Practice Squadders Face Uphill Climb

There is no questioning the pressure marquee players like Ray Lewis, Ed Reed and Steve McNair face every time they take the field.

However, another group of guys integral to the Ravens' success face a wholly different, but just as intense, type of pressure each week.

Ndukwe was called up when Mike Flynn was injured this year.

Each NFL team carries eight players on their practice squad, who can be moved to the active roster, signed by another team, or cut altogether on a week-to-week basis.

For the Ravens, receiver Matt Willis and cornerback Willie Gaston are valuable resources for game day depth and preparation. But, the lack of job security can get old pretty fast.

"You are waiting for 4 o'clock on Tuesday, because if you don't get that call, then you know you're going to be here another week," practice squad center Ikechuku Ndukwe said. "You don't want to be on practice squad for an extended period of time.

"I am of the mindset where I'm happy to have the opportunity because there are a lot of guys on the street that don't have a job, but if you're satisfied with this there is something wrong with you."

While every member of the practice squad will attest that no player aspiring to an active roster spot is satisfied with his situation, most of the Ravens' practice squad members acknowledge that their situation could be much worse.

Along with the benefits that every player points to when talking about Baltimore, like the facilities, coaching and organizational support, tackle Mike Kracalik knows that his time spent running against one of the top defenses in the league will only help him get better.

"That's where you get your experience," Kracalik said. "There's always a difference between the game and practice, but when you're on the practice squad you have to treat each day like a game. We are going against Terrell Suggs and Ray Lewis, and you don't want to get embarrassed."

The desire to make the active roster is a constant pursuit. Besides having the opportunity to play on Sundays, the standard pay for a player quadruples if he gets added to the 53-man roster. That money can make a big difference to someone fresh out of college and living in a strange city.

But, it seems like there are multiple roadblocks in front of practice squad players.

In order to get the attention of the other 31 teams, players need an updated highlight reel with current film to send coaches. As a result, those who get called up for games get additional footage to add to their reel.

For so many practice squad players, that opportunity is rare.

The often-criticized fourth preseason game can be a valuable opportunity for the developmental unit to make an impression with clubs around the league.

Another problem that impedes practice squad players' progress is the relatively few reps they receive in practice. Primarily there to run scout team for the starters, players on the practice squad need to get individual reps on their own time.

"You don't get as many reps, so you have to get as many mental reps as you can, be it in film or in meetings, and you have to work on all your technique when you are running scout team for the defense," Kracalik said.

Still, one of the toughest feelings to deal with is the anticipation of injury to someone higher on the depth chart. Because NFL rosters are so small, if an offensive lineman gets hurt it usually means an offensive lineman will be called up. That creates the odd situation of replacing someone on your unit, often a close friend.

"You never wish that on anybody, but when it does happen you need to think to yourself, ‘Well, what can I do to get the team healthy'" Ndukwe said. "You never wish it on anybody, but it's part of the game.

"When [center Mike] Flynn went down, I wasn't even watching, but ‘Krak' texted me and said ‘Are you ready?' I said, ‘Man, I hope he's OK, but yeah, of course I'm ready.'"

Ndukwe also says that being on the practice squad has pretty much ruined Sundays for him, also. He said he didn't like being at home during a game because friends who don't understand his situation wonder why he isn't with the team, and explaining the circumstances is tedious.

Plus, no one else can stand to watch games with him anymore.

"I also like to TiVo the games and rewind," Ndukwe said. "Once you've played, you can't watch a football game the same way again. When I watch, I watch it like I'm studying film. So I pause, rewind, look at the techniques. If I'm watching with my girlfriend, she'll get mad because she wants to see the touchdown and I want to see the cut-off block on the backside."

For Ndukwe, Kracalik and the Ravens' six other practice squadders, though, the opportunity to make the cut-off block is what they are working towards.