Baltimore Ravens: Cassius Vaughn Signed, Update on Day Two of OTAs
By Joe Serpico
The Baltimore Ravens will not let injuries become a problem at cornerback again this season. The team has reportedly signed six-year veteran Cassius Vaughn to a deal today, the second free agent corner to be signed by the club in two weeks.
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Vaughn was most recently with the Detroit Lions, playing in 13 games, including five starts, and recorded two interceptions and five passes defended with 18 tackles.
Vaughn was an undrafted rookie from Ole Miss in 2010, starting his career with the Denver Broncos. He spent his first two years in Denver and the next two seasons with the Indianapolis Colts before signing with Detroit last season.
His best season came in 2012 with the Colts in which he started a career-high 11 games, recording 66 tackles, nine passes defended and one interception. For his career, Vaughn has seven interceptions (two returned for touchdowns), 24 passes defended and 126 tackles.
The move is kind of surprising given the fact that the Ravens just signed Kyle Arrington and have a plethora of young corners on the roster. Vaughn was likely brought in to compete for the fourth cornerback spot, and the players already on the squad are in for a tough battle. Tray Walker is most likely safe on the team after being drafted in the fourth round. That is already five corners. Asa Jackson and Rashaan Melvin might be on the outside looking in.
Campanaro update:
John Harbaugh confirmed today that wide receiver Michael Campanaro will be out for the rest of OTAs with a slight tear in his hamstring. No surgery is required, and the Ravens are hopeful he will be back for training camp.
OTA Participation:
Today was the first day the the media was allowed to watch the Ravens participate at the Under Armour Performance Center, and not everyone was in attendance. Jeff Zrebiec of the Baltimore Sun reported that “72 of 90 players on the field in some capacity today.” Breshad Perriman, Maxx Williams and Buck Allen are at the NFLPA Rookie Premier in Los Angeles until Sunday. Rookie tight end Nick Boyle is still at classes at Delaware. Campanaro is injured and Brent Urban is out with a personal issue. The big names also not in attendance are Terrell Suggs, Elvis Dumervil, Chris Canty, Lardarius Webb and the entire starting offensive line.
Some of the notable players who were on the field today were Jimmy Smith, Terrence Brooks and Dennis Pitta. All weren’t expected to take part in OTAs, but they’re ahead of schedule in their respective rehabs. Smith was wearing one of the “red medical jerseys” to not be touched, but he got in on some plays. Brooks was running around with a helmet on, while Pitta did go through some positional drills, but not overdoing it.
It is important to note that these practices are voluntary, so there is nothing to take away from guys not being with the team. The Ravens are hoping that the injury bug doesn’t stick around much longer, and this is a step in the right direction. The encouraging news thus far is that Campanaro is the only injury occur. Let’s hope it continues to stay that way all throughout the offseason.