Torrey Works Out With Cam Newton
Ravens top receiver Torrey Smith got some work in with a rival NFL quarterback recently.
Smith teamed up with Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton at Baltimore's Dunbar High School, where they were joined by some of the high school football players on the field.
The group also included Green Bay Packers wide receiver Randall Cobb, Panthers* *first-round rookie receiver Kelvin Benjamin and Arizona Cardinals safety Anthony Walters.
Smith and Newton will square off against each other at M&T Bank Stadium on Sept. 28.
"Got some good work in with @rlcobb18 @cameron1newton @kelvinbenjamin13 Anthony Walters and Fxstudio Shoutouts to Dunbar HS football they were grinding and then watched us," Smith wrote with the Instagram picture at Dunbar.
Both Smith and Newton have sponsorship deals with Baltimore-based Under Armour. In 2012, Under Armour and the Ravens teamed up to renovate several athletic fields, including Dunbar High School's.
Newton has been in town working out at the amazing and gorgeous Under Armour Combine Training Center Powered by FX Studios.
He announced from Baltimore that his recovery from ankle surgery is going well. He was only recently cleared to work out and practice, and it looks like Smith got to be a part of that. Newton posted an Instagram picture, giving props to the Baltimore skyline (mobile users tap "View in browser" at the top of the page).
"The beautiful bottom pic was of the scenery last night after working out of the Baltimore Harbor at the UA Campus Workout Facility; who couldn't get better in this weather condition!???" Newton asked.
The Ravens would like to sign Smith to an extension before he heads into the final year of his rookie contract. Smith, 25, is entering the prime of his career and continues to produce more each year, with 2013 marking his first 1,000-yard year.
Smith has taken strides to become a more complete No. 1 receiver, developing from just a speedy deep threat to running all the routes more effectively. In the CSNBaltimore.com video below, Qadry Ismail talks about what it will require for Smith to take his game to the next level.
*Canty: I Can't Play Without Special Facemask *
The NFL sent a memo Monday to teams, stating that non-standard facemasks will be banned in 2014.
Ravens defensive lineman Chris Canty started the trend of wearing the intimidating grills, but for safety, not for style. After suffering a detached retina that required emergency surgery, which saved his eyesight, Canty says he won't be able to play football without a customized mask.
"Not sure what the memo or new policy is, but it's simple for me," Canty told The Baltimore Sun's Aaron Wilson. "No eye shield and custom mask means I can't play. Eye would be at risk.
"I invented [The Big Grille].* *It's that simple. I can't play without it. I can't help it that other guys think it's cool and they want to wear it, too. It's a necessity for me."
There's a strong chance that Canty will be approved to wear his special facemask in 2014. He was cleared to wear it last year, and he can apply for an exception again.
"This is an important player-safety matter," NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy told The Sun. "There were four players who had medical approval in 2013, including Canty. All four have the opportunity to be re-evaluated prior to this season. Provided the players receive medical exemptions, they will be able wear the non-standard facemasks this season."
Preseason QB Rankings
NFL.com is continuing its series of ranking the NFL players at each position, with quarterbacks featured Tuesday.
Joe Flacco was listed in the "established franchise quarterbacks" category with Chris Wesseling writing: "Flacco and [Eli] Manning are under pressure to bounce back after the talent around them disintegrated in 2013."
Here's how it breaks down:
Alone at the top: Aaron Rodgers
Canton-bound: Tom Brady, Peyton Manning, Drew Brees
Pro Bowl-caliber: Ben Roethlisberger, Andrew Luck, Matt Ryan, Philip Rivers
New wave: Russell Wilson, Cam Newton, Colin Kaepernick, Robert Griffin III
Established franchise quarterbacks: Tony Romo, Matthew Stafford, Jay Cutler, Joe Flacco, Eli Manning
Borderline franchise: Alex Smith, Nick Foles, Andy Dalton, Carson Palmer, Ryan Tannehill, Josh McCown
Question marks: Jake Locker, Sam Bradford, EJ Manuel, Geno Smith
Bridge quarterbacks: Michael Vick, Ryan Fitzpatrick, Matt Cassel, Chad Henne, Brian Hoyer, Matt Schaub
Impact rookies: Johnny Manziel, Teddy Bridgewater, Derek Carr, Blake Bortles
Quick Hits
- Smith gets in a little batting practice … @torreysmithwr: I was robbed on that one and had a few hit the warning track....just left special thanks to my guy Frank Remesch from the Baltimore Arena [Instagram]
- Haha … cornerback Jimmy Smith tries to drink raw eggs, but had to quit after guzzling one. @trulybean: Maybe next time [Instagram]
- Reaction to the Ravens trading Rolando McClain to the Dallas Cowboys … @GerrySandusky: Ravens trade Rolando McClain to Dallas. Might be Ozzie's most deft move yet. Adds 6th rd pick for a 7th rd pick a player who quit twice. [Twitter]
- @RavensInsider: Cowboys pick up Rolando McClain's tolled nonguaranteed contract of $700,000 for 2014. He also has $400,000 incentives based on playing time [Twitter]
- A look at the Ravens cap hit for all 90 players on the roster. [ESPN]
- U.S. goalie Tim Howard made 16 saves in the team's 2-1 loss to Belgium in the World Cup Tuesday. It was the most saves by any keeper in a World Cup game ever – or at least since they started keeping record in 1966. Michael Campanaro tweeted a picture to show the key to Howard's success. [Twitter]
