WR Aiken, who's ‘not supposed to be here,' is enjoying himself
It's hard to tell these days. A couple of weekends ago, fans wanted to know the seriousness and impact of receiver Breshad Perriman's knee injury. By the beginning of last week, we wanted to know if another outside threat, Mike Wallace, was ready.
Then, at the team's mandatory minicamp, all the media huddled around veteran and possible Hall of Fame receiver Steve Smith Sr. to see how far along he was in his rehabilitation of a ruptured Achilles.
Meanwhile, Aiken was the last receiver off the field, having spent extra time after practice working out.
“I've observed this league through the years and I pay attention,” Aiken said. “I come in every year with the same approach, like I am starting over again.
“I'm a bubble guy. In this league, you can get released, pushed back on the depth chart or bumped around, especially when you enter as an undrafted free agent. I'm just happy to be out here, healthy and working hard.”
It almost seems that Aiken is putting on an act, but he is full of humility. After three years in the NFL with four teams, he had a breakout season in 2015, leading the Ravens in receptions (75), yards (944) and touchdowns (five).
That was 29 more catches than Smith (who was injured in Week 8). And Perriman never stepped onto the playing field because of knee injuries. Wallace had 39 catches for 473 yards and two touchdowns last season with the Minnesota Vikings and the Ravens signed him to a two-year deal for $11.5 million in March.
Aiken was signed to a tender that will pay him $585,000 this season. A lot of young receivers would feel slighted, but not Aiken.
“I know how this league operates and I think I proved last year that I can play at this level, that I'm a starter in this league and can make plays in this league. But I treat every year like I am on a one-year contract.”
Few expected Aiken to put up the numbers he did last season. But the more you are around players like Aiken, the more you root for them. Aiken is polite and much more mature than his 27 years.
He shows no malice or jealousy toward his fellow wide receivers because Aiken is content and secure with his role on the team. He doesn't have great speed, but he is a good athlete who has a knack for getting open and can make big catches.
“I do have speed, so I can play outside, or if they need me in the slot, I can go inside. I can play any of the receiver positions,” Aiken said. “Just because you can run a 4.1 or 4.2 [40-yard dash] doesn't mean you can just blow by people.”
It's all about attitude. After being cut by Buffalo, Aiken lasted 27 days with the Chicago Bears in 2012 and 10 months with the New England Patriots in 2012 and 2013.
But when injuries sidelined Perriman and Smith last season, Aiken became the team's most consistent pass catcher. Smith is expected to replace Aiken once he returns, but Aiken might end up being the No.?3 receiver.
Aiken has noticed some changes in the offense, and he expects offensive coordinator Marc Trestman to throw downfield more often this season.
“I think [the coaches] are expecting more out of us; they are moving guys around more,” Aiken said. “We've picked up where we left off last year, but we're mixing it up more now. We're still going to play Ravens football, and that means running the ball. You don't win our division title by playing pretty-boy football.”
When completely healthy, the receivers can be almost as competitive as the Ravens' tight ends. Among that group are Benjamin Watson, Crockett Gillmore, Dennis Pitta and Maxx Williams.
Aiken just shakes his head when looking over to those players, but he expects them to handle that situation the way he has handled his years in the NFL.
“We are stacked in that position,” Aiken said. “I don't know how many we will keep, but any of them could be starters on somebody's roster. But somebody isn't going to be playing and they are going to have to deal with it.
“That's why I don't get too high or too low. I just play, have fun and enjoy my time out here. Because like I said, I'm not supposed to be here.”
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