By By KEVIN TRAVIS, Sports Editor
Damien Linson is living his dream.
The former Plymouth High School and Central Michigan University standout is hoping that dream continues for some time.
Linson is trying to make it with the Baltimore Ravens as a free agent wide receiver.
Linson made it through a handful of cuts earlier this week. The Ravens and the rest of the NFL teams must cut their rosters from 75 to 53 players on Saturday.
Baltimore will put together a nine-man practice squad Sunday.
In two preseason games, Linson has three receptions for 30 yards. He had two catches for 19 yards in the team’s 29-3 win over Philadelphia in the preseason opener. The following week Linson hauled in one reception for 11 yards during a 13-12 loss to the New York Giants.
Unfortunately for Linson, he didn’t play in last week’s 13-7 loss to the Washington Redskins. Severe weather forced the game to be stopped after three quarters of play.
Linson and the Ravens won’t have to worry about the weather in Friday’s preseason finale as Baltimore plays at Atlanta, which has a dome stadium.
It will be one last chance for Linson, who wears No. 18, to prove to the coaches that he should stick around.
Linson did make one mistake in camp that cost him. Then again, all the rookies had to pay the same price, coming at the hands of the veterans.
After eluding his would-be pursuers for a short time, Linson finally gave in and was corralled by the veterans. Like the rest of the rookies, Linson was taped from his feet to his head. The veterans then sprayed Linson with water while dumping flour on him.
Linson, an all-state performer at Plymouth where he had 79 receptions for 1,307 yards and 18 touchdowns as a senior, is used to being a star attraction. He finished his high school career with a state record 60 touchdowns and 4,451 receiving yards.
At Central Michigan, Linson ranks third all-time in receiving yards (2,279) and touchdown receptions (17) and fourth in receptions (155).
He’s now looking to join the ranks of the elite by latching on with the Ravens. Linson has had plenty of support back home offering him words of encouragement.
Linson is thankful his mother had the chance to see him play during the Ravens-Giants game.
Linson is hoping to get good news on Saturday. He’ll then focus his attention on the season opener, when the Ravens open play at Cincinnati on Monday Night Football.
The dream would get that much sweeter.