Training Camp

OFFENSE EXECUTES: The first offense fared well in full-team and two-minute exercises against the defense. In the two-minute drill, quarterback Joe Flacco hit tight end Ed Dickson for a 30-yard touchdown that capped a seven-play drive that left more than 15 seconds on the clock. In the full-team exercise, the offense finished one possession with a Billy Cundiff 24-yard field goal and another with a Flacco-to-Dennis Pitta 9-yard touchdown . TUCKER CONVERTS 57-YARDER: Rookie kicker Justin Tucker converted all eight of his field-goal attempts, including a line drive 57 yarder that cleared the crossbar with a few yards to spare.

As a rookie Courtney Upshaw is bound to make mistakes. But if the Ravens rookie outside linebacker erred in his first practice of training camp Thursday, inside linebacker Jameel McClain didn't notice. “I think there were [a few] mistakes out there for everybody at some point, but he didn't really make any glaring rookie mistakes because he was always on his P's and Q's,” McClain said. “He knew where he had to go, and he got there and he got his job done.” That approval brought a smile to Upshaw's face, but in a sign that he understands his role as a rookie, Upshaw quickly downplayed the compliment.

A half hour into the first full-squad practice of training camp, there is no sign of Pro Bowl defensive tackle Haloti Ngata or offensive tackle Bryant McKinnie. Of course, we will let you know if that should change. And we'll try to get an explanation from Ravens head coach John Harbaugh when practice wraps up around 5 p.m. Also missing from practice were the few players on the physical unable to perform list, including defensive end Pernell McPhee, wide receiver David Reed, offensive tackle Jah Reid and outside linebacker Terrell Suggs.

The first full day of training camp is tomorrow and the two top battles are at defensive end and cornerback. At the end, it will be third-year player Arthur Jones against second-year player Pernell McPhee. Jones is a bigger body and better at stopping the run, but McPhee is a better pass rusher registering six sacks as a rookie last season. McPhee, though, will be slowed by the knee injury and Jones had a strong offseason. He has improved his physical conditioning and appears to have the lead over McPhee as far as replacing former starter Cory Redding, now with the Indianapolis Colts.

After flirting with retirement for much of the offseason, Ravens safety Ed Reed reported to the Under Armour Performance Center this morning, quieting any talk that he might hold out of training camp. Reed arrived at training camp at approximately 10 a.m., walking through the player's entrance. He was carrying a baseball and a jug of water and he didn't interact with reporters as he entered the building. “For me, it was never a question if Ed was going to be at camp or not,” inside linebacker Ray Lewis said.

Wednesday evening, a leaner -- though not necessarily meaner -- Ray Lewis stepped outside of the Under Armour Performance Center and strolled to a microphone stand surrounded by reporters and video cameras. The 37-year-old inside linebacker was noticeably lighter than he was at the end of last season, and his white polo shirt and dark slim-fitting jeans showed off the streamlined physique that Lewis spoke about last month. He said at the mandatory minicamp that the weight loss was calculated, a response to the Rob Gronkowskis and Aaron Hernandezes of the world and the high-scoring passing offenses that have taken over the league.

After an unpredictable Ravens' offseason that included a major injury to one of their best players, a slew or free agent exits and the threat of holdouts from two of their Pro Bowl performers, Ravens coach John Harbaugh greeted reporters Tuesday looking tanned, well-rested and relaxed. “It's been a good few weeks,” said Harbaugh, flashing a wide smile. The Ravens will hold their first full-team practice of training camp Thursday with plenty of question marks, but far fewer distractions than they were poised to have several weeks ago. Ray Rice, their best offensive player and one of the top all-purpose weapons in the NFL, was at the Under Armour Performance Center on Tuesday a week removed from getting a five-year contract extension that makes him one of the highest paid running backs in football.

On the eve of his 17th training camp with the Ravens, inside linebacker Ray Lewis said camp never gets old or boring for him. In fact, the 12-time Pro Bowler and certain Hall of Famer said he still feels like a rookie trying to carve out a niche for himself on the starting defense. “It can't get old because I'm fighting for a starting job,” Lewis said Monday evening during an appearance at the Reginald F. Lewis Museum in Baltimore where he announced a partnership between the United Athletes Foundation and accounting firm Baker Tilly.

Less than 24 hours before quarterbacks, rookies and players coming off injuries participate in their first practice of training camp, the Ravens made a roster move today, releasing guard Howard Barbieri. The Ravens signed Barbieri in January to a reserve/futures contract. He did not participate in the offseason team activities because of an undisclosed injury. Barbieri, 24, played his college ball at Rutgers. The 24-year-old was with the Houston Texans last year but has never played in an NFL game.

When the Ravens get together Thursday for their first full-team practice of training camp, Cary Williams knows exactly where he's going to be, and it's certainly not on the sideline with his helmet in hand.    “I plan on just going right out there with the guys,” said Williams who started all 18 games for the Ravens at cornerback last year and was one of the team's most pleasant surprises. “I don't expect to take any days off unless they tell me that's what I need to do. As far as I'm concerned, I'm full go.” Williams' status for training camp was initially in doubt after the 27-year-old underwent surgery in February to repair a torn labrum in his right hip, an injury that he sustained in a Week 10 loss to the Seattle Seahawks but played through for the rest of the season.