Months after being turned down for the San Diego Chargers? head coaching job, Baltimore Ravens defensive coordinator Rex Ryan got to role-play Wednesday during one of the team?s voluntary organized training activities at its Owings Mills facility.
With head coach Brian Billick absent to attend his daughter?s high school graduation, Ryan took over practice and joked that he was implementing a new regime, complete with idea of moving 6-foot-3, 305-pound center Mike Flynn to fullback.
“He was outstanding,” offensive coordinator Rick Neuheisel said, with tongue in cheek, of Ryan?s tenure. “He started our clock drive at the end. He said, ?You?ve got eight seconds left, no timeouts left and you?re on the minus 3 [yard line],? which I thought was really fair to our offense. Once a defender, always a defender.”
The ribbing of Ryan did not stop there.
“Rex Ryan was able to get a little cross-training today,” linebacker Bart Scott said. “We need to get him a better hat and a Big Gulp Slurpee cup so he can be cool out there. As head coach, you kind of stand around a lot, so you can get sun-burned.”
Many of the team?s biggest stars were not in attendance at the relaxed workout, which is often referred to as minicamp.
“We know where our players are,” Ryan said. “Brian knows where everybody?s at and the reason they?re gone. This football team is a veteran group, especially on the defense. They?ve been in the same exact system for three years. It?s excellent that the guys that are here are here, but we don?t look down on the guys who aren?t here.”
There was still star power in the waning days of minicamp, including Scott, tight end Todd Heap, defensive end Trevor Pryce and defensive tackle Kelly Gregg. Wide receiver Demetrius Williams made several impressive catches throughout the day.
Missing in action
» Linebacker Ray Lewis, offensive tackle Jonathan Ogden, safety Ed Reed, linebacker Terrell Suggs and quarterback Steve McNair were among those who skipped the voluntary practice. All of thoseplayers are expected to rejoin the Ravens when they check in for minicamp July 29 at McDaniel College in Westminster.
