Baltimore Ravens: Veterans Almost Ready to Return

Defensive players Terrell Suggs (55) and Chris Canty (99) are among the veterans set to report to camp on July 29. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

The Baltimore Ravens veterans are another day closer to reporting for training camp. A couple of true veterans with 24 years of experience between them enter camp with two different circumstances.

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Terrell Suggs enters his 13th season in the NFL, and he even said he treated this offseason differently as he grows older. He was not in top shape when he reported for mandatory minicamp, which is not an issue for a player like him. However, he should be expected to be back at his “fighting weight” as he called it for training camp.

The linebacker takes his preparation seriously, and we should have no doubt he will be ready come time to return to the team. After accumulating double-digit sacks last season, he looks to add to that alongside Elvis Dumervil. The two players were one of the best pass-rushing duos in the NFL.

Training camp is where he begins to work his way back to being one of the NFL’s best defensive players. He is growing older, and with his mentality, he could turn into more of a leader on and off the field more than a playmaker. However, I do not believe that is going to happen this season, but in the near future.

Suggs is a starter. The other veteran, Chris Canty, returns to the team from the offseason after testing the waters of free agency. He was very bold during a press conference announcing he expects nothing less than to be a starter, because he has been a starter for the majority of his career.

Canty is the expected starter, but he still has to compete with the younger players during training camp.

He does have an argument as a strong part of the defensive line. However, the young guys are all around him, and they will create a competition for the position. He does not have the connection to the team as Suggs does. Canty will have to win his position, which he should not have a hard time doing; but I do not believe it will be given to him right away.

Brent Urban and Kapron Lewis-Moore are going to give him the majority of the competition. This idea is realistic because the Ravens cut him during the offseason. Though they did keep an eye on him in case he would return, they did cut him in the first place, so they were ready to part ways with him on a permanent basis.

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With Canty’s confidence and ability, I do not believe he will lose his starting job, but this training camp could open possibilities for the young players in other roles. They may not beat out the veteran for the starting position, but they could find their way into a backup role. The Ravens are known to rotate defensive players to keep them fresh, which also may be a secret to the dominant run defense.

The healthy veterans and non-quarterbacks will report to camp July 29. Training camp for the rookies has already started, but the first full-team practice is scheduled for July 30.