Training Camp

Jonathan Ogden hopped on a plane in Los Angeles late Monday night, made it here early yesterday, signed a contract that made him a rich man, then went to bed during the first training-camp practice in Ravens history.By noon, the team's top draft pick was smiling, though looking a little groggy, and sounding eager to put on some pads, which he donned for his first practice at Western Maryland College yesterday afternoon.Ogden, 6 feet 8 and 320 pounds, was by far the biggest and most expensive rookie on the field.

Purple, black and gold will be the prevailing colors in Westminster during the next three weeks as the Baltimore Ravens football team converges for its annual training camp at McDaniel College. With the city's 11th temporary transformation into Ravenstown, staffers with the college, the Ravens and local businesses prepared for an influx that county officials estimate could amount to as many as 100,000 visitors. "It's always nice to give the fans a good experience out here," said Brian Kasabula, fan development coordinator for the Ravens.

Purple, black and gold will be the prevailing colors in Westminster during the next three weeks as the Baltimore Ravens football team converges for its annual training camp at McDaniel College. With the city's 11th temporary transformation into Ravenstown, staffers with the college, the Ravens and local businesses prepared for an influx that county officials estimate could amount to as many as 100,000 visitors. "It's always nice to give the fans a good experience out here," said Brian Kasabula, fan development coordinator for the Ravens.

When the new-look Ravens open minicamp in two weeks, they will welcome back a familiar face. Running back Jamal Lewis will return to the practice field for the first time since suffering a season-ending knee injury on Aug. 8. The Ravens' leading rusher during their Super Bowl championship run in 2000, Lewis is expected to participate in the non-contact camp that runs from April 26 to April 28. "Everybody's anxious to see him actually out there," Ravens...

Atiyyah Ellison was an early free-agent pickup for the Ravens last season, and the defensive tackle was on the team's active roster in December before being placed on injured reserve with a torn labrum in his left shoulder. Ellison was the first player to report to Ravens training camp on Sunday. What drove you to report to training camp at 9:30 a.m. when you didn't have to be there until 4 p.m.? My son [who will be 2 on Aug. 23] actually woke me up at 7, so I was up anyway. So I figured I may as well just come and get my stuff so I wouldn't have to worry about it. Describe your comfort level at your first training camp in defensive coordinator Rex Ryan's system.

The Ravens will place Jonathan Ogden on the physically-unable-to-perform list when they report to training camp Sunday, but team officials said the 10-time Pro Bowl offensive tackle should be ready to play by the regular-season opener. Ogden hyperextended the big toe on his left foot against the Cleveland Browns on Dec. 17 and did not participate in any offseason minicamps with the team. Coach Brian Billick said Ogden will remain on the PUP list for an "indeterminate amount of time," although the Ravens knew this would be the plan for Ogden since the end of last season.

When the Ravens begin their only mandatory minicamp today, there will be a noticeable absence on the field, although it is hardly a surprise anymore. As he's been for most of his injury-marred career, linebacker Dan Cody will be sidelined with a knee injury. During a non-contact pass-rush drill May 20, Cody hyperextended his right knee and tore a piece of cartilage about the size of a thumbnail. It was his third knee injury since being drafted in the second round 26 months ago and likely will cause him to miss the final two offseason minicamps.

One by one, the Ravens reported to training camp yesterday, hauling their luggage into the team hotel. But that was the only baggage the team was carrying into camp this year. For the first time since the Ravens were reigning Super Bowl champions, they face no major distractions upon their arrival at McDaniel College. "The last time I felt this good going into a season was 2001," said coach Brian Billick, who begins his ninth camp with the Ravens. "You say that with your fingers crossed."

The Ravens haven't just uncovered a sleeper talent at training camp. They've discovered a sleeping giant. Ravens training camp Through Aug. 18, McDaniel College, Westminster Today: 8:15 a.m. to 10:35 a.m.; 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. Online: baltimoresun.com/ravenscentral

Going into training camp with the Ravens last month, defensive tackle Dwan Edwards was admittedly a little restless. His playing time had not significantly increased in his first three seasons, and his production, if anything, had dropped the past two years. "Definitely I get impatient. A player wants to play. I'm harder on myself than any coach can be on me," Edwards said this week. "I put a lot on my shoulders. I just use it as motivation when I'm not playing. I think it's going to pay off for me this year."

Tony Fein, an Iraq war veteran who played for the Baltimore Ravens in the preseason and was arrested in a high-profile incident at the Inner Harbor, was found dead Tuesday in his home state of Washington, officials said. The 27-year-old linebacker was discovered face down and unconscious in the living room of a friend's townhouse in Port Orchard about 8:50 a.m., according to Mike Wernet, a battalion chief and medical officer for South Kitsap Fire and Rescue. Fein had vomited and was pronounced dead an hour later at a hospital, Wernet said.

Hours before he makes his way to M&T Bank Stadium for the Ravens' season opener against the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday, Michael Oher will experience something he hasn't felt since he was a precocious freshman trying to find his place at Mississippi. A slight case of the nerves. "I'm pretty sure I'll be a little nervous," Oher said. "But after I get out there on the field, I'll be great." It's about the only concession the Ravens' first-round pick is willing to make. Just five months removed from April's draft, Oher declines to give in to the pressure that might normally squeeze a 23-year-old about to make his first career start.

Et cetera Lewis survives Browns cut; Steelers let Redman go Former Ravens running back Jamal Lewis, who was believed to be in danger of not making the team's opening-week roster, survived the Cleveland Browns' final cuts Saturday. An impressive training camp by rookie James Davis and Lewis' average of just 2.6 yards on 24 carries during the NFL preseason fueled speculation that Lewis, 30, who has eclipsed 10,000 career yards, might be among the players dropped. "Jamal has lot to contribute, and I'm looking forward to seeing him as we go through the season," Eric Mangini, the team's first-year coach, said.

Ravens Pro Bowl outside linebacker Terrell Suggs said he wasn't talking until he started playing. He started playing again Thursday night against the Atlanta Falcons. And now, he's talking. "My goal right now is to get me some Lombardi," Suggs said of the Vince Lombardi Trophy, awarded to the Super Bowl winner. "I've accomplished just about everything there is to accomplish individually. Now it's time for us to get over the hump and get some Lombardi." If you thought there was going to be significant rust on Suggs after nearly a month's layoff because of a leg injury, those concerns were eased against the Falcons.

As tight end Todd Heap was hauling in passes against the Carolina Panthers on Saturday night, some members of the Ravens organization were dreaming of the past, and hoping for the future. If only Heap can play like this during the 2009 season ... "I don't know if it would end the talk about not having a big-name receiver, but maybe it would cut down on the talk," Ravens coach John Harbaugh said. "But it gives you another playmaker in the mix. We can spread the ball around pretty well, and [quarterback Joe Flacco]

When training camp broke a year ago, the Ravens barely knew their head coach, much less their starting quarterback. Now, after three weeks of scorching heat and hard-hitting practices, the team ends training camp today with a firm grasp of its identity and goal. "We got our eye on something, and everybody sees that," linebacker Ray Lewis said. "When one guy wants to take a day off from practice, there's 10 to 15 guys picking him up and saying you can't. The vibe is different this year because everybody has this taste in their mouth."

News item:: The Ravens break camp today and return to their Owings Mills training facility after 27 days of workouts at McDaniel College in Westminster. My take: : Am I the only one who's going to miss the Best Western Hotel and all that crazy Carroll County nightlife? News item:: Popular former defensive coordinator Rex Ryan returns to Baltimore for Monday night's preseason game between the Ravens and New York Jets at M&T Bank Stadium, just days after criticizing his old team for giving Michael McCrary's No. 99 to rookie Paul Kruger.

When the Ravens break training camp Saturday morning, they will have spent 27 days at McDaniel College in Westminster trying to figure out this team. They've learned quite a lot, and certainly they know more than when they started in late July. Because of their overall depth, the Ravens seem ready to make a second consecutive run deep into the postseason. Team chemistry is at an all-time high, except for the second half of the 2000 season, when the Ravens won the Super Bowl. But before NFL commissioner Roger Goodell hands owner Steve Bisciotti the Lombardi Trophy, the Ravens still have some major holes to fill.

He was a wing-T quarterback in high school, a shortstop in minor league baseball and a special teams ace with the New England Patriots. Now Kelley Washington is trying to reinvent himself again in Baltimore. At a time when the Ravens' need at wide receiver is acute, Washington arrives with a curious but promising resume. What do you make of a guy who spent four years in the Florida Marlins' farm system, then quit to play big-time college football at the age of 21? And which player are the Ravens getting: the wide receiver who seemingly went downhill in four seasons with the Cincinnati Bengals or the dedicated special-teamer who became the first Patriot to block a punt in eight years?

The Ravens have so much depth at linebacker that the competition for a backup position is just as intense as for earning a starting spot. It has gotten fierce on the inside, where second-year player Tavares Gooden appears to be a starter but is being challenged by Jameel McClain, also in his second year, and rookie free-agent linebacker Dannell Ellerbe. There is one other linebacker. His name is Prescott Burgess. In his third year out of Michigan, the 6-foot-3, 247-pound Burgess has played well running with both the first and second teams at various times at inside and outside linebacker.