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Ravens

Rookie kicker Tucker continues to impress in kicking competition

Luke Jones

Though the Ravens have several position battles to sort out during the preseason, none have drawn more attention than the competition between veteran kicker Billy Cundiff and rookie Justin Tucker. The two appeared even over the first few full-squad practices, but Tucker appears to have gained a slight edge after outperforming Cundiff on Tuesday and completing a perfect 6-for-6 showing during Wednesday’s practice. The Texas product connected on a 55-yarder and made two field goals in late-game scenarios created by the coaching staff. Cundiff was 5-for-6 on Wednesday, also making a 55-yard attempt but missing one from 43 yards out. As expected, responses via social media have been loud with any Cundiff miss and strong showings by the rookie kicker, as most fans haven’t forgotten the incumbent’s 32-yard miss in the closing seconds of the AFC Championship that would have sent the game to overtime. However, their performance in practice is only one piece of a puzzle that will also include four preseason games and the edge in experience Cundiff enjoys — good or bad — over the rookie, who has yet to make as much as an extra point at the professional level. “We put weight on everything,” coach

Ravens add veteran TE Bajema

Luke Jones

Needing to add depth after the loss of Dennis Pitta for the remainder of the preseason with a broken hand, the Ravens announced the signing of veteran tight end Billy Bajema to the 90-man preseason roster. Entering his eighth season, the 29-year-old made 12 starts and played in all 16 games for the St. Louis Rams last season. He caught nine passes for 71 yards and is regarded as a blocking tight end. With 2009 fifth-round pick Davon Drew and rookies Bruce Figgins and Matt Balasavage the only healthy tight ends on the roster behind starter Ed Dickson, Bajema brings a veteran presence and could potentially compete with Drew for the No. 3 tight end job. Of course, that’s assuming the Ravens elect to keep three tight ends when they trim the roster down to 53 at the beginning of September. Bajema’s best season came in 2010 when he made 14 receptions for 145 yards and caught two touchdowns. He spent four seasons in San Francisco before playing the last three with the Rams, accumulating 38 catches for 398 yards and two receiving touchdowns. He was a seventh-round pick from Oklahoma State in the 2005 draft. In a corresponding move,

Birk to receive frequent days off; no change in McKinnie's status

Luke Jones

OWINGS MILLS, Md. — The Ravens continued to deal with absences on both the offensive and defensive lines as they took the practice field on Tuesday. In addition to left tackle Bryant McKinnie — who continues to be held out of practice with a lower back injury and hasn’t taken the team’s conditioning test — center Matt Birk was given off practice for the second straight day. Entering his 15th season, the 36-year-old will receive frequent rest throughout the preseason in a move that will allow the Ravens to further evaluate rookie Gino Gradkowski and young interior lineman Justin Boren. “Matt is at a stage of his career where probably he’s going to practice less than he’s not going to practice,” coach John Harbaugh said. “I think that would be the best thing for Matt getting ready to go.” Offensive lineman Jah Reid (calf) continues to be held out of practice while he’s on the active physically unable to perform list. On the defensive line, the Ravens continue to be without All-Pro lineman Haloti Ngata (hamstring) and defensive end Pernell McPhee (knee), but veteran defensive tackle Ma’ake Kemoeatu joined them as a non-participant as he was given a day off

Ravens waive FB Berryhill, add WR Payne

Luke Jones

On the morning of their first full-squad workout, the Ravens have signed wide receiver Logan Payne to add more depth for training camp. Payne started two games for the Seattle Seahawks in 2008, making three catches for 39 yards. He hasn’t played in an NFL game since then. The 6-foot-2, 205-pound wideout has spent time with Detroit, Kansas City, Minnesota, and the New York Jets, landing on practice squads and offseason rosters but never being able to stick in one place. To clear room on the 90-man preseason roster, fullback Jamison Berryhill was waived. The undrafted free agent from Texas was released by the Ravens in May before being re-signed a few days later.

Ravens add former Bills guard Howard

Luke Jones

OWINGS MILLS, Md. — The roster additions kept coming Wednesday afternoon as the Ravens added former Buffalo guard Cord Howard to build depth along the offensive line at the start of training camp. An undrafted free agent from Georgia Tech in 2010, Howard spent his rookie season in Buffalo before spending last season on injured reserve with a shoulder injury. He played in 10 games and started four for the Bills during his rookie season. The 6-foor-4, 314-pound guard is likely a depth move for training camp as the Ravens now have the maximum 90 players on their preseason roster. Howard joins linebackers Ricky Brown and Darryl Blackstock as roster additions on the eve of the first full-squad workout scheduled to take place on Thursday afternoon.

Veteran linebacker Blackstock joins Ravens

Luke Jones

OWINGS MILLS, Md. — Adding their second 2011 member of the Oakland Raiders on Wednesday, the Ravens signed veteran linebacker Darryl Blackstock to add more depth to the position for training camp. Reported by Scout.com, the 29-year-old is entering his sixth season and has collected 84 tackles and four sacks in his career playing with Oakland, Cincinnati, and Arizona. He was a third-round selection of the Cardinals in the 2005 draft. Blackstock spent 2010 in the UFL before playing in Oakland last season. He appeared in 16 games and made one start, making 20 tackles for the Raiders. Earlier on Wednesday, the Ravens signed linebacker Ricky Brown, who played the last five seasons in Oakland.

No changes to PUP list as veterans report to Owings Mills facility

Luke Jones

OWINGS MILLS, Md. — As notable veterans such as Ed Reed, Ray Rice, and Anquan Boldin reported to the Ravens’ training facility on Wednesday morning, Baltimore conducted its final practice consisting only of quarterbacks, rookies, and select veterans coming off injuries. Players didn’t wear helmets in what amounted to little more than a walk-through that lasted less than two hours. Only two linebackers — rookies Courtney Upshaw and Nigel Carr — were required to report early, meaning other players such as defensive tackle Bryan Hall had to fill in at linebacker during the 11-on-11 team portion. There were no changes in attendance to what media saw on Tuesday as defensive end Pernell McPhee (knee surgery), offensive linemen Kelechi Osemele (back spasms) and Jah Reid (calf strain), and wide receiver David Reed (ACL surgery) did not participate in practice. All four players remain on the active physically unable to perform list. Linebacker Terrell Suggs (Achilles tendon surgery) remains on the non-football injury list as he continues to rehab his injury. Reid watched practice while searing a sleeve on his right calf, as coach John Harbaugh revealed Tuesday that the second-year lineman suffered a setback in rehabbing the calf after he was

Ravens add veteran linebacker Ricky Brown

Luke Jones

OWINGS MILLS, Md. — As veterans trickled into the Owings Mills training facility to begin training camp, the Ravens have added an experienced linebacker by signing Ricky Brown. The 28-year-old spent the last six seasons with the Oakland Raiders, playing in 58 games and making 13 starts. Brown is expected to contribute on special teams while adding depth at the linebacker position. An undrafted free agent from Boston College in 2006, Brown spent a brief time with the New England Patriots last preseason before he was released in early September. He then re-signed with Oakland and spent most of last season on injured reserve while dealing with a concussion, playing in only three games. Brown has made 102 tackles and forced three fumbles in his six-year career.

Ravens adding another veteran to left guard mix?

Luke Jones

With the Ravens set to hold their first training camp practice for rookies, quarterbacks, and injured veterans on Tuesday, they may be adding another veteran to their highly-contested left guard competition. Former Bengals and Browns guard Eric Steinbach will work out for the Ravens on Tuesday as first reported by CBS Sports. The Ravens opened a spot on their training camp roster Monday by releasing guard Howard Barbieri. The 32-year-old Steinbach missed the entire 2011 season after undergoing back surgery and was due to make $6 million this season before he was released by Cleveland in March. While questions remain about his health at this stage in his career, Steinbach played in all but three games over his first eight years in the NFL with Cincinnati and Cleveland before last season’s back injury. “Eric’s a great player,” said Ravens right guard Marshal Yanda about his fellow Iowa alum. “If he’s healthy, you never know. We’ll see what happens.” If Steinbach’s workout goes well, he could join veteran Bobbie Williams and younger offensive linemen Kelechi Osemele and Jah Reid in a competition for the left guard position. The Ravens lost Pro Bowl guard Ben Grubbs in free agency and were unable

Ravens offensive lineman Reid appears OK after being carted off field Thursday

Luke Jones

Aside from the off-field headline of safety Ed Reed skipping this week’s mandatory minicamp, the most concerning moment of the week came Thursday when offensive tackle Jah Reid was carted off the field with an apparent right leg injury. While coach John Harbaugh wasn’t willing to offer an update on Reid following Thursday’s workout, early indications point to it only being a calf strain. Reid worked at right tackle this week while Michael Oher worked on the left side since starting left tackle Bryant McKinnie was being held out of on-field workouts for conditioning reasons. “Why are you even asking me?” said Harbaugh when asked about Reid’s condition. “They are fine, everybody is fine.” Reid was expected to compete with rookie Kelechi Osemele for the starting left guard job, but that plan is less certain after the Ravens signed veteran Bobbie Williams to a two-year contract last week. In his second season out of Central Florida, Reid could return to his natural tackle position as the primary backup behind McKinnie and Oher. Wide receiver Jacoby Jones missed practice on Thursday after he was sidelined during the latter portion of Wednesday’s workout with an apparent leg injury. Harbaugh said Jones would

Flacco, wife welcome first child into world

Luke Jones

Quarterback Joe Flacco can now add “father” to his list of accomplishments at the age of 27. His wife Dana has given birth to Stephen Flacco, an eight-pound boy, according to Flacco’s official Twitter account. The Ravens quarterback was excused from Wednesday’s mandatory minicamp workout to meet his wife in Philadelphia when she went into labor. Flacco is not expected back for the team’s final minicamp workout on Thursday afternoon. “The labor started and Joe was high-tailing up the road to Philly to be with Dana,” coach John Harbaugh said on Wednesday. “We wish them nothing but the best. They don’t know if it’s going to be a boy or a girl, so we’re all going to find out.” Dana Flacco’s due date was this Saturday as Joe had hoped the baby wouldn’t arrive until after the conclusion of minicamp this week.

Ravens sign former St. Louis center Tony Wragge as mandatory minicamp begins

Luke Jones

Conducting their mandatory minicamp this week, the Ravens have signed veteran interior lineman Tony Wragge to add depth along the offensive line. The 32-year-old started eight games for the St. Louis Rams last season after spending the previous five years in San Francisco. Wragged has played in 82 games over his eight-year career, starting 23. An undrafted free agent from New Mexico State in 2002, Wragge began his career with the Arizona Cardinals by bouncing between the active roster and the practice squad before being released in 2004. He played in the Arena Football League with the Los Angeles Avengers in 2005 before joining the 49ers a year later. Wragge started the Rams’ final eight games of the season last year, assuming a starting role in Week 10. To create room on the 90-man off-season roster, the Ravens waived defensive lineman Elliott Henigan.

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