Ravens camp

[Randall]

Morning camp notes

 

The moment you saw the Ravens walk onto the field at McDaniel College for today's morning workout without pads, you knew the tone of the practice was going to be a lot different.

 

There was a lot of teaching and not any hitting.

 

Is that why the word "fundamentals" starts with fun?

 

The spirited workout was likely the result of the dwindling number of healthy bodies going into Thursday's opening preseason game against the New England Patriots in Foxboro, Mass.

 

It wasn't quite a walk-through, something the Ravens will do in private Wednesday in Westminster.

 

It was more like a run-through.

 

Here are some observations:

 

While quarterback Kyle Boller was named the starter by John Harbaugh after practice, he still looks a bit shaky out there. There were a couple of times when offensive coordinator Cam Cameron pulled him over after Boller missed his target by more than five yards.

 

(An aside for those Ravens fans who think that Boller can't hit the broad side of a barn. At one point in the practice, Boller threw a 30-yard pass directed at a barn adjacent to the field. He missed, leading one of my Sun colleagues to say, "And the barn was open.")

 

Cameron also wasn't too happy when rookie quarterback Joe Flacco got a pass tipped at the line of scrimmage and should have had another one knocked down later on, but it went through the hands of defensive lineman Lorenzo Williams. Quarterback Troy Smith, again, showed more than the others, including a 60-yard touchdown pass that wide receiver Kerry Reed tipped in the air away from cornerback David Pittman.

 

Another observation: Running back Ray Rice continues to be one of the stars of this camp. With Willis McGahee sitting out because of knee problems, the rookie from Rutgers continues to impress with his durability and stamina -- something Ravens fans are starting to notice in comparison to McGahee -- as well as his play-making ability.

 

Rice will start against the Patriots, something worth watching the more McGahee sits out.

[dirtdickens]

I dont want to watch, I really like Rice and I don't want anything making me want to draft him anymore. I know he has no line and no QB, yet for some reason I want to draft the guy. I will be avoiding this game at all costs.