Players Not Living Up To “High Standard,” Training Camp Preview

Dec 29, 2013; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh reacts to a call during the game against the Cincinnati Bengals in the first half at Paul Brown Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark Zerof-USA TODAY Sports

Welcome to lunchtime links, where we round up all the latest Ravens news from around the web for your convenient consumption.  Today we look at why Ravens players aren’t living up to the Raven’s “high standard,” the cumulative effects of all these player arrests, and a training camp preview including 5 players who will surprise along with some big projects for the team.

It was but a mere couple of weeks ago that we heard John Harbaugh speak of the “high standard” the Ravens have for their players, a statement that partly addressed the four players who had been arrested to that point.  And now that we have a fifth in Jimmy Smith.  Darin Gantt believes the team is making a mockery of Harbaugh’s statement.  It’s certainly not a good look for a team that is typically a model organization for the league, especially when they lead all 32 teams in offseason arrests so far.

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Jamison Hensley thinks all those arrests have a cumulative effect on the team, but places the blame solely on the players.  We agree that there is only so much a team and a coaching staff can do to prevent these types of things.  The Ravens have always tried to bring in high character guys and stress to them the importance of avoiding bad situations. But as young people often do (especially those with lots of money), they just aren’t listening.

Thankfully training camp is a mere 9 days away (who’s counting?), and Shehan Peiris has 5 players who he thinks will surprise.  His predictions include a Marlon Brown bounce back from his drop filled minicamp, and a breakout performance from Matt Elam.  All five are a good bet to show well in training camp.

Jason Marcum is breaking down the biggest training camp projects the Ravens have.  Timmy Jernigan is a player who faces a tough transition, as does Ryan Jensen.  Jensen has yet to play in an actual NFL game (he was inactive for all 16 last year) but is competing with Ricky Wagner at right tackle.   Considering the gamble they are taking at the position, the Ravens need Jensen to do well.

Do you think this year’s arrests are just bad luck, or should the team take action to make changes or impose discipline?