Concerned that starters Chris McAlister and Samari Rolle missed a combined 18 games last season because of injury and illness, the club acquired Fabian Washington from the Oakland Raiders and signed Green Bay Packers free agent Frank Walker.
In addition to the presence of Corey Ivy, who played nickel and has been a standout on special teams, it would seem that the first five cornerback positions have been locked up. That leaves Pittman, Martin and Prude battling for one or two coveted spots.
Practices have assumed even more significance for all three cornerbacks.
"Everything matters," Martin said. "A missed tackle, a dropped pick, a missed assignment - all that comes into their minds when they're thinking about making cuts. So you've always got to perform to your best."
Prude might face the greatest hurdle, as teams generally loathe parting with drafted players. For Prude, it's business as usual.
"Being at the low end of the totem pole coming in, I've just got to keep grinding," he said. "Each year that I come in, I feel like I've got to prove myself and play like it's my last year. It's always an uphill climb for the free-agent guy coming in. you've just got to work your butt off and show what you can do."
If the cornerbacks are fretting about their situation, they have not been letting on publicly. Secondary coach Chuck Pagano said the players have not strayed in their approach to practice and meetings.
"They're professionals," Pagano said. "They understand that we can only keep 53 guys and that even though we have an eight-man practice squad, none of those guys are eligible because they all played last year. So they understand that it is what it is. So they're just out here competing and doing the best they can."
Martin said: "When it's all said and done, they can't play everybody. So you've got to stick to your game plan, play your best and just think about what's going to happen next."
edward.lee@baltsun.com
