Linebacker Jameel McClain, 6-1, 250, in his 4th year out of Syracuse, says the guys who showed up for the late May workouts at Towson University were in pretty good shape…and ready to begin a new season when the call comes…
It was nice to read a report from Mike Duffy of the Ravens.com NFL website that the voluntary workouts last week at Towson U. went very smoothly and, most importantly, without injury.
Duffy reports that the 26 Ravens in attendance were run through a conditioning-focused regimen.
At this point one year ago, teams were convening for minicamps and Organized Team Activities, which have the benefit of supervision to meet specific goals.
But McClain liked what he saw anyway…that his teammates were obviously in prety good shape.
“I’m impressed with everybody here,” linebacker Jameel McClain told reporters. “For people to come back after not seeing them and everybody’s in good shape and everybody’s running around, I’m definitely impressed.”
Without the watchful eye of a coaching staff, Ravens running back Ray Rice understands how teams could not be surprised if the workouts were not productive. “It’s different in terms of not being at the facility, but it’s no different in terms of how I work,” said Rice. “I’ve always been a guy who comes in to training camp ready. I know how to train my body.”
“That’s the biggest concern, I’m sure, that people have. You don’t really know who’s working, who’s not working.”
The veterans in attendance polled their teammates to see if more sessions should be in order and the players voted in favor of more group activities.
Rice thinks that would be a good thing.
“It’s one of those situations where we can only control one thing, and that’s being ready,” he said. “This is the time where it ain’t training camp, it’s not minicamp, but this is getting together as a team to prepare. Everybody’s been working. It wasn’t an easy workout. We did a lot of strenuous drills to where we were working, smart work.”
One local fan disagrees with the concept of the voluntary workouts. He is “ArmyRaven 52“…
Here’s his take:
“I dont know about this. To me I would rather our players not touch a weight until June 3rd or so. The reason I say this is :
1.)We don’t know exactly how long this lockout is going to last so there is no reason to be doing hard workouts now if the season is going to start in October or November.
2.) As much as I have faith in Mase (Derrick Mason, activities organizer for the players), he can’t possibly stop people from getting injured— and we all know too well that injuries can happen even before you are practicing with any sort of intensity.
3.) Some of our players would benefit from the time off and letting their body’s get completely back to 100%, Ed Reed, for instance, can continue to do physical therapy and make sure that when he comes back there wont be any lingering concerns or at least minimize those…”
Valid points, for sure, Army Raven 52. But if “the call” comes unexpectedly sooner than we think, it’s good to know 26 Ravens are in reasonable shape to begin. Now where is that Terrence Cody hanging out these days?… somebody check on his weight.
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