I am bursting with excitement as this is one of my favorite times of the year (for football). Opening day is like Christmas and playoffs are awesome if your team makes them, but I really like this time of year.
Baltimore Ravens training camp opens July 26, rookies report July 25. Training camp means it is time to get back to business. It is like the first day of school for the team, rookies are the freshmen, veterans are the upper classmen and all must learn how to play with one another.
The Ravens have many questions that need answers during training camp such as who will replace linebacker Terrell Suggs, who will be the starting kicker, Billy Cundiff or Justin Tucker? Will Bryant McKinnie get in shape before the start of the season or will the Ravens need to unload him? Who will be the No. 3 wideout?
I admit that I get nervous during training camp and preseason games; I cross my fingers that no one gets hurt. Even though there isn’t much contact or tackling during the preseason, players are still susceptible to injury and I hope that doesn’t happen.
Right now everyone is on an even playing field. It is a time of hope, discovery and the beginning of the long and windy road to New Orleans, a place I pray the Ravens will be at the end of their journey.
It’s been an interesting summer in Baltimore. As of now, the O’s still in the hunt for the AL wild card and Baltimore sports radio is still talking about them. I love that the O’s still matter, but I miss the football talk; I want to hear about the Ravens.
Thankfully it is the All Star Break and since all is quiet on the baseball front, the talk has turned to the Ravens.
I am going to relish this time and hope for the best. I wish the Ravens the best this preseason and I’ll see them on the field in September.
Zennie Abraham