Corey Ivy could walk into a room and go largely unnoticed.
But slip some shoulder pads, a jersey and a helmet on his 5-feet-9, nearly 190-pound frame, and you have a football player.
The signings of Ivy and Gary Stills flew under the radar in March, but the team has big plans for the duo.
“Gary and Corey provide some quality depth for our defense, and they?ll be core special-teams players for us,” Ravens? general manager Ozzie Newsome said at the time. “They bring toughness, enthusiasm and athleticism that fit right into the Ravens? way.”
Ivy spent four seasons with Tampa Bay playing in all 16 games Buccaneers? regular-season games in route to a Super Bowl XXXVII win. He spent last season with St. Louis, recording a career-high 57 tackles, two sacks with one interception. He became a free agent during the off-season, signing a three-year contract with the Ravens.
“I just realized over the last couple of years being around such star players as Warren Sapp, Derrick Brooks, Simeon Rice, John Lynch and Ronde Barber that it?s all really just mental,” Ivy said.
Ivy said he has seen young rookies go all-out during practice for special teams only to see them lag behind when called on for defensive play. Ivy should know, as he has 73 special teams tackles during his career.
“Special teams is really a grind. Not everyone wants to play special teams,” he said. “When the time comes, go hard all the time when you?re on special teams.”
The Ivy File
Hometown: Moore, Oklahoma
High School: Moore High School
Did You Know? Ivy is one of five Oklahoma University players on the Ravens? roster. He joins recent second round pick Chris Chester, last year?s first and second round selections Mark Clayton and Dan Cody along with veteran offensive lineman Kelly Gregg.
