albert mcclellan

The Baltimore Ravens' 31-17 preseason victory over the Atlanta Falcons featured a subpar performance by many of the starters and a spirited comeback, fueled by some of the organization's younger players. Here is a look at five players who helped their status and five who may have taken a step back.

Dickson, the starting tight end who caught 54 balls for 528 yards and five touchdowns last season, sustained an apparent arm injury on the touchdown catch.

Aaron Wilson delivers his impressions on the Ravens roster from training camp.

With the secondary covering the receivers, the rest of the defense turned up the heat on the quarterbacks. Inside linebackers Ray Lewis and rookie Nigel Carr, defensive tackle Haloti Ngata and outside linebacker Albert McClellan each got to the quarterbacks ¿ with Taylor getting tagged three times. McClellan and fellow outside linebacker Sergio Kindle also posted at least one quarterback hit each.

Jeff Zrebiec offers his take on the latest news and notes from Baltimore Ravens training camp.

Rush backer made first career start for Ray Lewis last season and isn't sure which spot is best for him

Initially signed for his prowess on special teams, former Chicago Bears cornerback has impressed with his skills in the secondary

McAdoo still has a place with the Ravens

Besides seeing limited action in a pair of preseason games last summer, Michael McAdoo hasn't played a meaningful game in nearly three years.

Baltimore Sun reporter Jeff Zrebiec has news, notes and opinions on the Ravens' OTAs.

In New England, Pees had to make up for the loss of start middle linebacker Teddy Bruschi

From contract negotiations with quarterback Joe Flacco and running back Ray Rice to a potentially season-ending Achilles injury to star linebacker Terrell Suggs to coach John Harbaugh's comments on the New England Patriots to mercurial safety Ed Reed's controversial radio interviews, the Ravens have made plenty of off-the-field news this offseason.

Former Alabama linebacker Courtney Upshaw, who the Ravens made their top selection in the recent draft, heard the news of Terrell Suggs' injury when he signed into his Twitter account.

Ravens outside linebacker Terrell Suggs will see a specialist next week, but the fear is that he sustained a torn Achilles' and could miss the entire 2012 season.

Last weekend, the Ravens drafted Alabama linebacker Courtney Upshaw to complement Terrell Suggs, the 2011 NFL Defensive Player of the Year. But after today's unfortunate news, he might have to replace him.

With draft complete, Ravens still don't have answer for who will replace Grubbs. Draft picks Gino Gradkowski and Kelechi Osemele could compete with Jah Reid to start at guard.

Ravens will now turn attention to signing undrafted free agents

Temporarily ignoring their needs on the offensive line, the Ravens made linebacker Courtney Upshaw, a defensive standout on an Alabama team that won the national championship last season, their first selection of the 2012 draft.

Every weekday until Wednesday, the day before the first round of the NFL draft, The Sun will examine where the Ravens stand at each position, the likelihood that they will address that spot early in the draft and some of the prospects that they may consider.

The Ravens could use their 29th overall draft pick in next Thursday's first round on a guard or they could just as easily sign one of the available free agents at the position. Reid, however, isn't spending a whole lot of time thinking about either scenario. He's too busy trying to earn the position for himself.

Having shifted from linebacker to end and back again, Kruger is anxious to stick in one spot

The Ravens lost an ironman and a fan favorite when outside linebacker Jarret Johnson signed a four-year, $19 million deal with the San Diego Chargers last month. Since then, head coach John Harbaugh has twice hyped up Paul Kruger, who in his fourth season is the favorite to land the starting spot that had belonged to Johnson.

Ravens sense progress in contract talks with Ray Rice

Shortly after bolstering their special teams unit by agreeing to terms with former Chicago Bears defensive back Corey Graham, the Ravens have reportedly kept a core special teams player of their own in house by reaching an agreement with three-time Pro Bowl player Brendon Ayanbadejo.

One day Ravens will have to prepare for life without Ray Lewis

Analysis of Ravens special teams play in 2011

Undrafted out of Marshall, linebacker Albert McClellan lost his mother to cancer while adjusting to the NFL

Ravens coverage units pledge to clean up mistakes. Team in danger of setting new low in returns allowed for touchdowns.

Five Things We Learned in the Ravens 24-10 win over the Colts

The Ravens' other linebackers have filled in admirably in for the injured Ray Lewis.

A group of four players has split time filling in for future Hall-of-famer Ray Lewis, who appears likely to return for Dec. 18 game vs. Chargers