Joe Flacco Is Back Tomorrow Night, And Other Training Camp News and Notes

Yes that’s right, Joe Flacco is back baby! For the first time since he tore his ACL and MCL last November (and finished a game-winning FG drive anyway, nbd), Joe Flacco will be in full uniform facing the Lions at M&T Bank Stadium. To no one’s surprise, he’s dominated his rehab and was ready to participate from day one of training camp. He sat out the first two preseason games as a precaution, but now he’ll get some reps in and play the first half in game 3. There’s usually a lot made about taking that first hit, but I don’t think it’ll be a big deal. Joe’s taken as many hits as anyone in this league, and although he had never torn a knee ligament before, he has the mental makeup to push forward and not let this injury affect him. My main focus is that he’s getting some much needed live reps with some new targets, such as Ben Watson and Mike Wallace. Gotta build that rapport. It didn’t feel like football was really starting in Baltimore until Joe got out there, so there’s a lot to be excited about. Other ongoing storylines from camp:

– Related to Flacco and his knee, Ronnie Stanley has been nothing short of excellent in his first two preseason games. Remember, it was a backup left tackle that caused Flacco’s knee injury when he got pushed back into him. With Eugene Monroe long gone, it was evident that Stanley was going to have step up, and so far so good with him at that spot. In 28 plays dropping back to pass, Stanley has allowed 0 hits and 0 hurries. It should also be noted that right tackle Rick Wagner, who struggled a bit in 2015 after recovering from a broken foot, looks like he’s returning to his strong 2014 form. These are reasons why I feel comfortable putting Joe back out there.

– Flacco is just one of many veteran Ravens working their way back from injury. Terrell Suggs, Elvis Dumervil, Steve Smith, and Breshad Perriman have all come off the PUP list in the past two weeks and all are determined to be ready for week 1. However, it doesn’t appear that any of them will play in tomorrow’s preseason game. With the exception of Perriman, each of them are veterans who don’t necessarily need a ton of reps to be ready for Week 1, but I’d still like them to play a series or two next week.

– Touching more on Perriman, the Ravens PR team is really throwing a lot of energy into getting the hype train going for him again. I guess it’s good to show a guy who seems to have a fragile psyche some support, but I think I speak for the entire fan base when I say that we’re sick of seeing all the quotes and short practice videos of him catching easy out routes. We want to see him on Sundays and we want to see him catch the deep ball and show why he was worthy of a first round pick. Given the 16 month saga we’ve had with Perriman so far, all that PR nonsense don’t really get us fans excited anymore, it just makes us roll our eyes. I still have significant doubts that he’ll be ready for Week 1 if he isn’t suiting up tomorrow, and even if he were to play in week 1, he’s way behind the ball in terms of getting meaningful reps. He’s still a raw talent that needs a lot of seasoning, and he hasn’t been getting those reps. Maybe he’ll be a great player down the road, but I just can’t see him being a contributor on this team in the early going.

– Small note, I just want to say people are really sleeping on the Mike Wallace signing. You can’t teach speed and Wallace has it. He’s 30, which doesn’t make him a youngster, but he’s certainly not an old fart either. He’s just one season removed from a 10 TD season with a young Ryan Tannehill. He disappeared in Minnesota because Teddy Bridgewater has a wet noodle for a right arm. Him and Joe will gel and they’ll score a few long ones this year. Buy stock in Wallace now.

– The competition for returner continues to rage on, and it looks like Mike Campanaro is out in front, as he should be. I feel strongly about this guy not just as a returner, but as a receiver working out of the slot too. He was on the verge of a breakout when he scored that TD at Pittsburgh last year, and suddenly he was out for the year. It was shocking. I really want Keenan Reynolds to be able to contribute too, but I just don’t see a roster spot for him on this team. If we had the space to take him on as a project, I’d be all about it, but it’s a crowded group with Jeremy Butler also having a strong training camp. Campanaro will be the guy.

– The running backs have looked extremely strong, and I think a healthy O-line has a lot to do with it. With Wagner and Zuttah healthy and Yanda on that right side, I expect them to be able to attack that gap with ease all season. Forsett is the presumptive starter, but Terrance West has been electric this training camp. Plus we know that Buck Allen is a great passcatcher and Kenneth Dixon has a nose for the end zone. This truly might be a “hot hand” situation, and anybody could be the guy on any given Sunday.

– Defensively, the surprise of camp has been 5th round rookie Matt Judon. He’s been dominant on the pass rush with the 2nd team, and with Suggs and Dumervil and Z’adrius Smith sitting out tomorrow, he’ll get his shot with the 1st team against some capable O-lineman. I’m excited to see what he can do.

That’s what I got for this week. Only two more weeks until week 1.