Jonathan Ogden

Biggest cheer Not that anybody needed a reminder of how much love is thrown in Ray Lewis' direction, but the linebacker drew the loudest applause when he read quarterback Drew Olson's eyes and intercepted the ensuing pass. Scott goes deep Linebacker Bart Scott is re-living his college days when he was a safety at Southern Illinois University. During one play on an 11-on-11 drill, free safety Ed Reed blitzed, and the 6-foot-2, 240-pound Scott showed off some serious speed sprinting back as the deep safety.

He is at peace with his decision to put retirement off for another year. But even Jonathan Ogden had to admit that this isn't what he signed up for. "Oh, yeah," the Ravens left offensive tackle said last week as he sat in front of his locker in Owings Mills after trying again to practice with the team. "With the decision I made, if I had known then, I don't know if I'd have done it. But I didn't know. But with the decisions you make in life, you've got to go with it." He didn't know that the injured left big toe suffered late last season would still be forcing him to go into each game this year unsure whether he can play.

At a time when the Ravens' offense is getting healthy - starting quarterback Steve McNair is expected to return Sunday against the Arizona Cardinals - their defense must deal with a major loss. Defensive lineman Trevor Pryce is expected to miss three to five games after having surgery Sunday night for a broken left wrist. A four-time Pro Bowl player, Pryce led the Ravens last season with 13 sacks and recorded his first sack this season in Sunday's 20-13 win over the New York Jets. "Trevor has meant a lot to us, and it's great that he'll be back," coach Brian Billick said at his news conference yesterday.

Shuffling the deck With guard Chris Chester (foot) and tackle Steve Edwards (knee) nursing injuries, the offensive line featured a few different looks. At times, Jason Brown would move from left guard to center and Keydrick Vincent would fill the vacancy. Another look included Mike Flynn at center, Brown at left guard and Vincent at right guard. Secondary steaming There weren't many completed passes during the afternoon practice. In a span of the first five snaps of an 11-on-11 drill, free safety Ed Reed and cornerbacks Chris McAlister and Evan Oglesby each knocked down throws, and linebacker Bart Scott grabbed an interception.

SAN FRANCISCO -- It was a painful reunion yesterday with Trent Dilfer, but it had nothing to do with the Super Bowl-winning quarterback's one-time grudge against the Ravens. Entering the game without four starters and then losing two offensive linemen in one series, the Ravens persevered in an ugly yet satisfying 9-7 victory over the San Francisco 49ers before 67,885 at Monster Park. Injuries continue to take their toll on the Ravens, who were down to three rookie blockers, one healthy tight end and no backup offensive linemen.

Last week, we asked which Raven should retire after this season. The results: Steve McNair (67 percent) Jonathan Ogden (26.6 percent) Mike Flynn (5.3 percent) Matt Stover (1.1 percent) This week's question: What will be the Ravens' final record? A. 4-12 B. 5-11 C. 6-10 D. 7-9 To vote, go to baltimoresun.com/ravenspoll

SO-SO Quarterback Kyle Boller got off to a good start with a 35-yard touchdown pass to Demetrius Williams in the end zone and another long pass that Leo Bookman caught during one-on-one wide receiver-cornerback drills. But during 11-on-11 drills, Boller hurt his right hand when center Chris Chester snapped the ball too early. Three snaps later, Boller tried to step up in the pocket to avoid a pass rush and bumped into tight end Kendrick Ballantyne. BIG TACKLE The hit of that day was registered by cornerback Derrick Martin, who leveled P.J. Daniels as the running back tried to turn the right corner at the line of scrimmage.

The Ravens now know they don't need to draft a starting offensive tackle this weekend. Jonathan Ogden told The Sun last night that he plans to return to the Ravens for his 12th season. Ogden, the 10-time Pro Bowl offensive tackle, had been contemplating retirement since the Ravens' playoff loss to Indianapolis. Although team officials always remained optimistic about Ogden coming back, he made it official two days before the NFL draft, boosting the Ravens' chances of repeating as AFC North champions and returning to the playoffs.

RAVENS KEYS TO VICTORY 1. WIN TIME OF POSSESSION Sometimes, the Ravens' best defense is their offense. By controlling the clock -- whether it's Jamal Lewis running the ball or Steve McNair hitting the shorter routes -- the Ravens will keep the ball out of the hands of Colts quarterback Peyton Manning. 2. BE AGGRESSIVE ON DEFENSE The Ravens can rattle the Colts by hitting Manning and jamming their receivers at the line. (See: New England Patriots' playoff game plan against Indianapolis.

Feud? What feud? Ravens linebacker Bart Scott muted any talk yesterday of a potential confrontation with Pittsburgh wide receiver Hines Ward when the Steelers visit M&T Bank Stadium on Sunday at 4:15 p.m. "I anticipate playing the run very well," Scott said when asked what he expected from Ward. "He's a receiver. I don't see Hines that much - unless it's Groundhog Day." When the two teams met Nov. 5, Ward delivered hard-hitting blocks on both Scott and free safety Ed Reed. Reed was left woozy by the hit, but Scott was incensed and threatened to "kill" Ward.

Each Wednesday we'll bring you a Q&A with a Ravens player to help you learn a little more about the team. The first guest is rookie tackle Michael Oher, who was part of an offensive line that helped the team set franchise records in yards (501) and first downs (32) in a 38-24 victory over the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday. Oher discusses expectations, his athletic background and "The Blind Side: The Evolution of a Game." Question: There has been a lot of talk about how you could be the organization's first long-term solution at right tackle since Orlando Brown started at that position between 2003 and 2005, and there have been some comparisons to all-but-certain Hall of Famer Jonathan Ogden.

The Ravens are in the midst of their first minicamp of 2009 and - at least at first blush - you have to wonder why they all seem so sure they will be a more potent offensive team than they were last season. This is the team that came out of the AFC championship game supposedly desperate for a legitimate vertical threat at wide receiver, passed up the top wide-outs in the draft and now is auditioning a couple of veteran castoffs to help its depth at that key position. Yet general manager Ozzie Newsome has occasionally bristled at the notion that the existing receiving corps might not be up to snuff.

Jason Brown seems resigned to leaving the Ravens when free agency begins today. Talks between Brown and the Ravens have reached a stalemate because the team wants to pay him as a center while the versatile offensive lineman is looking to get paid as a guard. The difference could be as much as $2 million per season. Brown, 25, started at center last season after two seasons at left guard. "Looking at things that have happened in the past with the Ravens, they have been willing to pay and negotiate more for their defensive players," Brown said yesterday.

Congratulations, new Ravens fan, you've made it through basic training. Now sit back and enjoy the game with your family and friends. But beware, someone might test your loyalty. Be ready to meet fire with fire. Here's some Ravens trivia: * Who was the first player drafted by the Ravens? (Jonathan Ogden) * In their first game, what team did the Ravens beat? (The Oakland Raiders, 19-14, with Earnest Byner scoring the winning touchdown on a 1-yard run.) * Bruce Matthews has a place in Baltimore football lore.

Before the Ravens play the Oakland Raiders today, Jonathan Ogden will be introduced to the sellout crowd, walking out of the M&T Bank Stadium tunnel for one of the last times. "If he comes out in full gear, you'll know he's playing left tackle," Ravens coach John Harbaugh said jokingly. Ogden will be inducted into the Ravens' Ring of Honor at halftime, just 10 months after playing his final game. Considered one of the greatest offensive tackles in NFL history, Ogden has no regrets retiring after 12 seasons and 11 Pro Bowl invitations.

John Harbaugh is only about two weeks into his stint as the Ravens' coach, and some are already criticizing him for running too tough a training camp. Ahh, goo-goo. Is it too hot outside? Do you want a Popsicle? Do you want Mommy to rub your little forehead? It's not the majority of people, but it's those who don't quite understand the nature of sports, especially football. Because if they did, they could have predicted what was going to happen in this training camp. Owners of professional sports teams like to hire people who are the opposite of those they fire.

It will be tough for anyone to get out of the shadow of Jonathan Ogden. But if anyone can, it would be 6-foot-9, 350-pound Jared Gaither. At his farewell news conference Thursday, Ogden offered some advice to Gaither, who is expected to replace him at left tackle. "I will tell him, `Don't try to be me; be Jared,' " Ogden said. "And hopefully Jared will be as good, if not better, one day. And doing the best you can will generally be enough. You don't need that extra pressure." This could be the biggest adjustment for the Ravens this season.

After that debacle in Game 4 of the NBA Finals, Kobe Bryant might maintain his well-publicized stance of trusting his teammates tonight. But don't hold your breath. As the Lakers face elimination, it bears repeating: I wonder how things would be if Bryant had decided to trust his teammates when Shaquille O'Neal was one of them instead of Pau Gasol. It's the nature of the game, but after all the reminders of the greatness of Jonathan Ogden, consider this about this year's Ravens: Is who starts at quarterback really a bigger deal than who starts at left tackle?

It has been the source of a major debate for years. Who is the best Raven - Jonathan Ogden or Ray Lewis? It's really no contest. The most physical, technically sound and dominating player is Ogden. The player with the most impact on franchise history is Lewis. It's an interesting debate because you're dealing with two of the best players at their positions in modern times, if not in the history of the NFL. And they also happen to be the team's first two draft picks. Lewis is often the popular choice because of his charisma and leadership.

An overflow crowd of teammates, coaches and reporters jammed into the Ravens' auditorium yesterday to bid farewell to Jonathan Ogden. But the storied All-Pro offensive tackle wasn't ready to say goodbye completely. In a touching and lighthearted half-hour news conference, Ogden officially retired but made it clear he will remain to help the team, as well as stay committed to the city where he played his 12 seasons. "I'm a Baltimore Raven for life," Ogden said with a smile. "There's no doubt about that."