Harbaugh Expects Heated Battles for Roster Spots Among Wide Receivers
OWINGS MILLS, Md. — Ravens coach John Harbaugh expects the competition among the wide receivers to heat up when training camp opens later this month.
During the recent OTAs, he was just concerned about the players getting acclimated to the system.
“It’s really not time to separate yourself as much as it is just time to prepare yourself for training camp – that’s how we look at it," Harbaugh said. "We want to see them learning where to line up [and] understanding the routes. It’s the NFL; it’s not just 20 plays on a blackboard that we come out here and run – this is a little more complicated.
"There’s quite a bit that they have to learn and know, so start with that. Then the fundamentals of it; the route running, catching the ball, all the fundamentals that go into that, that’s really what we’re focusing on."
With the addition of Rashod Bateman and Tylan Wallace in this year's draft, Baltimore now has eight players vying for perhaps six roster spots — newly acquired Sammy Watkins, Marquise Brown, Miles Boykin, Devin Duvernay, James Proche, and Deon Cain.
Overall, Harbaugh was encouraged by the performance during the OTAs. He'll have some tough decisions to make before the regular-season opener at Las Vegas.
"So, I feel like the guys are doing a really good job," Harbaugh said. "I’m happy with the talent. I feel like it’s a talented group, and I’m very excited about what we’re capable of achieving. Once training camp starts, you’ll probably start to see guys separate.”
