Wide receiver Harper has impressed
It’s early into training camp, only the second day for rookies and selected veterans, but it was nice seeing second-year receiver Justin Harper make some big catches in the morning session today.
Harper, out of Virginia Tech, has outstanding size and showed some speed. He wrestled the ball away from cornerback Lardarius Webb to haul in a 99-yard touchdown pass from Troy Smith. He also showed good hand strength and concentration by sucking in a hard, tight Joe Flacco pass on a slant, which he also would have turned into a long touchdown in game conditions.
Both Harper and the Ravens still have a long ways to go, but at least he was encouraging. If he can get it done on the field on Sunday afternoons, he could fill a major hole for the Ravens, especially being a 6-3, 215-pound target.
• Rookie fullback Jason Cook, a free agent out of the University of Mississippi, might make the club if he can catch passes out of the backfield. Cook caught the eye of head coach John Harbaugh in offseason minicamps, but offensive coordinator Cam Cameron likes running backs who can makes plays as a runner and receiver.
“I have to show them the other dimension,” Cook said. “Whatever they want, I will do, and I will contribute in any way to make this football team.”
Cook was a teammate of offensive tackle Michael Oher, the Ravens top draft pick last April. Oher has missed the first two days of practice because of contract negotiations.
"I haven’t spoken with him since camp started, but I guarantee you that he wants to be here,” said Cook.
• I continue to watch receiver Demetrius Williams, and he is playing with a lot of confidence. There is no hesitation when he runs routs, and he is playing as someone who has a lot of security.
He is already trying to form a bond with Mark Clayton, the team’s other starting receiver.
• Because of the shortage of receivers, backup quarterback Troy Smith has been taking a lot of reps as a receiver. The Ravens are in the market for receivers, but they might not have to look far down their roster.
Smith has been impressive.
• Local police in Westminster shut down a number of speed traps around the McDaniel campus today compared to yesterday. On Tuesday, the local folks were trying to make a few bucks on unsuspecting visitors.
Maybe the police were trying to slow things down and keep it safe, but the speed traps looked like something out of Mayberry. The only thing missing was Barney Fife.
I guess law enforcers were trying to ticket all those spectators rushing down to buy the world famous hot dogs, chili dogs and Cole slaw at Harry’s restaurant on Main Street.
• Former Ravens defensive coordinator Rex Ryan was pretty liberal with the media here in Baltimore, but he has shut down on some of the access to his players as head coach of the New York Jets.
The once media friendly Ryan has limited availability around mid day. It doesn’t sound like Ryan, but the media herd in New York is large compared to the small group in Baltimore.
Comments
Great report. Leave Mason alone and accept his resignation. Someone who gives notice should be honored.
Cam Cameron is the difference. When you are smart and have the goods, stars are born. He helped shape the line, QB, and RB mentality. Now we shall see from the receivers and TE.
Some are still living in the past where players were thought to be the only difference. The TEAM and its leaders are the difference, not one player.
Posted by: jo | July 29, 2009 1:37 PM
The words on D. Williams is music to my ears
Posted by: rick | July 29, 2009 2:13 PM
goodie...
Cam Cameron ran a pretty nifty offense in SD with out a go to wide reciever. Hopefully he can do the same here this year.
Troy Smith needs to commit himself to being a team player. Line up at WR, do what you can to make the team. He does not have a future as a starting NFL QB.
Posted by: SHAMROCK | July 29, 2009 2:14 PM
Good info. Thx Mike
Posted by: dmanraven | July 29, 2009 3:42 PM
You hit the nail on the head with the Barney Fife comment, I got a ticket there at 3:30 in the morning there on my way to pick up my 80 year old mother for a red eye flight to see her sick elderly brother in California. I was going 40 mile per hour in a 25 and the cop was sitting 50 uards past the spot where the limit changes from 40 to 25, WHAT A JOKE, I was going to ask hom where he kept his bullet!
Posted by: Mike B | July 29, 2009 3:49 PM
Shamrock, please remember what Cam DID have in SD: a certain Ladanian Thomlinson, at his peak. I'd say that LT would make a lot of OCs look good.
Posted by: Ben N | July 29, 2009 5:18 PM
Shamrock, I disagree. I think Troy Smith doesn't have a future in Baltimore as a starting QB, as long as Flacco is here and healthy. But he still has talent and could be successful as a starter elsewhere.
Not that I'm encouraging him to leave by any means, since we need him at the receiver position right now...
Posted by: Raphael | July 29, 2009 5:59 PM
Excellent, Mike. This is the type of info that I like.
Hopefully, the WRs not named Mason will step up. I agree with your comments that thte O-line is the bigger concern. I think with the other WRs stepping up and the natural maturation of Flacco going from his rookie to his second year, the the Ravens' passing game should be improved, even without Mason.
Of course, I'd rather Mason be playing, but I think the Ravens could at the very least challenge for the division title without him. They were close with a rookie QB. The O-line, Flacco, and the running game should be better than last year.
Posted by: J | July 29, 2009 7:38 PM
dmanraven, just because you were breaking the law doesn't meant the cop was wrong. Next time don't be an idiot. Slow down. I'm betting you drink and drive also.
Posted by: Bruce | July 30, 2009 11:38 AM
Why do people make personal attacks on others in a newspaper postings??? Why can't the posts just be about what they are supposed to - the article... Now to MY question. Does signing Drew Bennett still count against the cap since he retired? Or do we get that money back?
Posted by: Chris | July 31, 2009 9:04 AM
Wow Bruce, you could deduce that the man is a drunken driver just from reading that statement? That's amazing! you should get a job in law enforcement! With skills like that, we could do away with the entire court system. The tax savings alone would balance the budget in just a few years. You wouldn't have any Big Game predictions would you?
Posted by: chris | July 31, 2009 7:01 PM