Ravens offensive coordinator Gary Kubiak said one of the biggest competitions of training camp is at wide receiver.
"In all my years in the league, I don't know that I've ever seen as competitive a situation as we have at receiver right now," Kubiak said. "I would have no chance telling [coach] John [Harbaugh] which five or six I would want right now."
The top of the depth chart includes Steve Smith, Torrey Smith (Maryland) and Jacoby Jones, with Marlon Brown the likely fourth receiver. That leaves LaQuan Williams (Poly, Maryland), Deonte Thompson, Kamar Aiken, Mike Willie, seventh-round pick Michael Campanaro (River Hill) and undrafted rookies Jeremy Butler and Jace Davis to battle for two potential roster spots.
"This is going to be very competitive, and how it plays out is going to be good for this football team," Kubiak said. "Special teams will be a big part of that."
Pees laments Hill's suspension
When they signed him last week, the Ravens knew that third-year safety Will Hill was facing a six-game suspension for a third positive drug test under the league's substance abuse policy.
Still, Pees said he wished he could have the former New York Giants safety in uniform for Week 1.
"That guy is really a good, good football player," Pees said. "He's big, he's fast, smart, he's been great in the classroom. … Day one, he walked out there and kind of knew what was going on just from sitting in the classroom taking notes, getting back in the playbook and seeing what we had. He's an impressive guy."
Kubiak impressed with tight ends
Kubiak knows tight end Owen Daniels from his time as head coach in Houston but said he's been impressed with Dennis Pitta's ability as a blocker.
"That's part of their job, too," Kubiak said. "We know they can get open, we know they can catch balls. But if we're going to run the ball well, everybody has to give it up for the team, and I've been impressed with what Dennis has done."
Getting their kicks
Friday's practice featured players other than kicker Justin Tucker showing off their powerful legs. Punters Sam Koch and rookie Richie Leone each made big field goals with Tucker an eager observer.
Koch booted a 60-yard field goal, while Leone was good from 54 yards during a two-minute drill at the end of practice.
"It doesn't surprise me, really, that they're able to do that because they're both really good athletes, but I think it points to the kind of players you have at this level," special teams coordinator Jerry Rosburg said.
"It's remarkable seeing the things these guys can do," he said. "It's a testament to the athlete when you can practice just a couple of times, go out there and warm up and get ready to go, then you knock a 60-yarder through, a 54-yard game-winner — it's fun."
Smith sits again
Veteran middle linebacker Daryl Smith, the Ravens' leading tackler last season, has been out since suffering a groin injury Monday night.
"I don't know when I'll be back — hopefully [Saturday]," Smith said.
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Smith was also given a veteran day off Sunday, meaning the only time he has practiced this week was the open practice at M&T Bank Stadium on Monday.
"It's not bad," Smith said of the injury. "It feels better. We're trying to work it out and step it up now."
End zone
Jones, outside linebacker Terrell Suggs, nose tackle Haloti Ngata and running back Justin Forsett all returned to practice Friday after veteran rest days. … Rosburg said the induction of punter Ray Guy into the Pro Football Hall of Fame this year is "a wonderful thing," and he began to stump for kicker Morten Andersen, who leads the league with 2,544 career points over 25 seasons.
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Baltimore Sun reporter Aaron Wilson contributed to this article.