Ravens news, notes and opinions after Wednesday's OTAs

As I expected, there was a lot more made of who didn’t show up at this week’s organized team activities than who did. The absences of Terrell Suggs, Haloti Ngata and Vonta Leach in particular seemed to spur the most questions. Again, the workouts are voluntary and some players choose to stay home and work out on their own. Coach John Harbaugh pointed out that the team didn’t see Ray Lewis much – if at all – in the offseason. Ed Reed wasn’t exactly a fixture at OTAs either. And Joe Flacco mentioned that Anquan Boldin wasn’t traditionally at the facility this time of year either. The comments weren’t made to disparage any of the three players but the point was made. The Ravens knew that those players would be ready to go when needed, which is the same feeling they have with the likes of Suggs, Ngata, Leach and Marshal Yanda, who also was a no-show. The Ravens have 90 players on their roster and all but about six of them were on the field in some capacity. And another veteran, Jacoby Jones, is expected to arrive today after his third-place finish in Dancing with the Stars. That should be far more the story than the handful of players who didn’t show at a workout they technically didn’t have to be at.

Mike Preston's observations from Wednesday's workout

I never put a lot of stock in OTAs because the season is still a few months away and there could be some significant changes to the roster before the regular season opener. But here are a few casual observations from watching the first workout open to the media Wednesday....

Done with dancing, Jacoby Jones expected to get right back to football

Now that Pro Bowl kick returner Jacoby Jones' star turn on Dancing With the Stars is over, the Ravens expect him to get right back to football.

Ravens rookie linebacker Arthur Brown sidelined after sports hernia surgery

The Ravens' hard luck at inside linebacker hasn't stopped.

Lardarius Webb, Jameel McClain showing signs of progress from injuries

Two defensive starters coming off injuries displayed signs of progress during the Ravens' first organized team activities Wednesday.

Brian Urlacher retires in same year as Ray Lewis

A two-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year, Ravens defensive icon Ray Lewis isn't the only star middle linebacker to retire from the NFL this offseason.

Ravens re-signing wide receiver Gerrard Sheppard

Former Towson wide receiver Gerrard Sheppard is getting another shot with the Ravens.

Ravens sign fourth-rounder John Simon to four-year, $2.545 million deal

The Ravens have signed fourth-round outside linebacker John Simon to a four-year deal.

At start of OTAs, who's there is far more important than who isn't

Who is there, or more appropriately, who isn’t? That undoubtedly will be the most popular question this week as the Ravens start the first of three sessions of organized team activities. The sessions will run from May 21 to 23, May 29 to 31 and June 4 to 6, leading into the mandatory veteran minicamp, which starts on June 11.

As OTAs begin, several Ravens still working their way back to health

Starting today and continuing over the next three weeks, Ravens’ rookies and veterans will come together for organized team activities. The three day OTAs, which will be held at the Under Armour Performance Center in Owings Mills from May 21-23, May 29-31 and June 4-6, will serve as a prelude to the mandatory veteran minicamp, held on June 11-13. The OTAs are voluntary and several Ravens veterans traditionally have skipped them or at least gone to only one or two of the sessions.  There will also be a group of players who aren’t ready to participate in the scaled-down workouts after sustaining injuries last year or had an offseason surgery. Several players mentioned below fit into that category.

Guns stolen from home of Ravens' Ray Rice

Two guns and cash were stolen in a weekend burglary at the Reisterstown home of Baltimore Ravens running back Ray Rice, Baltimore County police confirmed.

Ravens sign defensive tackle Cody Larsen

The Ravens signed undrafted rookie defensive tackle Cody Larsen.

Flacco signs 'r-word' pledge for Special Olympics

In the days leading up to the Super Bowl, Joe Flacco was criticized for saying at a news conference that the idea of a cold-weather Super Bowl was “retarded,” something the Ravens quarterback apologized for a day later.

Tough decisions down the road for Ravens

As the reigning Super Bowl champions, the Ravens had an extremely eventful offseason where they overhauled their roster and dealt with a tight salary-cap situation by making a series of tough decisions.

Nick Saban supportive of Rolando McClain's decision to step away from NFL

Alabama coach Nick Saban has maintained a strong relationship with Rolando McClain ever since the middle linebacker played for the Crimson Tide as a consensus All-American and Butkus Award winner.

Will Pericak got biggest signing bonus among Ravens' undrafted rookies

The Ravens haven't traditionally been big spenders when it comes to signing undrafted rookie free agents.

Rolando McClain says he retired to focus on 'getting my personal life together'

Following his abrupt move to retire Wednesday at the age of 23, Ravens middle linebacker Rolando McClain issued a statement Thursday explaining his decision.

Ravens' salary cap update: $1.986 million available with Rolando McClain retirement

With the sudden retirement of middle linebacker Rolando McClain, the Ravens are now $1.986 million under the NFL salary cap limit of $123 million.

Mike Preston: So far, so good for Ravens with Bryant McKinnie

So far, all is good as far as left offensive tackle Bryant McKinnie and the Ravens.

Taking stock at Ravens' inside linebacker position minus Rolando McClain

The abrupt retirement of trouble-prone inside linebacker Rolando McClain shouldn't necessarily have a major impact on the state of the Ravens at the position.

Consumed by other endeavors, Ayanbadejo not sweating potential end of playing days

Cut by the Ravens in early April, linebacker and special teams standout Brendon Ayanbadejo still hasn’t ruled out playing in the NFL during the 2013 season. He works out daily and keeps himself ready in case a team calls and the situation is right.

Former Ravens first-rounder Mark Clayton retiring

Former Ravens wide receiver Mark Clayton is retiring from the NFL.

Mike Preston: Ravens never should have signed Rolando McClain

Ravens general manager Ozzie Newsome was having a great offseason as far as acquisitions and building the team, but the Ravens are embarrassed by linebacker Rolando McClain's announced retirement.

Rolando McClain informs Ravens that he will retire

Troubled inside linebacker Rolando McClain informed Ravens officials Wednesday that he will retire from the NFL, a decision he reached before participating in one practice with his new team.

Ravens adding undrafted Kansas quarterback Dayne Crist

The Ravens are adding undrafted quarterback Dayne Crist to the roster, according to a source.

Ravens to get their Super Bowl rings on June 7

The Ravens will distribute their Super Bowl XLVII rings to players and coaches at a private ring ceremony June 7, according to a news release.

Ravens add undrafted Georgia wide receiver Marlon Brown, cut Gerrard Sheppard

The Ravens have added undrafted Georgia wide receiver Marlon Brown to the roster and cut former Towson wide receiver Gerrard Sheppard.

Ravens linebacker Adrian Hamilton hopes to earn increased role

It was a quiet rookie season for Ravens outside linebacker Adrian Hamilton.

Ryan McBean visits Chiefs

Veteran free agent defensive lineman Ryan McBean visited the Kansas City Chiefs on Monday, according to a source.

Dennis Pitta signs restricted tender, Ravens sign four undrafted rookies

Ravens tight end Dennis Pitta has signed his $2.023 million second-round restricted tender.