By ANDREW LIND

Special to the news-herald

 

Following a three-day rookie minicamp, former Isle of Wight and James Madison wide receiver Daniel Brown was offered a three-year contract by the Baltimore Ravens. The team cut three veterans to make room for Brown, Rhode Island linebacker Andrew Bose and Alabama offensive guard Leon Brown following the tryout.

The 6-foot-5, 227-pound Windsor native drew interest from several teams, including the Atlanta Falcons, Indianapolis Colts, Miami Dolphins, Philadelphia Eagles and Washington Redskins, but ultimately decided the Ravens were the best fit.

“It was a great experience, and I was just excited to get an opportunity with a team,” Brown said. “After arriving and being around the organization for those three days, I knew that the Baltimore Ravens were a great organization to be a part of.”

Once at the Under Armour Performance Center in the greater Baltimore metropolitan area on May 7, Brown said he was immediately thrust into filling out paperwork and position-specific meetings.

“The minicamp schedule was a lot in a short amount of time,” Brown said. “We ended [Thursday] night with offense/defense meetings for practices the following morning, and Friday and Saturday were pretty much identical.”

Both days started with early morning meetings, a two-hour practice and lunch. Following the meal, Brown and his teammates headed back to the field for another two-hour practice, followed by dinner and position-specific meetings to end the night.

Brown and the nine other tryout players were sent home on Sunday night to await a phone call from Ravens’ brass to find out if they made the team.

“I knew that I did everything I could at the minicamp, so if it was meant to be, then it would happen,” he said. “I wasn’t completely in the dark, as my agent was giving updates on feedback he had received from team scouts and personnel.”

By Monday evening, Brown was heading back to Baltimore to sign a free agent contract. The spot is not guaranteed, and he must fight for one of the 53-man roster spots during training camp, but Brown is looking forward to the challenge.

“I enjoyed being around the coaches and the support staff, and look forward to continue to grow my relationship with them. The management is second to none, and really is the best in the business,” he said. “[The experience] is everything I thought it would be and more.”

Having already graduated from JMU with his degree in computer information systems, Brown was able to immediately report for organized team activities. The offseason program begins next week, and runs through the end of July, marking the start of training camp.

“I am looking forward to the journey with this team, and I’m hoping that it is a long one,” Brown said. “It is a dream come true. I always dreamed about it as a kid, but having actually gotten this opportunity is unreal, and I am truly blessed to be a part of the Baltimore Ravens.”