Summer officially started this week. Baltimore Ravens fans can take a break from football for a bit, mandatory minicamp is over and the official countdown to training camp has begun. Training camp opens July 26.

The offseason was quiet for the Ravens, well at least in free agency as they aren’t known for making a big splash. They had a decent draft and time will tell how their picks pan out, some may start this season.

The biggest news of the offseason was star linebacker Terrell Suggs tearing his Achilles tendon in May. His return date is unknown; he recently backed off his November return date. His replacement has not been named yet, rookie Courtney Upshaw is in the running as is Paul Kruger.

We are patiently waiting for starting running back, Ray Rice to sign a new contract. The Ravens placed the franchise tag on him this offseason, but a new agreement has yet to be reached. The deadline is July 16. Rice did not participate in OTAs or mandatory minicamp and some fear that his absence will affect the offense this season.

Rice is keeping in shape, he’s working out and practicing on his own so I have no doubt that he will be ready to go, though it would have been nice for him to be at minicamp, especially since quarterback Joe Flacco missed some of the minicamp for the birth of his baby Stephen Flacco.

There is the big question of who will be the No. 2 running back. After Ricky Williams retired earlier this year, the Ravens now need to fill his vacancy. No frontrunner yet, the battle will play out in training camp between rookie Bernard Pierce and veteran players Anthony Allen and Damien Berry.

There is concern about the offensive line and the age of some of the players. Age makes for experience, but will it slow them down? Matt Birk and Bobbie Williams will be 36 in October and Bryant McKinnie is 33. The younger players who may be added to the O line are untested and there are questions surrounding their ability to bring their “A” game.

We have no clue who will be the 3^rd wide receiver. Newly acquired Jacoby Jones is the frontrunner, but he sat out part of minicamp with an undisclosed injury leaving the field open for prospects LaQuan Williams, Tandon Doss and rookie Deonte Thompson.

Then there is the Ed Reed drama which still annoys me, but I trust that he will be ready for training camp. He attended his own training camp in New Orleans this week so at least we know he is alive and kicking.

This is only the tip of the iceberg, as there are other questions I haven’t touched on and I’m sure new questions will arise, but that’s why it is a game, the pieces/players are constantly changing. It is head coach John Harbaugh’s job to find the solutions.

For now I’m going to enjoy the calm before the storm or is it the storm before the calm? While I hope it is the latter, time will tell how things shake out. I have faith in coach Harbaugh’s ability to make the right decisions, he’s done it before and hopefully he will do it again.

Baltimore pride spoke volumes when two greats formed a partnership. The Baltimore Ravens teamed up with Under Armour in 10-year deal. Under the deal, the Ravens will rename their training facility in Owings Mills, Maryland to the “Under Armour Performance Center”. The deal also includes community-focused initiatives.

The partnership was the next logical step for Ravens Owner Steve Bisciotti and Under Armour CEO and founder, Kevin Plank. The two are friends and have talked about forming a partnership for quite some time.

Both are from Maryland, Bisciotti grew up in Severna Park, Maryland and attended Salisbury University. Plank is from Kensington, Maryland and attended the University of Maryland where he played football. Plank came up with the idea of creating athletic clothes to absorb sweat and moisture and later invented Under Armour in his grandmother’s basement in Washington, DC.

Under Armour headquarters are located in Locust Point (southwest Baltimore).

While Nike may be the official game day apparel of the National Football League, Under Armour is allowed to create and test their products in the Ravens practice facility.

A previous agreement, formed in 2001, was set to expire so the agreement was enhanced and extended for 10 more years. The agreement isn’t about money; it is about friendship; making improvements and helping the city of Baltimore.

“There is nobody else I am going to do this deal with,” Bisciotti said. “I love being associated with this brand.”

The Ravens are a strong force in the community and have funded new football fields at city high schools including Mervo and Dunbar. They also have scholarship programs and host events for city youth.

Under Armour launched “WIN Baltimore” to spark positive growth and add to the educational advancement of the city youth.

Highlights of the new deal include the annual 7-on7 High School Flag Football Tournament and 25 $1,000 grants for youth football programs.

This is an awesome partnership and I can’t wait to see it grow over the next 10 years. It is great seeing two of my favorite things together. It is a win-win for everyone!

I only wear Under Armour shirts on my runs, I find them to be the BEST material and I will never switch brands. And, I’m not just a Ravens fan, I’m from Baltimore and I love seeing the Baltimore pride!

I look forward to seeing more Under Armour ads at Ravens games; I love their slogan “Protect This House. I will!”