According to McKinnie...

[GOTA]

If McKinnie gets himself into shape and is ready to go for the season, does anyone think that the Ravens will still make him pay that fine? I doubt they will.

I would. It's not like he has anymore money coming to him. Why should the Ravens go out of their way to keep McKinnie happy? Let him earn his paycheck

[lobachevsky]

A little satanic advocacy here:

Would any of the negative chatter here have been any different if McKinnie had called in himself with a story about how he hurt his back? Doubtful. Most of the same folks who ordered the pitchers of Haterade would've been insinuating (or flat out claiming) he was lying so he could stay away for a few more days.

It is at least possible that McKinnie wanted the doc to call the team in order to prevent that sort of reaction ("I'm his doctor & I'm treating him for a back problem" would seem to carry a bit more credibility than "Coach, I hurt my back").

The only problem I have with having the doc call is its lateness. I haven't reviewed the timeline but it's at least possible that there is a good (or at least plausible) reason the doc couldn't make the call until when he did, or that McKinnie didn't impress upon him the need to do it ASAP.

[Terpsfan82]

On another note, should we at least start to become concerned with Birk? He has yet to practice, and according to Harbaugh, it's back spasms.

http://twitter.com/RavensInsider

[Rxdoxx]

[QUOTE=Terpsfan82;469659]On another note, should we at least start to become concerned with Birk? He has yet to practice, and according to Harbaugh, it's back spasms.

I am, based on last year, how the knee surgery was last minute. Hopefully it is nothing, holding a vet out a day or two I can roll with, as it gets longer I get concerned there is a structural component also at work. Fortunately Birk can get ready quick, unfortunately his older body doesn't heal as fast anymore.

[Raveninwoodlawn]

FWIW, McKinnie looked noticeably smaller in the camp video the Ravens put up today.