Owings Mills ~ The Ravens are happy with backup quarterback Tyrod Taylor, a sixth-round draft pick last year from Virginia Tech. "Everybody competes for every spot every year, every practice, and Tyrod is no different," Harbaugh said. "We like him a lot.” ……
With the NFL’s emphasis on player safety, the Ravens’ scouts now include the number of concussions a player has suffered in their scouting reports. …
One year after the botched trade caused by the Chicago Bears and former general manager Jerry Angelo failing to communicate properly with the league office, Newsome has little interest in the topic. "The league’s point of view is, and in everything we do we draw a bright line, and the bright line is, there has to be communications by both clubs with someone from the league office," Newsome said. "End of story.” …
The Ravens still expect outside linebacker Paul Kruger to do well as the leading candidate to replace veteran outside linebacker Jarret Johnson as the starting strongside linebacker. Kruger had 5 1/2 sacks as a situational pass rusher last season. "He’s going to have to compete like everybody else, and someone may get drafted that he’s going to have to do battle against," Harbaugh said. "Albert McClellan will be in the mix, and others potentially, but I’d be surprised if he doesn’t rise to the occasion and have a heck of a year.” …
The Ravens expressed confidence in offensive tackle Jah Reid’s ability to convert to left guard where the 6-foot-7, 330-pounder is currently atop the depth chart. "His issue is not going to be left side, right side," Harbaugh said. "I don’t even think it’s going to be his height; some people are concerned about his height at guard because he’s a very good bender. He can play either position. I’ve heard it said that he might be a little bit better at tackle than guard, and you can make that case, it’s possible. If he’s one of our top five linemen, he’s going to be out there, and really, he’s aggressive, he’s long, he’s really a mean, nasty guy. He’s a very good athlete. He’s really good in the zone schemes that we run. If he’s our left guard, if he earns that job, we’re going to be happy to have him in there, and we’ll be a pretty formidable left side. He did it last year, and he looked good doing it. It’s not like he can’t get his pads under people. He can do it. He’s capable of doing that.” …
Nose guard Terrence Cody has been working out at the Ravens’ training complex every day. According to Harbaugh, "He looks tremendous."
