bernard pierce

Despite impressive showings from rookies Bernard Pierce and Bobby Rainey, Allen and Berry eager to replace the retired Ricky Williams

Rookie running back is a new father

Bryant McKinnie continues to try to play his way into shape after reporting five days late to training camp at a weight of roughly 360 pounds, well above his stated target weight of 345 pounds.

After surrendering two touchdowns in Thursday night's 31-17 preseason win against the Atlanta Falcons, the Ravens' first-team defense shined in Saturday's practice.

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.

Those five are part of the Ravens' 25-man rookie class that head coach John Harbaugh has already called the "deepest" group of first-year players that the organization has had in his five-season tenure. With the starters not expected to play much more than a quarter in the Ravens' preseason opener Thursday night against the Atlanta Falcons at the Georgia Dome, the focus will quickly shift to the team's newcomers who hope to prove they can help an organization that prides itself on developing

Ravens starters to play sparingly

Near the end of their last open practice before Thursday night¿s preseason opener, the Ravens ran a two-minute simulation where the offense had to drive the length of the field. The first-team defense got the better of the starting offense, forcing quarterback Joe Flacco to settle for short completions, which quickly wound down the clock. After Flacco spiked the ball with eight seconds left, kicker Billy Cundiff missed a game-tying attempt from 58

Upshaw, the team's first of two second-round picks in April, was one of several Ravens to return to the practice field today. Running back Anthony Allen, guard Marshal Yanda, linebacker Jameel McClain and defensive end Pernell McPhee, who all left practice early yesterday, were also on the practice field.

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.

Eight-time Pro Bowl free safety might be resting after injuring left knee Saturday; Dickson, C.Williams return

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

So far, Paul Kruger hasn¿t done anything to disappoint observers. The outside linebacker dove and tipped a pass from quarterback Tyrod Taylor to rookie wide receiver Deonte Thompson. On the very next play, Kruger sacked Taylor. Kruger then sacked Flacco twice.

Center Matt Birk (back spasms), rookie outside linebacker Courtney Upshaw (bruised right shoulder) and wide receiver Tandon Doss (hamstring) sat out their sixth consecutive practice. Tight end Dennis Pitta (broken right hand), rookie running back Bernard Pierce (hamstring) and linebacker Josh Bynes (undisclosed) did not participate for the fifth straight day.

Williams continued to burnish his highlight film for the coaches. His touchdown catch in the red-zone drill involved a leaping grab in the end zone. During a third-down exercise, he hauled in two passes good for first downs, including a leaping back-shoulder catch over rookie cornerback Jordan Mabin.

After passing their conditioning test earlier today, Ravens left tackle Bryant McKinnie and defensive tackle Haloti Ngata both are practicing for the first time in training camp.

In a simulated scrimmage near the end of Thursday¿s practice, starting quarterback Joe Flacco took the Ravens 80 yards on four plays. He hit tight end Ed Dickson up the seam for a nice gain then connected with wide receiver Torrey Smith on the next play.

Also, continued absence of Courtney Upshaw doesn't concern Dean Pees

Ravens center Matt Birk missed practice for a fourth consecutive day Thursday. The reason for his absence has not been disclosed, though head coach John Harbaugh said on Tuesday that the 36-year-old is at the stage of his career where he doesn't have to practice every day.

Second-year defensive end Pernell McPhee, who has been sidelined since organized team activities with a knee injury, returned to the practice field on Wednesday, his first full-participation practice of Ravens training camp.

Harbaugh also said that running back Bernard Pierce missed Tuesday¿s practice with a hamstring injury.

Chykie Brown and Asa Jackson are two young guys fighting for playing time in the Ravens¿ talented secondary and they both stood out Tuesday in a practice that featured several interceptions. Brown, a fifth-round pick last year, and Jackson, a fifth-round pick this year, had two picks each and all four would have went back for touchdowns if play continued.

Ravens center not present during first 45 minutes of Tuesday's session; Upshaw, Kemoeatu also absent

Rookie running back competing with three others for chance to back up Ray Rice

Each morning, Monday through Friday, we'll hook you up with some reading material to skim through as you slug down coffee and slack off at the start of your workday.

Anthony Allen, Bernard Pierce and Damien Berry will compete for the right to back up Ravens starting running back Ray Rice.

Each morning, Monday through Friday, we'll hook you up with some reading material to skim through as you slug down coffee and slack off at the start of your workday.

Ray Rice rushed for 4,377 yards in his first four NFL seasons, all before the Ravens running back had celebrated his 25th birthday.

Baltimore Ravens running back Anthony Allen spent most of his rookie season watching from the sidelines. But with Rice in a contract negotiation and Williams in retirement, Allen enjoyed his opportunity this spring.

Jah Reid, who spent most of the week at right tackle, was carted off the practice field midway through Thursday's final day of minicamp. His right leg rested on the back of the cart. An assistant then helped Reid gingerly walk inside the practice facility to the trainer's room. Reid did not return. Early indication is that Reid avoided a major injury and the hope is that it is a strained calf, according to a source.