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Baltimore Ravens: 3 Biggest Surprises of Training Camp

By Joe Serpico

Jul 31, 2016; Owings Mills, MD, USA; Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh speaks with assistant coach Craig Versteeg during the morning session of training camp at Under Armour Performance Center. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 31, 2016; Owings Mills, MD, USA; Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh speaks with assistant coach Craig Versteeg during the morning session of training camp at Under Armour Performance Center. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports /
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Albert McClellan

Dec 7, 2014; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Baltimore Ravens outside linebacker Albert McClellan (50) walks off the field during the second half against the Miami Dolphins at Sun Life Stadium. Ravens won 28-13. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 7, 2014; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Baltimore Ravens outside linebacker Albert McClellan (50) walks off the field during the second half against the Miami Dolphins at Sun Life Stadium. Ravens won 28-13. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports /

Baltimore used much of the draft to address the defense, so it comes as a real surprise that special teams ace has stepped in as the starting SAM linebacker. More impressively, he is currently slated to start over a Pro Bowler.

McClellan saw his role expand last year once Terrell Suggs went down and Elvis Dumervil filled Suggs’ position. Suggs and Doom are both coming back from injury, and Courtney Upshaw is no longer with the team, opening the door for McClellan to take the job.

McClellan will likely see most of his action on running situations, and Dumervil as the pass rusher. McClellan has played inside linebacker for the most part since being in Baltimore, but was a defensive end while at Marshall. His versatility is something the Ravens value, similar to how the team feels about rookie linebacker Kamalei Correa.

He signed a three-year deal this offseason and is finally getting his opportunity to make his mark on the defense. McClellan is hopeful to be the next in line of undrafted special teams’ players to be a contributor on the Ravens defense.

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