May 28, 2015; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Ravens wide receiver DeAndre Carter (16) catches a pass during training camp 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. The Ravens may have found their return man for 2015 from an unlikely source, and Joe Flacco is entering a mini contract year of sorts as other QB’s sign massive new deals. Plus, injuries at the wide receiver position are giving other guys a chance to shine.
Ravens QBs no longer seeing red – Tony Lombardi, Russell Street Report
"Years ago I asked a member of the Ravens front office why the team didn’t dress their quarterbacks in red during practice. After all, nearly every other NFL team dressed the QB’s in a standout color to help avoid unnecessary injuries.The response: “We don’t care if our quarterbacks get hurt. They all suck!”Surely that was said in jest. At least I think it was."
Injuries at WR giving others a chance to shine – Clifton Brown, CSN Baltimore
"Kamar Aiken, Jeremy Butler, and rookie Darren Waller all looked good during Wednesday’s OTA session – catching passes and running crisp routes. With the exception of Steve Smith, none of the Ravens’ wide receivers can count on guaranteed playing time. Aiken was considered a long shot to make the team last year, but he carved out a niche for himself, playing all 16 games and finishing with 24 catches and three touchdowns."
Rookie’s skills as a returner could fill void for Ravens – Clifton Brown, CSN Baltimore
"However, Carter’s ticket to the NFL may be his ability to return punts and kicks. The Ravens cut Jacoby Jones, who had been their primary returner for several seasons. Lardarius Webb and Michael Campanaro are candidates to replace Jones. But Webb is a starting cornerback who the Ravens want to protect from injury. Campanaro has already had trouble staying healthy, out until training camp with a quadriceps injury."
Joe Flacco entering ‘mini-contract year’ – John Eisenberg, BaltimoreRavens.com
"But when he signed in 2013, his agent, Joe Linta, told The Baltimore Sun they “really viewed this as sort of a three-year deal.” The Ravens felt the same way.As Linta explained to The Sun, he wanted “to make sure (in) the first three years Joe was paid accordingly with the top guys in the league,” so a lot of guaranteed money – the heart of any deal – changed hands in that window. In exchange, Linta and Flacco agreed to keep his salary cap figure relatively reasonable for those three years."
Baltimore Ravens roster review: specialists – Jamison Hensley, ESPN
"The Ravens arguably had the NFL’s best kicker-punter combination in the NFL last season. Tucker was only one of two kickers (Atlanta’s Matt Bryant was the other) to convert all of their field goals from inside 50 yards. He was 26 for 26. Koch was the only punter to rank in the top three in both gross and net punting average. His net punting average (43.3) led the NFL in 2014 and ranked fourth-best in league history. Both are entering their contract seasons."
Next: Terrence Brooks' recovery nothing short of amazing