Training camp is right around the corner for the Baltimore Ravens. There will be position battles, rookies will be looking to earn a roster spot and veterans will be out to prove that they still belong. It will be do or die for some fringe players. Training camp is survival of the fittest and it all starts on July 23rd when the veterans report to the Under Armour Performance Center in Owings Mills, Maryland. Here are five things to watch for at Ravens training camp:
1. The Battle for Right Tackle and the Rest of The Offensive Line
Last year’s starter at right tackle was Michael Oher but he has moved on via free agency. Second year tackle Rick Wagner took most of the reps with the first team at right tackle during OTAs and mini camp. He is set to open camp as the team’s starter there. He will face some competition from Jah Reid for the starting spot. Keep an eye on this position battle as training camp goes on. Head coach John Harbaugh has said that right now, the starting job is Wagner’s but that could change once the pads go on.
Jeremy Zuttah was acquired to take over the starting center spot from Gino Gradkowski. Harbaugh talked about how important the acquisition was when the trade was completed.
“We traded for Jeremy to have him to be the starting center. That’s the plan, Jeremy is a more experienced center/guard in this league. The thing I liked on tape – we studied him pretty hard – he’s a big, rangy guy. He’s got length, he’s got size in there, he’s got experience and he’s also got, we think, a knack for the scheme we’re going to run offensively. He’s a good fit for us.”
The other spots are set in place as Kelechi Osemeli returns from injury and incumbents Eugene Monroe and Marshall Yanda continue to be top notch starters. Once the pads go on, it’s a whole different story for the offensive line. It’s very hard to get an accurate gauge of how well they are playing when contact is restricted. Now that they will be able to go full contact, you will see how they are able to do against the defensive line.
2. Who Will Win the Nickel Corner Spot?
Corey Graham was the nickel corner last year but he signed a free agent contract with the Buffalo Bills. Ozzie Newsome and the Ravens front office didn’t draft a corner in the deep 2014 draft class. Instead they will turn to Asa Jackson or Chykie Brown to take over. Both of these young players have waited for the opportunity to push for more playing time. The front office showed faith in them and now is their chance to show what they can do.
Jackson is a very quick and shifty corner that will play a key role when the Ravens go against teams that have dangerous slot receivers. Brown on the other hand is a better fit on the outside and will line up there while starter Lardarius Webb bumps inside to cover the slot. One of the two will be the nickel corner which is basically a starting position because of how much three receiver sets teams employ in the NFL.
There won’t be any shortage of receivers to test these two in training camp. Rookie receiver Mike Campanaro will be an excellent test for them as he has similar qualities to the top slot receivers such as Wes Welker and Julian Edlman. Watch how Jackson and Brown fair against the Ravens receivers especially in one on ones and seven on seven.
3. How Will the Running Backs Fit Into Kubiak’s Zone Blocking Scheme?
Ray Rice has been the bell cow running back for the Ravens over the last few years. That is not expected to change this year unless the NFL slaps a long term suspension on him after his off the field trouble. Bernard Pierce is coming off of a down year. Justin Forsett was brought in from Jacksonville to compete as well. The Ravens also selected a running back, Lorenzo Taliaferro in the fourth round this year.
Kubiak’s zone blocking scheme employs downhill runners that are able to get to the second level of the defense quickly. His scheme has proven to be a successful one dating back to his days as the Denver Broncos offensive coordinator and head coach of the Houston Texans. He will get the opportunity to improve on a Ravens rushing game that fell off last year.
Full contact happens once the pads come on. That’s when both teams can go full tilt. The Ravens have a strong front seven led by Haloti Ngata. There are few players in the NFL that can stuff the running game better. Watch how the running backs and offensive line fair against the Ravens defense. The inside and team sessions will feature a lot of banging.
4. Terrence Brooks Pushing to be the Starting Free Safety
The Ravens added a few rookies that will look to earn the chance to contribute. The team was able to restock quickly and is set to make a push for another playoff run.
Terrence Brooks will add a great degree of athleticism to the safety position. He and second year safety, Matt Elam will form a very solid safety duo. Brooks was an outstanding performer at the NFL Scouting Combine. His athleticism will show on the field.
Watch how Brooks is able to cover ground in single high coverage and how he is able to come up to the line of scrimmage to cover receivers. He was a consistent play maker at Florida State last year. That will continue in the NFL.
5. The Steve Smith Effect
Steve Smith is known as one of the toughest players in the NFL. He has engaged in epic battles with some of the game’s best corners. His tenacious play in OTAs and mini camp has already given the Ravens flashbacks of former catalyst, Anquan Bolidn. Terrell Suggs welcomes the attitude on offense. “It’s good to have that back. Someone that will jab back with us and compete. It’s good to have that fiery attitude on that side of the ball. We love him. That’s what we need. I am glad he is on my team.”
The Ravens suffered from the loss of Boldin. Smith was brought in to fill that void. He is still able to stretch the field but more importantly, he has the ability to make the contested catch and keep the chains moving. Watch how Joe Flacco goes to him on an assortment of short to mid range passes. He was a safety net for Cam Newton last year when he was with the Carolina Panthers. Look for more of the same this year with Flacco.
The younger players stand to gain a lot from Smith’s experience in the NFL. He is a great reference point for how to make necessary route adjustments or setting up defensive backs. Receivers coach Bobby Engram will often times give Smith a chance to offer his take in the film room. Some of the younger receivers such as rookie receiver Jeremy Butler have been able to get pointers from him during practice.
Be sure to stay tuned for more training camp updates and positional battles as we go through the preseason.
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