Kokinis, the team's director of pro personnel, credits secondary coach Chuck Pagano and Ryan with the push to get Washington when the Oakland Raiders put him up for trade. Pagano coached Washington for two years in Oakland after helping to draft him in the first round in 2005.
Although Washington eventually fell out of favor there, he showed the requisite cover skills to play in the Ravens' defense and came with Pagano's approval.
"I think I can pick up any system," Washington said. "The hard part is getting comfortable with it where you just react. That took me into training camp [to do]."
Kokinis assigned Vince Newsome, his assistant pro personnel director, to evaluate Walker, a free agent after four seasons with the New York Giants and one with the Green Bay Packers. Because Walker ran well and had the ability to play in the nickel package and on special teams, Newsome determined he was another good fit.
"What has been encouraging to me is how much Frank loves to play football," Kokinis said. "He takes more reps than anybody in practice, and he's in with the coaches studying early in the week."
Then there was Leonhard, the 5-foot-8, 186-pound safety who has taken on tight ends this year as well as playing on special teams. Defensive backs coach Mark Carrier made that evaluation, and when Leonhard showed well in his tryout, the Ravens quickly offered him a contract.
"Someone that athletic and that smart we felt was a good fit," Kokinis said. "He learned that defense fast. It's a lot about chemistry, a little about talent and a lot about heart, and he has that."
NOTES:: Coach John Harbaugh appeared at his post-practice session with the media with a large, colorful welt on his right cheek, the result of taking an accidental helmet to his face during practice. "I set up a coverage, and I got stuck on a certain route between the safety and the wide receiver and couldn't get out of the way," he said. Yamon Figurs, the receiver who hit Harbaugh, didn't see him until the collision. "He jumped up when I got up and said, 'I'm all right.' " Figurs said. Said Harbaugh: "Yamon Figurs, I'm going to tell you what, he's a big man, and he moves very fast." ... Even though left tackle Jared Gaither didn't practice all week (shoulder), he is listed as questionable for tomorrow's game against the Philadelphia Eagles. Also questionable are right tackle Willie Anderson (ankle), wide receiver Derrick Mason (shoulder), safety Ed Reed (neck) and Rolle (shoulder). ... Tailback Ray Rice has gained 583 yards from scrimmage (375 rushing, 208 receiving) - most of any player in the NFL who has not scored a touchdown.
EAGLES (5-4-1) @RAVENS (6-4)
Tomorrow, 1 p.m. TV: Chs. 45, 5
Radio: 97.9 FM, 1090 AM
Line: Ravens
by 1 1/2
