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There was a disturbing trend in Friday's morning practice, when Ravens returners repeatedly dropped punts.
Ray Rice, who returned kickoffs more than punts at Rutgers, let two punts go through his hands. Yamon Figurs, the Ravens' return specialist last season, let one go through his grasp.
After 10 days of full-team practices, it seems like the concentration is lacking at times. The Ravens can't afford miscues like that on special teams.
Mike Preston has been with The Baltimore Sun since 1983. Prior to becoming a columnist in 2000, he covered the Ravens for four years. Preston will appear every Monday from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Fox Sports Radio (1370-AM) to answer any questions about the Ravens. Preston is a native of Essex and a graduate of Towson State University, where he played football.
Jamison Hensley has been The Baltimore Sun’s Ravens beat reporter since the 2000 Super Bowl season. He is a regular contributor to WBAL radio and ESPN2’s First Take. Hensley is a Baltimore City native and a graduate of the University of Maryland. Follow Jamison for additional updates on Twitter.
Ken Murray has covered Baltimore pro football teams in three leagues and two countries. He covered the Colts' departure in 1984, the Stallions' arrival in 1994 and the Ravens' Super Bowl championship in 2000. His warmup act was Roger Staubach's final season with the Dallas Cowboys in 1979.
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Comments
I saw every single game Ray Rice played at Rutgers and I'm fairly certain Ray never returned a punt or a kick in his entire career. I could be mistaken (maybe he did it once or twice). Either way, we can forgive Ray for struggling a bit performing a new duty but it definatly scares methat Figurs can't field punts well enough yet.
Posted by: Cody | August 1, 2008 1:08 PM
where's zbikowski?
Posted by: g dubbs | August 1, 2008 1:30 PM
Just as I thought. Here if the complete Rutgers stats (you can check past years too). Ray didn't return a punt or kick a single time in college
Posted by: Cody | August 1, 2008 1:33 PM
Odd, I though you took Eagles coaches, not the Eagles return squad.
Posted by: Eagles Fan | August 1, 2008 1:49 PM
Ray Rice NEVER returned punts or kickoffs at Rutgers. Not sure where you got that idea!
Posted by: fred | August 1, 2008 3:01 PM
oh no!
Posted by: Stevers | August 1, 2008 3:08 PM
I'm sure that Ray Rice didn't return punts or kickoffs at Rutgers but I saw him kim a 54 yard field goal to win a game at the buzzer.
Posted by: jeff | August 1, 2008 9:48 PM
Nice background check on Ray Rice. Probably told by "sources" inside Ravens locker room that Mr. Rice returned kicks at Rutgers.
Posted by: Ravensroost | August 1, 2008 10:10 PM
Ray Rice didnt return any kicks, but he did stay at a Holiday Inn Express!
Posted by: Jody | August 1, 2008 10:37 PM
Is it me? Or, is Jamison Hensley trying to win the Simon Cowell look-a-like contest?
Posted by: Drew | August 1, 2008 11:47 PM
they dont drop punts at Towson.
Posted by: joe_mama | August 2, 2008 12:15 AM
Ray returned punts/kicks in high school not college.
Posted by: Bguy | August 2, 2008 2:53 AM
I heard that while Ray Rice was attending Rutgers he once returned a football he bought from Target to the store for a refund.
Posted by: Jimmie | August 4, 2008 4:00 PM