Ravens Showing Hope Suggs Will Play
In a move to get their roster down to 75 players, the Baltimore Ravens placed injured outside linebacker Terrell Suggs on the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list, rather than injured reserve.
The PUP designation shows that the team has not given up hope on the reigning Defensive Player of the Year returning to the field this season.
"Ever since Terrell Suggs injured his Achilles this offseason, he's vowed to make a return to the field this season and the Ravens have kept that possibility alive by placing him on the [PUP] list," wrote PFT.com's Josh Alper.
If Suggs had been placed on IR, it would have meant his season is over, but with the PUP, he has the chance to start practicing after six weeks. That means he could be on the field with his teammates after Baltimore's Oct. 14 matchup against the Dallas Cowboys.
The team then has three more weeks to evaluate Suggs' progress and decide whether to put him on injured reserve for the rest of the season or activate him to the active roster.
Thus, fans should know if Suggs' season is over or alive before the Nov. 11 game versus the Oakland Raiders.
That date coincides with the pass rusher's original goal of playing in November, a timetable he has since backed off of, and comes before both Steelers matchups on Nov. 18 and then again on Dec. 2.
At that point he may not be the same Suggs that we saw hunting quarterbacks last year, but as NFL.com's Marc Sessler wrote, "even a little bit of Suggs will go a long way for this defense."
When asked after practice yesterday whether the game plan is to try to have Suggs play in the Week 7 battle in Houston (the earliest Suggs could play), Head Coach John Harbaugh said it was too early to make that prediction, but is encouraged by Suggs' progress.
"We don't know. It's still early," Harbaugh said. "I'd say he's doing really well. From everything I've been told, he's doing very well. So, that's where we're at."
Freeman: Flacco To Have Rodgers-Like Breakout
After serving as the Green Bay Packers backup quarterback for three years, Aaron Rodgers finally got his chance to start in 2008 and threw for more than 4,000 yards. Two years later, Rodgers led his team to a Super Bowl win and was named the game's MVP.
CBSSports.com's Mike Freeman sees a similar breakout for Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco this season.
"There is a good chance this is the year Flacco explodes into a truly elite player," Freeman wrote. "We've heard (and said) this before, but everything is set up for him to do it.
"In fact, I think Flacco will have almost an Aaron Rodgers type of breakout season and that will lead the Ravens to the Super Bowl."
Wow – big prediction from Freeman.
But in order for it to come true, the columnist said that the Ravens need to allow the offense to lead the way and even let Flacco lose a few games.
"For practically their entire existence the Ravens have been a defensive team. The franchise has at times almost neglected the offense, or at the very least subverted itself to little brother status too easily," Freeman wrote.
"The view around the league from a number of coaches and team executives is different from that of some fans and media. To many in the sport, Flacco is an elite player held back by a conservative, and at times predictable, offense, and if the cuffs were removed, he'd prove that elite-ness. At least, that's the theory, and it's a sound one."
Check Out Rice's Foot Speed In Ladder Drill
Remember when running back Ray Rice posted a BEASTLY video this offseason of one of his workouts where he ran bleachers with steel kegs raised above his head while wearing a weighted vest?
Well, he's posted another workout video, but this one shows off his foot speed during a ladder drill. The video was posted with a training tip and gives a little love to what looks to be a sponsor.
Here's his tip, and the video:
"To increase my foot speed, I changed up my ladder drill by connecting my [VertiMax] bands to my feet and waist," he wrote. "The waist connection adds resistance to my leg drive and the bands connected to my ankles load all the muscles that drive my foot through the air when it's moving to the next step.
"Adding this resistance to my body and individual leg movements makes a big difference increasing power for additional foot speed compared to a basic ladder drill where your feet are just moving through thin air every time with no additional load!"
McClellan Faces Charges
Ravens linebacker Albert McClellan is facing domestic violence charges after an arrest on June 30 in Lakeland, Fla. on charges of battery and simple assault with threat or intent to do violence, according to Aaron Wilson of The Baltimore Sun.
While the case remains active, the alleged victim, a former girlfriend of the player's, has filed a waiver to not prosecute.
"The alleged victim has already filed a request not to prosecute, and we are confident that when all the facts are brought to light Albert's good, clean name will be restored," McClellan's agent Glenn Lansky told The Sun. "Albert has always shown himself to be honest and forthcoming and we truly believe that any and all allegations will be disposed of favorably for Albert. Because this is a pending case, Albert will have no comment at this time."
When asked about the case, Ravens Senior Vice President of Public Relations Kevin Byrne told The Sun: "Yes, we are aware and due process will take its course."
Quick Hits
- I love how world-class athletes go ga-ga over other world class athletes. Check out all these tweets from Michael Phelps and Ravens players after the 22-time Olympic medalist visited practice yesterday… [Twitter]
- @MichaelPhelps: Getting pumped for the #Ravens season... Went to workout today and had fun watching #hardknocks up close and personal!!! [Twitter]
- @MichaelPhelps: Much love and mad respect for @raylewis52com .... Thanks man for all you have done to help!!! [Twitter]
- @GinoGrad56: It was awesome meeting @MichaelPhelps today at practice.. Thanks for comin out my man [Twitter]
- @BryantMckinnie: We had a good practice 2day & special guest. Got 2 meet @michaelphelps after practice 2day. [Twitter]
- @balasavage89: Got to meet @michaelphelps today at practice, appreciate it for taking the time to stop by [Twitter]
- @JackCornell73: Michael phelps made an appearance today at camp pretty cool getting to meet the most decorated Olympic athlete of all time[Twitter]
- Uni Watch doesn't seem too impressed with the Ravens uniforms, ranking them at No. 93 of 122 professional sports teams. "Problem No. 1: That number font," wrote Paul Lukas. "Problem No. 2: Please stop wearing black socks with black pants! Problem No. 3: All that purple. Cool helmet logo, though." [ESPN]
- LFW showcased many of the speeches Lewis has given to teams, companies or even individuals around the world. The Wall Street Journal has taken note of Lewis' “spontaneous fire-and-brimstone epics” and wrote a feature story on. Lewis says he delivers a speech about seven times a month. [WSJ.com]
- NFL Films gives this sneak peak of "A Football Life," which is an hour-long show that highlights different NFL players and coaches. This season, both Lewis and Steve McNair's death are featured. I was lucky enough to watch the full 60-minute episode on Lewis and I have to say it was awesome. [NFL.com]
