Deon Cain: “I’m hungry for this opportunity”

The main attraction of training camp is typically rooted in big-time connections from quarterbacks to their wideouts. Hundred’s of “ooo’s” from the bleachers filled with Ravens fans which end with either disappointment on an incompletion or cheers and clapping upon a successful offensive play. Recently, Deon Cain has been the player to draw the most cheering after winning a few reps against All-Pro cornerback Marlon Humphrey.

Cain thinks these reps against the Ravens’ caliber of cornerbacks shows he belongs in this league.

“Most definitely,” Cain said. “During my offseason I’m going against great corners all the time. Just coming out here working out with Marlon, Marcus Peters, Devontae Harris, Chris Westry, all of those guys. It’s really giving me that confidence that once game time comes, I know it’s going to be easier.”

Recently, Cain was picked by NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah as a sleeper pick to make the Ravens’ roster. Though Cain avoids listening to the media during the season, he still felt honored to be considered by the former Ravens scout.

“I don’t really pay attention to the media and stuff like that,” Cain said. “When it’s camp, I just try to lock it in. . . I mean, that’s definitely a blessing to be categorized as that for sure, but I’m just out here to work and get better every day.”

Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images

When Cain talks about how hard he and this wide receiver room are working, he’s not being hyperbolic. New Ravens Passing Game Specialist Coach Keith Williams has them working from the first to last horn, and even then, Williams spoke with the receivers for an extra 10-15 minutes on the sideline, and Cain has loved every second with Williams.

“The biggest thing about Keith that I love: he cares,” Cain said. “Some wide receiver coaches, once that horn rings, they’re just back into coach mode. But you can tell he’s a receiver guru. He tries to bring our competitive side out of you. Especially if he sees how hungry you want it. I feel like he’s tapping us into a different level for sure. That’s why I try to listen to every little gem he gives me. A lot of receivers he coached have been successful in the league that I’ve looked up to like Devante Adams, Sammy Watkins, Tyreek Hill and all those guys. He tells me we all have the potential to do those things so he goes back and shows us the things [they do] and put it in us. That’s the thing that I love about Coach. He’s very hard on us, he’s going to make sure we’re at the right place at the right time and he’s a fun coach to be around, too. I love Keith.”

Cain knows the competition is fierce this season for a spot on the Ravens’ roster. When asked what separates him from others in the room, he shared how determined he is to be great and that he’ll do anything to be on the field.

“I’m hungry for this opportunity,” Cain said. “I’ve been a little shaky throughout the beginning of my years and now I just kind of see how everything is playing out, [so I want to] come out here and become a total football player. I don’t care if it’s anything. I just want to be the best at whatever I do. I pretty much critique myself really hard all the time, like I’m never really satisfied with anything that goes on so my biggest thing is I want to stay humble and stay hungry throughout this whole process.”