Observations after first Ravens OTA viewing

The Ravens will finish up the first of three voluntary offseason team activities today, though they’ll do it outside the glare of the media. Yesterday was the one day for media availability, and while no big news came out of it, it was still good to see some action after so much attention has been placed on off-the-field stories over the past couple of months. Making any conclusions after a two-hour practice -- which did not include some of the team’s top veteran players, including running back Ray Rice, linebacker Ray Lewis and safety Ed Reed, and featured most of the players in jerseys, gym shorts and no shoulder pads -- would be foolish. However, I think it is appropriate to make a couple of observations:

Jacoby Jones adjusting to life as a member of the Ravens

Wide receiver Jacoby Jones, who signed a two-year deal earlier this month, is excited to join a Ravens team that knocked his former team, the Houston Texans, out of the playoffs in January.

Ravens' OTAs 2012

Bryant McKinnie discovering the benefits of OTAs

Ravens offensive tackle Bryant McKinnie, whose weight and conditioning were scrutinized during his first season in Baltimore, attended this week’s organized team activities and has been a regular participant in the team’s offseason program for most of the past few weeks.

Sergio Kindle: 'I haven't proven anything yet'

Two years after the Ravens selected him in the second round of the 2010 NFL draft, linebacker Sergio Kindle has yet to make a start, a tackle or a significant impact on the team’s fortunes.

Reed not at OTAs but Ravens counting on him to be there when it counts

Ed Reed was one of a handful of the Ravens' high-profile veterans not present at organized team activities today, but neither that nor his recent radio comments that he's not "100 percent committed" to playing football this season has head coach John Harbaugh concerned.

Rice, Lewis, Reed, Ngata among players absent from Ravens OTA

Although some of the Ravens’ biggest names were missing from the team’s OTA (organized team activity) today, more than 80 on the 90-man roster were in attendance at the Owings Mills training facility.

Harbaugh to be honored by U.S. Army

Ravens coach John Harbaugh will be honored tomorrow for his support of the U.S. Army.

NFL owners approve some rule changes

The NFL tweaked some of its rules Tuesday, making thigh and knee pads mandatory equipment for players (starting in 2013) and pushing forward a pair of other changes involving the trade deadline and injured reserve.

11 players to watch at Ravens OTAs this week

The Ravens began organized team activities Tuesday, marking the first time this offseason that the team's rookies have been on the practice field with veterans. These workouts at the team’s facility in Owings Mills are optional for veterans, though I'm sure coach John Harbaugh hopes all of them will be in attendance. The OTAs will continue into June, setting the table for next month's mandatory minicamp.

Five storylines for Ravens OTAs

From contract negotiations with quarterback Joe Flacco and running back Ray Rice to a potentially season-ending Achilles injury to star linebacker Terrell Suggs to coach John Harbaugh's comments on the New England Patriots to mercurial safety Ed Reed's controversial radio interviews, the Ravens have made plenty of off-the-field news this offseason. However, the focus turns to on-the-field issues this week as many of the organization's veterans and rookies are at the Owings Mills facility this week for the three-day organized team activities. They'll have the voluntary OTAs for the next three weeks before a mandatory veteran minicamp runs from June 12-14. Here are five on-the-field storylines as OTAs begin. -- Jeff Zrebiec

Ravens: Looking at five questions during OTAs

From contract negotiations with quarterback Joe Flacco and running back Ray Rice to a potentially season-ending Achilles injury to star linebacker Terrell Suggs to coach John Harbaugh’s comments on the New England Patriots to mercurial safety Ed Reed’s controversial radio interviews, the Ravens have made plenty of off-the-field news this offseason.

Bernard Pollard says team supports Ed Reed no matter what

On Thursday afternoon, Ravens safety Ed Reed told Sirius/XM NFL Radio that he wasn’t 100 percent committed to the 2012 season and that he has considered retirement this offseason and the two previous. He quickly backtracked, releasing a statement later in the day that said he wasn’t referring to retirement.

Ray Rice might not be in the building, but some progress has been made in contract talks

For the next three weeks, the Ravens will have three-day, organized team activities that will undoubtedly attract many of the team’s veteran players along with the rookie class.

Going after Terrell Suggs' money would have ramifications for Ravens

Though the idea that the Ravens could put injured linebacker Terrell Suggs on the non-football injury list and not pay him all of his $4.9 million base salary during the coming season has picked up steam this week, there has been no indication that it’s something the Ravens would consider doing.

Another concussion prompts Diehl to retire rather than pursue NFL dreams

A day after making a handful of roster additions and cuts, the Ravens announced on Wednesday that they had released fullback Chad Diehl, an undrafted free agent who had participated in the team's rookie minicamp over the weekend.

Could McCoy's new extension be a template for Rice deal?

If you were wondering what Ray Rice's reaction was to LeSean McCoy's new contract extension with the Philadelphia Eagles, the Ravens' running back wasted little time responding to the news.

Ed Reed says he isn't 100 percent committed for 2012

Ed Reed being non-committal about his future is an annual rite of spring here in Baltimore, and he kept the tradition going Thursday by telling Sirius/XM NFL Radio he isn’t 100 percent committed to playing in 2012.

DeCosta promoted to Ravens' assistant general manager

When several teams, including the Oakland Raiders and Chicago Bears, expressed interest in Baltimore director of player personnel Eric DeCosta for their general manager opening earlier this offseason, the Ravens responded by giving their long-time executive a contract extension and a title change.

Ex-Raven Foxworth says he's 'probably' going to retire

Former Ravens cornerback and current NFLPA president Domonique Foxworth is “probably” going to retire.

A look at the Ravens' options for handling Suggs' salary

Nearly two weeks ago, when it was revealed that Ravens outside linebacker Terrell Suggs had sustained a season-threatening tear of his Achilles tendon while training in Arizona, we reported that the Ravens could, theoretically, put Suggs on the non-football injury list if he was injured while working out away from the team’s facility. By doing so, they could get off the hook for some or all of the linebacker’s 2012 base salary.

At wide receiver, the Ravens have the numbers but not the experience

The Ravens may lack experience at the wide receiver position, but they certainly don’t lack depth. How much quality exists within that depth remains to be seen.

Ricky Williams: No link between football, head trauma

Former Ravens running back Ricky Williams, who retired from the NFL earlier this offseason, kept a low profile during his one season in Baltimore. But now that Williams has walked away from football -- for forever, he swears -- he has used his celebrity to speak out against the way the NFL is addressing its concussion crisis.

Ravens add five rookie free agents, including former Temple quarterback

The Ravens today signed five undrafted free agents after getting a look at them at their rookie minicamp over the weekend.

Jonathan Ogden selected for College Football Hall of Fame

Former Ravens offensive lineman Jonathan Ogden is considered a strong candidate to be part of the 2013 Pro Football Hall of Fame class.

Chat wrap: Ravens Q&A with Matt Vensel

Live Ravens chat with Matt Vensel

Asa Jackson eager to learn from Ray Lewis, Ed Reed

As of Sunday, it still hadn’t quite set in to Ravens rookie cornerback Asa Jackson that he was practicing on an NFL football field. “I’m working toward getting in that mindset every day,” he said of making the transition to the professional ranks. But Jackson, a fifth-round draft pick out of Cal Poly, showed up with the right attitude.

Christian Thompson hopes to be 'that extra piece'

Ravens rookie safety Christian Thompson knows that most of the playing time he earns this season will be on special teams. That’s how most rookies first make their mark in the NFL, but it will be especially true for Thompson here in Baltimore. The Ravens, who are deep in the secondary, struggled on special teams last season.

Ravens rookie wide receiver Tommy Streeter learning from Ray Lewis

Tommy Streeter will never forget the pain he felt the weekend of the NFL draft. Projected by some analysts to be a second-day pick, Streeter remained on the board until late in the sixth round. But shortly after the Ravens ended his disappointment, his phone rang. Linebacker Ray Lewis was reaching out to the Miami Hurricanes wide receiver and welcoming him to the family.

Osemele, Gradkowski focus on guard at Ravens minicamp

Kelechi Osemele and Gino Gradkowski were drafted by the Ravens, in part, because of their ability to play multiple offensive line positions, but they spent the majority of the minicamp at guard. Both rookies will compete with Jah Reid for the vacant starting lineup spot at left guard.