Baltimore Ravens: Tim White could provide a fresh spark on the offense

Baltimore Ravens undrafted rookie Tim White could provide a spark on offense that this team needs.

As the Baltimore Ravens have started training camp, it’s been clear that the offense hasn’t gotten where they want to yet.

Without Joe Flacco on the field, the backup quarterback situation has been a mess. Ryan Mallett has struggled to get much going and has looked bad in practice. And with much of the attention on Flacco’s injury, the possibility of bringing in Colin Kaepernick has taken all the headlines.

Well here is a little reminder to you that this is not all that’s going on in Ravens camp so far. There are rookies and younger players making some noise. One of those is undrafted rookie Tim White.

When the Ravens held their first open practice of the year on Sunday, White was one of the stand-outs. His play got him all over the team’s social media accounts.

White first burned Al-Hajj Shabazz on a deep 1-on-1 for a touchdown and celebrated with an impressive backflip.

He again showed his quickness by catching a pass over the middle and then putting the shakes on Brandon Boykin.

These plays caught the attention of many who didn’t have a clue who White was. He quickly became a talking point and has gotten people excited, and for good reason.

Even though the Ravens did not select a wide receiver in the 2017 draft, they brought in talented undrafted players.

White transferred to Arizona State from JUCO in 2015. In two seasons he totaled 1,346 passing yards and 10 touchdowns.  The Ravens saw the potential and acquired his services not long after the draft.

White’s emergence is good news for this offense. He is providing the spark that they need right now.

A dual threat

I wrote about the competition between White and fellow undrafted wide receiver Tim Patrick last month. Both players were highlighted as potential underdogs to make the 53-man roster, but I said only one would probably make it. I gave White the advantage because of his dual threat as a receiver and also a returner. And as we recently saw, the Ravens waived Patrick to make room for Larry Donnell.

It’s still early, but it’s exciting to see this kind of play from White. He’s a small and shifty receiver that could prove to be nightmare to bring down in open field. After all, he did fall just short of qualifying for the 2016 U.S. Olympic Track and Field team. That kind of athleticism gives him that kind of home run hitting ability, like a Tyreek Hill.

It’s a far comparison right now, but when White touches the ball, exciting things can happen.

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With a crowded wide receiver depth chart behind Perriman, Maclin and Wallace, White may very well be separating himself from the competition.