Oniel Cousins

As the Ravens search for answers along an offensive line without center Matt Birk and a proven player at right tackle, the most maligned -- and maybe the most intriguing -- internal option is Oniel Cousins. The fourth-year veteran hasn't lived up to his third-round billing at tackle so the team is now experimenting with him at guard. Projected right guard Marshal Yanda, who was rewarded with a contract extension after a solid season at right tackle in 2010, was sidelined over the weekend with a back injury.

The Ravens get an incomplete grade for the 2012 NFL Draft. Every team should get an incomplete each year because no one can predict how drafts will turn out, but most teams come away with one or two players who will have an impact immediately. The Ravens came away with just one in Alabama outside linebacker Courtney Upshaw, taken in the second round. That's it. Two others, Iowa State offensive tackle Kelechi Osemele and Temple running back Bernard Pierce, could play roles this season, but the rest appear to be projects.

Oniel Cousins doesn't know former Ravens offensive tackle Orlando Brown, but he has heard about him. He smiles when you mention Brown's name. Cousins is reminding a lot of people of Brown at the Ravens' practice facility. He's not as tall or as big, but, like Brown, Cousins won't walk away from a good fight. "When I play the game, I usually tick a lot of people off, and they try to fight me," Cousins said. "Hopefully, they lose their focus, and that's all part of my game plan." Cousins is part of the new game plan implemented by first-year coach John Harbaugh, who wants to change the culture surrounding this team.

The Ravens have talked about adding some offensive linemen during the draft, but they need to improve their evaluations. Since head coach John Harbaugh joined the Ravens, the team hasn't fared well as far as selecting offensive linemen. In 2008, they selected UTEP offensive tackle Oniel Cousins in the third round. He is no longer with the team. In 2009, they selected Mississippi offensive tackle Michael Oher in the first round. Oher has been solid, but not the dominant type or even the starting left offensive tackle the Ravens expected.

PITTSBURGH -- On the longest day of Oniel Cousins' short NFL career, the Ravens right tackle went to class with the Pittsburgh Steelers' LaMarr Woodley on Sunday. What Cousins learned in three hours at Heinz Field might serve him well in the future, but those were painful lessons for the second-year player from Texas-El Paso. Despite help from tight end Todd Heap and others, Cousins could not block Woodley's path to quarterback Joe Flacco in the second half. Woodley capped a dominating performance with back-to-back sacks of Flacco - through Cousins - on the Ravens' final possession, and the Steelers squeezed out a 23-20 victory.

At this time a year ago, Oniel Cousins was battling back after having a cyst removed from his esophagus. Now, healthier and more motivated, Cousins has a different fight on his mind. "My goal is to be the starting right tackle," said Cousins, who was a guest at Derrick Mason's football camp at McDaniel College on Friday. "I said that last year, but it didn't play out like that obviously for health reasons or whatever it was. I know I can do it. I believe in myself. My family believes in me and I hope the coaches believe in me, too. " The amount of belief by the coaching staff is up for debate.

What to watch in the Ravens' third preseason game tonight against the New York Giants: POSITION: Wide receiver. Donte' Stallworth has received most of the attention since joining the Ravens, but Mark Clayton is working as the team's No. 3 wide receiver. It'll be interesting to see if the depth chart remains after the last two preseason games. VETERAN: Offensive tackle Tony Moll. He's expected to get his second straight start at right tackle because of injuries to Jared Gaither and Oniel Cousins.

Ravens C Matt Birk vs. Raiders MLB Kirk Morrison Morrison is the kind of linebacker Birk, above, likes to see in the middle. This is a matchup of speed. Morrison runs sideline-to-sideline well but has problems with inside, power-running games. Birk is quick and has good speed but has trouble sustaining blocks for long periods of time against bigger defensive linemen and linebackers who can only play from tackle to tackle. Edge: Birk: Ravens RT Michael Oher or Oniel Cousins vs. Raiders DE Richard Seymour The Ravens might use any of three players at right offensive tackle.

Ravens inside linebacker Ray Lewis headlines the list of inactives for Sunday's game against the Cleveland Browns. Lewis, who has a toe injury, has now missed three consecutive games for the first time since 2005. Lewis did not practice this week and Ravens coach John Harbaugh told reporters on Friday that there was a chance Lewis could play on Sunday, though the team is conscious of the long-term risk of rushing Lewis back. The inactive list does have one silver lining, though.

The Ravens have talked about adding some offensive linemen during the draft, but they need to improve their evaluations. Since head coach John Harbaugh joined the Ravens, the team hasn't fared well as far as selecting offensive linemen. In 2008, they selected UTEP offensive tackle Oniel Cousins in the third round. He is no longer with the team. In 2009, they selected Mississippi offensive tackle Michael Oher in the first round. Oher has been solid, but not the dominant type or even the starting left offensive tackle the Ravens expected.

It was almost near the end of the annual "State of the Ravens" address before general manager Ozzie Newsome talked about the team's most pressing needs heading into the 2012 season. He finally mentioned the offensive line and getting another pass rusher to complement outside linebacker Terrell Suggs. Most of Wednesday's news conference was devoted to team officials promising they were going to re-sign potential free agent running back Ray Rice and slobbering over quarterback Joe Flacco, who believes he has been underappreciated in Baltimore.

In somewhat of a surprise, Ravens defensive end Cory Redding will not play in Saturday's home game against the Cleveland Browns because of lingering issues with his injured right ankle. Redding had expressed confidence he would be able to play - as he did in Sunday night's 34-14 loss to the San Diego Chargers - but he did not practice Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday before being limited in Friday's walkthrough. Defensive tackle Arthur Jones will make his first career start in Redding's place.

Ravens inside linebacker Ray Lewis headlines the list of inactives for Sunday's game against the Cleveland Browns. Lewis, who has a toe injury, has now missed three consecutive games for the first time since 2005. Lewis did not practice this week and Ravens coach John Harbaugh told reporters on Friday that there was a chance Lewis could play on Sunday, though the team is conscious of the long-term risk of rushing Lewis back. The inactive list does have one silver lining, though.

Before we officially embrace the 2011 season today, let's take one last look at how last season ended. In a 31-24 divisional playoff loss to the Steelers in Pittsburgh, the Ravens blew a big first-half lead, gave up an inexplicable deep ball on defense late in the game, and struggled once again to protect Joe Flacco. The good news was the Ravens dominated the first half. The bad news was the Steelers dominated the second, when the Ravens dropped passes, lost fumbles and gave up sacks.

Each morning, Monday through Friday, I'll hook you up with reading material to skim through as you slug down coffee and slack off at the start of your workday -- that way I'll have an excuse to do the same at the start of mine.   Running it back: The Orioles lost to the Blue Jays , 13-0, on Wednesday night. It was their most lopsided shutout loss since July 4, 2006. ... The Orioles introduced first-round draft pick Dylan Bundy to Baltimore during the game.

The Ravens list offensive tackle Bryant McKinnie as weighing 345 pounds. Don't believe it. "Right now, I am probably like 370, I guess," the 6-foot-8 left tackle said Saturday prior to his first practice with the team since agreeing to a two-year deal worth up to $7.5 million on Wednesday. "I play at, like, 355. Not 335. I haven't been that since college [the University of Miami], my junior year. " Whatever weight the 10-year veteran plays at, the hope is that McKinnie can anchor an offensive line that has been in an almost constant state of flux during the preseason.

The biggest surprise Tuesday was the return of Haloti Ngata . The defensive tackle returned to practice for the first time since tearing his left pectoral muscle during the Pro Bowl. Ngata estimates that he is between 75 to 80 percent recovered. He wasn't expected to suit up this offseason. Ngata was limited to individual drills, but he still expects to be ready for full practices at the start of training camp in late July. "I think I'm a little bit ahead of schedule," Ngata said.

This week, ESPN blogger James Walker has been releasing lists of the top three draft classes of the 2000s -- or the aughts as they were awkwardly called -- for each of the AFC North teams. He tackled the Ravens on Wednesday, ranking the 2008 class as the team's best of the decade. Three years ago, Ravens GM Ozzie Newsome traded down then up to select franchise quarterback Joe Flacco in the first round. He landed starting running back Ray Rice in the second round, one of the draft's biggest steals.

The Ravens took their biggest gamble of free agency when they reached an agreement with talented but troubled offensive tackle Bryant McKinnie on Tuesday. An eight-year starter for the Minnesota Vikings, McKinnie agreed to a two-year contract with a maximum value of $7.5 million (including $1 million signing bonus). The deal is contingent on McKinnie passing a physical Wednesday, which is far from a formality. The Vikings released the 6-foot-8 offensive lineman on Aug. 2 after he reportedly showed up to training camp close to 400 pounds.

Each morning, Monday through Friday, I'll hook you up with reading material to skim through as you slug down coffee and slack off at the start of your workday -- that way I'll have an excuse to do the same at the start of mine.   Running it back: The Ravens made some moves on the offensive line this weekend. ... John Harbaugh also confirmed that moving forward, Oniel Cousins, a converted offensive tackle, will remain at guard . ... The Ravens got a little healthier Sunday with the return of Ray Lewis, Marshal Yanda and Chris Carr.