwight Freeney received (he became the NFL's highest-paid player with a $30 million signing bonus), but he acknowledged that he did notice the numbers. "I think it got everybody's attention," Suggs said.
Comments
Poor Willis got an early intro to Balto fans, and the Rookie Burgess making a name for himself already! That is really good to hear Suggs say he doesn't expect Freeny type money. That has to be one of the stupidest things the Colts have ever done...question is do you think Suggs means what he syas?
Posted by: eds | July 30, 2007 12:49 PM
Not everyone can take off work to go to Training Camp. It would be nice if they would open public practice on a weekend day sometime.
Posted by: J-Red | July 30, 2007 2:43 PM
Also heard the rookie from Maryland Jared Gather got the better of Suggs this morning.
Posted by: Adam | July 30, 2007 3:33 PM
To J-Red: Before criticizing the team, do a little research. Here's the Ravens training camp schedule for next weekend (this weekend is the scrimmage vs. the Redskins): Sat Aug 11: 8:15 – 10:35 a.m., 3:00 – 4:00 p.m.; Sun Aug 12: 9:30 – 11:00 a.m. NO AFTERNOON PRACTICE (Walk-thru).
Posted by: Marc | July 30, 2007 5:03 PM
Hey Marc, before criticizing J-Red, read his post better. He said "open" on a week-end, not "be open". Last time I looked August 11 was two weeks after training camp opened.
Posted by: PT | July 30, 2007 5:56 PM
To Marc:
ME: It would be nice if they would open public practice on a weekend day sometime.
Research takes time. Actually reading the sentence doesn't.
Posted by: J-Red | July 30, 2007 11:05 PM
I see the ambiguity Marc. I meant that it would be nice if they would have the opening of training camp, as in the first public practice, on a weekend.
Posted by: J-Red | July 30, 2007 11:07 PM