marcus spears

As the Ravens enjoy a four-week break before training camp, now would be good time to secure the future of Haloti Ngata, the anchor of an improved defensive line.

The Ravens have gotten more compensatory picks than any team in the NFL and they were awarded four more today.

They had more salary cap space than usual and a host of needs, but the Ravens stuck to the free-agent plan that had served them well in the past.

A year after they made retooling their defensive line an offseason priority, the Ravens again find themselves needing to add depth and talent to the group.

Once thought to be a suitable replacement for Ed Reed, veteran free safety Michael Huff was cut by the Ravens in October. He's now one win away from a Super Bowl ring.

Anquan Boldin seemed hellbent this season to prove that the Ravens gave up on him too soon. And after he led the San Francisco 49ers with 85 catches for 1,179 yards and seven touchdowns, there is reason to believe the Ravens might have let him go too early.

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.

As the Ravens prepare for Sunday's game against the first-place Cincinnati Bengals at M&T Bank Stadium, Ngata acknowledged Wednesday that he needed to raise his level of play to help stop a slide that has the team on the edge of the playoff picture.

Heading into Sunday's game against the Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium, Huff worked out for the Bengals along with defensive tackles Christo Bilukidi and Kheeston Randall, guard John Sullen, linebacker Bruce Taylor and defensive back Brandon Burton.

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.

When the regular season started eight weeks ago, plenty of pundits labeled the AFC North one of the top divisions in the NFL. However, as the season reaches its midpoint this weekend, three of the four teams in the division find themselves headed in the wrong direction.

If Ravens wide receiver Torrey Smith was offended by Cleveland Browns cornerback Joe Haden's blunt assessment of the defending Super Bowl champions, he did a good job of hiding any hurt feelings.

Cut by the Ravens on Wednesday, free safety Michael Huff and defensive lineman Marcus Spears went unclaimed off waivers.

About a week after he hinted at changes, Ravens head coach John Harbaugh cut Marcus Spears and Michael Huff, two of the team's veteran offseason additions.

The release of mentor Marcus Spears caught rookie Brandon Williams off guard. But now the Ravens are counting on him and others to step up and fill the void.

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.

Each week, Baltimore Sun reporter Aaron Wilson will look back at the Ravens' previous game.

After being sidelined for more than 10 months with a spinal cord injury, Ravens weak-side linebacker Jameel McClain returned to the field Sunday. And he didn't just play. McClain started and played a major role in the 19-16 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Just three days before their showdown against the Pittsburgh Steelers, the Ravens had only two players not practicing: linebackers Josh Bynes and Albert McClellan.

Ten months after suffering a spinal cord contusion that had endangered his NFL career, McClain returned to practice for the first time. McClain gained medical clearance last week when his latest magnetic resonance imaging exam revealed no more signs of the bruising damage sustained during a hit last December against the Washington Redskins.

Ravens inside linebacker Jameel McClain returned to practice today for the first time since suffering a spinal cord contusion last December against the Washington Redskins.

Running back Ray Rice could hardly believe what happened Sunday as another patented failure of the Ravens' running game unfolded.

The Ravens scratched veteran offensive Bryant McKinnie after replacing him this week with Eugene Monroe the new starting left tackle.

Although nose tackle Haloti Ngata is listed as questionable on the injury report, Harbaugh said the Pro Bowl defensive lineman is set to play Sunday.

Ravens standout nose tackle Haloti Ngata is listed as questionable on the injury report even though coach John Harbaugh said that the Pro Bowl defensive lineman is set to play Sunday against the Green Bay Packers.

The Ravens are as healthy as they've been all season, but they have one big absence: Pro Bowl nose tackle Haloti Ngata who has been held out of practice two days in a row because of a hip injury.

However, the Ravens still look like a team trying to find some consistency and in search of an offensive identity. With the Houston Texans struggling and the Dolphins still trying to establish themselves as contenders, the Ravens also are a without a signature win, albeit at a very early juncture of the season.

Ravens nose tackle Haloti Ngata wasn't at practice during the early portion open to reporters

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

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.

Ravens rush linebacker Terrell Suggs delivered a strong message Sunday, showing he's regained his 2011 NFL Defensive Player of the Year form.

Ravens kick returner and wide receiver Jacoby Jones is inactive for today's game against the Miami Dolphins, missing his fourth consecutive week since spraining his medial collateral ligament in his right knee in the first game.

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