OWINGS MILLS — Veteran left offensive tackle Bryant McKinnie has
been participating in some of the Baltimore Ravens’ voluntary offseason
conditioning workouts, according to offensive coordinator Cam Cameron.
"We’re in contact with him," Cameron said. "He’s
been in and out of town. I haven’t seen him a lot. All things are positive.
We’re going to get him back and ready to go.
"It will be nice to have him this offseason. We’ll get him
for 10 organized team activities and three days of minicamp. Those are the most
important things."
McKinnie dealt with conditioning issues last year after ballooning
up to 387 pounds during the NFL lockout and being cut by the Minnesota Vikings
before being signed by the Ravens to a two-year contract.
He quickly got down to 360 pounds and started every game for
Baltimore last season.
McKinnie met with general manager Ozzie Newsome in March in
advance of the team picking up his $500,000 roster bonus, pledging to
participate in offseason activities and report in good shape.
And coach John Harbaugh said during the NFL owners meetings last
month that McKinnie was at the same conditioning level where he ended last
season.
"He had done a good job," Harbaugh said. "He’s been
working in the offseason. He’s training. He’s in the same shape he was in when
he left. We want to improve that from now until the start of next season. I’m
talking about weight-wise to finish his career the way he wants to finish it
and go on with his quality of life, and he’s capable of doing it.
"This guy’s got good body composition. It’s not like he’s a
big, fat guy. He’s a big guy. We still want him to be able to move a little
better and get a little quicker. He’s committed to that. He’s excited about
attacking that, and it’s a big goal of his."
