Their Super Bowl celebration is officially over; the Baltimore Ravens began their mandatory minicamp on Tuesday. There are new faces this season, free agents and newly drafted rookies; it the first time they will practice together.
The Ravens are hopeful they put the right pieces in place during the offseason. They still have questions to answer before training camp starts in late July.
After trading veteran wide receiver Anquan Boldin to the San Francisco 49ers, their biggest question is who will be the No. 3 receiver behind Torrey Smith and Jacoby Jones. Receivers in the running include Tandon Doss, Deonte Thompson, LaQuan Williams, David Reed and Tommy Streeter. Who will separate from the rest of the pack?
Rookie linebacker Arthur Brown had sports hernia surgery in early May. He was limited at last week’s OTAs; he is also limited during minicamp, he can only participate in individual drills. The Ravens are eager to see how their second round draft pick from Kansas State will grasp their defense. Brown will compete for a starting roster spot.
And speaking of rookies, the Ravens want to see how they perform during their first practice with the veteran players. How will they listen to commands? Will they get a better understanding of their expectations?
The Baltimore Sun’s Aaron Wilson reported on the Ravens minicamp. Offensive guard Marshall Yanda was absent, likely rehabbing from an unspecified injury he suffered last season.
Linebacker Terrell Suggs was noticeably about 10-15 lbs. lighter. He is back for his first full season after missing the first half of last season while rehabbing from a torn Achilles tendon.
Some players did not practice due to injury; nose guard Terrence Cody, wide receiver Marlon Brown, defensive linesman Kapron Lewis-Moore, cornerback Lardarius Webb and offensive guard Antoine McClain.
The Super Bowl celebration was fun, but I’m happy the Ravens are back to work. I can’t wait to see the “new” Ravens this season; minicamp will give me the first glimpse into what I can expect in September. I like to think of them as a diamond in the ruff, let the polishing begin…
Zennie Abraham