OWINGS MILLS — Baltimore Ravens offensive tackle Bryant McKinnie is back in town and will report to training camp today after arriving at BWI Airport this afternoon. The former Pro Bowl blocker told 24×7 after his flight that his absence was due to a lower back injury suffered during an accident at his home in South Florida last week where he said he fell and twisted his lower back. McKinnie missed the first four days of training camp and was placed on the reserve/did not report list, incurring daily $30,000 … Continue reading →

OWINGS MILLS — The daily fines that wayward offensive tackle Bryant McKinnie is piling up for his unexcused absence from training camp for personal reasons pales in comparison to the enormous lawsuits he’s facing. Nonetheless, the former Pro Bowl blocker’s tab with the Baltimore Ravens is getting quite expensive. Under the terms of the NFL collective bargaining agreement, McKinnie is being fined $30,000 per day and can be docked an entire game check for $188,235 for every preseason game he misses. The Ravens’ veterans reported to training camp Wednesday. "Yeah, … Continue reading →

OWINGS MILLS — Michael Oher has moved several yards over to his left, a relatively short journey that returns him back to his roots: protecting the blind side of the quarterback. It’s a natural move for the Baltimore Ravens’ offensive tackle given his background immortalized in a best-selling novel and popular movie about his life: "The Blind Side." Now, the defending AFC North champions are shifting Oher back to where he started two years ago for them, where he was an All-American at Ole Miss and as a blue-chip high … Continue reading →

OWINGS MILLS — The strange saga of Baltimore Ravens veteran offensive tackle Bryant McKinnie took another awkward turn Thursday as the defending AFC North champions launched training camp. McKinnie, 32, is absent due to an undisclosed personal issue and was officially placed on the reserve/did not report list, a situation sure to try the Ravens’ patience and potentially endanger his roster spot if it drags out too long. "Well, he contacted us through a representative," coach John Harbaugh said. "He’s dealing with an issue right now. I don’t really want … Continue reading →

OWINGS MILLS — Emotional and suddenly wealthy, Ray Rice felt his instincts tugging him in a singular direction after applying his signature to a $40 million contract that included a $15 million signing bonus. The Baltimore Ravens’ star running back wanted to see his mother, jetting up the highway in his white Mercedes back to his hometown in New York after leaving team headquarters a week ago when Rice’s agent, Todd France, and Ravens vice president of football administration Pat Moriarty narrowly beat an NFL deadline to finalize deals for … Continue reading →

OWINGS MILLS — In a series of transactions intended to build depth, the Baltimore Ravens signed former Oakland Raiders linebackers Ricky Brown and Darryl Blackstock and offensive guard Cordaro Brown. All three were signed to one-year contracts. Brown and Blackstock could emerge as special-teams contributors if they make the team. Brown, 28, ended last season on injured reserve after suffering a concussion against the New York Jets. A former Boston College standout, Brown is a 6-foot-2, 235-pound inside linebacker entering his seventh NFL season. He was limited to three games … Continue reading →

OWINGS MILLS — Ed Reed fulfilled his stated commitment to attend training camp, officially reporting for work following an unpredictable offseason where he skipped a mandatory minicamp, contemplated retirement and hinted at a potential holdout. The Baltimore Ravens’ All-Pro free safety showed up at the Ravens’ training complex midway through the morning Wednesday, making no comments to reporters as he entered team headquarters. The former NFL Defensive Player of the Year recently assured coach John Harbaugh that he would be at camp, and has been working out on the practice … Continue reading →

OWINGS MILLS — Ed Reed essentially erased the suspense surrounding his plans for this season a week ago with his announcement at his golf tournament that he intends to play this season. That followed a rocky offseason where Reed contemplated retirement and hinted at a potential holdout as he enters the final year of his contract. The status of the Baltimore Ravens’ unpredictable star free safety crystallized even more Tuesday when coach John Harbaugh disclosed that Reed informed him personally that he would be attending training camp. Veterans report today, … Continue reading →

OWINGS MILLS — Joe Namath once created a memorable stir when the New York Jets quarterback legend donned pantyhose for a popular commercial. It’s unlikely that Baltimore Ravens six-time Pro Bowl center Matt Birk will rival Broadway Joe in the advertising game, but the veteran blocker did upgrade his legs this offseason. Birk had surgery in June to deal with varicose veins in his legs, something that had plagued the 36-year-old for several seasons. "Well, you guys can tell that my legs are tiptop now," Birk said with a smile … Continue reading →

OWINGS MILLS — The Baltimore Ravens have placed three players on the non-football injury list, including Pro Bowl outside linebacker Terrell Suggs. Suggs partially tore his Achilles tendon in April and underwent surgery. Courtney Upshaw, the Ravens’ top draft pick and a projected starter at strongside outside linebacker, was also placed on the non-football injury list along with undrafted rookie tight end Bruce Figgins. Players placed on the non-football injury list can be activated at any time. The designation can mean a player didn’t pass his conditioning test. Meanwhile, four … Continue reading →

OWINGS MILLS — The Baltimore Ravens will audition former Cleveland Browns offensive guard Eric Steinbach on Tuesday. Steinbach, 32, is a former Pro Bowl alternate who missed last season with a back injury that required surgery. Steinbach had a procedure to remove a disc fragment from his spinal nerve. The 6-foot-6, 295-pounder spent last season on injured reserve with the Browns. Steinbach is a former Cincinnati Bengals second-round draft pick. Steinbach was signed to a seven-year, $49.5 million contract by the Browns in 2007 and was named a Pro Bowl … Continue reading →

MIDDLE RIVER –Cary Williams has regained trust and flexibility in his surgically-repaired right hip and expects to practice with no restrictions when the Baltimore Ravens start training camp Tuesday afternoon. The starting cornerback underwent surgery on a torn labrum in February and was able to participate in a June minicamp, but not without some pain and discomfort. "Yeah, I trust it," Williams said Saturday night during a Special Olympics event at Al Packer Ford. "I think the difference between now and minicamp is that it really was hurting in minicamp … Continue reading →

OWINGS MILLS — The Baltimore Ravens cut offensive guard Howard Barbieri, executing their first transaction of the season with rookies, quarterbacks and injured veterans from last season opening training camp Tuesday afternoon. The 6-foot-5, 300-pounder was signed to a reserve/future contract in January, but was sidelined for minicamps and organized team activities with a lower back injury. The Ravens appear to be well-stocked at offensive guard, including Pro Bowl right guard Marshal Yanda, projected starting left guard Bobbie Williams, rookie second-round draft pick Kelechi Osemele and Tony Wragge. However, the … Continue reading →

MIDDLE RIVER — Joe Flacco isn’t consumed to distraction by ongoing contract talks between his agent, Joe Linta, and the Baltimore Ravens. And the quarterback isn’t concerned about the pace of discussions or whether a deal will be struck in a particular amount of time as he prepares to report to training camp Monday. As he enters the final year of his rookie contract, Flacco does sound confident that working out a long-term pact is an eventuality, not a possibility. "I’m not worried about it," Flacco said Saturday night during … Continue reading →

OWINGS MILLS — It’s a few days before Justin Tucker arrives for his first NFL training camp next week, and he’s determined to be ready. The former University of Texas kicker is slated to compete with former Pro Bowl selection Billy Cundiff for the Baltimore Ravens’ kicking job. And Tucker is confident that he’s prepared for what’s coming after connecting on a series of long field goals during organized team activities and minicamps. "I feel like I’m doing everything I need to do to be ready for a great camp," … Continue reading →