Baltimore Rookies Prepare for their First Game

by Gouch | 4 years ago | 0 Comments

 

With the first game only hours away, the entire locker room is eager to get back into game action. While a majority of the team enters Saturday with some prior MOF experience, there are a select few who will walk through the visitors tunnel at Paul Brown Stadium for the first time. The nerves and excitement levels are high, but rookie first round pick, Cornerback Nick Palmer is focused on football.

"It's going to be exciting, but it's just a football game at the end of the day," Palmer said. "I got to just go out there prepared mentally, physically, emotionally and compete at a high level."

Along with keeping the football mindset as the first priority, many new Ravens enlisted the help of veteran players to give them tips on playing their first game in a hostile environment. Rookie Defensive Tackle Clifton Roby utilized the resources he has in a knowledgeable room as well as seasoned veteran DT Damon Harrison Sr. The Southern Miss product is excited about using all the advice he has received to take advantage of the opportunity he has on Saturday Morning.

"The vets, especially Harrison, have been providing me with a lot of insight into our first game, what to expect and how to handle the emotions of the game and the crowd," said Roby. "Just enjoy the moment, was a common theme, as you'll never have another first game in your professional career."

This will be an experience of a lifetime for these rookies, one that will provide all-the-feels, but this does not minimize the importance of their duties on the field week one versus division rival, Cincinnati. Coach Gouch has stressed the importance of their on-field duties all offseason.

"I expect them to perform to the standard that we have set here in Baltimore," said Coach Gouch. "I have high hopes for them and they understand that, both on and off the field." 

Those high achievements are essential to their success, as the Ravens look to move out of the basement of the division, following an abysmal 5 win season last year and that starts in Cincinnati Week 1, on December 19.