Cam Cameron, the man, the mystery, the enigma

Cam Cameron, who’s legal name is Malcolm Cameron, was a talented athlete in his youth. He was an All-American Quarterback and star point guard for his high school in Tarre Haute, Indiana. Cameron played football under the tutelage of Lee Corson and basketball for Bobby Knight before a knee injury ended his career.

Cameron began his career as an assistant for Bo Schembechler at the University of Michigan. He entered into the NFL as a quarterbacks coach for the Washington Redskins in 1994. After three seasons of coaching Gus Ferrotte he had enough. He thought to himself, “self why am I coaching this dunce? I shouldn’t be here coaching a kid who concusses himself while running into a goal post.” After realizing the error of his ways, Cameron returned to the college ranks as the head football coach of the Indiana Hoosiers. He finished his tenure with a disappointing 18-37 record.

Cameron realized he just couldn’t be a head coach. He begged and pleaded on his knees with diamond rings in hand for the Chargers to give him a job. They conceded and gave him the title of offensive coordinator. Cameron created an offense that allowed LaDanian Tomlinson and Drew Brees to blossom. He hit the jackpot, a successful team and offensive studs. Unfortunately, Cameron’s eyes got a little too big.

He thought he would take another shot at the head coaching gig, but this time for the Miami Dolphins. What a mistake that was in hindsight. 1-15, enough said. Then on January 23, 2008 John Harbaugh, new head coach of the Baltimore Ravens, swooped down from the heavens and saved young Mr. Cameron. Cameron now has a host of weapons to work with, but an offense that has historically struggled. He will once again have to turn a historically poor offense into a powerhouse as he did in San Diego.

Solid gold

You know the age old saying, "I put my puts on one leg at a time just like he does?" Well these guys have single handedly proved this widely accepted saying wrong.

Jason Taylor is a "cheerleader"

Troy Smith doesn't know who Joe Flacco is

Troy Smith mistakingly thinks Joe Flacco's name is John. I like the "accidental" confusion. This indicates that Smith is ready to be competitive for the starting spot. He doesn't want some upstart rookie from a small school taking his spot or the starting role.

Let Kyle and Troy fight it out this year. Start Flacco next season. Please, no more Kyle Bollers (who openly admits that he didn't want to play in his first professional season).

Buzz about Baltimore Raven's new QB, Joe Flacco

Here is whats being said about Joe Flacco around the web:

Sporting News:
The Baltimore Ravens' bold move to get Joe Flacco with the 18th pick in the NFL draft was a risk worth taking. Having a strong arm allows Flacco to make throws other quarterbacks can't. And at 6-6, Flacco is three inches taller than Brohm and four inches taller than Henne. Seeing over oncoming pass rushers will not be a problem for Flacco. Simply put, Flacco has the physical tools to be successful.

Bleacher Report:
Even more than that, McShay saying that the Baltimore Ravens taking Joe Flacco in the first round was a “reach,” angered me to no end. Flacco was the best quarterback in the draft. The only competition Ryan has proven he can beat Flacco in is the one for most generic name. The 6’6”, 230-pound Flacco was underrated and should’ve been taken third overall by the Atlanta Falcons. The Ravens have a gem of a player to end their quarterback woes.

Deadspin:
Flacco's a great young man from a great environment, a guy who got trapped behind Tyler Palko in Pitt but became a I-AA superstar at Delaware. He doesn't have a lot of experience in a pro system and will have to learn to drop from under center. But he's a great athlete who is faster than your average Drew Bledsoe-sized kid. And he's smart enough to learn the Harbaugh-Cameron system.

National Lampoon Splog:
Baltimore needs someone like Joe Flacco. Played for Delaware, All-American guy, tall, sits in the pocket, but can escape if he needs to. Ozzie Newsome is known for making great picks. I hope this keeps the trend.

Todd McShay could be certifiable

What the hell is Todd McShay doing? Why would he put together a mock draft for 2009 already? Why does he have the Ravens picked in the first half of round one?

All inside intelligence indicates uncontrollable intake of barbituates. Only an imbalance of neurotransmitters can explain the insane ardor McShay has for 20-year-old athletic men.

Fabian Washington is the man

As Fabian Washington walked around the Raven's facilities, he "had a smile on his face." Who could blame him given the tremendous extravagance that the facility offers.

Washington isn't the only person in Baltimore that should be smiling though. Every Raven's fan should be grinning ear to ear with the arrival of Washington. He cost a mere 125th draft pick, and the payoff should be much better. Washington brings with him much needed depth at the cornerback position.

In his three season in the NFL, Washington has racked up 123 total tackles and 5 interceptions. More importantly he brings youth and experience. Washington is only 24 years old, yet has played in or started 45 NFL games. He can learn the finer points of the position (that he doesn't already know) from Chris McAllister and Samari Rolle. He will be an integral part of the defense immediately and hopefully for a long time to come.

Kyle Boller or Joe Flacco?

Jamison Hensley has a great read over at the Baltimore Sun. I particularly agree with his assessment of the quarterback position, "Boller should start the season, but Flacco might be the one who finishes it."

Baltimore Ravens Draft Review

Well the 2008 draft has come and gone. All in all the Ravens did well, but they left room for improvement in free agency. The team adequately addressed the significant needs at the offensive skill positions, but failed to add youth at the corners.

I think the team failed overall with their defensive selections. Taveres Gooden is a quality ILB and fills a need with the team. I am confused by the selection of two Safeties. The team needed one to support Reed and Landry, but two? Corner Back was an issue that needed to be addressed with this draft and wasn’t. Both of these guys play as safeties and are built as such. I can’t imagine the Ravens will try to convert either to CB. So we entered the draft with glaring needs on the offensive lines and at CB. Unfortunately we leave the draft with the same two needs (more so the corner position than the offensive line). Even though there are some issues, I have to reiterate that the team did well with the offensive skill positions. Two wide receivers, two running backs, and a stud of a quarterback. Here is a breakdown position by position:

1. Joe Flacco,QB-Deleware (18)

6’6, laser rocket arm. He absolutely has the strongest arm in 2008 crop of QB’s. Kyle Boller also had the strongest arm in his class. Joe Flacco is talented and intelligent, but he has yet to face NFL caliber competition. He has the potential to be great, but needs some time to develop. I hope the Ravens will hold him out of the starting lineup so he doesn’t suffer from Boller or David Carr syndrome. He has some escapability issues because of his size, so the O-line will have to protect him. If he has time to pass, he can develop into an outstanding pocket passer.

2. Ray Rice, RB-Rutgers (55)

Bowling ball. Rice is quick, patient, and strong. He is a great addition as a back-up running back. Rice’s style of play differs from McGahee’s which will provide the team with more offensive option. Many people underestimate his blocking abilities as well.

3. Tavares Gooden, ILB-Miami (71)

Originally a question mark because of an unproductive first half of his college career, Gooden has developed into a prototypical Miami linebacker. He has the athletic ability to fill Ray Lewis’ shoes under his tutelage. I’m excited about this pick more than any of the others.

4. Tom Zbikowski, S-Notre Dame (86)

He hits hard! He really hits hard. Zbikowski is also a quick guy. Expect him to immediately jump to third on the safety depth chart. Good pick up for the Ravens.

5. Oniel Cousins, OG-UTEP (99)

From what the college analysts say, Cousins is a good talent. He is inexperience and raw, but can develop into a quality NFL player. Many experts compare him to the Colts’ Tony Ugoh. Hopefully, Jonathan Ogden stays on for one more year to guide Cousins development.

6. Marcus Smith, WR-New Mexico (106)

He had big numbers while playing with the Lobos. Smith is a tall guy that is willing to go up and fight for the ball. We’ll keep a close on him. He can either become great or disappear in two years.

7. David Hale, OT-Weber State (133)

I don’t know much about Hale, but ESPN seems to think he will peak as a back-up Right Tackle.

8. Haruki Nakamura, S-Cincinnati (206)

I was disappointed with this pick more than any others. I honestly question why the team drafted another safety. Granted Ozzie and others know quite a bit more than I do, but I wish we would’ve used this pick to draft a corner. He stands 5’9, lacking the necessary height to be a good corner. I think Nakamura will be a great special team’s player because of his pension for making big tackles.

9. Justin Harper, WR- Virginia Tech (215)

He is a big guy, but can get pushed around from time to time. He needs to bulk up and learn how to push off a corner at the line, but he has the athleticism to become good.

10. Allen Patrick, RB-Oklahoma (240)

I think this pick is a steal. With 927 yards in 13 games (5.8 per carry) he has impressive stats for a 7^th round pick. Patrick is a hard runner nosed runner and has faced good competition in the Big 12, so I expect him to get a chance after putting in his time on special teams.

Ravens select Joe Flacco

Joe Flacco! Flacco! Flacco!

With the 18th pick in the 2008 NFL Draft the Ravens select Joe Flacco.

My bet: He starts by week 10.