6 Players Who Impressed At Mandatory Minicamp
The Ravens have wrapped up their mandatory minicamp, and reporters had a chance to get an extended look at the team over the last three days of practice.
Everyone always wants to know who looks good this time of year, so here are some of the players who impressed reporters watching practice this week:
WR Keenan Reynolds
Reynolds is in the middle of transitioning from college quarterback to NFL receiver, and the Ravens have worked him hard this offseason, especially after he got a late start due to Navy's graduation. He took a heavy dose of reps at punt returner and receiver this week, and seems to be making quick progress.
CB Jerraud Powers
The free-agent signing consistently worked with the first-team defense as the nickel cornerback, and he looks ready to step into a significant role. Teammate Jimmy Smith said that Powers led the way with interceptions during the offseason. "Powers is around the ball a lot," The Baltimore Sun’s Jeff Zrebiec noted.
WR Chris Moore
The Ravens brought in the fourth-round pick as another big play threat, and that potential has been apparent this offseason. "Rookie wide receiver Chris Moore had his best practice of the offseason Thursday] running with both the first and second team offenses,” [wrote Brian Bower of Russell Street Report. "During 7-on-7 red zone drills, Moore caught two touchdown receptions against fellow rookie Tavon Young."
TE Dennis Pitta
Pitta is back on the field after two major hip surgeries, and he's starting to convince people he can play at a level like he did before the injuries. "Pitta looks more and more like he will be a part of the Ravens offense this fall," wrote CSNMidAtlantic’s Bo Smolka. "He is running and catching well, although granted, none of this spring's work has been full-contact. Still, Pitta's progress after two major hip injuries is encouraging, and if he's healthy, the Ravens are loaded at tight end."
RB Kenneth Dixon
The Ravens have several running backs competing for snaps, and the rookie fourth-round pick made a case for himself to get more looks. "Rookie running back Kenneth Dixon put on a solid display running both inside the tackles and outside the tackles," Bower wrote. "Quick to hit the gaps, the former Louisiana Tech standout had several long runs including a would-be touchdown early on in 11-on-11 team drills."
WR Mike Wallace
The veteran speedster worked with the first-team offense throughout the week as Breshad Perriman was sidelined with his knee issue. Wallace made the most of those snaps. "Those in attendance were treated to a show from Mike Wallace," Bower wrote. "He displayed blazing speed and stunned opposing cornerbacks during both one-on-one drills and team drills."
Richardson Likely Needs Knee Surgery
Running back Trent Richardson missed the final day of minicamp practice, and The Sun is reporting he may have to go under the knife before training camp.
"The 25-year-old running back likely needs arthroscopic surgery on a pre-existing knee injury," Zrebiec wrote. "It's unclear how long Richardson could be sidelined. However, given his already steep odds of making the Ravens' regular-season roster, anything that takes Richardson off the field is problematic for the 2012 third-overall draft pick."
Knee issues have plagued Richardson since coming into the NFL. He had a pair of knee surgeries before he even played an NFL game, and the issues lingered into his rookie season. He has also dealt with other injuries, as he missed the first week of Organized Team Activities (OTAs) in May.
Richardson is attempting to make an NFL comeback after spending the last year out of football, and he has his work cut out for him if he's going to make the roster. The running back group might be the tightest position battle on the roster, and Richardson needs to get on the field if he's going to prove himself.
"He enters the summer sixth on the Ravens' running back depth chart behind Justin Forsett, Buck Allen, rookie Kenneth Dixon, Terrance West and Lorenzo Taliaferro," Zrebiec wrote. "Under Harbaugh, the Ravens have traditionally kept just three running backs on their regular-season roster."
Watson Clarifies Role In CBA Issue
The Ravens lost a week of OTAs this offseason as part of an NFL punishment for having the rookies go out to practice in full pads. Practicing in full pads during the offseason is a violation of the league's collective bargaining agreement.
Veteran tight end Benjamin Watson was named by the media after the punishment because he reportedly told the NFL Players Association about the violation. After Thursday's minicamp practice, Watson clarified that his role was simply asking the NFLPA questions.
"His only responsibility as the team's union representative is to inquire about the changing CBA rules," wrote Jake Lourim of The Sun.
Watson, who signed with the Ravens this offseason, is a member of the NFLPA's executive committee. He is a respected player in the league and was a finalist for the Walter Payton Man of the Year Award last season.
"We all as players are part of the players' association," Watson told reporters. "We're all the board. We're part of the body of the players' association. It's not an us-against-anybody thing. It's not us against the coaches, or us against the management. It's nothing like that. But if we have questions, we ask."
Former Ravens Cheerleader To Appear On 'Say Yes To The Dress'
A former Baltimore Ravens cheerleader will be getting some national TV time.
Talmesha Richards, who cheered for the Ravens and Redskins, will be featured on tonight's episode of "Say Yes To The Dress." The show features Richards shopping for her wedding dress, and it was filmed last September.
As part of the show, Richards honored her father, who passed away in 2012.
"My dad has a way of communicating with me whether it's the sun shining through the clouds, or butterflies passing by, and I knew that when I found the right dress he'd let me know and he did," she told The Baltimore Sun. "I had this feeling of complete and overwhelming happiness."
Richards was married on Saturday. The show airs tonight at 9 p.m. on TLC.
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