Baltimore Ravens July Rundown

Lets take a look at some of the happenings for the Baltimore Ravens over the last week or so. This will sort of be a timeline type of thing so hang on tight.

Earlier this week it was reported that the Ravens were looking to extend Kicker Justin Tucker’s contract, along with Torrey Smith‘s and Jimmy Smith‘s. The likeliest to happen is probably Justin Tucker, as signing the Pro Bowl kicker would be a win for both sides. Tucker has converted six game-winning kicks in his career so it would make sense that he gets the money that he deserves.

The Ravens were happy with rookie tight end Crockett Gillmore in practices. The third-round pick has displayed sound blocking technique, a physical nature, and a willingness to mix it up. He is a 6-foot-6, 260-pound tight end from Colorado State who made the switch to tight end prior to his sophomore year after playing defensive end as a freshman.

Vegas just released their odds for all the potential MVP winners. According to Bovada, Joe Flacco has the same chance of winning the MVP as rookie quarterback Johnny Manziel who hasn’t started a single game in the NFL. Flacco and Manzel both have 100 to 1 odds, which are behind 28 other players. Some that might jump out are guys like Matt Forte (66 to 1), Jay Cutler (20 to 1), and Tony Romo (50 to 1). The hate on Flacco will continue no matter what he does the rest of his career.

According to Bovada, Joe Flacco has the same chance of winning the MVP as rookie quarterback Johny Manzel who hasn’t started a single game in the NFL

Just to state a couple notes on some defensive players: Safety Omar Brown is trying to find a spot on the crowded Ravens roster. Defensive end Pernell McPhee has large goals this coming season as he has said that he wants to lead the team in sacks. “That’s going to be hard to do when you have Elvis Dumervil and Courtney Upshaw and Terrell Suggs and Haloti Ngata on the field. It’s going to be hard, but that’s my personal expectation. I want to get at least seven or eight sacks this year.”

Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun reported that tight end Dennis Pitta will have a versatile role in the 2014 season. That includes everything from being an extra wide receiver to working out of the backfield, as well as the normal tight end alignments. Offensive coordinator Gary Kubiak runs a tight end-friendly offense where he could use two or even three tight ends in a single play. This could benefit Pitta as he will get more open opportunities, but he will also suffer a loss due to the multiple tight ends.

Now just one last thing. For whatever its worth, the Ravens and the San Francisco 49ers will hold a public practice at M&T Bank Stadium the day after the two teams meet in week one of the preseason.

The Ravens will now have three training camp practices open to the public. The first one will be at M&T Bank Stadium on Monday, July 28, and the second one will take place in Annapolis at the Navy-Marine Corps Stadium on Monday, Aug. 4. Both practices begin at 7 p.m.