Russell Street Report Camp Notes Steve Smith Discovers Fountain of Youth?

Jeremy Butler Continues to Shine

Steve Smith, Sr. really loves football.

It’s obvious in the way he plays and even in the way he practices.

There has been some concern about Smith’s fade towards the end of the 2014 season and that it could roll over into 2015. If today is any indication, there’s plenty left in the tank.

Senior often tied defenders in knots with his change of direction skills while remaining true to the route. A regular victim was Asa Jackson who was torched by the veteran on a 50-yard connection with Joe Flacco. Later during the session, the diminutive Smith out-jumped the defender to haul in a 40-yard pass that was slightly under thrown.

Smith was active over the middle of the field as well, regularly sitting down in zones cleared out by tight ends pushing the linebackers deep into their drops and freeing up space underneath.

Jeremy Butler picked up where he left off in OTA’s and caught everything thrown his way – short routes, intermediate routes and deep routes. All routes are crisp and he is excellent at making contested catches. He made the catch of the day diving to make a grab on a 9-route down the right sideline – a teardrop pass from Flacco. The battery mates were later talking when Matt Schaub took over with the 2’s. Flacco seemed to be communicating where he’d deliver the ball when Butler shielded defenders. It’s early but if today was the deciding day, there’s no way the former Tennessee-Martin Skyhawk is left off the 2015 Ravens 53-man roster. Not only that but it’s this writer’s opinion that he’s a much more complete player than Marlon Brown.

Staying with the receiving corps, Michael Campanaro clearly has an edge on DeAndre Carter. Health is always the concern with the second year slot receiver, but if he can steer clear of those nagging leg injuries, Carter doesn’t have a chance. It’s highly unlikely that both will stick. Campanaro is the favorite at this point for punt return duties. The kick returner job is still wide open, but the Ravens won’t keep a player solely to be a return specialist.

Trestman’s Offense

Offensive coordinator Marc Trestman features plenty of pre-snap movement, partly to force the defense to make quick decisions and get them out of alignment. Several times today, TE Maxx Williams flanked out wide right only to come in motion and start his route off the right edge. There’s also plenty of bunch formations and pick plays designed to force, and then take advantage of, man coverage.

If you’ve heard that Trestman’s offense will feature the running backs in the passing game, you’ve heard correctly. The talk is anything but a smoke screen. Justin Forsett, Lorenzo Taliaferro and Buck Allen all caught several passes out of the backfield. It was nice to see Flacco and Schaub both delivering the ball in front of their targets creating opportunities for YAC.

Other Observations

TE Nick Boyle was an enthusiastic participant and looked better at times in routes than his draft classmate Williams. Williams however did make several catches, far more than either Boyle or Crockett Gillmore.

Lardarius Webb passed his conditioning test and has been removed from the active PUP list. However he did not finish practice and was replaced by Kyle Arrington at corner on the first team defense. A Raven spokesperson wasn’t sure whether Webb had passed the conditioning test today or yesterday afternoon. If today, that might explain why Webb got the second half of practice off.

CB Tramain Jacobs had a solid outing, knocking done a few accurate passes due to his tight coverage. Cassius Vaughn was also tough when defending short and intermediate routes.

Kendrick Lewis made a nice snag on an ill-advised throw by Flacco over the middle. He reached up over his head to make the interception… Arthur Brown grabbed a pick 6 off Matt Schaub.

Justin Tucker uncharacteristically missed a couple of field goals to the right that were both outside of 50 yards but well within his range…Schaub held during one FGA, faked it and then booted right to throw downfield…The naked bootleg seems to have made its way into the Ravens offensive playbook…Michael Phelps was on hand today to observe practice sporting a ball cap and a heavy goatee.

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