Baltimore WR Anquan Boldin is looking amazing in practice so far. Boldin was rated the 18th WR by PFF last year. Anquan should help improve Joe Flacco’s game and may provide cover for Ray Rice as he is a good blocker as well. Ed Dickson and Dennis Pitta, the new rookie TEs, are both having excellent camps. The Ravens are using Dickson as a typical in line TE; Pitta is being lined up in the backfield and as a move TE. Baltimore is doing their best to overcome their injuries on defense, especially the secondary. Do not be surprised if they trade QB Troy Smith for some CB help. Oh and if you care, their kicker position battle is still up in the air between Billy Cundiff and Shayne Graham.
Cincinnati WR Terrell Owens had 4 passing targets on Sunday night compared to Ocho’s 1 target. The jury is still out on that situation, but look for TO to improve on his 2009 97th WR ranking per PFF. WR Antonio Bryant is now looking to be a long shot to play week 1; his knee injury is much more serious than the Bengals are letting on. Ignore the game that Matt Jones aka Dr. Rockso put on in the second half. Jones is a goner come regular season. Also a “significant” foot injury to Brian Leonard is affecting the RB depth; don’t bother considering the recent RB signings. Cincinnati’s offense line needs to provide better pass protection if they want to help out Carson and the offense. Coach Lewis is still concerned with the team’s lack of focus and wants everyone to make less mental mistakes.
Cleveland Montario Hardesty has not made his way back on the practice field yet. He is currently behind Jerome Harrision, James Davis, and Chris Jennings right now. The more time he misses the less likely Hardesty will make an impact this season. The defense may have gotten a major set back with a potential “serious” injury to Q’Well Jackson, MRIs have not been done at the time of this report. On the “weird” side, the Browns have been using their best playmaker, Joshua Cribbs, PFF’s 2nd ranked KR as a safety. Using their best offensive weapon as a defender, only in Cleveland! Mangenius has also fined rookie safety T.J. Ward $1,760 for his cell phone ringing during a team meeting. Jon Gruden will be welcome in Cleveland before Columbus Day.
Pittsburgh Jonathan Dwyer is not having a good camp and some even say he will have difficulty making the team. Rashard Mendenhall, ranked 43rd RB by PFF, was mentioned by Coach Tomlin as being someone “absolutely” considered for the short yardage and goal line carries. This is a nice bit of news considering Dwyer and Issac Redman had been mentioned earlier in that short yardage role. WR Mike Wallace is looking to have an even better season than his rookie year and his coaches so far are impressed with him. Injuries to the offensive line continue, but Pittsburgh appears to be focusing to improve their run blocking. The entire Steelers roster, coaches, players and staff, made the trip to Canton to watch DC Dick LeBeau’s induction into the HOF. This was the first time a training camp was stopped and the entire roster went to honor someone’s induction. One of LeBeau’s disciples, Ziggy Hood, has been stepping up his game and is looking to become a major force on the defensive line.
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