Greater expectations are prevalent throughout the Baltimore Ravens organization as the team holds its first mandatory organized team activity this week at its Owings Mills practice facility.
The Ravens are coming off a 13-3 playoff season and will have the services of quarterback Steve McNair for a second season. Entering 2006, Baltimore was coming off a 6-10 campaign and had an unsettled situation under center.
For head coach Brian Billick, the three-day session is a chance to helpkeep all of his players on the same page so they are ahead of schedule when training camp opens a little less than two months from now.
“Everybody?s got to get out of it what they can,” Billick said. “But you also have to recognize that this is the offseason and you don?t want to put yourself at a risk physically. Whatever we get out of this ? it is what it is. If we can get the basis underneath them so that they?re thinking less by the time they get to training camp, then we?ve been successful in our OTAs.”
Ravens tight end Daniel Wilcox said having these days prior to training camp are critical for the team?s cohesiveness as it tries to repeat as AFC North champion and win its first postseason game in six years.
“It?s good to get everybody in and get a feel for everybody and see the team form together and start to gel,” Wilcox said. “The more days you get with the guys now is how you start to bond, get to know each other and learn their reaction to things. It?s all about timing in this league, so it?s very important to have this time together before training camp.”
Ravens offensive tackle Jason Brown added that the team feels like it is playing with additional purpose after a great regular season in 2006 that preceded a playoff loss to eventual Super Bowl champion Indianapolis.
“Right now, it?s all about tempo,” Brown said. “Everybody right now is in good spirits running around the field and having fun. That?s what it?s really all about. Just as much as learning the playbook, this time is about team chemistry, getting the rookies in the mix and getting everyone on the same page so that when training camp gets here, the preseason gets here and the regular season gets here, we can hit the ground running.”
