Five weeks before players report to training camp, the Ravens have begun preliminary talks with their draft picks.

Last year at this time, the team had made quick work of negotiations, locking up three of its seven draft choices. But the Ravens, who have 10 draft picks to sign this year, are far from worried.

"We anticipate all of our draft picks to be signed by the start of training camp," said Ozzie Newsome, the Ravens' senior vice president of football operations. "But holdouts are part of our business."

This year's Ravens draft class is: safety Ed Reed (first round), defensive end Tony Weaver (second), punter Dave Zastudil (fourth), receiver Ron Johnson (fourth), tight end Terry Jones (fifth), return specialist Lamont Brightful (sixth), receiver Javin Hunter (sixth), running back Chester Taylor (sixth), safety Chad Williams (sixth) and quarterback Wes Pate (seventh).

Last week, Reed, the 24th overall pick of the draft, said he expects to report to training camp on time.

Not throwing in the towel

After 16 practices this off-season of nonstop throwing, quarterback Chris Redman said his arm still felt fresh.

"I don't particularly throw it hard enough to get a sore arm," he said. "I feel strong."

In fact, Redman will continue to throw during his month of off time. He can always find willing receivers at Male High School in his hometown of Louisville, Ky., where his father is the football coach.

"It's good for me," Redman said. "In high school, they never get tired. They'll run as many routes as you want."

End zone

Summarizing the negative stance by league owners for the NFL to return to a renovated Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, Ravens owner Art Modell told the Los Angeles Times, "Trying to put a new dress on an old hooker is not the way I want to go dancing." ... There has been no movement in talks to restructure the contracts of linebackers Ray Lewis and Peter Boulware. If the Ravens could redo those deals soon, they would have a solid chance at re-signing free agent defensive tackle Sam Adams, whose asking price reportedly has dropped to a $4 million signing bonus. The team likely would stay in its new 3-4 defensive scheme even if it retains Adams. ... The coaching staff is on vacation until late July, and players don't have to report again until July 25.