OWINGS MILLS, Md. (AP) -It was just about this time a year ago that John Harbaugh was preparing to run his first training camp as an NFL head coach.
The Baltimore Ravens had no idea what to expect from their new leader, although they figured two-a-day drills would be far more difficult than under former coach Brian Billick.
They were right. Nothing came easy for the Ravens last summer, but those lengthy practice sessions produced a gritty team that would go 11-5 and get within a victory of playing in the Super Bowl.
As Baltimore prepares for its second training camp under Harbaugh, the players and their fastidious coach are much more at ease with each other. There will be no surprises Tuesday when the Ravens gather for practice at McDaniel College in Westminster, Md.
to happen next. But that being behind us, I think that’s probably one of the biggest differences.”
There are some new faces this time, including a new defensive coordinator, and some old ones who are missing, including Matt Stover. But the starting quarterback position is set, which should add to a more settled feeling.
When Baltimore’s 2008 training camp began, Kyle Boller and Troy Smith were vying for the starting spot and top draft pick Joe Flacco was expected to learn his trade as a third-stringer. Flacco ended up starting all 16 games as a rookie, took the Ravens all the way to the AFC championship game, and now stands alone atop the depth chart ahead of Smith and free agent pickup John Beck.
“You would hope we are a better football team because our first-year quarterback is now a second-year quarterback,” Ravens general manager Ozzie Newsome said. “Probably the most important person on the field is your quarterback, and from what I’ve seen on the field, Joe is better. Hopefully that will translate into the preseason and regular season.”
The only competition at quarterback will be determining who will serve as Flacco’s backup.
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The most intriguing competition will be the one at place-kicker. Stover, the only kicker the Ravens have had since their arrival from Cleveland in 1996, was not re-signed. So Steve Hauschka will vie against Graham Gano in a duel that could last until the final preseason game.
Several other positions remain unresolved. Will the starting right tackle be Adam Terry or top draft pick Michael Oher? Can Samari Rolle press newcomer Domonique Foxworth and Fabian Washington for a starting slot at cornerback? Can L.J. Smith displace Todd Heap at tight end?
The Ravens might need a wide receiver to replace Derrick Mason, who announced his retirement earlier this month, but may be experiencing second thoughts. At this point, the wideouts include Mark Clayton, Demetrius Williams and little else.
Fantasy football enthusiasts will have to wait before picking a Baltimore running back. Le’Ron McClain scored 11 touchdowns last season, but the departure of fullback Lorenzo Neal means the 260-pound McClain will spend time clearing holes for Willis McGahee and Ray Rice.
“Can Willis fend off these two young guys? I don’t think anybody’s on top of the depth chart,” Harbaugh said.
Unlike last year, the Ravens won’t have to wait for franchise player Terrell Suggs to stroll into camp in late August. Suggs shed the franchise tag this month by signing a six-year contract, so he’s expected to arrive with the rest of the veterans on Wednesday.
“The only thing about training camp is it brings you back closer with your teammates,” Suggs said. “Last year I missed that. To finally get back in training camp in the hot summer days, with all the fans looking, it’s going to be interesting.”
Long known for their defense, the Ravens will have to adjust to the departure of coordinator Rex Ryan, who became head coach of the New York Jets (where linebacker Bart Scott signed). Ryan was replaced by Greg Mattison, who served as linebackers coach last year.
“Greg has to make sure it’s an effective transition. I think he has,” Harbaugh said. “Greg has a chance to make this defense even better than it’s been. That’s what our players want, too.”
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