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Daily Caw: Joe Flacco Weighs in on New Ravens Offense, Deflategate

By Brett Foote

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May 28, 2015; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco (5) speaks after the OTA at the Under Armour Performance Center. Mandatory Credit: Evan Habeeb-USA TODAY Sports

Welcome to the Daily Caw, where we round up all the latest Baltimore Ravens news from around the web.  Today, Joe Flacco weighs in on just how different the new offense is from the old and gives his thoughts on Deflategate.  We also check in on the recoveries of Jimmy Smith and Terrence Brooks, and Za’Darius Smith is flashing while Matt Schaub is flashing back.

Ravens cornerback Jimmy Smith is ahead of schedule – Jamison Hensley, ESPN

"By the way Smith was moving, it looks like he is on track for the start of training cam at the end of July. That’s good news for a secondary that allowed the fewest touchdown passes in the NFL last season when Smith was in the starting lineup (seven TD passes allowed in eight games).“He’s not full speed but he’s out there working hard,” Harbaugh said. “He is probably ahead of schedule.”"

Ravens OTA observations: Marc Trestman vocal with the offense – Jamison Hensley, ESPN

"It had to feel like a bad case of deja vu when backup quarterback Matt Schaub threw, of all things, a pick-six near the end of practice. Schaub did a good job of handling a bad shotgun snap but then made the ill-advised decision to attempt to throw over rookie Za’Darius Smith, who leapt for the interception and easily ran it back for the score. This was not the way to get to a fresh start for Schaub, who threw five interceptions for touchdowns the previous two seasons."

How different is Ravens offense? – Ryan Mink, BaltimoreRavens.com

"Quarterback Joe Flaccoand wide receiver Steve Smith Sr.also didn’t seem to think the change was a big deal. Yes, it’s a bit different, they said, but it’s not like they’re starting over.“It doesn’t feel like a Year 1 [in the system],” Flacco said. “I feel really comfortable with some things, but it’s still nice to get out here in these practices and run through some things that you’re getting for the first time and seeing how everybody reacts to it.”"

Ravens’ Steve Smith has no plans to play into his 40’s – Aaron Wilson, The Baltimore Sun

"“Jerry Rice is obviously the greatest wide receiver to ever play, and I really don’t have the family structure to chase 40, to be honest,” Smith said. “I have got a lot of things on my to-do list that don’t have anything to do with football. I’m going to take it day-by-day, but I will not be playing until I’m 40.”"

Joe Flacco on Deflategate: Everybody like the football their way – Jamison Hensley, ESPN

"“Listen, everybody likes the football their way,” Flacco said. “That’s why I make sure our guys rub the balls down in a certain way — have them rub a couple balls down and make sure I like it — and once they have the ball the way I like it, I trust them to do that from that point forward.”"

Timmy Jernigan ready to step in for Haloti Ngata – Ryan Mink, BaltimoreRavens.com

"“I’ve known I’m more than capable of doing the job. Now it’s just a point of proving it. Last year, I showed flashes. You’ve got to be able to do it consistently day in and day out. It’s huge shoes to fill.”Jernigan gave a preview of what’s to come during his rookie season. He played in 12 games and started three while Ngata was suspended for violating the league’s substance abuse policy. He notched 23 tackles and four sacks."

Ravens coach John Harbaugh vehemently supports superstar Joe Flacco – Jamison Hensley, ESPN

“This guy is a superstar in the National Football League,” Harbaugh said. “I’m thrilled to have him and I can’t wait to see what he does this year with all of that young talent around him.”

Za’Darius Smith flashes athleticism, skill in first NFL practices – Aaron Wilson, The Baltimore Sun

"“You have the number and the ponytail, so there’s obvious comparison to Pernell, but he’s a little different than Pernell in the way he plays,” Ravens coach John Harbaugh said of Smith, who had 61 tackles, 7 1/2 for losses and 4 1/2 sacks as a senior and six sacks as a junior. “He’s his own man, very athletic guy, very serious guy in terms of his approach to the game.“He’s a good fit for our defense, so I’m excited about seeing how he does. This is like all those guys. Once we get the pads on, we’ll know a lot more. But so far so good.”"

Ravens defensive backs Terrence Brooks, Jimmy Smith ahead of schedule coming off injuries – Aaron Wilson, The Baltimore Sun

"“It’s going really good,” Brooks said. “To be honest, we’re probably a little bit ahead of schedule. I haven’t had a break since I’ve been hurt. It’s been straight rehab since Dr. Andrews did the surgery. It’s feeling pretty strong.”"

Next: Will the loss of Steve Spagnuolo hurt the Ravens?

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