Ramon Harewood

The common conclusion from the Ravens' decision to re-sign Bryant McKinnie was that the organization wasn't yet comfortable with the idea of Kelechi Osemele starting at left tackle. I'm sure there is plenty of truth to that even though team officials suggest that's not the case. However, the reason why the McKinnie move was a no-brainer - at least in my mind - was that the Ravens couldn't risk potentially weakening two positions along the offensive line. Osemele may very well develop into a quality left tackle in the NFL. However, who replaces Osemele at left guard?

Hey, Jamison, When are the Ravens going to cut the malingering Jared Gaither? Reading about this guy is making me ill. Steve in Aberdeen Hey, Steve Judging by coach John Harbaugh's recent comments, the end could be near for Gaither. The Ravens will have some tough decisions next week when two players (safety Ed Reed and linebacker Brendon Ayanbadejo) are activated off the physically-unable-to-perform list. That might be the time when the Ravens are forced to place Gaither on injured reserve.

REED, SUGGS RETURN: Seven-time Pro Bowl free safety Ed Reed made his first appearance at training camp on Saturday, but he participated mostly in individual drills. Four-time Pro Bowl outside linebacker Terrell Suggs also made his first appearance since being activated off of the team's non-football injury list, and he participated fully. CATCH OF THE DAY: During a 7-on-7 exercise, quarterback Hunter Cantwell's slant pass glanced off the fingertips of rookie cornerback Chykie Brown, but wide receiver James Hardy still hauled in the pass in the back of the end zone.

Ravens left tackle Bryant McKinnie has reported to training camp and is off the did not report/restricted list, but he's still not practicing. McKinnie, who has told reporters that he hurt his back in an accident at his Florida home, will have to pass the conditioning test and prove he is healthy before he returns to practice. He's likely to be put on the non-football injury list or the physically unable to perform list until he's ready. Ravens second-year cornerback Jimmy Smith (lower leg)

Because of the poor performance by the offensive tackles against the Kansas City Chiefs last week, there had been some speculation that the Ravens might choose to start Bryant McKinnie at left tackle over Michael Oher and move Oher to the right side to replace rookie Kelechi Osemele. But that won't happen against the Cowboys on Sunday unless someone is really getting dominated. I agree with offensive coordinator Cam Cameron that it is much too early in the season to start making major changes.

Ravens offensive guard Ramon Harewood is spending part of the off-season back home in Barbados, where later this week he will host a football camp for children on the island. The "Big Mon Elite Athlete Development Camp" is set to begin Thursday and will include appearances by Harewood's Ravens teammates, including Ray Rice, Torrey Smith, Michael Oher and Bryan Hall. "The strong academic foundation and diverse athletic training I received growing up in Barbados has enabled me to achieve success on many levels as an adult and it is an honor to share what I have learned with the younger generation," said Harewood, who grew up in the town of St. Michael, Barbados, where he played volleyball, track and field, cricket and soccer before transferring to Morehouse in Atlanta to play football.

Last summer, it looked as if the Ravens might enter the regular season with one of the oldest starting offensive lines in the NFL. Matt Birk, Bryant McKinnie and Bobbie Williams were all in their mid-thirties and expected to start. But as it turned out, both McKinnie and Williams started the season on the bench and only Birk played. With voluntary organized team activities and a mandatory minicamp coming up on us quickly, all three of those guys are gone (though there is a chance the Ravens may bring McKinnie, a free agent, back if the price is right)

CATCH OF THE DAY Rookie wide receiver LaQuan Williams made an acrobatic grab over rookie cornerback Chykie Brown during a full-team exercise. Brown never turned back to see when rookie quarterback Tyrod Taylor threw the pass, and Williams simply leaped over Brown for the long reception. BIG HIT During a rushing drill, nose tackle Terrence Cody clothes-lined rookie running back Anthony Allen. Cody's right arm was strong enough to knock Allen onto his posterior. ALMOST Safety Tom Zbikowski nearly came away with his second interception in as many practices.

Every morning, Monday through Friday, blogger Matt Vensel will hook you up with reading material -- mostly on the Ravens but with some other Baltimore sports stuff, too -- to skim through as you slug down coffee and slack off at the start of your workday. That way he'll have an excuse to do the same to start his workday, too. RUNNING IT BACK There is a chance that linebacker Terrell Suggs could play Sunday , though there is little reason for the Ravens to rush him back . … Mike Preston says the Ravens defense stinks right now . … Offensive lineman Ramon Harewood is disappointed by his demotion . … Three defensive starters, including Haloti Ngata, returned to practice on Thursday . … Houston Texans running back Arian Foster has a lot of admiration for Ray Rice . … The Ravens would benefit if Texans cornerback Johnathan Joseph misses Sunday's game . RAVENS STUFF, BUT NOT FROM US Is Ray Lewis the best defensive player of all time ?

After the havoc Vince Wilfork had wreaked in last January's AFC championship game, the Ravens paid a good amount of attention to the massive defensive tackle, who looks much larger than his listed size of 6 feet, 2 inches and 325 pounds. That scrutiny paid off as Wilfork made four tackles but didn't generate much else in the Ravens' 31-30 win against the New England Patriots Sunday night at M&T Bank Stadium. Center Matt Birk, who matched up with Wilfork frequently, said he and guards Marshal Yanda and Ramon Harewood - who make up the interior portion of the offensive line - simply worked hard to make sure that Wilfork was accounted for. “He's a great player.