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B.J. Sams’ NFL career is not even two months old, but he has already gone from near anonymity to a significant player in the Ravens’ kick return competition.
Sams, a 5-foot-10, 173-pounds lightening bolt out of McNeese State, earned praise from the very top – head coach Brian Billick – during the team’s mandatory veterans camp earlier this month.
Special teams coordinator Gary Zauner has praised him since May, when Sams first showed his new coach a knack for hanging onto the football, a must for whoever wins the job.
Have the Ravens unearthed their latest undrafted gem, continuing the blood line that includes Priest Holmes, Mike Flynn and Will Demps? The answer could come as soon as training camp, which begins at the end of July.
To make the team, Sams would have to not only unseat Lamont Brightful, the team’s incumbent for the last two years, but also beat out Derek Abney, who the Ravens took in the seventh round of the 2004 draft.
Brightful owns the Ravens’ record for longest punt return, going 95 yards for a touchdown in a win over Cincinnati in 2002, and his 16.1 average yards per return that year are tied for best in team history.
Abney finished his career at Kentucky with five Division I-A, 11 Southeastern Conference, and 14 school records for kick returns. He returned eight kicks for touchdowns (six punts, two kickoffs) and racked up 5,856 all-purpose yards, a Kentucky record.
“When I came in, I was ready,” Sams said after working out at the team’s Owings Mills practice facility Thursday. “I had to be ready to accept the challenge. I came in as a free agent, when they also drafted another return specialist. I came in, looking to battle for a position.”
That battle has already included a change in positions. A wide receiver throughout college, the Ravens immediately moved Sams to running back, which has not been an easy transition.
However, with every running back returning from the group that led the league in rushing last year, Sams knows the Ravens are really looking at him as a returner.
So far, they have liked what they have seen.
During the May minicamp practices, Sams distinguished himself by catching every punt cleanly – the only returner to do so.
“He catches the ball extremely well, probably the best of all the guys,” Zauner said. “He’s shown some real good quickness, moves. He’s been very impressive in drills.”
In Sams’ opinion, his sure-handedness is not even his strongest skill. He said his vision, speed and fearlessness hitting the hole make him a good returner.
Whatever the reason, Sams parlayed his talents into a notable collegiate career. As a senior, he returned two punts for touchdowns and ranked ninth in the nation with 166.9 all-purpose yards per game.
Sams readily admits that there is a wide divide in talent between the Southland Conference and the NFL, but he has a history of overcoming the odds when given the chance.
Sams attended McNeese State because it was the only school that waited for him to pass the ACT exam, which he finally did late in his senior year at Mandeville (La.) High School. He went on to earn team MVP honors in both 2002 and 2003, and was conference player of the year as a senior.
And although he was not one of the 255 players selected in the 2004 draft, he has a fighting chance to be one of the 53 players that makes the Ravens’ opening day roster.
Sams signed with the Ravens over the Colts, Eagles or Browns because he believed Baltimore provided the best chance to make a team.
After two months on the job, he’s certainly on his way.
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OWINGS MILLS, Md. (May 24, 2005) -- Baltimore Ravens quarterback Anthony Wright will be sidelined until October after undergoing surgery on his right shoulder.
Wright, the backup for Kyle Boller, had a torn labrum repaired by Dr. Leigh Ann Curl. The quarterback must wait four months before he can begin throwing a football.
Ravens general manager Ozzie Newsome has started a search for a second-string quarterback. Kordell Stewart is one possibility; Kurt Warner and Tim Couch are considered long shots.
Wright said the injury occurred last November against the Seattle Seahawks, a game in which he threw for 319 yards and four touchdowns in leading the Ravens to an overtime victory.
\"I was in the throwing motion and somebody grabbed my arm,\" he said.
Wright replaced an injured Boller and led the Ravens to the playoffs by going 5-2 as a starter.
Once a starter for the Dallas Cowboys, Wright went 94 for 178 for 1,119 yards and nine touchdowns in 2003. He had eight interceptions.
With Wright out, the two quarterbacks behind Boller are rookies: sixth-round draft pick Josh Harris and undrafted free agent Brian Gaither.
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2003 record: 10-6
2003 finish: First in AFC North, eliminated in wild-card game
Offseason needs/outlook
Team news
Ravens reach one-year deal with QB Stewart
Thomas re-signed to provide LB depth
Wright, Brown reach contract agreements
Propelled by one of the all-time great seasons by a running back, the defensive-minded Ravens won 10 games enroute to a division title -- all this with a rookie, Kyle Boller, and a career backup, Anthony Wright, sharing time as starters at quarterback. The Ravens went 7-1 at home before getting knocked out in the first round of the playoffs.
Behind the exceptional work of RB Jamal Lewis, the offense showed glimpses of brilliance, but will still need much improvement for the 2004 season if it is to draw more comparison with the team\'s solid defensive unit. Lewis set an NFL record for rushing yards in a game against Cleveland and posted the second highest rushing total in NFL history, but legal troubles during the offseason have put a damper on the otherwise outstanding achievement and leaves a question mark for the 2004 campaign.
The offense will however, get extra boost next season with the addition of former Giants coach Jim Fassel, who joined the staff to work closely with Boller and Wright. The team has also re-signed C Mike Flynn to a five-year contract, which guarantees that four of the five starting linemen who blocked for Lewis during his 2,066-yard season, will be back next season to offer solid protection. On defense, the Ravens have designated CB Chris McAlister as their franchise player for the second straight season -- this all but ensuring that the all-pro will return next season to keep Baltimore\'s defensive core in tact. Baltimore added depth to its secondary by adding four-time Pro Bowl cornerback Dale Carter.
Unsigned free agents
Unrestricted: Chris McAlister, CB (Franchise Tag); Chris Redman, QB; Riddick Parker, DE; Bernardo Harris, LB; Wade Richey, K
Restricted: None remaining
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