“I’m getting close and just working hard and trying to support the guys,” Birk said after practice.
Check back right here for more updates throughout the day and check out the BuyAToyota.com Audio Vault to hear Trevor Pryce’s conversation with Thyrl Nelson after practice as well as comments from John Harbaugh, Roger Goodell, Matt Birk, and Michael Oher.
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3:40 p.m. — The hour-long special teams practice has wrapped up with just a few notes to share.
Cornerback Lardarius Webb was doing some agility drills on his own throughout the first half of practice. Still on the PUP list after an ACL injury late last season, Webb wore a brace on his right knee while performing a variety of drills that included backpedaling and lateral movements.
Injured cornerback K.J Gerard (hamstring) was also doing conditioning work during the special teams workout.
Special teams coordinator Jerry Rosburg focused on punt-related activity throughout the session with the players using trash cans, volleyballs, and towels to work on their punt blocking technique. Yes, it looks as silly as it sounds, but there’s a method to the madness.
Tom Zbikowski, Mark Clayton, and Donte’ Stallworth all took turns fielding punts in the afternoon.
Another interesting note from the afternoon practice was the near 20-minute discussion between John Harbaugh and receiver Demetrius Williams this afternoon. It’s no secret Williams has an uphill battle to make the 53-man roster, especially when you consider his lack of involvement with special teams throughout his career.
At this point, the fragile Williams will need a very strong preseason or a new-found interest in special teams to make the team. Of course, an injury to another member of the receiving corps would change things dramatically.
1:30 p.m. — For those salivating for an update on the status of Ed Reed, John Harbaugh offered his thoughts on the injured safety who is still on the PUP list after having offseason hip surgery. While there is no timetable for his return to the practice field, Harbaugh likes what he’s seen from Reed’s activity.
“I like what I see when I see him working,” Harbaugh said. “I think he’s excited. He talked to the defense at length yesterday about some things, so he’s into it. But it looks like he’s progressing in his drills.”
12:50 p.m. — John Harbaugh provided an update on rookie Sergio Kindle after he finished at the podium with the media. The injured linebacker will be moved to a rehab hospital as he continues to recover from a fractured skull that was sustained in a fall down two flights of stairs at a friend’s house in Austin, Texas nearly two weeks ago.
The Ravens coach said Kindle is doing much better and is in good spirits after speaking to him on the phone Tuesday night.
With Derrick Mason sitting out practice, Mark Clayton took his plate with the first-team offense. The move makes sense as Donte’ Stallworth could stay at his regular spot in three-wide sets.
Unlike Tuesday, Michael Oher received a majority of the reps at left tackle with Jared Gaither playing on the right side. Linebacker Jameel McClain continues to line up next to Ray Lewis almost exclusively with the first-team defense as Tavares Gooden and Dannell Ellerbe trail o the depth chart.
