The Ravens announced the signing of Pro Bowl offensive tackle Willie Anderson today. It was a good move in that in provided depth, but I don't understand why they signed him to a three-year deal. Anderson is 33. John Harbaugh wouldn't commit to Anderson becoming a starter, but if Jared Gaither or Adam Terry struggle, they will quickly get the hook.

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The good news coming out of practice today was that starting defensive tackle Kelly Gregg participated in some drills with the team. Gregg hasn't practice since having arthroscopic surgery on his left knee. Running back Willis McGahee also didn't miss any reps.

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Harbaugh said there has been no plans to put quarterback Troy Smith on injured reserve and he plans on having Smith return and compete for the starting job.

Posted by Mike Preston at 2:13 PM | Permalink | Comments (14)
                    

The Ravens are close to signing former Bengals Pro Bowl offensive tackle Willie Anderson to a three-year contract worth $11 million. Anderson probably can't play Sunday against his former team, but he might be able to provide the Ravens with some tips.

Posted by Mike Preston at 7:12 PM | Permalink | Comments (14)
                    

The Ravens' second injury report has been released and not much has changed.

For the second consecutive day, defensive tackle Kelly Gregg (arthroscopic knee surgery) and quarterback Troy Smith (tonsil infection) did not practice.

Also, free safety Ed Reed (nerve impingement in neck and shoulder), tight end Todd Heap (right calf) and running back Willis McGahee (arthroscopic knee surgery) were limited in practice today.

Two additions -- right guard Marshal Yanda (thumb) and rookie offensive tackle Oniel Cousins (back) -- fully participated in practice.

On the Bengals side, starting defense tackle John Thornton was added to the report, as he was limited by a knee injury. Running back Kenny Watson (hamstring) was also limited.

Joining quarterback Carson Palmer (broken nose) and wide receiver Chad Johnson (torn labrum in left shoulder) as players who fully participated in practice were wide receiver T.J. Houshmandzadeh (hamstring) and defensive end Antwan Odom (foot).

Posted by Edward Lee at 5:33 PM | Permalink | Comments (6)
                    

Much like yesterday, defensive tackle Kelly Gregg (arthroscopic knee surgery) and quarterback Troy Smith (tonsil infection) did not appear during the portion of practice open to the media and likely won't practice today.

Aside from those two, everyone else was at practice. It was interesting to note that of the three quarterbacks, only Todd Bouman did not wear a red, non-contact jersey.

Also, cornerback Evan Oglesby was signed and is in the building, but he was not at practice.

Posted by Edward Lee at 1:38 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)
                    

The outcome of the Ravens' game against the Bengals Sunday might be determined in the first half.

While Ravens officials keep talking about how cool rookie quarterback Joe Flacco has been this week, he won't be so cool Sunday afternoon with 70,000 packed in M&T Bank Stadium.

We've already seen Flacco panic in preseason games. Fortunately, he has gotten more comfortable and better with each series. So, maybe by halftime, he'll put those butterflies away and we'll see more of the true Joe Flacco.

• It was interesting listening to John Harbaugh talk about running back Willis McGahee Wednesday afternoon. McGahee has practiced very little during training camp, and Harbaugh might go with rookie Ray Rice more than usual even if McGahee returns.

'The interesting thing about coaching is you don't go from February to July to the season," Harbaugh said. "You plan from February or March, but it really is day to day. So when you've got Ray Rice out there practicing, and you don't have Willis McGahee, that's what you do. That's what you become. So, Willis is a bonus in my mind because he hasn't been practicing, anyway. If he gets out there, it's going to be great to have him out there. We've got to play on Sunday with the guys we've got, and we plan on playing very well."

• The Ravens have interest in former Bengals All-Pro offensive tackle Willie Anderson. They should know if they can sign Anderson within a week. Anderson would be a good addition to the team, and is probably better than the two starting tackles currently on the Ravens' roster.

Posted by Mike Preston at 10:46 AM | Permalink | Comments (18)
                    

Brian Billick emphasizes that since he is no longer the head coach of the Ravens, any observations he might have on the Ravens are from an outsider's point of view -- albeit from an outsider who has spent 20 years in the NFL.

But he was willing to comment on this year's version of the franchise he had a hand in shaping for nine seasons. Speaking at Della Rose's Tavern in Baltimore to announce a partnership with WNST (1570 AM), Billick pointed out that injuries (Kyle Boller's right shoulder) and illness (Troy Smith's tonsils) have played a more prominent role in determining rookie Joe Flacco's role as the starting quarterback against the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday.

"Obviously, there’s not a lot of decisions to be made," Billick said. "I noticed that they signed one of my old quarterbacks, Todd Bouman. I tried to get Todd a few years ago, but I couldn’t talk Ozzie into it. Todd’s a good man and a good quarterback. [The setbacks to Boller and Smith have] kind of made the decision for them, which kind of makes it easier. I like what I see in Joe Flacco, but obviously there’s going to be a growth spurt."

With his work on FOX and his new project on WNST, Billick said he hasn't made it a point to study the Ravens’ preseason struggles.

"Quite frankly, I’ve been absorbing other things and probably on purpose," he said. "But I talk with [general manager] Ozzie [Newsome] once a week and [team spokesman] Kevin Byrne. We tend not to go there. We talk about a few things. So I’ve been aware of it on the peripheral, but it’s kind of standard operating procedure in the NFL. You deal with injuries, you deal with transition. Anytime you start a rookie quarterback, now you’ll remember we went 10-6 when we started our rookie quarterback. That doesn’t necessarily dictate that it’s going to be one way or the other, but it is a challenge."

But Billick said he won't be reluctant to offer his commentary on what's wrong and what's right with the Ravens.

"I'm not going to criticize anybody just to criticize," he said. "I'm certainly going to comment, I'm going to critique, and I'm going to give my opinion. Sometimes that will be well-received and sometimes that won't. It's an opinion. That's all it really is."

Posted by Edward Lee at 8:16 PM | Permalink | Comments (21)
                    

Maybe wide receiver Chad Johnson is still bitter that the Cincinnati Bengals did not satisfy his demand for a trade. Maybe the partially torn labrum in his left shoulder is painful. Maybe his Special K wasn't so special.

Either way, Johnson wasn't too happy this morning when a reporter read aloud a passage written by the Bengals public-relations staff in the team's pre-game notes. The section read, "Following an offseason at Base Camp 8365, Chad Johnson now begins his ascent toward the 10,000 mark in career receiving yards. He likely won't make it this year, but Ocho Cinco himself might dispute that. He needs 1,635 yards. The Bengals season record is 1,440 yards, set of course by Johnson last year."

After he heard the passage, Johnson said, "Who said I won't make it? Who wrote that? How many yards do I need to reach that 10,000 mark? Just curious. And they said I wouldn't make it? My own press said I wouldn't make it. Am I correct? OK, you know what, there it is. That just lights fuel under the fire. You see how they do me?"

Johnson was then asked what name will be on the back of his jersey Sunday. Johnson waved off the question before getting a dig at current Ravens quarterbacks coach Hue Jackson, who -- as the Bengals wide receivers coach between 2004 and 2006 -- reportedly clashed with Johnson.

"I need you all to tell Hue I love him," Johnson said. "If you all get a chance, let Hue Jackson [know]. Tell him I said 'I love you, man, and thank you for all you've done.' What he's helped me do, I'm going to actually release it out on the Ravens Sunday. Tell him I said thank you."

Posted by Edward Lee at 4:24 PM | Permalink | Comments (8)
                    

Here we go.

Defensive tackle Kelly Gregg (arthroscopic knee surgery) and quarterback Troy Smith (tonsil infection) did not practice. Smith has been essentially ruled out by coach John Harbaugh for Sunday's home and season opener against the Cincinnati Bengals. Gregg may also join Smith on the sidelines.

Free safety Ed Reed (nerve impingement), running back Willis McGahee (arthroscopic knee surgery) and tight end Todd Heap (right calf) were limited in practice.

On the Bengals' side, quarterback Carson Palmer (broken nose) and wide receiver Chad Johnson (partially torn labrum in left shoulder) fully participated in practice. Starting fullback Jeremi Johnson (knee) did not practice.

Posted by Edward Lee at 4:12 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)
                    

While No. 85 on the Cincinnati Bengals went through the proper channels to change his name from Chad Johnson to Chad "Ocho Cinco," No. 85 on the Ravens made clear his thoughts on the matter.

In the team's pre-game notes, Derrick Mason, as the subject of the week's "Outtakes" edition, was asked about his feelings on Johnson's new nomenclature.

"I don't know," Mason was quoted as saying. "I think that's a slap to your mother's face when you try to legally change your name. My mother gave me the name Derrick Mason for a reason, so I'm going to keep it. But I know that he does it all in fun. In the business, the more attention you get, the more money you get paid, especially the way he plays. The guy is unbelievable at that position. He garners the attention on the field. He's not just talking the talk."

Earlier today, Mason seemed to soften his stance on the matter.

"I don't have time for all that, man," he said with a laugh. "I'm a football player. I don't have time for all that. My mother named me Mason for a reason. First name Derrick, middle name James, for a reason. I have no time to change my name right now. You kind of pull yourself away from football that way. But Chad is a hell of a player. And if anybody can do it, he can do it. But that's not me. I'm sticking with what's on the back of my jersey, and that's Mason."

Posted by Edward Lee at 3:52 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)
                    

Not to say you've memorized these numbers during the preseason, but a number of Ravens were wearing different numbers on their jerseys at practice today and will be for the season opener Sunday against Cincinnati.

The most notable, considering how much he is expected to play, is rookie running Ray Rice, who went back to the number he wore at Rutgers (27) instead of the 39 he was issued back in the spring.

Others who changed numbers were rookie linebackers Jameel McClain (from 48 to 53) and Tavares Gooden (49 to 56) as well as Edgar Jones (46 to 84 after being switched from linebacker to tight end).

And newly-signed quarterback Todd Bouman will wear No. 2.

Posted by Don Markus at 1:37 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)