8:32 p.m. – Ealy’s dismissal from the New Orleans Saints stems from an arrest back in May. You can read about it here.
5:57 p.m. – If you’re on the WNST text service, you just learned the Ravens have signed wide receiver Biren Ealy. Having only one career catch, I’m not sure Ealy would be the signing to “replace” Drew Bennett, but he is another warm body here in Westminster.
Ealy played his college football at Houston and played four games with the Tennessee Titans in 2007.
5:42 p.m. – Willis McGahee just walked into the lobby of the Best Western, joining veterans Samari Rolle, Adam Terry, and Antwan Barnes among the select veterans reporting today.
McGahee looks to be in good shape, but we’ll get our first look at the former Hurricane tomorrow morning on the field.
He was second behind Ray Rice on the depth chart during OTAs, as he was recovering from offseason knee surgery.
As I type this, I just saw Kellly Gregg walk through the door.
5:14 p.m. – Lardarius Webb is really excited to get going and says that the sore hamstring that plagued him during OTAs is now 100 percent.
He mentioned how much he’s learned from just observing Ed Reed—his hero growing up—and how he’s looking forward to playing with him.
4:01 p.m. – Ozzie Newsome was overheard in the hotel lobby shooting down any chance of Michael Vick becoming a Raven.
“We have a quarterback,” he said. “We have three quarterbacks.”
3:17 p.m. – The John Harbaugh press conference was very brief. It will be available in the WNST audio vault shortly.
* Harbaugh described Bennett’s condition as an “arthritic” knee. The veteran receiver just didn’t think he could do it anymore.
* There are some “irons in the fire” regarding the wide receiver position. Harbaugh said the Ravens would be adding a receiver but did not name anyone specifically, speculating that it could be a veteran or a young player.
* Regarding Michael Oher’s contract status, he said the rookie right tackle wants to be in camp on time but understands his agent needs to get the best deal possible for him. Harbaugh pointed out that very few first round picks have signed contracts and how the slotting process delays negotiations.
The deal should happen “pretty soon” according to Harbaugh.
* Harbaugh insists that Quinn Sypniewski—waived earlier today—is still in the team’s plans, but the organization could not afford to keep him on the 80-man training camp roster.
The surgery on Sypniewski’s injured knee did not work last season, and he is recovering from another procedure.
* Harbaugh said the team would make decisions on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list tomorrow but would not disclose any players who would be on the list.
2:20 p.m. – I just spoke to third-round pick Lardarius Webb, and he’s very excited to finally be at training camp. He actually spent the last month here in Baltimore, continuing to train and work out at the Ravens’ facility.
2:10 p.m. – If you’re looking for another person who isn’t sure of Derrick Mason’s status for this season, look no further than his quarterback Joe Flacco.
Flacco today said he spoke to Mason last week, and the 35-year-old receiver did not “sound too sure” about the prospects of returning to the Ravens.
I’m sure we’ll hear more about the Mason situation this afternoon when Harbaugh speaks to the media.
1:48 p.m. – The news of Quinn Sypniewski being waived is not very surprising given the state of his surgically-repaired knee that cost him the entire 2008 season. The young tight end had experienced some setbacks this offseason in getting the knee back into football shape.
With Todd Heap, L.J. Smith, Edgar Jones, and rookie Davon Drew in the fold, the Ravens have plenty of capable tight ends to compete this summer.
1:12 p.m. – Other players making their way to Westminster include Paul Kruger, Jason Phillips, Jason Cook, and Graham Gano—who was sporting a new buzz cut.
I had the chance to talk to Gano about his battle with Steve Hauschka for the kicking job. He’s confident and says he’s kicking better than he ever has right now. The interview is available in the WNST audio vault.
12:06 p.m. – I just had the chance to chat with John Harbaugh in the lobby. He will make his official statement about Drew Bennett at 3:00 p.m., but he was surprised to hear about the veteran receiver’s retirement.
Bennett’s decision seems to be completely about the poor health of his knee.
Harbaugh confirmed that he met face-to-face with Derrick Mason last week. There had been some confusion in the media over whether their discussion was over the phone or in person.
11:47 a.m. – The players are starting to trickle in slowly. I just spoke to sixth-round pick and running back Cedric Peerman. He’s refreshed and ready to go for his first training camp as an NFL player.
Antwan Barnes has also walked through the lobby, the first “select” veteran to make an appearance.
10:59 a.m. – I’m here at the Best Western in Westminster, waiting for the Ravens rookies, quarterbacks, and select veterans to report for training camp here at McDaniel College.
It’s been a very quiet morning with the only noteworthy appearance being made by assistant head coach and special teams coordinator Jerry Rosburg, walking through the lobby.
The news on everyone’s mind is obviously the surprising retirement of veteran wide receiver Drew Bennett two days after signing a contract with the Ravens. The announcement leaves the Ravens exactly where they were two weeks ago when Derrick Mason announced his own retirement.
John Harbaugh will speak to the media at 3:00 p.m., and the wide receiver position will surely be the hot topic of discussion.
Will the Ravens now turn their efforts toward D.J. Hackett? The former Seahawk and Panther was among four receivers who tried out on Friday—along with Bennett, former Lion Chris Hannon, and rookie Justin Brown.
Hackett was also scheduled to try out back in May along with Kelley Washington, Jerry Porter, and Tab Perry but chose to try out with the Houston Texans instead. The Ravens decided to go with Washington.
Hackett’s best season came with Seattle in 2006 when he caught 45 balls for 610 yards and four touchdowns
