Tavon Young is ready for to play a big role in Baltimore's defense.
The cornerback missed last year with a torn ACL that he suffered in an offseason practice, but he's now more than a year removed from the injury and showing no limitations during training camp.
"I feel near 100 percent, if not 100," Young said Friday. "I have my quickness, my speed, so I feel good."
Young has been a full participant throughout training camp and even during the offseason practices. He said he has no hesitation in his cuts or movements, and he looks ready to step into the starting nickel cornerback spot.
Young, a 2016 fourth-round pick, enjoyed an impressive rookie season where he played in every game and started 11. He was drafted to ideally play slot corner, but teammates' injuries forced him to become a starter on the outside. Young responded by coming up with a pair of interceptions, eight passes defensed and 53 tackles.
The 5-foot-9 cornerback proved himself capable of playing at the NFL level, and getting him back on the field is a significant boost for Baltimore's secondary. Young is confident that returning to his natural slot cornerback spot will help him play even better in 2018
"I get to focus more on one technique," he said. "There are different techniques for inside and outside, so when you're going back and forth, you have to change techniques up. Now I'm just worried about one technique in the slot."
Young's coaches have praised him since he was drafted two years ago, and Defensive Coordinator Wink Martindale didn't hide his excitement this week when talking about Young getting back on the field.
"He's a pit bull out there," Martindale said. "He's the epitome of Raven defense, when you're talking about attitude. I know he's smaller size, but he's fun to watch."
QB Rotation Decided for Hall of Fame Game
The Ravens released their first depth chart of the season Thursday evening, and the quarterback breakdown attracted the most attention. Joe Flacco was naturally listed as the starter, followed by Robert Griffin III, rookie first-round pick Lamar Jackson and Josh Woodrum, respectively.
The team has not announced who will get the start at quarterback for the Hall of Fame game next week, but Head Coach John Harbaugh said he and his coaches have already made the decision.
"We have that set," Harbaugh said. "I never really talk about that. We just go do it."
Harbaugh also said that some players won't play in the extra preseason game, pointing to veterans that have been eased into practice over the first week of camp.
Judon Praised for Practice Intensity
Outside linebacker Matthew Judon broke onto the scene last year with eight sacks in his first year as a starter. He now looks like he could elevate his game even more this year.
Harbaugh praised Judon's practice intensity, saying, "he's setting the tone for the rest of the guys to do it. To me, that's what leaders do."
The third-year linebacker said he's trying to wear himself out in practice to make game action even easier. Judon has talked about wanting to lead the league in sacks this year, and he pointed to his conditioning as a key in his progression.
"I can't get tired," Judon said. "Third down. Third quarter. Fourth quarter, when we know it's a passing situation, I can't get tired. I have to get off the ball and go get after it."
Terrell Suggs led the Ravens with 11 sacks last season, but Judon is expected to push him for that crown this year.
Moore Eager to Build off Last Year's Momentum
Much of the talk around Baltimore's passing game has focused on the new receiving corps.
Michael Crabtree, John Brown and Willie Snead IV have dominated the headlines, but third-year wideout Chris Moore is out to make sure he isn't the forgotten man. He's played well throughout the offseason and training camp, and he looks to be in the line for the No. 4 receiver role.
"I'm a football player. It doesn't matter who they bring in, who's on the field, I'm going to do whatever I can to make plays," he Moore said. "It was a motivation to show that I need to keep stepping my game up in this organization."
Moore finished last season with 18 catches for 248 yards and three scores. He played his best games late in the season while Jeremy Maclin was banged up, and is focused on building off that strong finish.
"I feel like I picked up right where I left off and I'm excited for the season," Moore said. "I'm excited to show everyone what I can do and I'm here to make some big plays."
