Ravens coach Ted Marchibroda has been so pleased with the intensity of practices that he concluded two-a-day sessions yesterday, a few days ahead of schedule.
The mood of this year's team is different from last year and much of that has to do with the addition of veterans such as cornerback Rod Woodson, halfback Errict Rhett, fullback Roosevelt Potts and quarterback Jim Harbaugh, who bring with them dominant personalities and seemingly invincible playing styles.
This team also has a sense of urgency with Marchibroda in the last season of a three-year contract and the Ravens playing in a new $220 million stadium.
"There is a seriousness about this football team," said Marchibroda. "The concentration has been there and these guys have worked very hard."
Guard Alex Bernstein said the Ravens learned a tough lesson from a year ago when they finished 6-9-1.
"This team is a little older. Everybody knows this year we can win," said Bernstein. "Last year we lost so many close games and I think we realize what it takes to win. The physical part of preparation is just as important as the mental, but now we're getting ready for the season. We'll spend more time now in the classroom in the morning before going out in the evening."
"This camp definitely has more intensity," said quarterback Eric Zeier. "We're sharper overall compared to a year ago and we've progressed. Obviously, though, you can't tell until the games begin. But now with a new offense, we'll get to see what is successful and what's not successful. We've made strides, but we're not where we want to be yet."
Henceforth, the Ravens will have general walk-through practices the morning and team officials have encouraged fans not to show up until the afternoon practices beginning at 2: 40 p.m. Fans are also not encouraged to attend today's afternoon practice and the team will not have any practices tomorrow or Sunday.
The Williams wait
Center Wally Williams said he expects to report to camp in about 10 days.
Williams, the team's designated franchise player who is set to make $3.06 million in 1998, chose to skip part of camp since he has yet to sign a long-term contract. Williams said he expects to show up at Western Maryland College one or two days after the Ravens play their second preseason game against the Jets on Aug. 15.
"That way, I can get in enough practices to be ready to play the two [preseason] games I need to be ready for the regular season," Williams said. "I never thought I would miss it [training camp], but I really do. Your body gets conditioned to the point where you know it's time for camp."
Williams is expected to be at Camden Yards tomorrow night for the preseason opener against Chicago.
Graham to start
Second-year player Jay Graham will start at running back tomorrow night, but he'll be one of the players on the first unit who might have to alternate with a backup, in this case veteran Errict Rhett.
The battle for the No. 1 running back position is one of the most interesting in training camp.
"We'll go with Jay Graham to begin with but if he gets tired, we'll bring Rhett in to work with the first team," said Marchibroda.
"I'm pumped up a little bit about this game," said Graham. "I'll get to evaluate myself and see how I came along since last season. It's good to have a change of pace and go against somebody different than your teammates all the time."
Starks shows his stuff
In early morning workouts yesterday, cornerback Duane Starks showed why the Ravens thinks so highly of the No. 1 draft choice from Miami wo held out 16 days before signing with the team Wednesday morning.
Three times Starks dived to knock down passes on short out routes to receivers. The Ravens also had him working on the kickoff team.
"I felt fine out there, I had fun," said Starks. "I'm still playing catch-up to everyone else. But even when you make plays in practice, it builds your confidence up to a higher level. Once you stay in that mentality, it carrys over into the games."
No time to be hurt
With the preseason opener a day away, this has become crunch or money time for a lot of players, particularly rookie free agents like defensive lineman Larry Fitzpatrick.
Fitzpatrick left yesterday morning's practice with a groin injury, but quickly returned to action.
"Nah, this ain't no time to be sitting down," said Fitzpatrick, who played at Illinois State last season. "I can't afford it and neither can the team."
Burnett back in action
Starting defensive end Rob Burnett yesterday practicing for the fifth day since returning form bronchitis. Burnett says he feels strong and the sickness had little effect on his play.
"I feel good as new," he said. "I'm just happy to be back on the field. When I wasn't practicing I was upset to watch my teammates go through [practices] without me.
"It's just business as usual out there for me. It [bronchitis] slowed me down for at least five or six days because it took me about a day to get my legs fresh and my breathing right." Burnett hopes to ride his solid recovery into the season, one in which he expects to be 100 percent healthy for the first time since before 1996.
"I feel whole for the first time in over a year. I played on one leg for most of 1997 with my right knee never at 100 percent," Burnett said. "But I've been unaffected by the knee during this camp. If that continues, I should be back to the old Rob Burnett."
The old Burnett averaged nine sacks and 81 tackles in three full seasons before the knee injury.
Mitchell gets work
With Williams still a holdout, second-year center Jeff Mitchell is receiving more repetitions with the first offense. When Williams returns to camp, Mitchell will not exclusively be relegated to backup center.
Offensive line coach Kirk Ferentz said that Mitchell may see action at guard, a position that is up for grabs with the season-ending injury to Sale Isaia.
"It will be difficult for me to switch back to guard. I'll have to get my steps down again," Mitchell said. "I've been getting good reps with the first team and I've received a lot of attention from coaches. I know what a center should do in this offense. This has made me more marketable as a lineman."
At the same time, Mitchell admitted he is a bit anxious for Williams to return so he can begin practicing some plays at guard. "Hopefully, he'll be back soon. The more time I spend with the first team, the harder it will be for me to re-adjust when Wally gets back," he said.
Camp update
Who's No. 1? Ravens top draft pick and cornerback Duane Starks dived to knock down three passes in the morning practice session, showing off quick reflexes and good closing speed.
Injuries: The following players did not practice yesterday afternoon: receiver James Roe (quadriceps), defensive tackle Martin Chase (knee), tight end Brian Kinchen (knee), safety Donny Brady (knee), defensive end Mike Frederick (knee), cornerback Alfred Jackson (hamstring) and running back Tony Vinson (shoulder).
The Rhett moment: There is one a day. After running for a 45-yard touchdown in the morning practice session, running back Errict Rhett ran down the sideline and told reporters: "I'm the best damn running back in the NFL."
Tough grader: Starting safety Kim Herring dropped an easy interception in the afternoon, a pass from quarterback Wally Richardson that hit Herring straight in the hands. For the afternoon the new teacher, who is the same as the old teacher, gave Herring a C- grade.
Derrick Alexander? Wide receiver Stevie Anderson didn't have a great day in practice, dropping several passes. He looked like a receiver the Ravens had last year who also wore No. 82.
Notable: Ted Marchibroda's all-time preseason record is 24-26, including 3-5 with the Ravens. Baltimore finished the preseason 0-4 last year after going 3-1 in 1996. Oldest player on the Ravens roster is special teamer Bennie Thompson, born July 16, 1963.
Quotable: Agent Drew Rosenhaus, who also represents tight end Eric Green, on his recent negotiations with the Ravens about Starks: "The Ravens treated me well. They have to. Eric Green's weight is down and I hear he is having one of the best seasons of his life and they'll have to negotiate with me about an extension."
Pub Date: 8/07/98