Navy star enlists as Ravens wideout
As a standout quarterback at Navy, Keenan Reynolds was revered in Annapolis, Md. He ran for an NCAA-record 88 touchdowns, went 4-0 against Army and finished fifth in the 2015 Heisman Trophy balloting.
But his prowess at running the triple option is of no help in his quest to make the Baltimore Ravens.
“It’s very humbling,” he acknowledged. “I’m just trying to make the best of it.”
At Navy, Reynolds ran, handed off or threw the football. His job now is to catch it. “I have a lot more respect for the position of wide receiver,” he said, “especially after being a quarterback.”
Despite being thrust into this unfamiliar role, Reynolds has no complaints. After all, most of his teammates at Navy who received their degree are now fulfilling a five-year military obligation.
Defense Secretary Ashton Carter has allowed Reynolds to defer his military service to play in the NFL.
“I love football. I love being able to come out here competing every day,” he said. “There are a lot of guys who would love to be where I’m at.”
This summer he has been tapping the knowledge of teammates Steve Smith and Mike Wallace, veteran receivers who have been happy to tutor the eager 22year-old.
“I spent a half-hour working with Smitty on releases, and Mike is coaching me up every day,” Reynolds said.
“It’s tough enough to advance to this level, even for first-round picks,” coach John Harbaugh said.
“Yet, here he is, going to a new level and playing a position that he’s never played before in his life. I think it’s pretty admirable, and it’s pretty amazing he’s playing as well as he is.”
Falcons
Atlanta rookie strong safety Keanu Neal, the team’s first-round pick and a projected starter, will miss the beginning of the season with a knee injury. Neal will have arthroscopic surgery on his right knee Monday and is expected to miss three to four weeks.
Chiefs
Safety Eric Berry has skipped the past month of training camp and practice in an effort to show his displeasure that the Chiefs were unable to reach a longterm contract agreement with him. Berry, who was designated with the franchise tag in March, is slated to make $10.8 million this year. He expected to be back Sunday.
Jets
New York saluted the U.S. military by helping throw a green-and-white flag football game in Afghanistan. Service members from the 10th Mountain Division, 518th Resolute Support Sustainment Brigade and the 25th Signal Battalion of the U.S. Army took the field Friday at Bagram Air Base with custom-made home and away jerseys donated by the Jets.
Colts
The team is reaching out to the people of Kokomo, Ind., which was hit by an EF3 tornado Wednesday that had an estimated peak wind of 152 mph. The tornado traveled nearly 5 miles on the city’s south side, was about 300 yards wide. Indianapolis is providing tickets and concession vouchers to the game tonight for the Kokomo High School football team, including their family members and coaches.