CAMP NOTES August 5: Defense stepping up, WR concerns continue

**TL24x7** · 08-05-2013, 10:45 PM

The Ravens spent a good part of the offseason retooling their defense. They wanted to get faster, younger and more importantly better. They have yet to step on the field against an opponent but it’s safe to say – MISSION ACCOMPLISHED.

Dean Pees unit is deep and they can beat you in many different ways. The back end coverage is better and the front seven is vastly improved. You may not see it in full bloom during the preseason or even during the first month of the regular season. But eventually, particularly during the second half of the season, the Ravens defense will once again be considered among the league’s best.

Offensively the running game looks better. Ray Rice is Ray Rice, Bernard Pierce looks more decisive and stronger and Joe Flacco is playing at a new level. The offensive line looks more cohesive even if Marshal Yanda has yet to join his mates in practice and they have seemingly been reinvigorated by new “Run Game Coordinator” Juan Castillo.

Castillo for all intents and purposes is the new offensive line coach. He may not be in title but one only needs to attend practice once to see that he’s effectually usurped the offensive front authority from Andy Moeller. And if the zone blocking exhibited in camp so far is any indication, the running game will flourish.

Now for the bad…

The biggest concern amongst fans and observers of the team by far is the position of wide receiver. Those concerns have seen little relief and team officials are quietly concerned. They are hoping that someone steps up but so far no one other than Torrey Smith has done so consistently. The best of the lot competing for the No. 3 spot is Deonte Thompson.

There are lingering concerns about Tandon Doss’ toughness and Tommy Streeter has been awful. LaQuan Williams has practiced well and look out for UDFA Marlon Brown from Georgia. He’s got a shot to make the team.

ALL OF TODAY'S NOTES HERE

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**Raveninwoodlawn** · 08-05-2013, 10:57 PM

Good stuff Tony

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**NOLARavenFAN** · 08-05-2013, 11:01 PM

Wonder if they will add another pair of hands?

**Paintballguy** · 08-05-2013, 11:05 PM

I like the part about Castillo being the oline coach. I remember getting flamed for saying he was essentially the oline coach.

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**Raveninwoodlawn** · 08-05-2013, 11:19 PM

Originally Posted by NOLARavenFAN

Wonder if they will add another pair of hands?

I wonder what other teams are making available.

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**NOLARavenFAN** · 08-05-2013, 11:34 PM

We need someone to throw us a bone......I bet Lee Evans is out there. :) :)

**808 Raven** · 08-06-2013, 01:16 AM

Nah. He'd probably drop it :(

iggyman555 · 08-06-2013, 02:08 AM

Originally Posted by 808 Raven

Nah. He'd probably drop it :(

**downside52** · 08-06-2013, 05:49 AM

The title of this thread could be the subject of a fun game where we throw out random Ravens training camp headlines and try to guess what year they are from.

:-)

**Rxdoxx** · 08-06-2013, 06:56 AM

Thanks Tony.

The rule of 2s ;)
We get Smiths Jimmy/Torry (now DaryL)
We get Rays
We get Thompsons Christian/Deonte
We get Williams Cary/LaQ, to Brandon/Meshak
Declaring the year of the Browns Arthur and Mar-Lon Mar-Lon Mar-Lon (Chykie/Omar)

Edit for Matts, lose Birk add Elam/Furstenburg

**callahan09** · 08-06-2013, 07:48 AM

Ravens website posted something about us getting Malcolm Floyd? Anybody know if that has any possibility of becoming reality? Are they saying SD might cut him or that we might trade for him? I would like to see him in Baltimore though.

**TL24x7** · 08-06-2013, 07:49 AM

Originally Posted by callahan09

Ravens website posted something about us getting Malcolm Floyd? Anybody know if that has any possibility of becoming reality? Are they saying SD might cut him or that we might trade for him? I would like to see him in Baltimore though.

Can you provide a link to that?