Visanthe Shiancoe getting first team reps with Baltimore Ravens
By Mike Dyce
The Baltimore Ravens have had some difficulty with injuries, specifically at the tight end position. They lost Dennis Pitta to a season-ending fracture very early on in camp and signed Visanthe Shiancoe as an insurance policy. Ravens tight end Ed Dickson would fill Pitta’s starting role.
Well Dickson was injured and is sidelined for at least a week and possibly longer with a slightly torn hamstring. Now Siancoe, who signed a one-year contract at the veteran’s minimum of $940,000 is stepping up with the first team and getting reps.
“I’m going to keep on building my building, brick by brick, keep working hard every day like I’m doing now,” Shiancoe said, via the Baltimore Sun. “The coaches have plans and are throwing me in there whenever they feel I’m ready, and that’s the plan.
“They bring in many players here to contribute to the offense. That’s what it’s all about. I don’t think there’s one plan. I think I just go with the flow, work hard and do what the coaches tell me to do. The universe works in mysterious ways.”
Shiancoe is still trying to dive into the playbook.
“Just learning the terminology, it’s basically the same concepts, just different languages,” Shiancoe said. “Once you start to learn the concepts, you master the language and eventually it starts to come. Everything is about repetitions, gaining confidence in yourself and the quarterback and the offense and just the whole stew.”
Coach John Harbaugh is pleased with Shiancoe’s play in camp so far.
“I’d say he’s done a really good job, but there is a learning curve,” Harbaugh said. “He physically looks like he is in good shape. He is running routes well. He catches the ball well, and he’s learning the offense. That’s not easy. He’s not up to full speed because he’s not there mentally yet. But, we sure have a lot of talent and ability. He’s doing a good job.”