Just when Ravens quarterback **Drew Willy** seemed to be getting into a comfort zone with his wideouts, he got thrown another curveball, as the team brought in four new receivers to try out during this week's rookie minicamp.
Tommy Breaux, Will Buchanon, Kenneth Harris and Chris Vaughn are part of a group of 10 players practicing with the Ravens, providing depth to the depleted roster now that the veterans are away from the facility until training camp officially opens July 27.
Linebacker Tony Fein, defensive end Jamison Hartke, lineman Cortez McCraney and defensive backs Jabari Marshall, Johnathan Zenon and Kelin Johnson complete the auditions.
Still, Willy isn't fretting as he adjusts to the unfamiliar targets. In fact, he is relishing the opportunity to run the real Ravens' offense and not just the scout squad.
"It's tough when those guys haven't had the playbook as long as we have, but it's been great getting a chance to take some reps," Willy said. "We'll all be on the same page soon."
The inexperience with offensive coordinator **Cam Cameron’s** system was evident Monday, as all of the free agents trying out were overshadowed by undrafted rookies **Isaiah Williams** and **Eron Riley**, both of whom have been with Baltimore since the first minicamp.
Physically, each prospect is certainly gifted. They all have the size to excel under Cameron, as each receiver is at least 6-foot-3.
Mentally, however, it will likely take some time before anyone is truly comfortable.
"I was just in New Orleans, and this is pretty different from what they do there," said Vaughn, a sturdy 6-foot-3, 220-pound product of Louisville who recently attended camp with the New Orleans Saints. "It will come together, though."
Vaughn spent three seasons with Louisville after transferring from Notre Dame. He played in 25 games for the Cardinals, catching 25 passes for 238 yards.
Harris, 6-foot-3, 212 pounds, comes from the University of Georgia, where he saw action in 50 career games. The Cherryville, N.C., native was another recent Saints castoff after a relatively quiet collegiate career. Harris boasts 41 total receptions for 689 yards and two scores.
Harris impressed scouts at Georgia's Pro Day catching passes from No. 1-overall draft pick Matthew Stafford and running a 4.47-second 40-yard dash.
Breaux also has impressive measurables, checking in at 6-foot-7 and 199 pounds. A former basketball and football player for Towson University, Breaux ran a 40 in 4.47 seconds and had a 35 1/2-inch vertical leap. This is also Breaux's second professional stop after getting released by the Washington Redskins earlier in the offseason.
Buchanon, 6-foot-3, 190 pounds, actually has NFL experience, having been a member of the Oakland Raiders, Kansas City Chiefs and Carolina Panthers' practice squads since entering the league in 2006 from USC.
Buchanon even entered a regular-season game that year, catching one ball for 9 yards against the Chiefs while in Oakland.
Now that Willy has a full arsenal of receivers, it is his duty to get them the ball. Might his arm get tired after the three day camp?
"No way," said the record-setting former University of Buffalo passer with a laugh. "I've got bullets for days. I'll just keep some ice on it in case, but this is fun for me and we're all learning a lot."
Here is a look at the rest of the players in for a tryout:
LB Tony Fein (6-2, 245) –Former Mississippi middle linebacker played all 13 contests in 2008, finishing third on the team with 52 tackles and 5.0 for a loss.
DE Jameson Hartke (6-4, 265) –The former Ohio Bobcat wrapped a four-year career ninth in school history with 30.5 tackles for a loss and 17.5 sacks.
S Kelin Johnson (6-0, 197) –A big hitter and longtime starter at Georgia, Johnson spent some time with the Seattle Seahawks last year before he was released out of training camp.
DL Cortez McCraney (6-4, 272) –McCraney played only one year of high school football but went on to become a disruptive defensive end at Mississippi State after transferring from the University of Memphis.
CB Jonathan Zevon (6-0, 176) –Zevon played in 41 games for LSU, starting his final 27. He was released by the New York Jets after spending training camp with them.
CB Jabari Marshall (5-11, 195) –Marshall had two interceptions last year at Duke, returning one 42 yards against Virginia.
