Linebacker Edgar Jones expected to be rushing quarterbacks for the Ravens, not catching passes from them.
But Jones, a second-year player out of Southeast Missouri State, was doing just that on Wednesday when he took snaps at tight end during the team?s passing camp. Jones volunteered for the temporary position switch to help the Ravens fill a void at tight end this offseason with Quinn Sypniewski out for the year with a knee injury and Daniel Wilcox still recovering from an injured toe.
“Edgar was a high school tight end, as we found out, so he volunteered for duty,” Ravens coach John Harbaugh said. “We do have a shortage of tight ends right now, so why not?”
Jones is one of several Ravens who has had to play different positions because injuries have decimated their depth chart, which includes just one tight end ? Todd Heap. So far, the Ravens have tried numerous players at tight end, including rookie and former Florida State quarterback Xavier Lee, along with veterans like defensive end/linebacker Jarret Johnson and offensive lineman Marshal Yanda.
Yanda, a 2007 third round pick from Iowa, started 12 games at right tackle last season, but also has spent time playing guard and center during the Ravens? mini camps.
“[Harbaugh] is just trying to feel if they can use you here or there if they need to,” Yanda said. “This is the time to do it when we?re in mini camp and we have the time to do it. It doesn?t matter to me. I?ll play anywhere. I?ve got an open mind about it. I?ll help out the team anywhere I can.”
Harbaugh said a player becomes more valuable when he proves he can play multiple positions.
“Marshal has been playing some guard, been playing some center,” Harbaugh said. “We know he can play tackle. So the more they do, the better off they?re going to be.”
Another area many players are now experiencing for the first time is special teams. The most high profile player is rookie running back Ray Rice. The second-round pick out of Rutgers had 910 career carries in college, but will be a backup to Willis McGahee in Baltimore.
“Special teams are fun,” Rice said. “People don?t know how big that is in a game. One kickoff return can determine a championship. Obviously, doing kickoff returns is something I didn?t do in college because I was the guy at running back. Anyway I can contribute, I?ll do.”
