Camp

THE TELEVISION SERIES starring the Ravens is on the wrong cable channel. It belongs on the Disney Channel more than HBO. No, the language and subject matter isn't Mickey's, but otherwise, the Ravens' training camp resembles one of those Disney perfect-world theme parks. No one has any problems. Everyone is happy. It's Camp Perfect. "I don't want to talk about it, don't want to jinx it," team president David Modell said yesterday when it was suggested all was almost frighteningly right in the Ravens' world.

The Orioles have made three more cuts, optioning catcher Luis Exposito to Triple-A Norfolk and sending non-roster invitees Daniel Schlereth and Adam Russell to minor league camp. Exposito, who is on the 40-man roster, batted .381 with a .481 on-base percentage in 14 spring games. But the 26-year-old had struggled defensively, making two errors, including a catcher's interference that allowed the winning run to score when he scooped up a live ball with his catcher's mask. Exposito, who batted .056 in nine games with the Orioles last year, will compete for the starting job at Norfolk.

Wide receiver Deonte Thompson, an undrafted rookie from Florida, turned heads during offseason workouts by blazing past defenders for a few long touchdown passes. Early in training camp, the 23-year-old speedster has been running routes with fellow wide receivers Tandon Doss and LaQuan Williams on the second unit. “D.T. has done a good job. For a guy that was pretty much off the street coming in -- don't know much about him -- he's done very well,” wide receivers coach Jim Hostler said.

A half hour into the first full-squad practice of training camp, there is no sign of Pro Bowl defensive tackle Haloti Ngata or offensive tackle Bryant McKinnie. Of course, we will let you know if that should change. And we'll try to get an explanation from Ravens head coach John Harbaugh when practice wraps up around 5 p.m. Also missing from practice were the few players on the physical unable to perform list, including defensive end Pernell McPhee, wide receiver David Reed, offensive tackle Jah Reid and outside linebacker Terrell Suggs.

Left tackle Bryant McKinnie, who has been a no-show at training camp, leaving his future with the Ravens in doubt, told The Baltimore Sun in a text message tonight that he'll report to the Under Armour Performance Center on Monday. McKinnie is currently on the reserve/did not report list, accruing fines of $30,000 per day in accordance with the collective bargaining agreement. It's unclear if McKinnie, who started all 18 games for the Ravens last year, has voiced his plans to report Monday -- the team is off tomorrow -- to team officials.

The Howard County Department of Recreation and Parks, in partnership with Contemporary Arts Inc., a nonprofit organization working to advance jazz in the community, will offer a Music and Arts Academy Summer Camp where campers of all skill levels can study instruments, singing and dance. Jazz saxophonist Carl Grubbs will direct the camp. Instruction will be available on saxophone, clarinet, trumpet, guitar, drums and keyboards, and in African, modern and tap dance, as well as jazz singing.

The Women's Giving Circle of Howard County has expanded its residential summer camp, "Journey," to include two groups of county students: 25 girls entering eighth and ninth grades in fall 2008, and 25 girls entering 10th, 11th and 12th grades in fall 2008. Maryland Leadership Workshops Inc. will operate the camp, as it has for the past two years. The organization has been providing leadership training programs for Maryland middle and high school students for more than 50 years. The camp will run from July 20-26 at Washington College in Chestertown.

Ravens left tackle Bryant McKinnie is in town and will be at the Under Armour Performance Center today, but it's still too early to assume that he will regain his starting left tackle spot. That is because the Ravens have to find out whether he's healthy enough and in good enough condition to get out on the field. Remember, that was the issue with McKinnie all along before the big left tackle's absence prompted all sorts of theories about why he didn't report for training camp. And now, not only will he have to pass the conditioning test and show team officials that he's in good enough shape, he's also going to have to prove his back is healthy.

The Orioles are scheduled to hit the field this morning around 10 for their third full-squad workout of the spring. Right-hander Jim Johnson, on a trunk progression program after having some lower back pain, is scheduled to throw off a full mound for the first time this morning. There's a 45 percent chance of thunderstorms to hit Sarasota at noon. We've had great weather here so far, but it looks like the elements could come into play today. -- I spoke with new Orioles outfielder Endy Chavez, who is very upbeat about playing in Baltiimore.

As the Ravens open camp, here are 20 questions and answers about what to look for in the next month.1. What will be the No. 1 objective of training camp?First-year coach Brian Billick has to establish complete authority. In his first six months on the job, Billick has performed well. Clearly, he was organized, thorough and disciplined, and he communicated well with the players in two minicamps. But now he has to deal with injuries and game situations while trying to gain the confidence of his players.