Baltimore Ravens: OTAs Week Two News and Notes
May 28, 2015; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh speaks after the OTA at the Under Armour Performance Center. Mandatory Credit: Evan Habeeb-USA TODAY Sports
The Baltimore Ravens are halfway through their OTAs before mandatory minicamp begins later this month. John Harbaugh and a few other key players met for the second press conference on Wednesday June 3.
One of the last things fans wanted the head coach to report upon was that the injury bug struck another player. This week wide receiver Aldrick Robinson suffered a grade two ACL sprain, according to Harbaugh.
Similar to wide receiver Michael Campanaro, he will miss the rest of OTAs, and the plan is for him to be ready for training camp. Baltimore’s head coach did not elaborate on how the injury occurred. The injury bug is not striking very much, but it is still lingering around the team.
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Whenever the players are practicing with teammates, the intensity is automatically increased as they are trying to outdo each other. This reason is probably why many veterans choose to practice on their own rather than at OTAs.
Veteran linebacker Daryl Smith did not practice, Baltimore Sun insider Aaron Wilson reported on Twitter. He also reported veterans Marshal Yanda, Terrell Suggs and Eugene Monroe were all not practicing.
Daryl Smith not at voluntary practice this week after participating a week ago, established veteran's prerogative
— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) June 3, 2015
Harbaugh said Brent Urban drew too close to quarterbacks during practice, so he took him out for a few snaps. The enthusiasm from the 2014 draft pick is good to see as he missed his rookie season due to injury.
Dennis Pitta was reported to be out on the field for about half of the practice, so he continues to work to return this season. The more progress he makes, the more the competition at the tight end position will deepen. He seems to be making progress, but no reports have said he will be medically cleared for the season.
“We’re not counting him out,” Harbaugh said during the press conference.
He wouldn’t specify any individual players that are going to make the roster or not. He said it was too soon to be able to tell, but each player would have to work hard whether they were drafted or free agents.
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The team has not begun practice with the new extra point rules. Harbaugh said they have been kicking field goals from the fifteen yard line, but not specifically PATs.
Defensive tackle Timmy Jernigan said he expects the defense to be “dominant” this season. He was not shy in saying he wants to make the Pro Bowl this season; but he said the priority is to win more games.
Without contact during OTAs, the defense loses the tackling aspect. The second-year player from Florida State said the limitations make practice harder. With the absence of Haloti Ngata, he said a group effort is needed to replace him on the field.
The Ravens have five more OTAs left before mandatory minicamp later this month, and they will hope the injury bug stays away. The offense needs all the time it can get to get acclimated to Marc Trestman’s language.