Ravens Training Camp

Quarterback Derby

And their off. It really has not been much of a derby as of yet, QB Kyle Boller has looked the best at this point. Boller has looked better this camp then past camps but he also looks like Boller. A few fumbled snaps, throwing behind and doing his little foot dance behind the line but he has been the most consistent quarterback. QB Troy Smith turns the ball over a lot. The first day of camp Smith was given the first shot under center and each of the four plays, he turned the ball over. First time with a fumble snap then three INTs, one to a coach that was wide open. Rookie QB Joe Flacco has looked just that, a rookie. Flacco has looked good at times, very good but at times looked very bad with big over-throws and wrong reads but he has gotten better each day.

Running Down the Running Backs

Starting RB Willis McGahee has not see the field much due to an injury but that has given rookie RB Ray Rice a lot of time. Rice is the real deal, if your looking at teams 2nd backs, he is the one you want. He has the moves, the speed and can find the holes. I would say that he is the steal in draft but that would go to another Ravens rookie that plays on the other side of the ball. RB P.J. Daniels and RB Cory Ross have also spent a lot of time on the side watching and hurting. Rookie RB Allen Patrick had a few good runs but runs to high. You should get a look at RB Ray Rice in preseason, give this guy a good look.

Wide At Wideout

WR Derrick Mason looked great, making good catches all over. WR Mark Clayton is looking like the Clayton of a two years ago but I would still wait to see him in a game before I would jump on him. Talk in the off-season again about WR Demetrius Williams I still do not buy it. The guy has not seen a drill at camp yet, left Achilles' tendon hurt and hurting his chance to make any impact. Rookie WR Marcus Smith is for real and as of right now has that 3rd spot, even with WR Yamon Figurs around who missed more passes then he has returned on the field. He is lucky to have that job, he would not be winning a job at wideout. Rookie WR Justin Harper has let ball hit the ground also, he also has heard from the coaches a lot about wrong things.

Blocking Up Front

Starting ends hurt, OT Adam Terry and OT Jared Gaither both out for some time now, just seen Terry walking back on the field yesterday in a boot still. Then 2nd guy OT Oniel Cousins went down, they started to run out of ends. They signed OT Chad Slaughter, and OT Kracalik has been filling in. Cousins did returned Tuesday to the line but was running with the 2nd team. The guys in the middle have been heathy and looking better each day. OC Jason Brown has been making holes, OG Ben Grubbs and OG Marshal Yanda are doing better then good. Rice has found good holes due to these guys, the moves have paid off so far. Two guys that have looked good are OG David Hale and OT Joe Reitz both have stood out. Hale on special teams and Reitz at tight end along with special teams.

Uptight With Tight Ends

Where are they? With two tight ends on Injured Reserve to start, TE Quinn Sypniewski and rookie TE Scott Kuhn, and TE Dan Wilcox coming back from surgery, TE Todd Heap gets hurt. They had to sign TE Adam Bergen and Aaron Walker just to have enough tight ends on the field. TE Lee Vickers might be out of a job if Walker and Bergens keep playing the way they have. Not much news here. Hope that Heap gets healthy. I know early drafters took him, I did.

On The Other Side Of The Ball

These guys look great, and that is without OLB Terrell Suggs. DT Haloti Ngata and DT Kelly Gregg are hurt, DT Kelly Talavou has come in and done a good job. DT Trevor Pryce is healthy and looking even better this year then last, guess he knows where he is going at this point. DT Justin Bannan is a great guy to have on the team, hurt a few day but he came back strong. I know many think this team is slipping out of the top ten, better think again.

Steal In The Draft

FS/SS Haruki Nakamura will be a Pro Bowl player one day soon. The guy finds the ball, in the air or on the ground. The guy just stands out and leads all backs in INTs. He has out played him room mate FS/SS Tom Zbikowski who was drafted a few rounds before. Zbikowski had a chance to run with the first team the other day and looks the part but will be a big part of special teams. Nakamura is all over the field, can not say enough about him. CB Chris McAlister made it to the field but had to set back down after his knee had swollen. CB Samari Rolle has just made it to camp after the death of his father. CB Fabian Washington has done a outstanding job so far, Rolle may be in for a fight to get on the field. CB Frank Walker has also stood out, this is one place the Ravens will not be thin at this season. CB Derrick Martin is also having his best camp, could be the best corner playing at this time.

Ray Is Real

LB Ray Lewis has not slowed down but I did see Ray miss a stop, it happens now and then with all the great ones. The guy is in great shape, see no stop here. Looking like they are going to LB Bart Scott get after the quarterback this season. Rookie LB Tavares Gooden is the real deal and looks to replace Ray or Scott next season, can not sign all three linebackers.

Not So Special

PK Matt Stover has a kid in camp looking to take his job, PK Piotr Czech. The kid started slow, missed a few but has been hitting them all the time, even the long ones, he can also punt. Stover I would say has been about 60% in camp. Stover might be out of a job.

Now Special teams on the other hand is looking great. You have guys like LB Brendon Ayanbadejo, god I have to spell that name again! And LB Gary Stills is still one of the top guys in the NFL. LB Nick Greisen and LB Jarret Johnson. This might endup being a very special teams.