There was no one else to throw the football except for Drew Olson at last weekend?s Baltimore Ravens rookie camp.
And that suited the former UCLA quarterback just fine.
Olson, signed as an undrafted free agent just before camp, became the third quarterback on the Ravens? roster.
“It?s definitely not bad,” Olson said. “They?ve chilled it out a little bit. We kind of go at a slower pace, and it makes it nice on me.”
Right now Olson will likely battle Brian St. Pierre to be incumbent quarterback Kyle Boller?s backup. There has also been speculation the Ravens could trade for Tennessee Titans quarterback Steve McNair.
Olson was clearly trying to build a rhythm with his fellow rookies, and had his shares of struggles during minicamp.
“If I try to do too much, you know I might get in trouble,” Olson said. “That?s what I don?t want to do. I don?t want to force things. Just really take what they give me, learn it, go through the reads, the right reads and not try to make too many plays. But, at the same time, you?ve got to go out there and execute the plays and make throws.”
The four-year player was second in UCLA history in total passing yards with 8,532, completions (664) and touchdowns (67). During his senior season he completed 242 of 378 passes for 3,198 yards and 34 TDs, and finished eighth in the Heisman Trophy balloting.
However, knee injuries during his career might have been why teams shied away from Olson in the draft. But he did enough to catch the eye of Eric DeCosta, the Ravens head of scouting. DeCosta, at a pre-draft news conference, specifically mentioned Olson when talking potential quarterbacks.
“He had a great year this year. If I?m not mistaken, he only had three interceptions and over 30 touchdowns passes this year. In the Pac-10, that?s pretty impressive,” DeCosta said.
Olson was happy with his first professional camp.
“There?s a ton to learn and there?s so much to this offense, but it takes time and I feel good,” Olson said.
UP NEXT
» The Ravens will have voluntary team activities the next two weeks that will be closed to the media and public, but will have a minicamp open to the media June 6-8 … The team will host its annual Spring Football Festival on Sunday at M&T Bank Stadium. Players and coaches will be featured. Cost is $12 for adults and $7 for children 12 and under.
