As players donned pads for the first time as a team, the Ravens training camp took a more serious turn Monday at McDaniel College. The team took part in some contact drills, giving the feeling that camp had officially begun after two light workout days last week.
Head coach Brian Billick described the morning session as “Good. Very good. Crisp.”
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“The two days we had leading up to [Monday], I think, helped where typically this would have been the first practice, might have been a little more ragged,” Billick said.
During last week?s workouts, Billick appeared unwilling to unleash his team. He got his wish Monday, while Ravens team officials, players and many fans had their first chance to see first-round pick Haloti Ngata go full contact. The massive 6-foot-4, 340-pound tackle was impressive. Ngata had participated only in Saturday afternoon?s practice following a one-day contract holdout.
“You can start to see that athleticism. He?s got fresh legs, too,” Billick said. “We saw a glimpse of what we hope we can get out of him.”
Safety Ed Reed did not appear hampered by an ankle sprain that kept him out of six games last season. The 2004 NFL defensive player of the year is looking to become a game-changer again after struggling last season to recover from his injury.
“You live and you learn,” Reed said. “It ain?t something to concentrate on more or nothing like that. You?ve got to make the opportunities when they come to you. When I got back into the season … I was ready to go. There wasn?t a hesitation. I think everybody was more focused on my ankle than anything.”
While receiver Clarence Moore remained on the physically unable to perform list, running back Jamal Lewis was taken off Monday afternoon. Lewis had been dealing with a hip flexor that flared up during off-season training activities.
Tight end Bobby Blizzard is suffering from a back strain, and running back Cory Ross pulled a hamstring during Saturday?s workouts and participated lightly in Monday?s drills.
Offensive tackle Jonathan Ogden was again absent after the death of his father last week.
Ravens star of the day
Wide receiver Mark Clayton turned Pro Bowl defensive back Chris McAlister inside out Monday during a drill. Clayton broke outside on to catch a Steve McNair bomb, confusing McAlister. When McAlister recovered, Clayton turned back in to get into the end zone.
