Adam Terry

As the Ravens wrap up their first training camp under John Harbaugh today, their fledgling coach leaves Westminster with a sense of satisfaction but not a lot of answers. "We're definitely a better football team than we were when we started camp," Harbaugh said. "How much better is yet to be determined. But we're getting better every day." Most of the uncertainty stems from the Ravens' in-flux offense, which seemed to produce more questions than big plays during the 23-day camp. It's difficult to get a handle on an offense that essentially practiced with a skeleton crew for most of the summer.

Cam Cameron, the latest offensive mind attempting to turn around the Ravens' attack, can envision all the pieces coming together. There is Willis McGahee breaking a long run, Todd Heap catching a touchdown pass and the offensive line becoming a cohesive unit. The problem is Cameron wasn't able to see the Ravens' offense come together in the preseason. Injuries have taken out four starters on offense for most of the preseason in addition to the top two quarterbacks competing for the starting job. That's why the offensive renaissance under Cameron is more theory than reality.

The rule of thumb regarding whether to down a kickoff in the end zone or bring it out is that there is no rule of thumb. "There's no black or white, no thing where if it's 4 yards [into the end zone], you're staying in, and if it's 3 1/2 , you're bringing it out," said Ravens backup returner Jim Leonhard, who might fill in for the injured Yamon Figurs in Sunday's game against the Miami Dolphins. "It's kind of a feel thing. Sometimes you make the right decision, and sometimes you make the wrong one. It is tough, and you see a lot of guys bring balls out that you wouldn't expect to and be successful.

Ravens run offense vs. Eagles run defense: Willis McGahee gained only 18 yards last Sunday, which tied his season low. The last time he was held to 18 yards was at Indianapolis, and he followed that with 105 yards at Miami. In the past two games, Ray Rice hasn't broken a run longer than 8 yards and Le'Ron McClain hasn't scored a touchdown. Philadelphia is ranked No. 11 against the run despite giving up 100 yards to three running backs in six games. MLB Stewart Bradley, who went to high school with Haloti Ngata, has 33 tackles in his past two games.

As a defensive end, Marques Douglas yearns to record the first sack of his third stint with the Ravens. But he understands that the goals of the defense supersede his personal objectives. "Very hungry," Douglas said about wanting to get his first sack since Nov. 18, 2007, with the San Francisco 49ers. "I'm brought here - No. 1 - to stop the run and play the pass. But at the same time, I don't want to go out of my way to hurt this defense. If I stay the course, it'll happen this year. I've been close."

CINCINNATI - Le'Ron McClain was one of the last Ravens players remaining in the visiting locker room at Paul Brown Stadium yesterday partly because he was ready to play some more. "I'll probably feel it tomorrow, but now I'm pretty hyped," he said with a grin on his face. "The adrenaline is still pumping, man." For the second consecutive week, McClain, officially listed as a fullback, led the team in rushing. After running for a career-high 88 yards in a 36-7 win over the Philadelphia Eagles the previous Sunday, McClain gained 86 yards on 25 carries in the Ravens' 34-3 victory over the Cincinnati Bengals yesterday.

Every week seems to pit Ravens offensive tackle Jared Gaither against a Pro Bowl-caliber defensive end or outside linebacker. Gaither wouldn't have it any other way. "I welcome any competition, I welcome any challenge, and I'm going to go out there and give it my best," he said. "Any player that doesn't [relish a challenge], I don't think he has a true love for the competition. Just work hard and get the job done." After tangling with the Pittsburgh Steelers' James Harrison (twice), the Miami Dolphins' Joey Porter, the Houston Texans' Mario Williams and the Indianapolis Colts' Dwight Freeney, Gaither gets another test in Pro Bowl outside linebacker DeMarcus Ware when the Ravens visit the Dallas Cowboys tomorrow night.

ATLANTA - In limited action, the Ravens' starting offensive line knocked around Atlanta Falcons defenders. In doing so with relative ease, the unit may have knocked out questions about its collective advanced age. The Ravens bullied the Falcons through the first 20 minutes of Saturday night's 16-3 NFL preseason loss, paving the way for backup running back Chester Taylor's 55 yards on eight carries. Four of the five linemen are at least 30, but you could not tell that against the Falcons.

Ed Reed and Marshal Yanda - two players who had been on the physically-unable-to-perform (PUP) list - surprised many fans by participating Friday in the Ravens' first full-team training camp practice at McDaniel College in Westminster. Despite enduring a nerve impingement in his neck last season, Reed, a five-time Pro Bowl free safety, led the NFL with nine interceptions and scored three touchdowns during the regular season, adding two interceptions and a return for a touchdown in the postseason.

A week ago, Ravens coach Brian Billick said he wanted his players to hold on to their faint playoff hopes. Now, the only goal should be fixing a flawed offense. Held to 210 yards by the NFL's 25th-ranked defense, the Ravens (4-7) sputtered to a 32-14 loss to the San Diego Chargers yesterday at Qualcomm Stadium, virtually eliminating them from the postseason race and sending their disappointing season to further depths. The Ravens' fifth straight loss marks the longest losing streak in the team's 12-year history.