"Last year, he was just feeling everything out," wide receiver Derrick Mason said. "As the season went on, you could see him open up more and more. Now, he knows he is 'the guy.' As 'the guy,' you have to be able to interact with everybody. But that's his personality. Now, he's just full-fledged Joe."
While team officials have been encouraged by Flacco's strides so far, some believe his leadership will truly flourish when tested.
"Until we're in game situations, we're probably not going to see some of that leadership grow as much, because right now we're working on fundamentals and techniques," offensive coordinator Cam Cameron said. "I think he understands that you've got to let your leadership flow naturally, not force it."
NOTES: Le'Ron McClain, the Ravens' leading rusher from last season, is back to being the team's starting fullback. McClain, though, would prefer to be the one getting the carries. "With the success I had last year at halfback, I'm leaning more toward tailback," he said. "But you know me: I'll do whatever to help the team."
Kelly Gregg said he no longer feels any "twinges" when he plants to make a cut. The affable nose tackle hasn't practiced in full-team drills in nine months and missed every game last season after having microfracture surgery on his left knee in October. "The only way I'm going out is on my back, so we'll see how it goes," he said.
Three months after having neck surgery, Dawan Landry has taken back his spot as the Ravens' starting strong safety. He missed the final 14 games last season when he suffered a spinal-cord concussion while tackling Cleveland Browns running back Jamal Lewis. "I was never nervous," Landry said. "I knew once the body felt fine, I would feel fine. It feels good right now. It feels good to be back."
Ray Lewis said new defensive coordinator Greg Mattison is so old-school that "he's like your granddad." Added Lewis: "Greg has been in the game for longer than when most of us were born. So just understanding that part of it gives him great credibility, really makes him who he is." Lewis is right about this point. Mattison is in his 38th year of coaching. The oldest Raven on defense is Lewis, who turned 34 in May.
Rudy Gay, who plays for the NBA's Memphis Grizzlies and graduated from Archbishop Spalding, visited Ravens headquarters. Looking for height at wide receiver, the Ravens probably could have used the 6-foot-8 forward at practice.
Peter Schmuck:
Year makes a difference for offense PG 3
