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In an effort to inject some energy into their kick-return game, the Ravens plan to give rookie Lardarius Webb a shot at bringing the ball back in Sunday's game against the Cincinnati Bengals.
The Ravens rank ninth in the NFL in average start on kickoffs, and Chris Carr is seventh in the AFC and 15th in the league with a 24.5-yard average on kick returns. But Carr was stripped of the football on the opening kickoff of Sunday's 27-21 loss to the New England Patriots, which led to a field goal by Stephen Gostkowski.
"If you're a competitor and you've been doing it as long as I have and had success at it, you want to be out there," said Carr, who will retain the punt-return job and line up as the defense's primary nickel back. "The more things you can do, you want to do that. But at the same time, you've got to know how to be a professional, and if you're not the guy out there, you've got to be like, 'Hey, I've got to focus on what I do have. I can't sit here and pout about this and that. I've got to go out there and play 30 snaps on defense and worry about receivers and worry about this and worry about punt returns.' "
Webb returned just one kick against the Patriots, but it was good for 38 yards and set up the Ravens' last-gasp drive.
"I don't know for sure," Webb said of taking kick returns. "I've been working at it, but other than that, I don't know yet. So I'm not going to say something and then it doesn't really happen."
Special teams coordinator and assistant head coach Jerry Rosburg would not outline which player would take kickoffs.
"That's an ongoing process," he said. "We have a number of returners in our system, and Chris Carr is going to continue to have a very significant role on this team and that will include kickoff returns and punt returns and being our nickel. I don't see that changing down the road. Just like all other rookies, as Lardarius gets more opportunities and he grows in experience, we can find out more things that he can do. We expect his role to expand."
Carr was pursued by the Ravens in the offseason and signed to a two-year, $5 million free-agent deal after he finished fourth in the NFL with a 28.1-yard average on kickoffs. Carr said he will readily share any wisdom he has with Webb, but his mind-set regarding kickoffs won't change.
"My approach is as it has always been: to prepare as if I was the starter," he said. "If we do have kickoff returns and they want me to go out there, I'll do what I do. Punt return-wise, same thing."
"There's a great chance that I play this week," said Gaither, who shed a neck brace but could not turn his neck when answering reporters' questions. "I'm going to try my best, and I'm going to go out there and give it everything I've got."
Offensive coordinator Cam Cameron said the coaching staff is anticipating that Gaither will play. "However, we have Plan B in case he can't play, and that's [rookie] Michael Oher," Cameron said. "Michael did an outstanding job - that didn't surprise any of us - moving him over to the left tackle. So we'll go as if he's ready to play."
Demetrius Williams also sat out his second consecutive practice with an undisclosed illness. The wide receiver wore a baseball cap during practice.
Wide receiver Derrick Mason (neck) and linebacker Jarret Johnson (left shoulder) were upgraded to limited participation after not practicing Wednesday. Carr was limited for the second consecutive day by a sore groin.
Free safety Ed Reed (knee), defensive tackle Haloti Ngata (back) and linebacker Tavares Gooden (shoulder) practiced fully for the second straight day.
The offensive coordinator sounded almost wistful about not giving the football to the 6-foot, 260-pound fullback on third-and-1 and fourth-and-1 on a three-and-out series that ended at the Ravens' 45-yard line midway through the fourth quarter of Sunday's game.
"Sometimes things just don't work out for a reason," Cameron said. "
The Ravens rank ninth in the NFL in average start on kickoffs, and Chris Carr is seventh in the AFC and 15th in the league with a 24.5-yard average on kick returns. But Carr was stripped of the football on the opening kickoff of Sunday's 27-21 loss to the New England Patriots, which led to a field goal by Stephen Gostkowski.
"If you're a competitor and you've been doing it as long as I have and had success at it, you want to be out there," said Carr, who will retain the punt-return job and line up as the defense's primary nickel back. "The more things you can do, you want to do that. But at the same time, you've got to know how to be a professional, and if you're not the guy out there, you've got to be like, 'Hey, I've got to focus on what I do have. I can't sit here and pout about this and that. I've got to go out there and play 30 snaps on defense and worry about receivers and worry about this and worry about punt returns.' "
Webb returned just one kick against the Patriots, but it was good for 38 yards and set up the Ravens' last-gasp drive.
"I don't know for sure," Webb said of taking kick returns. "I've been working at it, but other than that, I don't know yet. So I'm not going to say something and then it doesn't really happen."
Special teams coordinator and assistant head coach Jerry Rosburg would not outline which player would take kickoffs.
"That's an ongoing process," he said. "We have a number of returners in our system, and Chris Carr is going to continue to have a very significant role on this team and that will include kickoff returns and punt returns and being our nickel. I don't see that changing down the road. Just like all other rookies, as Lardarius gets more opportunities and he grows in experience, we can find out more things that he can do. We expect his role to expand."
Carr was pursued by the Ravens in the offseason and signed to a two-year, $5 million free-agent deal after he finished fourth in the NFL with a 28.1-yard average on kickoffs. Carr said he will readily share any wisdom he has with Webb, but his mind-set regarding kickoffs won't change.
"My approach is as it has always been: to prepare as if I was the starter," he said. "If we do have kickoff returns and they want me to go out there, I'll do what I do. Punt return-wise, same thing."
Gaither still hopeful
Despite missing practice for the second straight day, offensive tackle Jared Gaither insisted that he still hopes to play Sunday against the Bengals."There's a great chance that I play this week," said Gaither, who shed a neck brace but could not turn his neck when answering reporters' questions. "I'm going to try my best, and I'm going to go out there and give it everything I've got."
Offensive coordinator Cam Cameron said the coaching staff is anticipating that Gaither will play. "However, we have Plan B in case he can't play, and that's [rookie] Michael Oher," Cameron said. "Michael did an outstanding job - that didn't surprise any of us - moving him over to the left tackle. So we'll go as if he's ready to play."
Demetrius Williams also sat out his second consecutive practice with an undisclosed illness. The wide receiver wore a baseball cap during practice.
Wide receiver Derrick Mason (neck) and linebacker Jarret Johnson (left shoulder) were upgraded to limited participation after not practicing Wednesday. Carr was limited for the second consecutive day by a sore groin.
Free safety Ed Reed (knee), defensive tackle Haloti Ngata (back) and linebacker Tavares Gooden (shoulder) practiced fully for the second straight day.
L. McClain still in the mix
Ravens fans clamoring for Le'Ron McClain have Cameron's ear.The offensive coordinator sounded almost wistful about not giving the football to the 6-foot, 260-pound fullback on third-and-1 and fourth-and-1 on a three-and-out series that ended at the Ravens' 45-yard line midway through the fourth quarter of Sunday's game.
"Sometimes things just don't work out for a reason," Cameron said. "
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Someone remind me why we signed Chris Carr for 2 years/$5 million when Jimmy Leonhard left for 3 years/$5.8 million with the Jets...??? Jim "played like a Raven" and could return kicks. I think we are sorely missing his tenacity against the run also....
jjbb1234 (10/09/2009, 12:59 PM )