Rain and cold weather didn?t stop new Ravens coach John Harbaugh from holding his first full-team mandatory mini camp workout outside.
That practice set the scene for a physical three days, which included two on-field brawls Saturday and a number of players trying out different positions.
“[Harbaugh] is trying to change the culture and the mindset,” Ravens cornerback Samari Rolle said. “Obviously we?ll play games in the rain and weather like that so you just embrace it and go with the flow. The culture feels different. I think everyone feels enthused we have a new face and just go with it.”
Harbaugh said the reasons for his changes have been to institute a great sense of team and to take focus away from individuals. Many players feel like Harbaugh?s approach differs from former Coach Brian Billick?s style, who tended to give his veterans more freedom.
Among the changes Harbaugh has instituted is shuffling around the locker assignments so defensive and offensive players are next to each other instead of sitting by position. There are also no benches on the sidelines, as players will be required to stand when not working during practices.
But, the biggest change will come at the end of July when the entire team will be required to stay at the team hotel during training camp. This was different than during the Billick era when veterans could sleep in their own beds after the first week.
“I think they understand the concept, they also understand that individuals win football games ? individual responsibility,” Harbaugh said. “So, it all goes together. It?s not just a simple thing, ?Hey the team comes first.? These guys know that. But, individuals come first in terms of executing, making a play and winning a football game for us. So, it all goes together.”
The boiling point for the players during mini-camp came Saturday when the entire team became entwined in analtercation between third-round draft pick, offensive tackle Oniel Cousins and free-agent defensive tackle Amon Gordon. Later in practice, defensive backs Corey Ivy and Frank Walker traded shoves and shouts until veterans Ed Reed, Chris McAlister and Samari Rolle helped settle down the situation.
Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis said players aren?t necessarily happy with some of the changes, but understand Harbaugh?s rationale as the Ravens have missed the playoffs three of the last four years and went 5-11 in 2007.
“There is no person you?ll ever find [who says] ?I love training camp, training camp is the greatest,?” Lewis said.
“There is nobody who?s going to do that. Most people like to sleep in their own beds and things like that, but training is training camp, so I think we are all prepared for that. Like I said, the change that [coach Harbaugh] brought in is a great change. The change of character and integrity, and it?s really all about the team concept. For veterans, that?swhat you can appreciate more than anything.”
Staff writer Dave Carey contributed to this story.
