The Ravens will meet a Detroit Lions squad filled with familiar faces this week.
The Lions' head coach is former Ravens offensive coordinator Jim Caldwell. Former defensive backs coach Teryl Austin is the team's defensive coordinator. Ravens head coach John Harbaugh said it's easy to see Caldwell's and Austin's Ravens influences on their respective units.
"The defense is a basic structure, but Teryl has obviously put his own version out there," Harbaugh said after Thursday's practice. "Coach Caldwell, he's got Coach [Jim Bob] Cooter as the offensive coordinator, but you can see Jim's personality all over that side of the field."
Former Ravens on the Detroit roster include wide receiver Anquan Boldin, linebacker Josh Bynes and defensive tackle Haloti Ngata. The 6-foot-4, 345-pound Ngata, a first-round pick in the 2006 NFL draft who went to five Pro Bowls with the Ravens, recorded just 24 tackles and 2½ sacks in his first season with the Lions, but is still a formidable presence.
Quarterback Joe Flacco, who will make his preseason debut for the first time since tearing the anterior cruciate and medial collateral ligaments in his left knee on Nov. 22, joked that he's not certain if he has an agreement with Ngata to take it easy on Saturday.
"It'll be interesting to see him," Flacco said. "I'm used to seeing him over there, but it will be interesting to see him over there in some other colors."
Last week the Ravens faced an Indianapolis Colts team also peppered with former Ravens on the coaching staff (head coach Chuck Pagano and defensive coordinator Ted Monachino).