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Camp Notes - CAMP NOTES: DAY 15 THE FINALE

Team to wear black jerseys on Sunday Night
Posted On: 8/18/07
Written By:  
Tony Lombardi
CAMP NOTES: DAY 15 THE FINALE
Today was by far the most comfortable day of camp with temperatures hovering in the high 60’s accompanied by a steady but moderate breeze on the last day of training camp. The players wore only their jerseys and shorts today.
 
The last day ushered in a new face – Kicker Rhys Lloyd.  Brian Billick suggested in much more colorful terms that Lloyd was a bit gutsy to show up for his first day on the last day of camp.  Lloyd's appearance has been delayed due to work visa issues.  You can hear exactly what Billick said on the home page link to his post practice press conference.
 
Lloyd kicked off twice from the 30 today during special teams drills.  One kick was fielded by B.J. Sams a couple yards in the end zone and the next went through the end zone.  Lloyd was helped by that moderate breeze at his back. 
 
Steve McNair and Kyle Boller did little in practice today as the offensive staff opted to give the majority of the snaps to Troy Smith and Drew Olson.  The pair initially picked up where they left off yesterday, tossing interceptions early on. Olson was picked off by Dennis Haley on a short pass in the right flat.  The interception was very similar to that of Ray Lewis' pick of an Olson pass on Friday morning.  Later on Smith was intercepted on an attempted crossing route to Damien Linson.  Evan Oglesby shadowed Linson across the field and made the interception.
 
The two did settle down as practice continued and each finished strong.  Olson connected with Mark Clayton on a post from around the 20 yard line for a score.  Clayton turned Derrick Martin on the play.  Martin would later have his revenge while batting down an Olson pass in the end zone intended for Matt Willis.  Olson later hit Clarence Moore on a crossing route from right to left.  Moore extended high to pull in the throw placed where only Moore could get it.  It will be interesting to see if Moore is willing to extend like that during live game action when he would be fully exposed to headhunting safeties.
 
A short time later, Olson threaded the needle while squeezing in a pass to TE Marcus Freeman who paralleled the left hash mark about 15 yards downfield.  Olson would also hit Willis in the end zone.  The UDFA out of UCLA made a juggling one handed grab on the play.  The two former Bruins hooked up again later on in practice on a waggle play to the right.  Olson’s primary on the play Kendrick Ballantyne was well covered so the quarterbacked took the second option available to him and hit Willis running towards the sideline about 20 yards downfield.  Olson capped off his rally today with a nice TD toss to Romby Bryant on a situational play (3rd and 6 from the 12 yard line.)
 
Troy Smith began practice wearing a long sleeve black shirt with the No. 1 on the front and 11 on the back.  Smith’s practice jersey and helmet were soaked as part of the rookie hazing. Smith was forced to borrow Steve McNair’s helmet during practice and he wore Derrick Mason’s jersey.  Mason did not practice today.
 
The best throw of the day by Smith took place during 7 on 7 drills.  Smith hit Matt Willis (who had a very productive morning) on a post corner that was dropped in perfectly over the defender about 30 yards downfield.  Smith was also lauded by coaches after he looked for his primary to the right and then quickly reset his feet to the left and hit Greg Pruitt, Jr. on the dead run circling out of the backfield.  Devard Darling made a nice catch in the end zone snagging a low Smith dart at the goal line just above his shoe top. 
 
Later in practice Frank Gansz, Jr. put the special teams through the paces of situational substitution influenced by down and distance.  For example if it was fourth and short, Gansz would have the defense on the field and then quickly shuttle them off the field after the offense had determined late that they would punt.  Gansz quickly got the punt return unit to assume their positions.  The team briefly practice an onsides kick as well.
 
ROOKIE HAZING: The King Ugly award went to rookie LB Antwan Barnes.  Brian Billick commented that the performances by the rookies last night were the best that they’ve had since he’s been with the team…After practice the veterans really gave it to the rookies.  Some relented, some resisted and some disappeared.  Terrell Suggs seemed to assume the role of Master of Ceremonies.  Matt Willis practice was very good.  His post practice hazing was brutal.  Willis was duct-taped, doused with strawberry and chocolate syrup, whip cream and powder and dumped into the cold tub where he was crowned with a fluorescent orange cone.  Yamon Figurs received the same treatment as did Le’Ron McClain.  Later on after the punishment, McClain hopped away with his ankles still taped tightly together.  Corey Ivy came from behind and pushed McClain to the ground…Troy Smith was taped and tried to hop away but he was flagged down by Suggs.  Suggs put the QB on his shoulder and carried him to the gold post where he was taped heavily to the post.  The vets brought Prescott Burgess and Matt Willis to the post as well and taped them all together.  Terrell Suggs then assuming the role of a priest/exorcist began chanting, “Come out Ohio State.  Come out University of Michigan.  Come out UCLA.” as he doused the three with Gatorade as though he was distributing holy water.  Willis took the hazing quietly as Suggs asked, “You alright pretty boy?”
 
Suggs continued saying, “In the name of Tony Siragusa; in the name of Sam Adams; in the name of Rob Burnett; in the name of Michael McCrary – we bless thee.”  As the Gatorade supply diminished, Suggs called for reinforcements: “We’re running out of blessing oil.”  Suggs would later say, “I did more out here than I did in practice.”  Edgar Jones was hogged tied with duct tape was hosed heavily by Bart Scott.  The cold tub was then dumped on Jones and placed over him.  Suggs did later ask, "Are you ok under there?"
 
Some pics taken from my cell phone are posted below.
 
OTHER NOTES & OBSERVATIONS…The Ravens will wear their black uniforms tomorrow night…Including the Ravens v. Redskins scrimmage, total attendance for the entire camp approached 100,000 – something that Brian Billick made note of and seemed impressed by given the relatively short camp…Derrick Mason might go tomorrow but Billick deferred that decision to Mason. Mason did participate in the rookie hazing…Kelly Gregg practiced but Billick ruled Gregg out for the game against the Giants…P.J. Daniels was engaged in some stretching activity for his sore right hamstring.  Bill Tessendorf put him through the paces.  He appears doubtful at best…Chris Chester stood along the side during practice, dressed like his mates with helmet in hand.  He did not participate…Antwan Barnes continued stretching and didn’t walk with a limp.  He remains day-to-day but likely out for tomorrow…Daniel Wilcox was a spectator in shorts and sneakers.  He is likely out tomorrow...Jonathan Ogden was again an observer while the other P.U.P. list members (Dan Cody & Mike Smith) were again nowhere around.
 
 
Picture 1: The hog-tied rookie is Edgar Jones.  Bart Scott delivers the hosing...
Picture 2: More relentless hosing
Picture 3: Matt Willis concedes...Troy Smith opposite rookie tied to pole...
Picture 4: Terrell Suggs delivered Smith to the pole.  Jason Brown secures him...

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Posted On: 8/18/07
Written By:  
Tony Lombardi

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