Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco wasn't just telling young tight end Darren Waller what he expected, he was demonstrating it, too. As Flacco jogged through a route following Wednesday's practice, Waller watched intently from about five yards away.
"There have been changes to the terminology and kind of like little things with how you run routes since [offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg] took over. I'm just trying to get on the same page with them," Waller said. "There are some routes that I haven't necessarily run that much and they want to see what I can do with those. Joe has definitely been helping me out with where he wants me to be and how fast he wants to get out there. "
Waller, the 6-foot-6, 255-pound second-year player out of Georgia Tech who was converted from a wide receiver this offseason, has played three games since returning from a four-game suspension and he's yet to make a catch. He's also played only 37 offensive snaps compared to 64 on special teams. But the role of the 6-foot-6, 255-pound tight end could increase Sunday with tight end Crockett Gillmore out with a thigh injury.
"He's obviously a big, talented guy," coach John Harbaugh said of Waller. "We're working very hard toward that. We want to get him involved. He's coming from ground zero really as a tight end. And he missed the first four weeks of the season. We're working very hard at it. He's playing and he's been active. We'd like to get him involved. That's something we want to be able to do."
End zone
Ravens nose tackle Brandon Williams was named this week's NFLPA Community Most Valuable Player for his work as the ambassador and spokesman for the Maryland Food Bank's #FeedTheFlock food collection efforts and with the Westport Boys & Girls Club. … Tony Siragusa will be the Ravens "Legend of the Game" Sunday. … Sunday will also be the Ravens "Salute to Service" game, and festivities will include Challenger the bald eagle flying around the seating bowl during the national anthem and a flyover from the Maryland National Guard.
jeff.zrebiec@baltsun.com