Wright trying to shake off recent struggles
Two days after getting beaten by Oakland Raiders wide receiver Michael Crabtree for two of Crabtree’s three touchdown catches — including the eventual gamewinner in Sunday’s 28-27 loss — Ravens cornerback Shareece Wright got a phone call from former Southern California teammate Terrell Thomas.
The former New York Giants cornerback commiserated with Wright and encouraged him to bounce back. That conversation and subsequent talks with teammates reaffirmed to Wright that he can overcome his recent struggles.
“Yeah, it’s frustrating,” the sixth-year pro said after Thursday’s practice. “You don’t know why. It’s just one of those things where you’ve just got to respond well and just be positive about it and don’t lose that confidence. It’s not a physical thing where I can’t play or I can’t run. It’s not like I can’t play or I’m not goodenough. It’s just moreof a mental mentality and just being in the moment, being in the situation like in a game where it’s a critical situation.”
After surrendering five touchdowns in his past three starts, Wright has become the most scrutinized member of the Ravens secondary. He ranks third on the team in tackles with 21 and has broken up two passes, but fans and media have focused on him for criticism.
Wright said he blocks out the negativity, but said he actually prefers “the hate” to help identify who truly supports him.
Defensive coordinator Dean Pees defended Wright, saying every member of the defense was complicit in failing to stop the Raiders on that game-winning touchdown drive.
“It’s easy to criticize guys on the back end on coverage because those are always the last guys that you see,” Pees said Thursday. “But yeah, he’s got to improve, we all got to improve. We have to do a better job maybe not putting him in as tough situations. It’s across the board.” Stanley says he’s a game-time decision: After sitting out his fifth consecutive practice with a foot injury, rookie left tackle Ronnie Stanley said Thursday that he is “a game-time decision” for Sunday. The sixth overall pick in the 2016 NFL draft did not play last week but said he told coach John Harbaugh he is eager to return.
“Coach knows I want to play, and it’s definitely a decision left up to him,” Stanley said. “We’ve been in constant communication. It’s not going to be a surprise to me whether he chooses for me to play or not.” Questions irk usually unflappable Pees: After practice, Pees was asked during his weekly news conference about the de- Roster move: The team placed rookie cornerback Maurice Canady (thigh) on injured reserve Thursday. Canady, a sixthround pick, had contributed on special teams, making two tackles in four games. Canady’s spot on the active roster was filled by safety Marqueston Huff, a fourthround pick of the Tennessee Titans who was signed from the Jacksonville Jaguars’ practice squad. “I’ve been out of football for a little bit on the practice squad, but to get back out there and get on the active roster, it feels great,” he said.