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Ravens linebacker Daryl Smith drastically outperformed his 2013 deal and was rewarded Friday with a four-year, $16.1 million contract, according to league sources.

The release of Vonta Leach and Jameel McClain was the right business decision, but that doesn't mean it was an easy one to jettison two of the team's most popular and beloved players.

Looking to create more room under the salary cap, the Ravens have released Vonta Leach and Jameel McClain, two veterans with diminished roles.

Between practices Wednesday at Ladd-Peebles Stadium, The Baltimore Sun conducted the following interview with Ravens assistant general manager Eric DeCosta.

Ravens coach John Harbaugh talks about the team's rookies getting better in 2014.

Each week, Baltimore Sun columnist Mike Preston will answer questions from readers about the Ravens.

Finally, in Sunday's 34-17 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals, the Ravens were able to use tight end Dennis Pitta as they originally envisioned before training camp kicked off.

Joe Flacco's sprained left knee meant the Ravens were even more reliant than usual on the shotgun formation rather than have him drop back in the pocket.

Fullback Vonta Leach was an afterthought during Monday night's 18-16 win over the Detroit Lions, Ravens tight end Dennis Pitta played fewer snaps and more observations after looking at the official snap counts.

When the Ravens addressed the middle linebacker position this offseason by signing Daryl Smith, the ability to cover receivers was clearly a priority.

Dennis Pitta made his season debut in Sunday's 29-26 win over the Minnesota Vikings and the Ravens tight end played 36 of the team's 85 offensive snaps and had six catches for 48 yards and a touchdown.

Minnesota Vikings star running back Adrian Peterson was carted off the field with a leg injury in the second quarter of today's game against the Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium.

Marlon Brown, an undrafted free agent, secured the football, then dragged his feet inbounds at the back of the end zone. After a brief review, officials confirmed it was a touchdown.

Joe Flacco silenced anyone still clamoring for the wildcat offense, which disappeared against the Steelers days after the quarterback called it a high school offense.

Josh Bynes got the majority of snaps at weak-side linebacker Thursday against the Pittsburgh Steelers despite the fact that Jameel McClain started.

A week after Ray Rice rushed for a season-high 131 yards in an overtime loss to the Chicago Bears, the star running back found himself in a timeshare with backup running back Bernard Pierce in Sunday's 19-3 win over the New York Jets.

It's hard to be too critical of any NFL telecast that delivers the kind of images CBS did Sunday following Jacoby Jones¿ touchdown catch that put the Ravens up 19-3 over the Jets.

The Ravens were without the services of Haloti Ngata during Sunday's 23-20 overtime loss to the Chicago Bears. With Ngata sidelined, Terrence Cody got his first start of the 2013 season at nose tackle, played a season-high 35 defensive snaps and made one tackle.

Ravens wide receiver Jacoby Jones has now played four games since returning from a knee injury last month, but the veteran wide receiver has yet to overtake rookie Marlon Brown on the depth chart based on their playing time.

Almost halfway through the season, the Ravens' rookie class has shown incremental signs of progress.

Baltimore Ravens fullback Vonta Leach played a season-low two offensive snaps, inside linebacker Jameel McClain took on a larger role and more playing time observations from Sunday's loss to the Cleveland Browns.

With Josh Bynes sidelined against the Pittsburgh Steelers two weeks ago, Jameel McClain started at weak-side linebacker and played 30 snaps in his first NFL game since December.

Looking at which Baltimore Ravens got a lot of playing time and which Ravens rode the pine in the first seven games of the 2013 season. Only five players, including middle linebacker Daryl Smith, have played every snap.

Because of injuries and other roster decisions, the Ravens' special teams have featured a revolving door of players, many thrust into roles that they've never occupied.

The veteran weak-side inside linebacker conquered another obstacle Sunday, starting his first game in 10 months since returning from a spinal cord contusion suffered last December. Since

The Ravens have activated veteran inside linebacker Jameel McClain from the reserve-physically unable to perform list and cut tight end Billy Bajema heading into Sunday's game against the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Ravens starting weak-side inside linebacker Josh Bynes has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Pittsburgh Steelers due to an infected finger that required surgery.

After not getting a punt blocked since 2009, Sam Koch has been blocked twice in six weeks, leaving punt protection as a primary point of emphasis this week.

One positive development from Sunday's 19-17 loss to the Green Bay Packers was the return of injured wide receiver Jacoby Jones, who returned kickoffs and made an 11-yard touchdown reception. The Ravens limited his usage, though. Jones played just 17 offensive snaps and six snaps on special teams. More on that and other snap count observations.

Ravens rookie linebacker Arthur Brown, the team's second round pick out of Kansas State, should get more playing time Sunday against Green Bay, especially if the Packers throw a lot.

Each week, Baltimore Sun reporters Aaron Wilson and Matt Vensel will look back at the Ravens' previous game and that of their next opponent.

Ravens left offensive guard Kelechi Osemele's back is improving one day after he was unable to continue to play during a 26-23 win over the Miami Dolphins, according to coach John Harbaugh.

Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Tandon Doss got the start in Sunday's 26-23 win over the Miami Dolphins and he played a career-high 50 snaps in the victory.

Nine Ravens are questionable for Sunday's game against the Miami Dolphins, including four wide receivers and starting cornerback Lardarius Webb.

Ravens kick returner and wide receiver Jacoby Jones' return to practice was unsurprisingly on a limited basis Wednesday.