OWINGS MILLS, Md. (AP) -The go-to guy is 35 years old and one month removed from retirement. The secondary target hasn’t played a down this preseason, and the other two options have 11 NFL starts between them.
Yes, these are the players responsible for fetching the majority of footballs thrown this season by Baltimore Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco.
Three games into the preseason, however, Baltimore wide receivers have collectively caught only one touchdown pass – and plenty of skepticism.
“If you want to call us soft, so be it. If you want to overlook us, so be it,” said Derrick Mason, who led the Ravens last year in receptions (80) and yards receiving (1,037). “This team will move the chains, and this team will score touchdowns.”
‘t lost a step and will resume his role as Flacco’s primary receiver.
The rest of the unit is not nearly as stable. Mark Clayton remains sidelined with a strained left hamstring, Demetrius Williams has only 32 catches in three seasons and Kelly Washington caught one pass in two years with New England before signing with Baltimore as a free agent.
Second-year player Justin Harper could end up being in the mix, but as a whole, the receiving corps is at best a question mark. Coach John Harbaugh, however, doesn’t see it that way.
“We think we have a group of wide receivers we can win with, that’s for sure,” he said. “Are we happy with it? In that sense, we’re happy with it.”
The Ravens believe that the addition of free agent Matt Birk at center and first-round draft pick Michael Oher at right tackle will provide Flacco the increased protection he needs to get the ball deep or to the outside. And offensive coordinator Cam Cameron evidently intends to make heavy use of running back Ray Rice, who had eight catches last week against Carolina, and tight end Todd Heap, who contributed four receptions and a touchdown against the Panthers.
“We’ve got Mark, Kelly, Demetrius and myself. And then the other guys are coming along as well,” Mason said. “Throw the tight ends in there, and we’re a very strong unit.”
Clayton began participating in practice last week, and although he will probably be held out of the preseason finale Thursday in Atlanta, he expects to be ready for the Sept. 13 opener against Kansas City. Watching from the sideline has been difficult for the former No. 1 pick, especially because he’s expecting a big season from a unit that has long been overshadowed by Baltimore’s stout defense.
“When you know what we’re capable of, the potential and ability we have, not being a part of it is tough,” Clayton said. “Before we set foot in training camp that was our goal, to be here in Baltimore and do something offensively that’s never been done before. At this point we’ve got guys that are going to make plays. That’s not going to stop. It will only get better as the season continues.”
Perhaps then, the criticism will cease.
“It was said that we weren’t tough. I don’t know where that came from. I felt we had a tough bunch,” Mason said. “We make the majority of the plays that come our way, and that’s what we pride ourselves in doing – making plays and blocking for the running backs. I think we’re very strong, and once Mark comes back we’ll be even stronger.”
Add A Comment