David Pittman

BIG SURPRISE When the Ravens drafted Colorado tight end Quinn Sypniewski in the fifth round in April, they knew the 6-foot-6, 270-pound Sypniewski could block. But so far in training camp, he has been catching everything thrown his way, including a diving reception of a 30-yard pass from quarterback Kyle Boller. If he continues to play well, Sypniewski makes the roster. PICKED OFF Cornerback Samari Rolle made a short McNair pass disappear, and 50 yards later he had what would have been a touchdown in a game.

T he Ravens wrapped up one of their most disappointing seasons with a 27-21 victory over the rival Pittsburgh Steelers on Dec. 30, 2007. Pittsburgh had already made the playoffs and was the No. 4 seed. It was the Ravens' first win in 76 days, ending their franchise-record losing streak at nine games. A day after the game, Ravens coach Brian Billick, who led the team to its only Super Bowl title, was fired. WHAT HAPPENED: Reserve running backs Musa Smith and Cory Ross helped the Ravens control the clock, quarterback Troy Smith played like a Heisman Trophy winner and David Pittman came up with two interceptions.

Athleticism was the keynote when the Ravens jockeyed for position and an extra pick on the first day of the NFL draft. They got a converted tight end in the second round with the hope Chris Chester will restore depth to their interior offensive line. They took Division I-AA cornerback David Pittman in the third round with the hope he can fill the critical nickel back spot on defense. What the Ravens really hope is that Chester and Pittman are quick studies on a team that can use their contributions this season.

The Ravens wrapped up one of their most disappointing seasons with a 27-21 victory over the rival Pittsburgh Steelers on Dec. 30, 2007. Pittsburgh had already made the playoffs and was the No. 4 seed. It was the Ravens' first win in 76 days, ending their franchise-record losing streak at nine games. A day after the game, Ravens coach Brian Billick, who led the team to its only Super Bowl title, was fired. WHAT HAPPENED: : Reserve running backs Musa Smith and Cory Ross helped the Ravens control the clock, quarterback Troy Smith played like a Heisman Trophy winner and David Pittman came up with two interceptions.

The Ravens are a bit conflicted whenever the topic of drafting a cornerback is broached. On one hand, the team's front office and coaching staff is content with its current corps: starters Chris McAlister and Samari Rolle, nickel back Corey Ivy and reserves Evan Oglesby, Ronnie Prude, Derrick Martin and David Pittman. On the other hand, this year's crop of cornerbacks is considered deep, with as many as seven players labeled as potential first-round picks Saturday. That's why Eric DeCosta found himself arguing both sides after the team's draft luncheon Tuesday.

The Ravens reached deals with four more draft picks - including offensive lineman Chris Chester (second round) and cornerback David Pittman (third) - to continue one of the strongest signing flurries in team history. With eight picks signed or under an agreement in principle, the Ravens have only two draft picks left to get under contract before the team reports to training camp Thursday: Defensive tackle Haloti Ngata (first round) and receiver Demetrius Williams (fourth). Besides Chester and Pittman, who got a $490,000 signing bonus, the Ravens agreed to terms with safety Dawan Landry (fifth)

GOOD HANDS Rookie wide receiver Demetrius Williams showed off the hands that convinced the Ravens to spend a fourth-round draft choice on him. He leaped to snatch a high throw from quarterback Brian St. Pierre before landing in the end zone. Williams juggled another pass and caught it while being dragged down. WHAT INJURY? Linebacker Ray Lewis is putting to rest any doubts about the torn hamstring that ended his 2005 season. Lewis almost intercepted Kyle Boller once. On the ensuing play, Lewis turned, sprinted toward a wide-open P.J. Daniels, and broke up another Boller pass.

T he Ravens wrapped up one of their most disappointing seasons with a 27-21 victory over the rival Pittsburgh Steelers on Dec. 30, 2007. Pittsburgh had already made the playoffs and was the No. 4 seed. It was the Ravens' first win in 76 days, ending their franchise-record losing streak at nine games. A day after the game, Ravens coach Brian Billick, who led the team to its only Super Bowl title, was fired. WHAT HAPPENED: Reserve running backs Musa Smith and Cory Ross helped the Ravens control the clock, quarterback Troy Smith played like a Heisman Trophy winner and David Pittman came up with two interceptions.

The uneven-play bug appears to have infected quarterback Troy Smith, too. In his first start of the preseason, Smith helped the Ravens score a touchdown on their first offensive series and guided the offense into Minnesota Vikings territory last night. But the offense could not collect any points on its two other forays across midfield, and Smith capped his evening with a poorly thrown slant pass behind wide receiver Mark Clayton that was intercepted by safety Darren Sharper. Smith showed flashes of what he could provide as the team's quarterback.

QUARTERBACK DERBY After a stretch of poor practices, Troy Smith appeared to have vastly improved. His first two passes during full-team exercises were deep throws that had touchdown written all over them if wide receiver Mark Clayton had caught the balls. Smith's only miscue was a well-played pump fake that ended up in the arms of cornerback Ronnie Prude. Kyle Boller avoided trouble for the most part, opting to throw to receivers on quick slants or outs toward the sidelines. He capped the session with a 40-yard touchdown pass to rookie wide receiver Justin Harper.

Trevor Pryce and Kelly Gregg watched yesterday's morning practice from the sideline. The reason wasn't injury; it was seniority. First-year Ravens coach John Harbaugh has instituted "the 30-plus club," which gives the older players every third day off. "The camp is structured [repetition]-wise for a certain amount of recovery time," Harbaugh said. "The guys who are over 30 just don't recover quickly. They're working hard, but you got to pull those guys back or it starts piling up on them.

On what was supposed to be the first day of training camp with a full squad, the Ravens opened with a less-than-complete cast yesterday at McDaniel College. Safety Ed Reed (undisclosed injury), wide receiver Demetrius Williams (lower left leg), tight end Daniel Wilcox (toe surgery) and cornerback David Pittman (foot) were placed on the physically-unable-to-perform list. All four players were present during the morning practice session, with Reed and Pittman sprinting and backpedaling on their own. The team was also without cornerbacks Chris McAlister and Fabian Washington and fullback LeRon McClain, all of whom were on the nonfootball injury list.

As the Ravens closed out one of the most disastrous seasons in team history, even their final celebration might have been in vain. By outlasting the uninspired Pittsburgh Steelers, 27-21, the Ravens traded their first win in 76 days for sliding down in the NFL draft. With a loss, the Ravens would have had picked at No. 6. Now, after ending the franchise-record losing streak at nine, the Ravens will draft No. 8. So, was the win over their hated AFC North rival worth it? "It was an outstanding win," coach Brian Billick said.