Jackson

Each week, blogger Matt Vensel fires a few questions at rookie cornerback and kick returner Asa Jackson. The Ravens' fifth-round pick in April's draft, Jackson is a Sacramento native who played his college ball at Cal Poly. MV: Have you been getting any of that special rookie treatment from your teammates? AJ: A little bit. I have to carry their stuff off the field. I have to run out and get chicken when we go on road trips. That's as bad as it has been. It hasn't been anything too crazy.

PHILADELPHIA -- The Philadelphia Eagles - the Ravens' next opponent this Sunday - have yet to take the practice field here at the organization's training facility, but coach Andy Reid has already informed the media that wide receivers DeSean Jackson and Jeremy Maclin will not take part in Thursday's practice. Reid announced that Jackson is dealing with a sore hamstring. Maclin did not practice Wednesday after suffering a hip pointer in the team's 17-16 win against the Cleveland Browns Sunday.

This artful blend of zinfandel, grenache, syrah, merlot and other red varietal is simply a very pleasant experience. The mix proves to be harmonious, and each variety seems to play its part perfectly. There's the power and earthiness of the zin, the broad shoulders of the syrah, the exuberant fruit of the grenache and the soft elegance of the merlot. The cherry and blackberry flavors are intense and penetrating but not harsh. It's a model of balance. It just goes to show that while the soil is crucial, the skill of the winemaker is important too. A big bonus is that Kendall-Jackson wines are widely available.

Two days before the regular-season opener against the Cincinnati Bengals, it did not appear that there were any new absences at Ravens practice Saturday. Rookie cornerback Asa Jackson and offensive tackle Jah Reid were not on the field behind the team's training facility in Owings Mills. Jackson sat out Friday's session due to an illness, while Reid has not practiced the previous two days because of a strained right calf. Rookie outside linebacker Courtney Upshaw and backup strong safety Sean Considine were present.

Reservoir's two-time All-Metro frst-team selection Amanda Jackson will likely miss her senior season while recovering from knee surgery in the spring. Jackson, a versatile forward who also saw time at midfield and defense in her first three years, tore her anterior cruciate ligament playing club soccer in early March. With her rehab going well, there's a slight chance she may be able to return to the field near the playoffs, but Reservoir coach Josh Sullivan said she would have to be at 100 percent.

There was no disputing that the Ravens' top three cornerbacks last season were starters Lardarius Webb and Cary Williams and top backup Jimmy Smith. The first cornerback off the bench after that trio was Danny Gorrer. Whether that scenario plays out this year is up in the air. Webb, Williams and Smith are back, but Corey Graham, a Pro Bowler for his prowess on special teams, was signed to a free-agent deal in March. A month later, the organization selected Asa Jackson in the fifth round of the NFL draft.