Second-round pick Kamalei Correa is listed as the backup to Zachary Orr at weak-side linebacker on the first depth chart released by the team, but that doesn't necessarily mean the Ravens have abandoned plans to use him as an edge rusher. Defensive coordinator Dean Pees said the team is still searching for the rookie's best spot.
"What we're trying to do is move him around and just see if there's a spot that is a little more comfortable," Pees said Friday. "We're probably doing maybe a little too much for him. We're really asking a lot out of a guy that's a rookie. He's playing a lot of positions, might be too many."
Pees said the team is experimenting with Correa, out of Boise State, and other defensive players, hoping it will increase the unit's flexibility when injuries hit during the season.
"This is the time to do it," Pees said. "We may find out something, because in the course of the season, you may have to move a guy to a different spot."
Offensive line coach Juan Castillo is taking the same approach with one of his rookies. Alex Lewis, a fourth-round pick out of Nebraska, is getting repetitions at offensive tackle and guard.
"I will tell you this: Alex Lewis is going to be a starter in the NFL," Castillo said Thursday. "I think he can start at guard one day or he can even start at tackle. The thing for him is just, he is a young kid. Moving inside is a tough situation for him, so all we want to do is get him back outside a little bit, so he can feel comfortable with what he has been used to doing and get his confidence at something he is really good at."
A different Wagner: Castillo has seen a difference in Rick Wagner this summer, a result of the starting right tackle's being able to adequately prepare for the season. That wasn't the case last year, when Wagner was coming off surgery to repair a Lisfranc foot sprain.
Wagner returned in time to be ready for training camp. However, like cornerback Jimmy Smith, who had the same injury, Wagner wasn't the same player as he was the previous season, when he graded out as one of the NFL's top right tackles.
The former Wisconsin player returned in time for training camp and started all 16 games at right tackle. He didn't make excuses but was inconsistent all season.
"The thing that people don't know is he wasn't able to do leg work at all," Castillo said. "We went in to the first game [and] he still was catching up. I think he is really excited and he did a lot of good work — leg work — this offseason. He is excited to have a good year, just like he did a couple of years ago."
Campanaro misses practice: Wide receiver and punt returner Michael Campanaro (River Hill) did not take part in Saturday's open workout at M&T Bank Stadium. It marked the second time in three days Campanaro sat out practice and the fourth time he has missed practice since training camp began.
Campanaro has looked good when he has been out there, and there has been no mention of an injury by Campanaro or coach John Harbaugh. The former Wake Forest star has missed significant time with injuries in each of his first two seasons in Baltimore, and was put on injured reserve with a back injury last year after four games.
If Campanaro is having physical problems, it could give more of an opportunity to former Navy star Keenan Reynolds, who appears to be competing with Campanaro for a roster spot and has been inconsistent so far. Though Campanaro is clearly ahead of Reynolds, who is trying to make the transition from quarterback to wide receiver and punt returner, there still seem to be concerns about keeping Campanaro healthy.
Reynolds had one of his better practices Saturday both in catching the ball and returning punts. It came after a strong practice Friday in Owings Mills. Reynolds had a string of practices when he struggled in both roles, including the first open workout Monday at the stadium.
"He did look better [than Monday]," Harbaugh said. "I don't know if it was the environment or what. He's been in so many big games. You wouldn't think that would be the case, but he's playing new positions. He seemed a lot more at ease today and he did a good job."
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