The Training Camp Ship Has Sailed. A Few Players Stand Out.

To the glee of many players, training camp is over. No more two-a-days just regular practice and film room sessions from here on out. We saw a select group of players improve and establish themselves as noteworthy contributors.

Tom Zbikowski- Who knew this third year player would come into training camp as the starting free safety and play so well? He was solid last season at the position but seems to have really come to training prepared to succeed as a free safety while Ed Reed nurses his hip.

His hardwork really translated to the field in the first preseason game when he had two highlight plays back-to-back. On third and long, he sacked quarterback Matt Moore and forced a fumble recovered by the Panthers. Then on the very next play he displayed his quickness by returning a punt 28 yards. Zbikowski's hard work and on-field performance has reassured the Ravens nation that the defense will not be extremely vulnerable in the backfield without Ed Reed because Zbikowski will be there.

Ed Dickson- Dickson had been enthralling audiences for months in offseason workouts with his reliable hands and up-field agility. He brought all of those qualities and a great work ethic to training camp where he seemed to have pulled slightly ahead of Dennis Pitta in the race for the number two tight end spot.

Against the Panthers, he had two catches for 26 yards, one of which brought about a first down when Marc Bulger and the rest of the offense were backed up in their own end zone. He appears to be a willing downfield blocker and a difficult matchup for linebackers, two characteristics of a great tight end. Expect Dickson to contribute significantly in the next three preseason games as the coaching staff gets a good feel for his strengths and his weaknesses.

Training camp is over but the evaluation process is not. Dickson and Pitta will continue to be compared as the team prepares their depth charts and Ken Hamlin could supplant Tom Zbikowski if he plays head over heels better than Zbikowski in the coming weeks (not very likely). Tomorrow the Ravens travel down to Fedex Field about an hour from Baltimore for another preseason exhibition. The starters will get a little more start time I am looking forward to seeing how much continuity this team has so far especially with young players like Dickson and Zbikowski getting a lot of snaps.