As Ravens rookie wide receiver Justin Harper was working with the starters during Wednesday’s mini camp practice in Owings Mills, he couldn’t help but think about the advice his grandmother, Oddie Belle, once gave him.
“You’ve got to take advantage of every chance you’re given,” Harper said.
Harper appeared to do just that this week as the seventh-round pick out of Virginia Tech played with the first team as a third receiver, replacing Demetrius Williams, who is sidelined with an injured Achilles? tendon. The 6-foot-3, 215-pound Harper made several impressive catches, including a touchdown and could compete for playing time this season.
“You’ve got the speed guys on the inside so hopefully I can make a name for myself on the outside,” said Harper, who had 21 catches for 324 yards as a senior at Virginia Tech. “The hardest part is just catching up with the vets. You have guys like Derrick Mason in their 12th year and you?re trying to do what he does in your first year.”
Harper was one of several taller receivers the Ravens acquired to complement veterans Mason and Mark Clayton. Among Harper?s top competitors for playing time will be fourth-round pick Marcus Smith (New Mexico) along with rookie free agents Patrick Carter (Louisville) and Ernie Wheelwright (Minnesota). All are at least 6-foot-1, as Mason and Clayton, who are both listed at 5-foot-10.
“We needed to add a big receiver to the group,” said Ravens general manager Ozzie Newsome following last month?s draft, “and that’s what we did with Harper,”
Harper said he feels joining a team with a new coaching staff only improves his chances of earning a roster spot since veterans and rookies all must prove themselves to first-year coach John Harbaugh.
“Everyone is making a first impression,” Harper said. “The young guys are trying to make a name for themselves and the older guys want to show the new coaches that they still have it. It?s our job to come in and try to take someone?s job. But that?s only going to push the veterans to make them better, too.”
Harbaugh made it clear what he expects from his young receivers, who he hopes will help improve a passing game that ranked last out of 32 teams in yards per catch (9.7), 28th in touchdown receptions (13) and last in receptions of at least 20 yards (23) in 2007.
“We’re looking for them to be good receivers ? run good routes, block people downfield, catch the ball and finish plays ? nothing other than that,” he said. “[I’m] not too philosophical.”
Mason said the combination of new receivers, the arrival of offensive coordinator Cam Cameron and the development of quarterbacks Kyle Boller, Troy Smith and rookie Joe Flacco should help the Ravens passing game, which also had trouble picking up yards after the catch last season. Mason averaged just 3.1 yards after the catch despite leading the Ravens with 1,087 receiving yards.
“The way you alleviate that problem is to get the ball in the receivers hands on the run,” Mason said. “That?s what we?re going to do is get the ball in their hands while they’re moving. Then, that 10-yard catch will turn into 15 that 15 will turn to 25 and if you?re able to do that, you’ll be OK.”
