IMPROVED IVY
Corey Ivy looked to be in midseason form. The cornerback drilled rookie wide receiver Damien Linson to force a dropped ball and then made an over-the-shoulder interception of Kyle Boller's pass to Romby Bryant in the end zone. More plays like those will solidify Ivy's role as the team's nickel back.
BRIEF SCARES
Three-time Pro Bowl cornerback Chris McAlister and defensive end Trevor Pryce pulled up during the morning practice session. McAlister winced as he touched his rib cage, but after a few minutes, he returned to practice. Pryce, who limped off the field with his left shoe in his hand, walked around the team's hotel with his left ankle taped, but he practiced in the afternoon.
A LITTLE TOO EAGER
Linebacker Bart Scott, who made his first Pro Bowl last season, jumped offside before the second snap of an 11-on-11 drill. Scott, who tried to anticipate quarterback Steve McNair's snap count, bowled into center Mike Flynn.
QUOTABLE
"Man, he's late." - Young male fan as offensive tackle Michael Kracalik walked to the practice field. Kracalik showed up a few minutes late because he was getting wrapped for a sprained left ankle.
INJURIES
Offensive tackle Jonathan Ogden (turf toe), linebackers Mike Smith (shoulder surgery) and Dan Cody (knee), fullback Justin Green (knee) and Kracalik are on the physically-unable-to-perform list and did not practice. Wide receiver Mark Clayton had an abscess on one of the fingers on his left hand, which he said was from biting his nail, and did not participate in the afternoon session.
SCHEDULE
Today's practices are from 8:15 a.m. to 10:35 a.m. and 3 p.m. to 4 p.m.
DAYS TO OPENER
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