Baltimore Ravens - baltimoresun.com

Anquan Boldin is ready to mentor, hungry to win

By Matt Vensel — Thu, 24 May 2012 21:00:00 GMT

At 31, Anquan Boldin is the oldest receiver on the Ravens roster by a few years (newcomer Jacoby Jones is closest in age at 27). Some of his fellow wide-outs were in middle school when he broke into the NFL with the Arizona Cardinals nine years ago, and they no doubt grew up watching him score touchdowns on TV.

Strong safety Bernard Pollard on the Ravens' defense: 'You can't stop us'

By Matt Vensel — Thu, 24 May 2012 18:00:00 GMT

Ravens strong safety Bernard Pollard was rewarded this month with a contract extension, a deal that can keep him in Baltimore through 2015. Pollard made 75 tackles and broke up a career-high 13 passes in 2011, his first season here, but he insists his attitude and his play won’t change now that he has a new deal.

Sports Blitz: Accessorize like a Raven with a Super Bowl ring

By Kevin Cowherd — Thu, 24 May 2012 15:15:00 GMT

Who doesn’t need more bling these days?

More on the Ravens' competition at left guard

By Matt Vensel — Thu, 24 May 2012 15:00:00 GMT

Many of the eyes Wednesday at the Ravens’ first organized team activities (OTA) workout that was open to the media were fixated for a decent chunk of practice on the team’s offensive line. Team officials had identified that area as one they would like to improve this offseason, and they have attempted to do so by spending a pair of draft picks on linemen, Kelechi Osemele (second round) and Gino Gradkowski(fourth).

Observations after first Ravens OTA viewing

By Jeff Zrebiec — Thu, 24 May 2012 12:31:00 GMT

The Ravens will finish up the first of three voluntary offseason team activities today, though they’ll do it outside the glare of the media. Yesterday was the one day for media availability, and while no big news came out of it, it was still good to see some action after so much attention has been placed on off-the-field stories over the past couple of months. Making any conclusions after a two-hour practice -- which did not include some of the team’s top veteran players, including running back Ray Rice , linebacker Ray Lewis and safety Ed Reed , and featured most of the players in jerseys, gym shorts and no shoulder pads -- would be foolish. However, I think it is appropriate to make a couple of observations:

Joe Flacco's focus is on field and Ravens teammates, not contract

By Jeff Zrebiec , The Baltimore Sun — Thu, 24 May 2012 00:31:00 GMT

Quarterback still without extension, but his attention is on developing chemistry with new receiving corps

Joe Flacco took a couple of steps to his right, spotted Ed Dickson about 10 yards down the field and lofted a pass between two defenders that the young tight end hauled in.

Cowherd: Billy Cundiff not dwelling on missed kick

Kevin Cowherd — Thu, 24 May 2012 00:20:00 GMT

In so many words, Billy Cundiff says he's not thinking about redemption.

Jacoby Jones adjusting to life as a member of the Ravens

By Matt Vensel — Wed, 23 May 2012 21:29:00 GMT

Wide receiver Jacoby Jones, who signed a two-year deal earlier this month, is excited to join a Ravens team that knocked his former team, the Houston Texans, out of the playoffs in January.

Bryant McKinnie discovering the benefits of OTAs

By Matt Vensel — Wed, 23 May 2012 20:29:00 GMT

Ravens offensive tackle Bryant McKinnie, whose weight and conditioning were scrutinized during his first season in Baltimore, attended this week’s organized team activities and has been a regular participant in the team’s offseason program for most of the past few weeks.

Sergio Kindle: 'I haven't proven anything yet'

By Matt Vensel — Wed, 23 May 2012 19:45:00 GMT

Two years after the Ravens selected him in the second round of the 2010 NFL draft, linebacker Sergio Kindle has yet to make a start, a tackle or a significant impact on the team’s fortunes.

Reed not at OTAs but Ravens counting on him to be there when it counts

By Jeff Zrebiec — Wed, 23 May 2012 19:13:00 GMT

Harbaugh: "There's been no indication that he's not going to play."

Ed Reed was one of a handful of the Ravens' high-profile veterans not present at organized team activities today, but neither that nor his recent radio comments that he's not "100 percent committed" to playing football this season has head coach John Harbaugh concerned.

Union files collusion lawsuit against NFL

The Sports Xchange — Wed, 23 May 2012 16:52:00 GMT

The NFL Players Association filed a lawsuit Wednesday that accused NFL owners and the league of collusion during the 2010 season.

Donald Driver discusses being the 'Dancing with the Stars' winner

By Houston Mitchell — Wed, 23 May 2012 15:47:00 GMT

The Times is pleased to have Green Bay Packers wide receiver Donald Driver guest-blogging for us while he competes on "Dancing With the Stars." Driver, a Super Bowl champion and three-time Pro Bowl player, was named the winner of the competition this week and, as he has throughout the season, answered a few questions from Sports Now editor Houston Mitchell. Here are Driver's thoughts about winning the competition, which he offered via email.

NFL owners approve some rule changes

By Matt Vensel — Tue, 22 May 2012 20:00:00 GMT

The NFL tweaked some of its rules Tuesday, making thigh and knee pads mandatory equipment for players (starting in 2013) and pushing forward a pair of other changes involving the trade deadline and injured reserve.

11 players to watch at Ravens OTAs this week

By Matt Vensel — Tue, 22 May 2012 15:30:00 GMT

The Ravens began organized team activities Tuesday, marking the first time this offseason that the team's rookies have been on the practice field with veterans. These workouts at the team’s facility in Owings Mills are optional for veterans, though I'm sure coach John Harbaugh hopes all of them will be in attendance. The OTAs will continue into June, setting the table for next month's mandatory minicamp.

4 Corners: Does 'Tebowing' belong in next 'Madden' game?

Tue, 22 May 2012 02:47:00 GMT

Reflects the Tebow trend

Five storylines for Ravens' OTAs

Mon, 21 May 2012 23:39:00 GMT

The focus turns to on-the-field issues this week as many of the Ravens' veterans and rookies are at the Owings Mills facility for the three-day organized team activities. They'll have the voluntary OTAs for the next three weeks before a mandatory veteran minicamp runs from June 12-14. Here are five on-the-field storylines as OTAs begin.

Bernard Pollard says team supports Ed Reed no matter what

By Matt Vensel — Mon, 21 May 2012 15:17:00 GMT

On Thursday afternoon, Ravens safety Ed Reed told Sirius/XM NFL Radio that he wasn’t 100 percent committed to the 2012 season and that he has considered retirement this offseason and the two previous. He quickly backtracked, releasing a statement later in the day that said he wasn’t referring to retirement.

Ray Rice might not be in the building, but some progress has been made in contract talks

By Jeff Zrebiec — Mon, 21 May 2012 12:00:00 GMT

Optimism remains that deal gets done before July 16 deadline

For the next three weeks, the Ravens will have three-day, organized team activities that will undoubtedly attract many of the team’s veteran players along with the rookie class.

Fritz in 4 Corners: Was penalty against Vilma too severe?

Mon, 21 May 2012 03:49:53 GMT

NFL must prove guilt

Former NFL lineman: At least 50 percent of players use marijuana

Sat, 19 May 2012 14:42:00 GMT

The Sports Xchange

Going after Terrell Suggs' money would have ramifications for Ravens

By Jeff Zrebiec — Fri, 18 May 2012 17:05:00 GMT

Ravens have the option but here's doubting they will exercise it

Though the idea that the Ravens could put injured linebacker Terrell Suggs on the non-football injury list and not pay him all of his $4.9 million base salary during the coming season has picked up steam this week, there has been no indication that it’s something the Ravens would consider doing.

Another concussion prompts Diehl to retire rather than pursue NFL dreams

By Jeff Zrebiec — Fri, 18 May 2012 13:01:00 GMT

Former Clemson fullback was released by the Ravens this week

A day after making a handful of roster additions and cuts, the Ravens announced on Wednesday that they had released fullback Chad Diehl, an undrafted free agent who had participated in the team's rookie minicamp over the weekend.

Could McCoy's new extension be a template for Rice deal?

By Jeff Zrebiec and Matt Vensel — Thu, 17 May 2012 23:46:00 GMT

Eagles running back signed Thursday to a five-year, $45-million deal

If you were wondering what Ray Rice's reaction was to LeSean McCoy's new contract extension with the Philadelphia Eagles, the Ravens' running back wasted little time responding to the news.

Ravens' O.J. Brigance offers faithful lift to Calvert Hall students

By Jon Meoli, jmeoli@tribune.com — Thu, 17 May 2012 18:43:00 GMT

Team adviser speaks to school's Fellowship of Christian Athletes

It was a far different inspirational speech than the one O.J. Briganceand his Ravens teammates heard before their triumph in Super Bowl XXXV, but the NFL champion had an uplifting message to deliver at the year's final meeting of Calvert Hall's Fellowship of Christian Athletes.