Ravens Pass On Cotchery
The Internet was abuzz this week with rumors that the Ravens were going to sign former New York Jets receiver Jerricho Cotchery, but apparently that won’t be happening.
According to Jamison Hensley of The Baltimore Sun, Cotchery visited the Ravens on Tuesday but left without a contract offer.
While one would think that it was because Cotchery’s offseason back surgery contributed to him not passing a physical, apparently that’s not the case.
“There were no problems with Cotchery’s physical, another source added. Cotchery is coming off back surgery in February,” Hensley wrote.
Cotchery caught 41 passes for 443 yards and two touchdowns last season.
Another wideout some thought Baltimore could be interested in, Steve Smith, will also not be coming to the Ravens. He signed a one-year contract with the Philadelphia Eagles Wednesday, shocking the New York Giants.
If the Ravens do not decide to sign another veteran wideout, they would move forward with veteran Anquan Boldin and rookies Torrey Smith and Tandon Doss as their top three receivers.
The question of whether that’s a good idea or not was raised by ESPN’s AFC North blogger James Walker.
In a recent poll, he asked fans about their biggest concern for the Ravens, listing No. 2 wide receiver, lack of pass rush, right tackle and backup quarterback as options.
No. 2 wide receiver is currently getting 48 percent of the vote.
Still, Smith and Doss have looked solid in training camp, showcasing reliable hands with shifty moves.
They’ll get their real-time debut tonight in Philadelphia against the Eagles.
Flacco Lobbied For Heap
Here’s another interesting note from The Sun – quarterback Joe Flacco tried to get tight end Todd Heap back after he was released two weeks ago.
“I tried to influence it a little bit,” Flacco said. “You have an opinion and that’s all you can do. I think they listened and they gave an effort. I’m happy for Todd. He’s back home and he’s in a good situation. I know Todd loves Baltimore and would have loved to finish his career here. Other than here, he’s in the best situation for himself.”
Several media reports stated that the Ravens were interested in re-signing Heap at a lower salary after he was let go, but the two-time Pro Bowler opted to join the Arizona Cardinals.
With his 40 receptions for 599 yards and five touchdowns in 2010, Heap’s numbers will be difficult to replace, but the Ravens have two promising young options in Ed Dickson and Dennis Pitta, with third-year tight end Davon Drew working hard, as well.
Evans Hears Trade Rumors
Buffalo Bills wideout Lee Evans hears the rumors that he could be traded this preseason.
The teams that most media reports link him to are the Arizona Cardinals and the Ravens.
“You know that’s something that’s out of my control so, there’s always rumors out there like that so we’ll just have to see what happens,” Evans told Buffalo reporters. “I’ve been here for a long time. I know a lot of people that have been around the organization for a while, so yeah I’m happy.”
Bills officials are playing coy.
“A lot of times it’s rumors,” said Head Coach Chan Gailey. ”You don’t want to do anything to make anyone think you listen to rumors or pay attention to rumors.”
Evans, 30, had 1,000-yard receiving seasons in 2006 and 2008. A speedy receiver, Evans has the ability to threaten a defense with his ability to stretch the field.
Quick Hits
- SI.com’s Don Banks stopped by Ravens training camp earlier this week, and he’s convinced the story with this team in 2011 is getting over the Pittsburgh Steelers roadblock.
- New Ravens fullback Vonta Leach is fired up for tonight’s game. “First preseason game tonight, it good to finally go against another team,” tweeted @vleach44.
- @untouchablejay4 [Terrell Suggs]: Sometimes your life doesn’t turn out how you expected it would,………… it turns out better!!!! ;-) [Twitter]
