The Baltimore Ravens were out on the practice field at their Owings Mills, Maryland Training Camp this afternoon, and the heat plus humidity was right there with them, at least until the lightning sent them scurrying indoors for the final 15 minutes of practice. Unfortunately, it was a boring days from a photographic point of view, as most of the practice was considered off-limits for pictures to be taken.
Early on, I was trying to figure out who the guy in the #3 jersey was, barking at players, moving around the defensive backfield like he owned the place! Not being able to get a good look at this unknown rookie, I asked an Intern who told me it was none other than Ed Reed. Why he was dressed in the unnamed #3 jersey instead of his #20 was not explained.
Tight end Davon Drew has looked very good so far in camp, making a few nice receptions today. He is quietly looking like the guy they drafted two years ago who had every opportunity to follow Todd Heap on the depth chart yet never played or even practiced up to his potential.
Defensive Coordinator Chuck Pagano may be short in stature, but is not afraid to get up in his defensive player's grills and really give it to them if he sees something he doesn't like. He seems to have a personality much more intense than last year's defensive coordinator Greg Mattison, although not quite as unpredictable as previous DC andnow New York Jets head coach, Rex Ryan.
Wide receiver Tandon Doss seemed to be making his own highlight reel today, as he made a spectacular one-handed grab in the end zone on one play and then shortly thereafter out-jumped a defensive back for another, landing flat on his back yet still holding on for the score.
On the sidelines watching practice but not practicing for reasons related to the rules of the new CBA were G/T Marshal Yanda, T Oniel Cousins, Haruki Nakamura and WR Marcus Smith.