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Hunter Cantwell has a little extra work on his plate this week.
In addition to his normal duties of working with the scout team and throwing passes to the receivers lower on the depth chart, the 24-year-old quarterback, who is a member of the Ravens' practice squad, has also sat down with members of the coaching staff to provide some inside information on the Carolina Panthers, his former team.
Having spent a year and a half as a member of the Panthers, Cantwell can give the coaches his own personal scouting report on Carolina's defensive schemes and personnel, and head coach John Harbaugh and offensive coordinator Cam Cameron have been closely listening to his insight.
"He's helped us," Harbaugh said. "I'm sure they expect that. We met with him long and hard on Monday and Tuesday. Guys don't remember as much sometimes as you'd like for them to."
Cantwell should remember enough after spending all of last season as well as this year's training camp with the Panthers. He was let go in Carolina's final roster cuts, and the Ravens signed him to their practice squad.
Still, the former Louisville quarterback downplayed the impact he was able to make during his meetings with the Ravens' coaches.
"The coaches wanted me to come in and watch film with them and just talk about some of the things that I had seen while I was there," Cantwell said. "But, it's funny, nothing is hidden in this league. Talking to Harbaugh and Cameron, before I had even said a word out of my mouth, they pretty much already had everything on paper that I would tell them. That's a testament to them and how well they prepare. I wanted to do my part to help, but everything that I had to say the coaches already had down."
There is one thing that the Ravens' coaches would have enjoyed which Cantwell wasn't able to provide - a copy of the Panthers' playbook.
"He didn't bring a notebook," Harbaugh said with a smile. "We did ask about that, but he didn't get one out of there."
Cantwell also has some knowledge of the two rookie quarterbacks that the Ravens are preparing to face this Sunday - Jimmy Clausen and Tony Pike.
He spent time with both guys throughout OTAs and training camp, and knows what each is capable of.
"You can tell right away, they're both real talented guys," Cantwell said. "Tony is a taller guy but he's pretty mobile, and Jimmy coming in with the pedigree and the knowledge of the game. They're both really good quarterbacks."
After a year and a half in Carolina, Cantwell obviously has some good friends still on the Panthers, but he said that he hasn't been in contact with any of them this week.
"I know what it's like preparing for a team, and especially preparing for the Baltimore Ravens," Cantwell said. "I know they've got a lot on their plate. I'll probably give them a call after the game, hopefully after this victory, and I'll raz 'em a little bit."
