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Ravens acquire center A.Q. Shipley from Indianapolis

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Needing to fill their void at center, the Ravens have acquired A.Q. Shipley from the Indianapolis Colts to compete with second-year lineman Gino Gradkowski for the 2013 starting job.
General manager Ozzie Newsome will send a conditional pick in next yearโ€™s draft to the Colts in exchange for Shipley, who made five starts and appeared in 14 games during the 2012 season. The 6-foot-1, 309-pound lineman was a seventh-round pick of the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2009 and spent time on practice squads in Pittsburgh (2009) and Philadelphia (2010) before signing with Indianapolis last year.
Considering the Ravens invested a 2012 fourth-round pick in selecting Gradkowski, youโ€™d expect him to have the inside track in emerging as the retired Matt Birkโ€™s replacement. He appeared in 16 games during his rookie season, serving primarily on special teams and saw limited time at center.
Shipley would be the ideal fit for a role similar to the one held by veteran Andre Gurode in 2011 when he served as Birkโ€™s backup and filled in at both guard positions as well.
According to Pro Football Focus, Shipley earned a +6.9 grade in 476 offensive snaps last season. The Ravens drafted Colorado State-Pueblo lineman Ryan Jensen in the sixth round of last monthโ€™s draft to presumably offer some competition to Gradkowski, but the addition of Shipley diminishes the rookieโ€™s chances of making the 53-man roster.
Shipley was a four-year letterman at Penn State and was an All-America selection, Rimington Trophy winner, and Big Ten Offensive Lineman of the Year as a senior. He is a native of Moon Township, Pa. and attended Moon Area High School in Pittsburgh. 
The Ravens also announced Thursday morning that theyโ€™ve released rookie guard Jeff Braun, who played at West Virginia and attended Winters Mill High School in Westminster.

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