Ravens report to training camp
Ravens players arrived early today at the Best Western in Westminster in preparation for training camp, which begins tomorrow. The first player to show up? Surprisingly, it was not eight-time Pro Bowl linebacker Ray Lewis, who held that distinction for many years. Third-year defensive tackle Atiyyah Ellison walked through the hotel doors at 9:30 a.m., according to public relations coordinator Patrick Gleason. Long snapper Matt Katula was next at 11 a.m., with Lewis showing up a few minutes later.
A few other tidbits from today:
*In addition to 10-time Pro Bowl offensive tackle Jonathan Ogden (toe), three other players could begin training camp on the team's physically-unable-to-perform (PUP) list. Backup inside linebacker Mike Smith confirmed that his left shoulder will keep him off the field tomorrow. The team's medical staff "didn't want to put me out there and kind of do the same situation that I did in minicamp [last month] where I went out there and it didn't feel right and then it sets me back two or three weeks," said Smith, who added that he had the shoulder scoped about three weeks ago. "So I'm going to start off on the PUP for maybe a week and just kind of work my way into it and get started."
Fullback Justin Green (knee) said he had yet to talk to the doctors about his status, while linebacker Dan Cody checked in with his right knee wrapped.
*Asked if he missed Buffalo, running back Willis McGahee replied, "Huh?" After the laughter died down, McGahee said, "No, Buffalo's a good city, but I'm in Baltimore right now. I'm not even worried about Buffalo."
*Defensive end Trevor Pryce noted the biggest difference between training camp this year and last year, which was his first with the Ravens. "It's different in that I know where I'm going. That's the big thing. I know where I'm supposed to be at. I know how to get to places. I know where the Burger King is, and I know where my room is. So that's all fun."
*Rookie quarterback Troy Smith wore an Orioles baseball cap and the credentials distributed to the media are orange and black on a day when former Orioles shortstop Cal Ripken Jr. was inducted into baseball's Hall of Fame. Coincidence?
Mike Preston has been with The Baltimore Sun since 1983. Prior to becoming a columnist in 2000, he covered the Ravens for four years. Preston is a native of Essex and a graduate of Towson State University, where he played football. 
Jamison Hensley covers the Ravens for The Baltimore Sun. 
Comments
With Cal now out of the way, maybe now we can start talking Hall of Fame road trips to Canton, OH in 6-7 years. If this is indeed Ogden and Ray Lewis' final seasons, it's about time that Baltimre football greats make a return to the football HoF.
Posted by: ravenjames | July 29, 2007 7:28 PM
"*Rookie quarterback Troy Smith wore an Orioles baseball cap and the credentials distributed to the media are orange and black on a day when former Orioles shortstop Cal Ripken Jr. was inducted into baseball's Hall of Fame. Coincidence?"
Wow...shows the class that this organization has.
Posted by: Tony | July 29, 2007 7:48 PM
Troy Smith show some real class by wearing Black and Orange for Cal ! Troy will make Ravens shine in year to come when he's the leader after Steve done !
Posted by: John | July 30, 2007 10:10 AM
who ever said ray was in his final year we need to work a deal to keep him longer im not to happy about haveing a offensive team when the ravens were built to win on defense who we need to drop now is suggs f top dollar hes a ray lewis hand me down we could get shawn merriaman whos way better for the money wed offer that fag
Posted by: tedmcneil | July 30, 2007 6:21 PM