Setting the scene: The Ravens started the first of two open practices at M&T Bank Stadium at 7 p.m. Players wore full pads for the third straight practice. A storm passed through the Baltimore area earlier in the day, giving way to a warm night. It was a surprisingly small crowd after more than 22,000 showed up to M&T Bank Stadium to watch last year's open practice. The Ravens, who are off Tuesday, return to their team facility in Owings Mills on Wednesday and will have another open practice Saturday at 6 p.m.
Fight night: It was easily the most physical practice of training camp, surprising given the setting. The stadium practices are usually low key, but tempers flared early and often. Tackles De'Ondre Wesley and Stephane Nembot got into separate altercations, one of them featuring Nembot and defensive end Lawrence Guy exchanging punches during a lengthy fracas. Kamalei Correa then got into it with Dennis Pitta, who went after the rookie linebacker. The normally mild-mannered tight end emerged from the pile-on with his helmet off. Correa then popped wide receiver Mike Wallace, prompting quarterback Joe Flacco to get into the rookie linebacker's face.
Play of the day: For the first time in training camp, Flacco tucked the ball and ran upfield. On a third-and-four in the red zone, Flacco ran outside and easily picked up the first down before heading out of bounds as linebacker C.J. Mosley closed in. Flacco showed no ill effects from the knee injury that ended his 2015 season. The play drew loud applause from the fans in attendance.
Veteran respect: Pitta and safety Eric Weddle had the most memorable matchup in one-on-one drills. In their first meeting, Pitta faked outside and cut inside to make the catch down the middle of the field. Weddle patted the tight end on the helmet after the two tumbled to the ground. In their next matchup, Pitta caught the ball but he was whistled for pushing off. The two veterans spent the next couple of minutes discussing the play.
Price is right: Sheldon Price, the cornerback out of UCLA who spent last season on the team's practice squad, continues to impress. He made a nice play in one-on-one drills to deflect a potential touchdown pass away from Chris Matthews. Later in the practice, Price broke up a pass intended for Jeremy Butler along the sideline.
West showing the way: From the first day of training camp – even dating back to minicamp – former Towson standout Terrance West has been one of the Ravens' most explosive players. That trend continued Monday as West used a series of cuts to break several long runs and score a touchdown on the ground. While West is perceived as being on the roster bubble, he looks like a player that won't be denied.
Ochi shines: Outside linebacker Victor Ochi, an undrafted free agent out of Stony Brook, had his best practice to date, beating Nembot and Blaine Clausell during pass-rushing drills. Ochi then easily beat tackle James Hurst around the edge in 11-on-11's. Ochi needed a big practice as he's considered on the bubble to make the team.
Injury report: The Ravens had 12 players not practicing, with cornerback Will Davis (undisclosed) being the only new absence. Running back Kenneth Dixon (knee), wide receiver Chris Moore (undisclosed), tight end Crockett Gillmore (hamstring), defensive tackle Timmy Jernigan (ribs) and cornerback Maurice Canady (undisclosed) remain sidelined. Running backs Lorenzo Taliaferro (foot) and Trent Richardson (knee), wide receivers Steve Smith Sr. (Achilles) and Breshad Perriman (knee) and pass rushers Terrell Suggs (Achilles) and Elvis Dumervil (foot) are still on the physically unable to perform list.
Overheard: "There is no crabgrass, so our grounds crew guys are excited," Ravens coach John Harbaugh said when asked by WBAL's Gerry Sandusky about the new grass surface at M&T Bank Stadium.
- Jeff Zrebiec