Found August 12, 2007 on ExtremeRavens: Yardbarker Blogger Network
Streams of cars and SUV's pour into the player's parking lot. One player delays pulling completely into his parking space, which causes a long line of traffic to form. Another player gets impatient as a horn is heard echoing the campus of McDaniel College. Meanwhile, a similar scenario plays out in the fan's parking area. The fans, like the players, are anxious to get to their destination and commence with the entertainment. While the players will be providing that form of art to the fans, it is a symbiotic relationship the two seemingly diverse groups share. The fans, in their varied attire and painted faces, with their cheers of appreciation and well wishes, also provide a service for the players. Without one, it is debatable if there could be the other. Yes, it is Sunday morning, the day of rest and worship for many, but today, there is no rest for those who flock to training camp each day. On this day, those numbers would be smaller than past days, perhaps reaching as high as 1,500, but the entertainment the faithful who showed up today would find, would be well worth giving up a day of rest. With the first preseason game on the horizon, players came out in shorts and helmets. The practice would simply be a glorified walk through with as little contact as possible when big bodies get together. Corey Ivey, going into his seventh year in the league, was the first one out of the locker room, just as he has done since the beginning of camp. He was joined by Evan Oglesby, Ronnie Prude and Jamaine Winborne as the inseparable quartet worked on technique and got a jump on stretching for the day's events. The younger players cling to Ivy, sharing personal stories and soaking in every bit of knowledge the veteran can offer. Soon thereafter, the rest of the young defensive players come roaring out of the locker room, accompanied by their coaches. The defensive linemen and linebackers joke around with line coach Clarence Brooks and linebackers coach Mike Pettine, as Brooks tosses a ball to one of the players, the player throws it back. Before you know it, a game of Hot Potato is underway and the players swarm the coach as the ball reaches his hand. While this game is going on, Ivy brain storms with his fellow defensive backs. They devise a game with a few of the receivers that have come out early, including Clarence Moore, Derrick Mason and Mark Clayton. Each player would switch positions with the receivers becoming defensive backs and visa versa. Ivy at first plays quarterback as Chris McAlister goes up against Mark Clayton. McAlister put on a perfect double move then broke deep. Ivy hit him perfectly for a make shift touchdown, leaving Clayton in the dust. Next up was Oglesby against Mason, again Ivy threw a perfect pass as Oglesby tried to run a crossing pattern. Mason would not be fooled and knocked the ball away. The players mulling around the fields caught wind of the action and cheered their teammates on while more of the receivers joined the action. After another great route by McAlister, who once again lost Clayton, this time on a crossing route, Mason and Ivy paired up. Ivy ran down the make shift field, cut inside then bounced out. Mason was right on his heels and just as Ivy caught the ball, Derrick picked his pocket and ran down the sidelines for a would-be touchdown. The players and fans erupted in cheers, and then the players resumed their real positions and drills. It was clear that the defensive backs won this mock game. If the team ever gets in a pinch for secondary help, Derrick Mason would make a great stand in. Likewise, McAlister would make a formidable receiver if the need should ever arise. More on the site...Along with over a hundred videos of camp up through today.

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