Ravens Impromptu Locker Room Dance Party
No, this video was not taken directly after the Pittsburgh Steelers lost the Hall of Fame preseason game to the Minnesota Vikings, 14-3, last night.
(Although it wouldn't surprise me if the Ravens did a little dance in their hearts, even if it was just a meaningless preseason result. The Steelers could lose a game of chess and Ravens Nation would smile.)
Instead, this glorious dance video of defenders Terrell Suggs and Brandon Williams was shot just before Saturday's hot training camp practice. Thank you, Chris Canty, for posting.
Watching the 335-pound Williams dance like he's in a jazzercise aerobics class and then roll his big belly (said with Austin Powers accent) is easily the best thing you'll see all day. Add in Ball So Hard University's T-Sizzle waiving his hands around like he just doesn't care, and you have a viral masterpiece.
Let's also give a shout-out to the wonderful wallflower Lawrence Guy in the background. His moves resemble what I imagine a Zombie might look like if it were trying to pump its dead arms to a beat.
And I thought players were supposed to hate the dog days of summer practice – especially considering how tough Head Coach John Harbaugh makes them. This happy dance appears to be a better approach, seeing how it resulted in the Ravens defense flexing its muscles with a dominating performance over the offense Saturday afternoon. (Although, I guess missing the top four receivers and top two starting guards could have also been a factor.)
Enjoy the dance below, and I'll throw in a couple of other fun snippets from the week.
.@ChrisCanty99's Instagram page has excellent content. pic.twitter.com/PgkfFCF80P — Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) August 9, 2015
Perriman Not Ruled Out For Saints Game, But He's 'Extremely Unlikely'
Despite missing eight days of training camp practice, Harbaugh was hesitant to rule out rookie wide receiver Breshad Perriman for Thursday's preseason game against the New Orleans Saints.
"It's too early to say," Harbaugh said. "I would like to see him get on the field Monday or Tuesday, but I wouldn't keep him out if he didn't. It's just a matter of how the injury is."
The first-round pick is recovering from a knee bruise/sprain and Harbaugh says his return is getting closer. But while Harbaugh is holding out hope, The Baltimore Sun's Jeff Zrebiec doesn't think the rookie will suit up for the Ravens' preseason-opener.
"[I]t might be a bit optimistic to expect him back at practice Monday," wrote Zrebiec. "Harbaugh declined to rule Perriman out for Thursday, but it seems extremely unlikely that the rookie will be ready to play. After all, he still has yet to participate in a full-contact practice."
Perfect Time To Give Banged-Up Ravens A Rest
The Ravens received a well-timed day off from practice Sunday. After all, a total of 20 players sat out for various injuries and/or veterans' days off on Friday, following a physically intense Thursday session.
The time off will help players heal as Baltimore prepares for its home contest against the Saints. Teams are not required to give an injury report for preseason games, so Zrebiec listed his own predictions for each player's status for Thursday:
*Predicted to play:
*WR Kamar Aiken (fatigue)
WR Marlon Brown (back, knee)
CB Chris Greenwood (knee)
OG Kelechi Osemele (foot/ankle)
WR Steve Smith Sr. (family matter)
*Predicted not to play:
*S Terrence Brooks (PUP, knee)
S Matt Elam (torn biceps)
WR Breshad Perriman (knee)
TE Dennis Pitta (PUP, hip)
DE Brent Urban (torn biceps)
CB Tray Walker (hamstring)
*Up in the air:
*S Kendrick Lewis (leg)
OG Robert Myers (concussion)
DE DeAngelo Tyson (unknown)
OG John Urschel (concussion)
TE Maxx Williams (poked eye)
A note on Lewis, who is critically important as he's taken command in the defensive backfield … it's unclear how serious his injury is.
"The starting safety hurt his right leg in practice Saturday while going after a loose ball," Zrebiec wrote. "Lewis yelled and slammed his helmet a couple of times, and he appeared to be in significant pain. But he stayed on the sideline for the rest of the practice rather than heading in to get treatment, perhaps a sign that the injury wasn't significant."
And just to ease concerns, in case you are nervous about a lengthy list of injuries, you should know Baltimore isn't the only team getting banged up.
R-Word Resurfaces With Dennis Pitta
It's been a while since I've heard the R-word in relation to Pitta. Retirement has always been a possibility after the tight end suffered his second hip fracture in as many years, but there was increased optimism when he was running individual drills in front of media during organized team activities and mandatory minicamp.
But he's been on the PUP since training camp began, and there have been no updates since.
"Pitta comes out for practices in shorts and a T-shirt and takes part in position meetings," wrote Zrebiec. "But he still hasn't been cleared to play, and it remains possible that his hip … will force the tight end into early retirement.
"Pitta regularly meets with doctors, but the Ravens have said on numerous occasions that it's too early to tell whether he'll be able to play in 2015 and beyond."
Joe Flacco and Pitta are still the best of friends, but the quarterback told reporters last week that he has, unfortunately, gotten used to life without his favorite target.
Crockett Hopes To Build Pitta-Like Rapport With Flacco
Tight end Crockett Gillmore is carrying himself like a confident unquestioned starter, and there's reason to do so.
He has easily been the best tight end on the field, while rookies Maxx Williams and Nick Boyle continue to progress (and look good while doing so). In the Ravens' recently released depth chart, Gillmore was listed as the No. 1.
Gillmore was asked by Bleacher Report's Jason Cole whether he and Flacco can develop the same type of chemistry the quarterback had with Pitta. While Gillmore would love to get to that level, he knows his relationship with Flacco is unique.
"Obviously you’d like to develop that type of relationship there," Gillmore said. "They're on a whole other level. A Super Bowl champ and Pro Bowler, he's done some great things. But you have to develop your own chemistry. You'd like to come in and just say that you'd like to be that good, but [we're] two different players in two different schemes. It really based on our relationship and how we do things."
Suggs Delivers Verbal Jab To Schaub
Last week, Harbaugh came to backup quarterback Matt Schaub's defense after he took some hits in the media for inaccurate throws and interceptions in practice.
"I'm going to defend Matt a little bit, because Matt had some unbelievable throws out here today," Harbaugh said. "Matt had a good day today, but there's going to be interceptions."
It's true, Schaub has had some beauties. Case in point.
That said, Suggs watched Schaub "wildly overthrow" two receivers on consecutive plays Saturday, per ESPN's Jamison Hensley, which prompted the outside linebacker to deliver a verbal jab to the 34-year-old veteran.
"Hey Matt, your guys are the guys in purple," Suggs shouted. The offense practiced in purple and the defense was in white.
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