The Baltimore Ravens put Super Bowl XLVII behind them when they started their Organized Team Activities (OTAs) on Tuesday. The OTAs are voluntary and last up to two hours each day. Players do not wear full pads, but they wear helmets. Contact is allowed, but no full tackling.

The Ravens hope to answer some questions this week. Who will replace wide receiver Anquan Boldin, traded to the San Francisco 49ers this offseason? Torrey Smith and Jacoby Jones are the leading receivers, who will be No. 3? The Ravens have several prospects including LaQuan Williams, Tandon Doss, David Reed, Deonte Thompson and rookie Aaron Mellette. Who will stand out this week?

Baltimore Ravens Start OTAs This Week

They also need to replace linebackers Ray Lewis (retired) and Dannell Ellerbe (Miami Dolphins). They hoped to get a closer look at rookie Arthur Brown this week, but Brown had sports hernia surgery and will be out four to six weeks. He is expected to make a full recovery by the start of training camp in late July.

Two defensive players returned to practice this week after suffering injuries last season. Cornerback Lardarius Webb returned from a torn ACL and linebacker Jameel McClain returned from a spinal cord contusion.

Both were limited in practice, they participated in individual drills, but not full team drills. They are expected to return for training camp.

Head coach John Harbaugh is pleased with their progress:

“Very encouraged with Lardarius and Jameel really throughout [their recoveries],” Head Coach John Harbaugh said. “They’ve both done a great job with their rehab. They’ve had no setbacks, so we’re on schedule.”

The Ravens are encouraged with the new look defense this season. The NFL Network’s “Path to the Draft” asked if the new Ravens defense will be better, the answer was unanimously “Yes”.

Charley Casserly believes the run defense will be improved since they have better depth. Cary Williams replaced Webb while he was out, now Webb is back and he is better than Williams.

Who will play middle linebacker? This question will be answered before their first game on September 5.

The “Path to the Draft” believes that the Ravens will spread the leadership around; veteran players will step up and combine forces to lead the team and serve as role models for the rookies.

While the Ravens underwent many changes since winning the Super Bowl in February, there is a new sense of hope and excitement for the upcoming season. They had a successful draft; now we will get a better look at the new players.

I will miss the players who no longer sport the purple and black, but I am excited about their replacements. Change can be good; we’ll see what it can do for the Super Bowl champions.

Linebacker Rolando McClain retired from his three-year career in the National Football League today. The troubled McClain played for the Oakland Raiders before signing with the Baltimore Ravens on April 12.

Ten days after he signed with the Ravens he got himself into more hot water, he was arrested for disorderly conduct. He is due in court on July 9.

LB Rolando McClain Retires From NFL

That wasn’t his first arrest, he was arrested before, yet the Ravens were still willing to take a chance on him.

After his last arrest, the Ravens had not decided what to do with him, McClain’s decision made it easy for them; he was placed on the reserve/retired list.

During his short career with the Raiders he had 274 tackles and 6.5 sacks.

This is a sad story. McClain had so much potential, but his off-field antics made him a liability. He was skating on thin ice and now he needs to find work in another field. I hope he gets his life back on track and I wish him the best in his post NFL career.

The Baltimore Ravens beefed up their roster today. Fourth-year tight end Dennis Pitta signed his restricted free agent tender; his one year deal is worth $2.023 million.

Last season was the best of his career. During the regular season he caught 61 passes for 669 yards and seven touchdowns. In the playoffs he had 163 receiving yards and three touchdowns.

Baltimore Ravens Tight End Dennis Pitta

Pitta is one of quarterback Joe Flacco’s favorite targets; signing him helped offset the loss of wide receiver Anquan Boldin. Pitta is faster than Boldin and better at separating himself from defenders.

The Ravens also signed four undrafted free agents:

• Rashaad Carter, wide receiver from Tusculum. Carter was the all-time leader in receiving yards at Tusculum
• Mo Lee, cornerback from Utah. Lee made 35 tackles and had one interception in his senior year.
• Meshak Williams, outside linebacker from Kansas State. Williams played defensive end in college, but will switch to OLB
• Gary Walker, safety from Idaho. Walker had 295 career tackles at Idaho.

Rookie signings always excite me, nice to add young talent to the team. I look forward to what they bring to the table.

Despite the Baltimore Ravens losing many key defensive players in free agency; they traded one offensive player to the San Francisco 49’ers, their number one wide receiver Anquan Boldin.

While they beefed up their defense acquiring veteran players through free agency and drafting rookies; they only selected one wide receiver this in the Draft, seventh-round pick Aaron Mellette.

This week assistant general manager Eric DeCosta told The Baltimore Sun that they are open to finding another veteran receiver to fill the void left by Boldin:

“I think the hunt goes on. We’re still working. The roster is not set. We’re always evaluating. We’re always looking at guys. Guys get signed, guys get cut.”

Baltimore Ravens Wide Receiver Torrey Smith

Currently Torrey Smith is the No. 1 receiver followed by Jacoby Jones who also plays on special teams. As of now, the Ravens plan to use a combination of their other receivers including Tandon Doss, David Reed, LaQuan Williams and Deonte Thompson to fill the void.

There are still some receivers on the market who could benefit the Ravens. Around The League’s Chris Wesseling listed WR Brandon Lloyd as one of the top WR free agents still in need of work.  Receivers Austin Collie and Laurent Robinson are also on the market, but both suffered concussions during their careers and could be cause for concern.

While I feel comfortable with the Ravens using a combination of their wide outs to fill the No. 3 position, I am open to adding a veteran receiver to beef up the offense and to be a leader on the field. Veteran player or not, I am confident that the Ravens will find the best man for the job.

Once upon a time, the Baltimore Ravens defense was tops in the National Football League. Father time and injuries slowly chipped it away, but the organization did something about it this off season.

Despite their injuries last season, the banged up defense won Super Bowl XLVII, after the win Pro Bowl linebacker Ray Lewis retired and the Ravens lost a total of seven defensive players during free agency.

Ravens Defense Younger and Stronger

General manager Ozzie Newsome went into the NFL Draft with the goal of replenishing the depleted defense; he accomplished his goal with the first four picks. The young players are faster and stronger than their predecessors (well at least during the latter part of their careers, not in their prime time).

The Ravens top picks in the 2013 draft class include safety Matt Elam, linebacker Arthur Brown, defensive tackle Brandon Williams and linebacker John Simon.

Newsome said he liked Elam’s speed; he is likely to start next to newly signed veteran safety Michael Huff:

“One of the positions we really needed was safety,” Newsome told Elam over the phone just after making the pick. “We got Michael Huff, and we’ll probably have two of the most athletic safeties in the game by putting you back there with him.”

CSN Baltimore’s Jeff Seidel said the big question is how much the Ravens will expect the younger guys to step in now or if they will sign veteran free agents to play and let the rookies learn from them.

Only time will tell what the Ravens will do, I am looking forward to seeing how the rookies impact the defense.  It will be nice to have some young, fresh blood and I’m excited to see what the new look Ravens defense can do.

Reigning Super Bowl Champion Baltimore Ravens had a busy weekend. With 12 picks they had ample opportunity to bolster and rejuvenate their depleted defense.

After winning the Super Bowl, Pro Bowl linebacker Ray Lewis retired, the Ravens also lost several key defensive players in free agency. They added linebacker Elvis Dumervil, safety Michael Huff and defensive linesmen Chris Canty and Marcus Spears.

Ravens First Round Pick Matt Elam

Ravens general manager Ozzie Newsome is a drafting genius with a proven track record of selecting the best talent and players who are a good fit for the Ravens.

Newsome is hopeful that this year’s draft selections will help rebuild the team:

“Every draft kind of sits on its own, but this one is very important in the sense that we are starting to build a good nucleus of players and we need to have an influx of other young players in this draft to fit in,” General Manager Ozzie Newsome said.

Ravens 2013 Draft Class:

• Round 1, 32^nd Overall: Matt Elam, S, Florida
• Round 2, 56^th Overall: Arthur Brown, LB, Kansas State*
• Round 3, 94^th Overall: Brandon Williams, DT, Missouri southern State
• Round 4, 129^th Overall:  John Simon, DE/LB, Ohio State
• Round 4, 130^th Overall: Kyle Juszczyk, FB/TE, Harvard
• Round 5, 168^th Overall (compensatory pick): Rick Wagner, G/T, Wisconsin
• Round 6, 200^th Overall: Kapron Lewis-Moore, DE, Notre Dame
• Round 6, 203^th Overall (compensatory pick): Ryan Jensen, C, CSU-Pueblo
• Round 7, 238^th Overall:  Aaron Mellette, WR, Elon
• Round 7, 247^th Overall (compensatory pick): Marc Anthony, CB, California

*The Ravens traded their 2^nd, 5^th and 6^th round picks to Seattle to get LB Arthur Brown.

Undrafted Free Agents:

• Matt Furstenberg, TE, Maryland
• Jeff Braun, OT, West Virginia
• Ray Holley, RB, Louisiana Tech
• Murphy Holloway, TE, Ole Miss
• Brynden Trawick, DB, Troy
• Jermaine Copeland, OLB/DE, University of Pennsylvania
• Gerrard Sheppard, WR, Towson University
• Trent Steelman, QB, Army
• Nathan Stanley, QB, Southern Louisiana
• Moe Lee, CB, Utah
• Jose Cheeseborough, DB, Florida International
• Jordan Devey, OL, Memphis

BaltimoreRavens.com writer John Eisenberg said the Ravens will have a new generation of defense:

“It’s called evolution and it’s happening now, in real time, right before your eyes. Say hello to the new generation of defense in Baltimore. Not a moment too soon, I might add.”

I am pleased with the Ravens 2013 draft class. In Ozzie I trust and I’m excited to see what these rookies will bring to the field this season.

It didn’t take long for newly signed Rolando McClain to ruffle some feathers in Baltimore. McClain signed a one-year deal with the Baltimore Ravens on April 10. His chances of playing like a Raven decreased when he was arrested for disorderly conduct Sunday night.

McClain was at a park in his hometown of Decatur, Alabama. He was among a crowd of approximately 700 people, the police ordered them leave. McClain refused to leave and cursed at the police, he was arrested on misdemeanor charges of disorderly conduct and resisting arrest.

LB Rolando McClain Arrested Sunday Night

No report of alcohol or drug use. McClain was released after posting a $1,000 bond.

The Ravens were aware of McClain’s troubled past when they signed him to play middle linebacker with the hope that he would replace retired linebacker Ray Lewis. The Ravens were willing to give him a second chance, but that chance whittled away after this arrest.

McClain had several run-ins with the law, in January he was arrested after giving a false name to police after being pulled over for a window-tint violation on his car.

The Ravens have not released an official statement, a spokesperson told the Baltimore Sun, “We are seeking more facts on this. The only information we have at this time is from media reports.”

I’m not going to lie, I was miffed when I heard what happened, then I released that it’s not the end of the world. It is unfortunate that the Ravens were willing to give McClain a second chance and he failed to take it seriously. Better that this happened now instead of later.

I gave him the benefit of the doubt; chalking up his past indiscretions to being young and dumb. This should be the third strike and he needs to be called out. I hope the Ravens release him, he does not act like a Raven and he does not deserve to play for this fine organization. I hope the Ravens feel the same.

The National Football League (NFL) released the 2013 schedule on Thursday night. It is safe to say that the Baltimore Ravens schedule is fair despite the absence of a Monday Night home game and opening the season on the road (despite winning Super Bowl XLVII).

A scheduling conflict prevented the Ravens from opening at home on Thursday, September 5. Instead they will head to Denver to face the Broncos for a rematch of last season’s AFC divisional playoff game.

Baltimore Ravens 2013 Schedule Released

It was surprising to learn that the Ravens will host another Thanksgiving Day game against AFC North rival Pittsburgh Steelers on November 28. It will be the second time in three years the Ravens host a prime-time holiday game.

The Ravens have two Sunday night games, the first will be played on the road against the Detroit Lions on December 16; the second is at home on December 22 against the New England Patriots in a rematch of the AFC Championship game.

Aside from not hosting the first game of the season, I am pleased with the Ravens schedule. I like the placement of the bye week on October 27, half way through the season will give them a much needed break. Also having two Thursday night games essentially gives the Ravens two mini-bye weeks since they will have 10 days between games.

The Ravens have the fifth toughest schedule in the NFL (based on 2012 records).

The schedule release fired me up; I’m ready for the 2013 season to begin!

2013 Baltimore Ravens Schedule:

*Flexible Time Schedule
All times Eastern.
All game times & television networks subject to change.

The current Baltimore Ravens roster is quite different from the one they had when they won Super Bowl XLVII on February 3. They lost Pro Bowl linebacker Ray Lewis, who retired after last season.  Other defensive players lost during last month’s free agency frenzy include linebackers Paul Kruger and Dannell Ellerbe, cornerback Cary Williams and safety Ed Reed.

The Ravens beefed up their roster with players who can make an immediate impact on the field including linebackers Rolando McClain and Elvis Dumervil, safety Michael Huff and defensive linesmen Chris Canty and Marcus Spears.

M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore

Ravens general manager Ozzie Newsome believes in his team and has faith in their chances of making the playoffs this season:

“We like our football team this year. I’d like for someone to tell us we’re not good enough to go to the playoffs right now,” Newsome said during Tuesday’s pre-draft news conference. “Can anyone say that? OK.”

Rumors have circulated about the Ravens first draft pick next week. They said that they would have no problem selecting former Notre Dame linebacker Manti Te’o if he’s still on the board at the 32^nd spot.

They’d feel comfortable selecting him despite the “catfishing” incident earlier this year:

“Absolutely, we do,” Harbaugh said. “We’re comfortable with him. We had a great interview. With his body of work, what he’s accomplished, who he is (as) a person, where he comes from, we feel good about Manti.”

The Ravens are expected to draft a linebacker during the draft; it is anyone’s guess who that may be.

The 2013 regular schedule will be announced this Thursday night, that’s when the Ravens find out who they will face in the season opener on September 5.

Baltimore Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco is having a good year. He was MVP of Super Bowl XLVII, then he received a five-year contract for $120 million and now he will portray former Baltimore Colts quarterback, Johnny Unitas in an upcoming movie about his football career.

Unitas is considered one of the greatest NFL players of all time. He led the Colts to victory in the 1958 championship game dubbed the “Greatest Game Ever Played”.

He died in 2002, now his son is producing ‘Unitas We Stand’, a movie about his dad’s life based on a book by Tom Callahan. Joe still needs to secure funding to produce the movie.

Baltimore Ravens QB Joe Flacco

Flacco will play Unitas in scenes about the “greatest game” when the Colts beat the Giants 23-17 in sudden death overtime.

While honored and excited to portray Unitas, Flacco admits he is ‘a little nervous’ about it.

“I’m just excited that I get to go out and put on some kind of Johnny Unitas uniform and go out there and run around a little bit,” Flacco said. “I’m a little nervous about the fact that I’m probably not going to replicate him perfectly. I don’t know if they’re going to want me to go out there and just look like me, or if they’re going to want me to actually look like him a little bit. I’m sure that will be a little tough to do, but I’m going to try to do it.”

Joe casted Flacco because of the Baltimore connection and the way Flacco plays reminds Joe of his dad.

Unitas’ grandson, J.C. has issues with the Flacco selection calling it an “embarrassing choice” for the role.

Flacco is used to criticism and is likely un-phased by it.

Filming is set to start this summer with the release scheduled around next year’s Super Bowl assuming funds are available to complete the project.