Ravens WR Justin Harper At Crossroads

by Bruce Raffel on Jul 12, 2011 11:00 AM EDT

Wide receiver Justin Harper has been on the Baltimore Ravens Practice Squad the past three years. NFL rules state that a player can only spend three years on a team's Practice Squad, so that means, as it says in the story on Hickory Daily Record, that 2011 will be a make or break year for the former Virginia Tech Hokie.

Harper was hosting a youth football camp with a few other football players, both currently in the NFL or hoping for the phone call that will invite them to an NFL team's Training Camp once the labor dispute is settled. Justin has frustrated both coaches and Ravens fans over the past three seasons, as he has made acrobatic catches in Training Camps each summer, yet also drops easily catch-able balls as well, relegating him to just practicing with the team all season rather than getting a chance to contribute in a real game.

Along with the other players awaiting word that a new Collective Bargaining Agreement has been reached, Harper and the other NFL players at his camp have been staying in shape and plan to be ready as soon as the phone call hopefully comes to each of them.

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It really wouldnt hurt us

Especially with our depth at reciever

by zmmckay on Jul 12, 2011 1:51 PM EDT via mobile reply actions

he better step it up this year and beat hardy butt for the roster spot

I truly think Harper has all the tools to be the best wideout we ever had if he just get it together

What happens to a dream deferred?
Does it dry up
Like a raisin in the sun?
Or fester like a sore--
And then run?
Does it stink like rotten meat?
Or crust and sugar over--
like a syrupy sweet?
Maybe it just sags
like a heavy load.
Or does it explode?-langton Hughes

by jazz20 on Jul 12, 2011 2:09 PM EDT reply actions

i truly think that kyle boller could be a great NFL qb

if he just get it together

by Evan Skev on Jul 12, 2011 2:34 PM EDT up reply actions

He’s got size, speed, and seperation skills. All he needs is new hands. Hopefully he had surgery this offseason.

The writer formerly known as This White Man Can Jump; Powah Stached; Bear Killer; Da Dude; The Other Bambino; TJ Dropped The Season; Harbaugh Is My Co-Pilot; Billick's Alter Ego; Mr. Poopy Pants.

by El.Dude on Jul 12, 2011 2:49 PM EDT up reply actions

I don’t see how he makes the team this year, particularly if Hardy shows anything.

by JoshuaStein on Jul 12, 2011 2:42 PM EDT reply actions

Torrey Smith is f-a-s-t and has velcro hands

If he’s given the chance to play, he’ll make mistakes, learn the pro game and become a major contributor

stretch the field, Cam…I’d love to be congratulating you on having a great season

by Evan Skev on Jul 12, 2011 3:22 PM EDT reply actions

If by Harper coming to a "crossroads" you mean

To the left is the Arena League, straight ahead is the CFL, and to the right is the AFL, then you’re right. The kids just not cut out for the big leagues…sorry.

"I hate your sig…" -Mr MaLoR

by StuckInUtah on Jul 12, 2011 4:39 PM EDT via mobile reply actions

we will see

by jazz20 on Jul 12, 2011 4:59 PM EDT up reply actions

Oh c'mon

Quit lying to yourself Jazz. The guy has had 3 years to show that he deserves a roster spot, and still has done nothing to show that he does. I’m even going to go out on a limb here and say…..

Cary Williams > Justin Harper

"I hate your sig…" -Mr MaLoR

by StuckInUtah on Jul 12, 2011 5:28 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

Cary Williams > Justin Harper

Powerful stuff coming from you.

Water covers 2/3 of the Earth's surface. Ed Reed covers the rest.

State your case, back it up with facts and reasonable opinions ...
Bruce Raffel

by Ampallang on Jul 12, 2011 6:27 PM EDT up reply actions

What can I say, I just call ’em how I see ’em.

"I hate your sig…" -Mr MaLoR

by StuckInUtah on Jul 12, 2011 6:34 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

actrally he only had two years Justin harper got hurt in was on injured reserve on first year

he has been a raven for three years now but he only has had two years to actrally develop.

by jazz20 on Jul 12, 2011 6:58 PM EDT up reply actions

typo got hurt and was put on injured reserve

by jazz20 on Jul 12, 2011 7:00 PM EDT up reply actions

Trust me, if the new CBA allows us to keep him on the practice squad another year (which I doubt it will) then I’m all for it. But if not, he has an extremely steep uphill battle to beat out Torry, Doss, and even Hardy to make the active roster.

"I hate your sig…" -Mr MaLoR

by StuckInUtah on Jul 12, 2011 7:09 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

He has one major advantage over Doss, torry, and hardy with his more knowledge of the playbook

I dont expect doss, torry or hardy to be straight out good right away because they have alot to improve on and thats the actrally fact of working on their route running and etc.
Justin Harper doesnt have problems with his route runing( he still needs to improve) all he has to do is be more consistent with catching the ball and being atleast more aggressive. I think Justin Harper can do this and it seems like he is a hard work because it was said that he has work out with Flacco, Mason,Boldin, and Heap.

by jazz20 on Jul 12, 2011 8:10 PM EDT up reply actions

typo Falcco,Mason,and Heap in arizonia which I dont think he even lives at so that means he has some determination to succeed.

by jazz20 on Jul 12, 2011 8:12 PM EDT up reply actions

Doss is actually already ahead of him as far as route running and catching ability. Scouts felt Doss might have the best hands in the draft this year and is one of the more polished route runners, who also does very well finding holes in zones. Torrey was our 2nd rounder and the fastest WR we got, so really the only possibility is him beating out Hardy. I actually think the Ravens will keep Marcus Smith over Harper right now if Hardy doesn’t pan out because of how good of a special teamer he is.

On Ed Reed:
"I’ve told him to his face many times, ‘You’re the greatest safety ever to play the game,’"
"We all learn from each other, but we all learn most from him."
- Troy Polamalu

by AV23 on Jul 12, 2011 8:14 PM EDT up reply actions

You forgot the UFL.

You come at the king, you best not miss.

by organizedchaos52 on Jul 14, 2011 9:33 PM EDT up reply actions

Harper has looked great in training camp but when the pads come on and you have routes between the hash marks he starts dropping balls. The AFC North is not the division for him.

by Ngata 92 on Jul 12, 2011 7:34 PM EDT reply actions

Agreed. He has looked really good in the summer. He makes the tough catches, but continues to drop the routine passes. He hasn’t made the roster when we weren’t as deep at WR, so I’m not expecting a turn around this year unfortunately. I would love it if I ’m wrong though because he does have the size and ability to get open.

On Ed Reed:
"I’ve told him to his face many times, ‘You’re the greatest safety ever to play the game,’"
"We all learn from each other, but we all learn most from him."
- Troy Polamalu

by AV23 on Jul 12, 2011 8:10 PM EDT up reply actions