OWINGS MILLS -- Veteran former NFL defensive coordinator Vic Fangio remains with the Baltimore Ravens this year as a special assistant.The former Indianapolis Colts, New Orleans Saints, Houston Texans and Baltimore/Philadelphia Stars (USFL) defensive boss was credited by Ravens coach Brian Billick last year for his ultra-meticulous nature in documenting opponents' tendencies.
Fangio is regarded as a potential candidate to succeed defensive coordinator Rex Ryan if he gets a head coaching job, but Fangio's serious personality would be a huge change from Ryan's fun-loving approach. Fangio is all business, and this is a veteran-laden defense filled with accomplished players with their own ideas about how to do things. Not sure it would be a great fit.
It's been extremely quiet on the Donnie Henderson front as far as the former Ravens secondary coach coming aboard as a consultant and word is that it's not going to happen. Sometimes, a visit is just a friendly visit.I won't be surprised, though, if Henderson gets a crack at interviewing to be the Ravens' next defensive coordinator if Ryan departs.
Linebackers coach Jeff FitzGerald at least deserves an interview for the job if Ryan ultimately leaves. FitzGerald is a high-energy type who's all over the field, just like his proteges. I think he has definite leadership qualities, and he leaves the impression of being a progressive, intense players' coach.
Plus, all of his starters got Pro Bowl recognition last year. Not bad. He's also a race car driver in the offseason, not your typical hobby for an NFL assistant.
Meanwhile, new starting outside linebacker Jarret Johnson has been getting prepared for the job, showing up at minicamp with a much leaner physique. He also got a much shorter haircut. The former Alabama defensive lineman obviously has big shoes to fill as departed All-Pro Adalius Thomas' replacement.Return specialist B.J. Sams is moving very quickly for a guy coming off a fractured ankle that required surgery.
I'm sure the presence of speedster Yamon Figurs is a major motivating factor for Sams, who expressed joy that he was off the hook in his DUI trial and out of jeopardy with the courts and, apparently, with law-and-order NFL commissioner Roger Goodell.
Sams said he embraces competition. After all, he noted how he was once the undrafted rookie free agent from little McNeese State (La.) who outplayed seventh-round pick Derek Abney out of Kentucky.
It's a contract year for Sams, who's due a one-year, $850,000 restricted tender.If you're undrafted rookie safeties Donnie Johnson (Penn State) and Bobby Blackshire (Tulsa), you've got to like your chances to make the roster. The Ravens only have three veteran safeties under contract: Ed Reed, Dawan Landry and Gerome Sapp.
Opportunity knocks.Both have reputations for being hard hitters, and both have good size with Johnson standing 6-0, 209 pounds and Blackshire at 6-1, 196 pounds. It's funny how Blackshire lost two inches and nine pounds from the Tulsa sports information department's official biography.
So far, Blackshire has made more plays in pass coverage. It's early, and we'll know more during August in Westminster.
One more thing: Sapp has been playing a glorified linebacker spot at times in nickel packages. It's one more way to account for the loss of All-Pro linebacker Adalius Thomas, a versatile athlete who requires more than one person to replace him.
You could say that Johnson is essentially the first-down and second-down replacement with Sapp, Bart Scott and others picking up the slack in obvious passing situations. Look for Scott to be used all over the field this season. As a former dime back and college safety, he's capable of doing many of the tasks Thomas performed so adeptly.
Aaron Wilson covers the Baltimore Ravens for the Carroll County Times and the Annapolis Capital.
Fangio is regarded as a potential candidate to succeed defensive coordinator Rex Ryan if he gets a head coaching job, but Fangio's serious personality would be a huge change from Ryan's fun-loving approach. Fangio is all business, and this is a veteran-laden defense filled with accomplished players with their own ideas about how to do things. Not sure it would be a great fit.
It's been extremely quiet on the Donnie Henderson front as far as the former Ravens secondary coach coming aboard as a consultant and word is that it's not going to happen. Sometimes, a visit is just a friendly visit.I won't be surprised, though, if Henderson gets a crack at interviewing to be the Ravens' next defensive coordinator if Ryan departs.
Linebackers coach Jeff FitzGerald at least deserves an interview for the job if Ryan ultimately leaves. FitzGerald is a high-energy type who's all over the field, just like his proteges. I think he has definite leadership qualities, and he leaves the impression of being a progressive, intense players' coach.
Plus, all of his starters got Pro Bowl recognition last year. Not bad. He's also a race car driver in the offseason, not your typical hobby for an NFL assistant.
Meanwhile, new starting outside linebacker Jarret Johnson has been getting prepared for the job, showing up at minicamp with a much leaner physique. He also got a much shorter haircut. The former Alabama defensive lineman obviously has big shoes to fill as departed All-Pro Adalius Thomas' replacement.Return specialist B.J. Sams is moving very quickly for a guy coming off a fractured ankle that required surgery.
I'm sure the presence of speedster Yamon Figurs is a major motivating factor for Sams, who expressed joy that he was off the hook in his DUI trial and out of jeopardy with the courts and, apparently, with law-and-order NFL commissioner Roger Goodell.
Sams said he embraces competition. After all, he noted how he was once the undrafted rookie free agent from little McNeese State (La.) who outplayed seventh-round pick Derek Abney out of Kentucky.
It's a contract year for Sams, who's due a one-year, $850,000 restricted tender.If you're undrafted rookie safeties Donnie Johnson (Penn State) and Bobby Blackshire (Tulsa), you've got to like your chances to make the roster. The Ravens only have three veteran safeties under contract: Ed Reed, Dawan Landry and Gerome Sapp.
Opportunity knocks.Both have reputations for being hard hitters, and both have good size with Johnson standing 6-0, 209 pounds and Blackshire at 6-1, 196 pounds. It's funny how Blackshire lost two inches and nine pounds from the Tulsa sports information department's official biography.
So far, Blackshire has made more plays in pass coverage. It's early, and we'll know more during August in Westminster.
One more thing: Sapp has been playing a glorified linebacker spot at times in nickel packages. It's one more way to account for the loss of All-Pro linebacker Adalius Thomas, a versatile athlete who requires more than one person to replace him.
You could say that Johnson is essentially the first-down and second-down replacement with Sapp, Bart Scott and others picking up the slack in obvious passing situations. Look for Scott to be used all over the field this season. As a former dime back and college safety, he's capable of doing many of the tasks Thomas performed so adeptly.
Aaron Wilson covers the Baltimore Ravens for the Carroll County Times and the Annapolis Capital.
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