Ravens begin 2016 voluntary offseason workout program

Photo courtesy of the Baltimore Ravens
Taking another step toward putting a difficult 2015 season behind them, the Ravens opened their voluntary offseason workout program in Owings Mills on Monday.
The opening phase of the nine-week program lasts two weeks and is limited to strength and conditioning work as well as physical rehabilitation. Coaches are not permitted to lead players in on-field workouts during this first part of the offseason program.
This part of the offseason program is strictly voluntary, but most players beyond select veterans are expected to attend regularly.
The Ravens will provide media access on Tuesday, but photos and video released by the team showed a large number of players in attendance on the first day including three-time Pro Bowl safety and veteran newcomer Eric Weddle, newly-signed running back Trent Richardson, quarterbacks Joe Flacco and Ryan Mallett, wide receiver Breshad Perriman, defensive backs Jimmy Smith, Matt Elam, Terrence Brooks and Kendrick Lewis, linebackers Za’Darius Smith and Arthur Brown, fullback Kyle Juszczyk, and tight ends Crockett Gillmore, Maxx Williams and Dennis Pitta.
A video also showed Perriman taking part in running drills, a positive sign for his still-unclear status after he missed his entire rookie season with a partially-torn posterior cruciate ligament in his right knee.
The second phase of the program lasts three weeks and consists of on-field workouts that may include individual player instruction and drills as well as team practice as long as the offense and defense do not work against each other. No live contact is permitted.
The final phase of the program lasts four weeks and permits teams to conduct a total of 10 days of organized team practice activity (OTAs), which are voluntary. No live contact is permitted, but teams may conduct 7-on-7, 9-on-7, and 11-on-11 drills.
Teams are also allowed to hold one mandatory minicamp for all veteran players during that final phase of the offseason program.
Earlier this month, the NFL released the following dates for the Ravens’ OTA and mandatory minicamp schedule, but these have later been adjusted in the past:
First day of voluntary workouts: April 18
OTA offseason workouts: May 24-26, June 1-3, June 6-9
Mandatory minicamp: June 14-16