On Saturday, June 4th, more than 10 members of the Ravens personnel department took to the field at M&T Bank Stadium to help develop the next crop of future NFL draft picks.
At the first-ever Ravens Personnel Youth Football Camp, director of player personnel Eric DeCosta was joined by colleagues to help in equipping student-athletes from Baltimore City middle school flag football teams with football skills and life lessons.
Flying footballs, blowing whistles, and athletes sporting their Ravens jerseys once again filled the stadium, as 75 student-athletes were guided through a series of drills to develop their offensive and defensive skill sets. Scouts ran the student-athletes through QB progression training, pass patterns, linebacker pursuits, and zone and man coverage drills.
The training was not limited to the field, however. Ravens director of player development, and former offensive tackle, Harry Swayne spoke to the group on life skills, his experience in the NFL, and even financial planning.
After taking a tour of the Ravens game day locker room, complete with jerseys and equipment just as the players find it on Sundays, and viewing the 2010 Ravens season highlight film, it was back to the field for the student-athletes to put to practice all they learned throughout the day.
Cheered on by Ravens cheerleaders, the six middle school teams competed in flag football games to cap off this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to be tutored by members of the Ravens personnel department on the field at M&T Bank Stadium.
Completing this camp, these student-athletes now know what it takes to Play Like a Raven both on the football field and in life.
