“I’m having to kick out all my habits and instincts and replace them with new ones.
I just had the old ones drilled in and now it’s all changed. It’s frustrating.” He’s talking about learning blocking jobs by linemen and backs, different play action, different hot routes, different ways he’s supposed to use footwork in his drop and pivot, route progressions and pass protection schemes. “It’s just one of those tough things. Once you get in a rhythm you are told you can’t do that, do this.” “I have time to grab some dinner, maybe watch ‘American Idol,’ and then read some more before going asleep.” Other than Cameron, he’s got plenty of friends, including tight end Todd Heaps, who went to the same high school in Mesa, Ariz., former Highland High and Oregon star Haloti Ngata, Utah rookie Paul Kruger and Ute one-year veteran Kelly Talavou. Then there are the guys he played against in Wyoming: DB Derrick Martin, Jason Phillips (TCU), WR Marcus Smith (New Mexico) and Terrell Suggs, who, as an Arizona prep star, attended award banquets with Beck. “From what I can tell, Kruger is doing just fine. He’s one of the guys I’ve got to know very well. I don’t think he’s seeing a ton of playing time but they’re using him in his patented role, dropping back, looking at the quarterback’s eyes and knocking down passes. I think he’s doing well.” The Ravens are listed behind the Colts, Steelers and Patriots with the best odds to win the 2010 Super Bowl, certainly a team Beck doesn’t mind spending a year with.
The Ravens will continue camps until late June, then Beck will have some down time and move his family to an apartment in Maryland. He’s also hosting a charity golf event July 8 at Thanksgiving Point to benefit his Friends of Football Foundation featuring NFL celebrities playing with corporate foursomes.