Ravens veterans close minicamp

By Jamison Hensley | jamison.hensley@baltsun.com

June 11, 2009

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Ravens veterans wrapped up their final minicamp Wednesday, but coach John Harbaugh made it clear that the work is not done.

During their seven-week break, players are expected to work out and report to training camp in shape. The Ravens have scheduled 41 practices over their 26-day camp, which begins for rookies July 28 at McDaniel College. The first full-squad practices open to the public are at 8:45 a.m. and 2:45 p.m. July 31.

"I'm sure they'll work hard," Harbaugh said. "You don't put the kind of work in they've put in the last four or five months and then all of a sudden let it go away. And if they don't, we'll know about it pretty quick. We trust them, we believe in them, and we think they'll come back emotionally, spiritually fresh and ready to attack training camp."

This offseason has been smoother for Harbaugh than last year.

In his first months as Ravens coach, he dealt with two starters retiring - quarterback Steve McNair in April and offensive tackle Jonathan Ogden in June. This year, the focus has been on the field.

The five weeks of offseason camps have been some of the most well-attended in team history. With linebacker Ray Lewis and running back Willis McGahee at most practices, there were only a handful of no-shows over the 17 days of workouts.

In this final three-day camp, the Ravens put an emphasis on the AFC North. They game-planned for the Cincinnati Bengals on Monday, the Cleveland Browns on Tuesday and the Pittsburgh Steelers on Wednesday.

"We have to win our division," Harbaugh said. "We think that's a goal for us, and those are the teams that we know we're going to play twice."

Ravens rookies will have one last minicamp next week before reporting to training camp.

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Tentative day-by-day schedule for the Ravens' 2009 training camp

Mon, July 27: Quarterbacks, rookies and select players report to camp. No practices and no autograph sessions
Tues, July 28: 8:45 a.m., 3:30 p.m.
Wed, July 29: 8:45 a.m. (No veterans), 3:30 p.m. (No veterans). All veterans report to camp.
Thurs, July 30: Practice closed to public & media (Administrative day for coaching staff and entire team)
Fri, July 31: 8:45 a.m., 2:45 p.m.
Sat, August 1: 8:45 a.m., 2:45 p.m.
Sun, August 2: 8:45 a.m., 2:45 p.m.
Mon, August 3: 8:45 a.m., 2:00 p.m. (Special Teams)
Tues, August 4: 8:45 p.m., 2:45 p.m.
Purple Day
Wed, August 5: 8:45 a.m., 2:45 p.m.
Thurs, August 6: 8:45 a.m., 2:45 p.m.
Ravens Rookies Club Day
Fri, August 7: 8:45 a.m., 2:00 p.m. (Special Teams)
Sat, August 8: 8:45 a.m., Club Seat Holder Day (Practice remains open to the general public)
Club Seat Holder Day (Practice remains open to the general public)
Sun, August 9: 2:45 p.m.
Mon, August 10: 2:45 p.m.
Tues, August 11: 8:45 a.m., 2:00 p.m. (Special Teams)
Baltimore Football Alumni Day
Wed, August 12: Practice closed to public & media (Pre-Game Walk-Through)
Thurs, August 13: Preseason Game vs. Washington Redskins - 7:30 p.m.
Fri, August 14: Players Off
Sat, August 15: 8:45 a.m., 2:00 p.m. (Special Teams)
Sun, August 16: 8:45 a.m., 2:45 p.m.
Mon, August 17: 8:45 a.m., 2:00 p.m. (Special Teams)
Tues, August 18: 8:45 a.m.
Wed, August 19: 2:45 p.m.
Military Appreciation Day
Thurs, August 20: 8:45 a.m., 2:00 p.m. (Special Teams)
Fri, August 21: 8:45 a.m.
Sat, August 22: 8:45 a.m., 2:00 p.m. (Special Teams)
Sun, August 23: Practice closed to public & media (Pre-Game Walk-Through)
Camp Breaks
Mon, August 24: Preseason Game vs. New York Jets - 8:00 p.m.