This preseason features unchartered waters for NFL coaches and scouts. As a result of the new CBA which places strict limits on the amount of contact that takes place in training camp, team talent evaluators are more challenged than ever before to pick the final 53 players – and get it right! Perhaps more than in years past, players will fall victim to “The Turk” and into the waiting arms of a new employer. In some cases that new team might not realize the gem that comes out in the … Continue reading →

As the Ravens prepare for their biggest dress rehearsal of  the season, most of the second and lower units received increased repetitions during practice. With starters expected to play into the second half Thursday against Jacksonville, Coach Harbaugh seems to be using practice to get good looks at the deeper end of the depth chart. Roll Call The Ravens continue to be in good health – of the 90 players on the roster, only eight were missing at today’s practice. While Sean Considine and Sergio Kindle again donned red non-contact … Continue reading →

The Ravens made their last stop of their training camp tour as they practiced at Stevenson University, just minutes away from their Owings Mills team headquarters. The practice was the third public appearance the Ravens have made during their preseason preparations but was not open for general admission due to limited space inside of the 3,500-seat facility. Roll Call Torrey Smith made his return after sitting out of Friday’s preseason home opener against the Detroit Lions. After the game, Coach John Harbaugh said that Vonta Leach and LaQuan Williams suffered … Continue reading →

It only took three weeks but the Ravens finally had their first training camp fight. During the offseason, Ravens defensive end Art Jones uses mixed martial arts to prepare for the upcoming season. Jones trains in New Mexico with his brother, UFC Champion, Jon “Bones” Jones. The UFC Champ would be proud of his brother as Jones and rookie center Gino Gradkowski got mixed it up on the turf at the Under Armour Performance Center after a no-huddle drill. Gradkowski, who earlier in camp had a shoving match with Terrence … Continue reading →

It only took almost a month but tempers finally flared enough today for the first fight at the Under Armour Performance Center – and it was a good one. After the fight, we posted a quick blog that you can read here for more details. Camp Notes: During No-Huddle Drills, fists thrown along with passes Here are some other, non-fight related, notes from Wednesday’s practice. Terrence Cody The Punt Returner? Practice was cut nearly 45 minutes short today, some of which may have been a result of the fight. To … Continue reading →

As the Ravens begin to work on more in-depth plays and move away from individual drills, certain players are starting to stand out as potential practice squad or more frequently used players. Not many notable things happened today at practice but a few things are highlight worthy: No Huddle Offense For the past two practices, the Ravens offense has been working from the no-huddle for a decent portion of practice. With quarterback Joe Flacco’s development under center, he’s able to call out more plays from the line and adjust where … Continue reading →

For the first time in team history, the Ravens held an open training camp practice at the Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium in Annapolis. The blue stadium seats were filled with plenty of fans in purple today, as the announced attendance for the teams second and final, fully open public practice was 20,335. Roll Call Torrey Smith returned to practice after spraining his ankle on Thursday against the Falcons. Smith was in full uniform and ran during some individual exercises but was held out of any contact drills. Missing from practice … Continue reading →

Bryant McKinnie may have served his time with the second-team offensive line. McKinnie took over with the first offensive line as the team shifted players around to account for the loss of Bobbie Williams, who was given two days off by the team to reduce swelling in his ankle. The Ravens replaced Williams with second-round pick Kelechi Osemele, who had been working as the starting right tackle the past few weeks. Moving Osemele to guard gave the Ravens the option Michael Oher back to right tackle, which would give McKinnie … Continue reading →

Even though the Ravens left Atlanta with a victory, plenty of errors from the players that matter the most were evident throughout the first quarter. The Ravens were outgained 192 to 9 in total offensive yards that quarter and the disappointment was evident on coach John Harbaugh’s face as he stood on the sidelines. Today’s practice marked the return of many players who weren’t on the field from Thursday’s game. Even though they were in pads, Bernard Pierce, Matt Birk, Courtney Upshaw and Jimmy Smith didn’t participate in full squad … Continue reading →

The Ravens traveled to Atlanta for their first preseason game and could finally hit someone in a different jersey; however, most of the starters left the field kicking themselves. Even though the Ravens ended up beating the Falcons 31-17, the victory came largely at the hands of the backups as opposed to those of the starters. When the first team squads exited for the Ravens, they trailed 17-7 heading into halftime. Not much thought should be placed into it but the Ravens reserve players did outscore the Falcons 24-0 in … Continue reading →

For fans, preseason games may be a waste of money and boring – for those looking to impress and pop out on coach’s film, it’s their Super Bowl. Currently, the Ravens have 26 rookies on their roster and with minimal contact rules in the newest CBA, it’s hard to really gauge with a high degree of certainty how well a player is doing until the threat of live contact is introduced. After spending every day out at Training Camp 2012, here is a viewer’s guide to who you should take … Continue reading →

The Ravens practiced inside on Tuesday in shorts, jerseys and shells. Space is limited particularly when the team is carrying 90 players. Consequently the quarterbacks warmed up close to the corner where the media gathers. As a testament to how relaxed Joe Flacco is these days, he intentionally fired a laser over the heads of the media and into the wall in order to startle the group. Luckily I was watching. Those who weren’t, well let’s just say they were victims. “I just wanted to see if I could scare … Continue reading →

On Thursday night in Atlanta some veterans and many newcomers will take center stage under the bright lights of the Georgia Dome looking to impress and build their individual cases to be among the final 53 on the Ravens roster. Some will get their first dose of the legendary speed of the NFL. Those who adapt the best physically and mentally will make their mark. Others may experience the bitter taste of meaningful failure in their athletic careers for the first time. Throughout training camp we’ve been your eyes and ears through … Continue reading →

The Ravens scrimmaging during training camp often revolves around situational play calling. Consecutive plays may not have a cause and effect relationship. In other words, a 7 yard gain on first and 10 doesn’t necessarily mean that the succeeding play is second and 3. That said the results of Friday’s practice are posted below along with individual stats. Generally speaking Joe Flacco’s workload is roughly double that of backups Tyrod Taylor and Curtis Painter combined. Where plays are marked dead are either estimates or marked by the coaching staff.   Quarterback  … Continue reading →

Baltimore ~ Pro Bowl defensive tackle Haloti Ngata said he’s on track to participate fully Monday after being limited the past two days since passing the conditioning test. Ngata was activated from the physically unable to perform list Friday. "I’m way excited to be able to be out there," Ngata said. "I’m excited to get back out there Monday." Ngata is getting over a hamstring injury sustained when he initially tried to take the conditioning test, a series of timed running intervals. "Yeah, it sucked. You’re running and you feel … Continue reading →