“You?ve got to love him,” head coach Brian Billick said.

“He?s like a Kelly Gregg [veteran defensive tackle]. He just does whatever you ask him to do. We?ve asked a lot ofhim ? the adapting he?s doing really to more of an Adalius Thomas role in the outside linebacker. He can put his hand down in the dirt. He can be up. He can drop back. He?s a very, very valuable multi-purpose player.”

Flynn continues on, despite doubters: When the Ravens lost center Casey Rabach to the Washington Redskins via free agency last year, many bemoaned his departure. The player with whom he shared time, Mike Flynn, remains with the team and is expected to have another stellar season.

His road to the starting lineup was not the typical one, however.

Flynn was signed as a rookie free agent by the Ravens in 1997 and was waived. He bounced between NFL practice squads before rejoining the team later in the year.

He played many roles on the team those first few seasons, including guard and special teams. He started all 16 games during the team?s Super Bowl season of 2000, mostly at right guard. It was not until 2001 that he became a full-time center.

He has a big admirer in Billick.

“It?s a great story, and it?s typical of a center,” Billick said. “You can last a long time doing anything if you know what you?re doing, and that?s a high premium for a center. So that?s Mike?s key right now. He has control of that offensive line and that?s a big asset for us.”

Star of the day: It remains to be seen if receiver Romby Bryant makes the team. He was signed to the practice squad late last season and faces a plethora of competition again.

On Tuesday, however, he had a highlight reel grab, as he rose above cornerback Evan Oglesby to bobble the ball to the ground. As he landed on his back, he hauled the ball in for the completion.