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Ravens more interested to see banged-up Upshaw in game situations

Luke Jones

The Ravens continued to be without rookie linebacker Courtney Upshaw Thursday as the top draft pick recovers from a shoulder injury. The 35th overall pick has missed four straight practices after sustaining a shoulder injury in Saturday’s workout. Upshaw appeared to suffer a stinger in a collision with rookie running back Bernard Pierece, but the 272-pound linebacker finished practice. Though the Ravens want to see Upshaw return to action as he’s expected to be the starting strongside linebacker, they aren’t concerned as long as the 22-year-old is ready to play in preseason games, starting with the opener in Atlanta next Thursday. “I’ll start getting worried if it’s halfway through the preseason,” defensive coordinator Dean Pees said. “What we just need to do is get him out there, especially in some preseason games, and have him hit, get hit, and actually play. It’s one thing to go out and practice. There’s different situations here in practice that are just not the same as game-type tempo and game-type situations, and that’s why we need to get him out there. I’m not too concerned, yet, until if we get down the road and he’s not playing any games. Then I will be concerned.”

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

Arizona claims Orioles pitcher Bergesen off waivers

Luke Jones

After being designated for assignment for the second time this season earlier this week, Orioles pitcher Brad Bergesen has found a new baseball home in Arizona. As first reported by Kevin Goldstein of Baseball Prospectus, the Diamondbacks claimed the right-handed pitcher on waivers after Bergesen was removed from Baltimore’s roster on Wednesday to make room for starting pitcher Tommy Hunter. The Orioles hoped Bergesen would clear waivers like he did back in May, but the Diamondbacks will place him on their 40-man roster. Pitching for Triple-A Norfolk this season, Bergesen was 4-3 with a 4.03 earned run average and one save in 22 games that included 10 starts. He allowed 90 hits, struck out 41, and walked 23 in 80 1/3 innings. The 26-year-old did not appear in a game for the Orioles this season. Bergesen’s best season for the Orioles came in 2009 when he went 7-5 with a 3.43 ERA in 19 starts as a rookie. However, a line drive off the bat of Kansas City’s Billy Butler struck the pitcher’s shin on July 30 of that season, ending his rookie campaign. That incident coupled with an offseason shoulder injury led to little success the next two seasons

Orioles officially recall Britton, add Bergesen for bullpen help

Luke Jones

The revolving roster door swung open again Tuesday as the Orioles officially recalled left-handed pitcher Zach Britton and purchased the contract of right-hander Brad Bergesen to add a fresh arm to a weary bullpen prior to the second of a four-game set with the Minnesota Twins. Right-hander reliever Miguel Socolovich was optioned to Triple-A Norfolk and second baseman Robert Andino was placed on the 15-day disabled list after Monday’s MRI revealed the infielder would miss at least three weeks with a left shoulder injury. To clear room for Bergesen on the 40-man roster, designated hitter Nick Johnson (right wrist) was moved to the 60-day disabled list. Britton’s 2012 debut came much later than anyone expected after the 24-year-old opened the season on the disabled list with a nerve impingement in his left shoulder. Upon being activated on June 6, the left-hander was optioned to Triple-A Norfolk where the Orioles wanted to see him continue to build arm strength as well as work on commanding his breaking pitches better. In eight starts with the Tides, Britton was 4-1 with a 4.15 earned run average over 47 2/3 innings. In his final tuneup in Triple A on July 12, he pitched seven

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