Despite missing the second half of yesterday's practice because of tightness in his lower hamstring and knee, Edwin Mulitalo is feeling great.
Nagging injuries aside, Mulitalo is right where he wants to be - entrenched as the left guard instead of in the early stages of a move to tackle as he was a year ago.
"It always good to know that you are at a position that you are comfortable with," said Mulitalo, who will practice lightly on the injuries the rest of the week.
Mulitalo took his first snaps at right tackle during last year's minicamp, a move that lasted only two games into the regular season. Mulitalo, who struggled with fast-charging defensive ends during the preseason, was switched back to left guard and Ethan Brooks was moved into the lineup.
"He's comfortable at guard, and he and Jonathan Ogden have been playing side by side for years now," offensive line coach Jim Colletto said.
The right tackle spot is being occupied by Orlando Brown, who appears to be returning to his old form heading into next month's training camp while playing exclusively with the starters.
"He is in great shape," coach Brian Billick said of Brown, who is returning to the NFL after a three-year layoff. "I checked with the weight coaches and trainers, and they feel physically he's as good as he's ever been in terms of the cardiovascular, the strength.
"He's moving around very well."
Douglas puts in work
Defensive end Marques Douglas received his most extensive work this offseason with the first team.
Douglas tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee Oct. 15, ending his season after five games. His knee has healed and he should compete with Adalius Thomas to start at right defensive end.
"I feel no lingering effects," said Douglas, who had 15 tackles and a sack last season. "I feel great to be out here with my team. I've been out of rehab since March. That was one of my goals going into the offseason - I didn't want any distinction with me coming back. I wanted to do the same things and pass the same fitness tests those guys passed."
R. Lewis knows the drill
Cornerback Chris McAlister and fullback Alan Ricard were the only players of note absent from the voluntary practice. Linebacker Ray Lewis participated in all the team drills.
It was the first time Lewis has practiced with the team since the opening minicamp the second weekend in May.
"It's always great to have him out there," Billick said.
Et cetera
The Ravens signed long snapper Mike Solwold to a one-year contract. Solwold spent last season with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and is expected to challenge incumbent Joe Maese. ... Owner Art Modell and his wife, Pat, will receive the 2003 Community Leadership Award from the Points of Life Foundation and Volunteer Center National Network today at the Baltimore Convention Center. The award recognizes outstanding citizen volunteers in the community that is host to the national conference. The Modells raised more than $600,000 for Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Central Maryland in 2002.
