Harbaugh setting the tone
The Ravens are practicing outdoors this afternoon in Owings Mills.
For those who aren't working outside today -- which probably means most of you reading this blog entry -- you know that is a significant event given how often the Ravens practiced in the rain during Brian Billick's tenure in Baltimore.
The tone is definitely being set by John Harbaugh and his staff, long before the team arrives for training camp at McDaniel College.
As for the practice itself, what's certainly noticeable -- aside from the absence of Terrell Suggs and Jonathan Ogden -- was the lack of healthy tight ends. Todd Heap was out there, but Daniel Wilcox is still recovering from toe surgery and Quinn Sypniewski is out -- possibly for the season -- with the knee injury sustained a few weeks ago at an OTA.
Even Lee Vickers, who was brought in last season when Heap and Wilcox went down, wasn't practicing today. That left the Ravens with a pair of free agent rookies, Joe Reitz of Western Michigan and Scott Kuhn of Louisville.
Now I've got to get back out there before Harbaugh sees one of the media missing and makes us run a lap.
Mike Preston has been with The Sun since 1983. Prior to becoming a columnist in 2000, he covered the Baltimore 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 Sun. 
Edward Lee covers the Ravens for The Sun. 
Don Markus covers the Ravens for The Sun. 
Comments
It's about time the Ravens stopped turning into shrinking violets every time it rains. Thank you, coach Harbaugh. Maybe this will help reverse the lousy showings every time it rains in a real game.
(Oh...and Mike running punishment laps -- now that's just flat out funny.)
Posted by: skaybaltimore | May 9, 2008 3:16 PM
Any shot they bring in Jeramy Stevens?
Posted by: Alex | May 9, 2008 3:38 PM
Jeramy Stevens is a pig and I would think less of the Ravens for having him on the team.
Posted by: D | May 9, 2008 3:47 PM
I hope you are kidding Alex. I want nothing to do with a dirt bag like Stevens. If you never saw the story about him from the Seattle paper last year about all of his off the field issues, it is a must read. If they get him, they might as well get Chris Henry. He is actually a better player.
Posted by: frox | May 9, 2008 3:53 PM
I wish people would just forget about ogden and let him go off to retirement land. Sick and tired of hearing about him. As for suggs missing pratice that is very disappointing and he should be fined, if the coach really wants to set the tone for some of these players. Billick would have had them indoors on a day like today. The whole make up of this team will change under John and that is certainly a good thing
Posted by: bob lancione | May 9, 2008 4:16 PM
You can't fine Suggs when he is not currently under contract with the Ravens...
Posted by: Sean | May 9, 2008 4:27 PM
Given our improved financial situation following McNair's retirement and our lower-than-expected first round draft position, why don't we stop sticking it to T-Sizzle over 800k? Wasn't resigning Sizzle one of the reasons we let Adalius Thomas pursue free agency?
Posted by: Mr. Deez | May 9, 2008 4:34 PM
Bob: Since suggs hasn't signed his franchise tender, he's not under contract with the team. I know the team can't fine him for not being there and I'm pretty sure league rules actually prohibit him from participating in minicamp while he's a free agent, franchise tag or not.
Posted by: Tim | May 9, 2008 4:44 PM
Is Kyle Brady is around?
Posted by: Sy | May 9, 2008 5:27 PM
glad to hear this. This is what the Ravens need!
Posted by: Stevers | May 9, 2008 7:16 PM
Thats right, Suggs showed up for the first meeting and mini camp which was a huge surprise and shows what kind of player he is. He cant participate in anything and for him even going to the first one and surprising the team and just watching is awesome. Read the article in ESPN about him showing up, not many other players would even consider doing that.
Posted by: Ernie | May 9, 2008 7:21 PM