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Thoughts and observations after Ravens' first full practice of camp

There should no longer be any major concern about Pro Bowl outside linebacker Terrell Suggs being ready to play in the season opener against the Denver Broncos.

He reported to training camp Wednesday a bit heavy, but appeared much lighter than he did nearly a month ago. At the team's opening practice Thursday morning, Suggs moved well. The quickness was there and so was his get-off, the ability to explode on the snap of the ball.

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He ran reasonably well, but it's also easy to see he has more work to do. If the Ravens don't push him, which could force an injury, Suggs will be ready at the beginning of the regular season.

His lack of desire to stay in great shape during the offseason, though, might be an indication that he doesn't plan on playing much longer. As Hall of Fame players like safety Rod Woodson and tight end Shannon Sharpe got older, they worked harder to stay in shape and have longer playing careers.

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* Was cornerback Lardarius Webb trying to send head coach John Harbaugh a message?

Webb didn't pass his conditioning run and was unable to practice with the team Thursday, which is very strange. If this was a defensive tackle like Haloti Ngata or an offensive lineman like Bryant McKinnie missing the first day, it probably was a battle of the bulge.

But Webb is a corner. Plus, he struggled with injuries and played poorly last season, which is why everyone expected him to be ready on Day 1.  Former Ravens cornerback Chris McAlister once failed his conditioning runs because he didn't feel the test was necessary. Former Ravens receiver Jacoby Jones didn't pass his once because he was having a little spat with Harbaugh.

Webb? Only Ed Reed, the king of enigma, might know. Or maybe Webb or Harbaugh might tell us something soon.

* I haven't been a fan of the Ravens moving training camp from McDaniel College in Westminster to The Castle in Owings Mills, but bringing in the stands so more fans can watch training camp practices is a nice touch.

The current situation doesn't provide tree cover for shade like it did at McDaniel, but at least some fans get a chance to connect with players.

That's one of the great lures of training camp.

* O-line observations: If both right tackle Rick Wagner and center Jeremy Zuttah were still recovering from injuries, it was hard to tell Thursday. Both worked with the first unit and ran well without any noticeable problems.

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Reserve Jah Reid worked at right tackle and it's a better fit for him than guard. Reid is too stiff and his feet are too slow to play guard. Tackle is more of a power position and that is more suitable for Reid, entering his fifth season.

Center-guard John Urschel is small (308 pounds) by NFL standards, but he is smart, fast and tough. He is very technically sound.

One other thing: Line coach Juan Castillo is a better coach when given a game plan instead of devising his own.

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* Overall, the Ravens players who needed to lose weight appear to have done it during the last month. Besides Suggs, defensive end Chris Canty has slimmed down and outside linebacker Courtney Upshaw looks a tad heavy, but is moving well.

He'd better. This is a contract year for Upshaw.

* Second-year linebacker C.J. Mosley, who had offseason wrist surgery, wore a brace and appeared comfortable at practice. I'm just wondering how the injury impacted his weightlifting in the offseason. He is a player who could have added a few pounds of muscle.

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One player who appeared leaner is rookie running back Javorius Allen out of USC. He is expected to challenge Lorenzo Taliaferro for the No. 2 position. It's worth noting that most of the running backs are comfortable catching passes out of the backfield, a major staple in the offense of coordinator Marc Trestman.

* Keep an eye on Brent Urban, a second-year defensive end out of Virginia. He has some decent pass-rushing moves and at 6 feet 7, could knock down a lot of passes with those outstretched arms. The best spin move of the future might belong to rookie end-outside linebacker Za'Darius Smith. He brings it.

* Best catch of the day belonged to Kairrece Carr, 8, of West Baltimore. Veteran receiver Steve Smith threw a pair of gloves to him into the stands midway through practice and Carr smiled from ear to ear.

"That was good, amazing," said Carr, who plays in the Golden Jackals program.


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