sean considine

A day before the free-agent market officially opens and just hours after learning that Kelechi Osemele was unofficially headed to the Oakland Raiders on a record-breaking contract, the Ravens reached a tentative agreement with tight end Benjamin Watson on a two-year deal. The 12-year veteran had 74 catches for 825 yards and six touchdowns last year for the New Orleans Saints.

Kirk Ferentz said he has not been back in Baltimore much since taking over as Iowa¿s coach in 1999. However, he was the assistant head coach and offensive line coach after the Ravens' franchise moved to Baltimore from Cleveland in 1996, and he spent three seasons in those roles before leaving for Iowa.

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 2012-13 Ravens will be well represented Wednesday when the team travels to the White House to be honored by President Barack Obama for its 34-31 victory over the San Francisco 49ers in Super Bowl XLVII on Feb. 3.

The Ravens decision to re-sign Bryant McKinnie reverses an offseason trend that has seen the roster get younger at several key positions.

It took former Ravens safety Bernard Pollard a little over a week to find a new home. Pollard has agreed to sign a one-year deal with the Tennessee Titans, putting him back in the AFC South, his agent, Tory Dandy confirmed on Twitter this morning.

Ravens awarded four extra picks bringing total to 12 in April's NFL Draft.

The NFL offseason heats up on Tuesday when the free agency period begins and the NFL draft will take place next month. In anticipation of those events, blogger and reporter Matt Vensel will look at six key positions the Ravens might address in free agency and the NFL draft in the days leading up to the start of free agency. Today, he looks at safeties.

Baltimore Ravens and NFL free agency and Anquan Boldin

The thrill of Saturday's 38-35 double-overtime win against the Denver Broncos in the AFC divisional round swept up Ravens players and coaches alike. But after the euphoria had dissipated, members of the special teams unit were left with another emotion: anger.

Jacoby Jones' punt return touchdown against the Pittsburgh Steelers highlighted the improvement the Ravens have made on special teams this season.

Safety flagged for unnecessary roughness for hit on Emmanuel Sanders

Ngata, Suggs, Reed, Pollard, Rice, Yanda are probable for Baltimore

Starting right guard Marshal Yanda had sat out Wednesday's session because of an injured ankle, but returned to Thursday's session

Though neither played in the 55-20 victory over the Oakland Raiders on Sunday, defensive starters Haloti Ngata and Pernell McPhee were on the practice field Wednesday as the Ravens continued preparations for their AFC North showdown with the Pittsburgh Steelers this weekend.

Raiders rule out Richard Seymour, Darren McFadden, Mike Goodson and Shawntae Spencer

Ed Reed upgraded to limited participation

Oher, Jimmy Smith among limited participants

Now that the Ravens have officially finished up the first half of their schedule, let's take a look at the snap counts for their players over the first eight games of the season -- and since we last checked on these totals a month ago -- to see which new trends are developing. These official snap counts come courtesy of the NFL.

Every Tuesday, Baltimore Sun blogger Matt Vensel breaks down a critical play, sometimes with input from Baltimore Ravens players, from that week's game. Today, he looks at Jacoby Jones' record-setting kickoff return in the win over the Dallas Cowboys.

Ravens cash in on signing returner Jacoby Jones during offseason

Second-year cornerback tied for team lead in special-teams tackles

Like many of his colleagues, Ravens coach John Harbaugh is leery about drawing conclusions about his team after reaching the quarter pole of the 2012 campaign. But after watching the Ravens make improvements across the board in nearly every special teams category, Harbaugh is cautiously optimistic about what he has seen on the field.

During a 24-23 defeat to the Philadelphia Eagles, the Ravens converted none of their six short-yardage opportunities on third and fourth downs. In each situation, offensive coordinator Cam Cameron called for a pass instead of running Rice behind fullback Vonta Leach and right guard Marshal Yanda.

After jockeying with Philadelphia Eagles cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha to establish position in the corner of the end zone, Ravens wide receiver Jacoby Jones was convinced he had completed a legal, acrobatic touchdown catch.

Although Eagles quarterback Michael Vick is coming off one of his worst games, a four-interception debacle in a narrow win over the Cleveland Browns, the Ravens are aware of the kind of damage the multidimensional passer can inflict.

Days after shedding the red, non-contact mesh he wore during Thursday¿s practice, Sean Considine declared himself healthy and available to play in Monday¿s regular-season opener against the Cincinnati Bengals.

Considine, Upshaw probable

Backup strong safety declares himself healthy, disputes reports that he suffered two concussions in preseason

No new absences to report; Asa Jackson, Jah Reid not on field again

The Ravens upgraded veteran safety Sean Considine to full participation on their second injury report of the week heading into Monday night's season opener against the Cincinnati Bengals.

Lineman remains out with injury suffered in June

Veteran safety James Ihedigbo knows exactly why the Ravens reached out to him shortly after he was cut by the New England Patriots.

After aggravating his strained right shoulder during the Ravens preseason finale, rookie outside linebacker Courtney Upshaw declared that he's ready to play in the season opener against the Cincinnati Bengals.

Needing to make room on their roster for former New England Patriots and New York Jets safety James Ihedigbo, the Ravens today cut cornerback Danny Gorrer who played in 11 games for them last season.

The Ravens finalized a contract Sunday with former New England Patriots safety James Ihedigbo, a move intended to bolster depth at an injury-riddled position.

Pro Bowl guard has a knee injury

Pair of rookies could start in preseason finale vs. Rams because of injuries to Emanuel Cook and Sean Considine

Pro Bowl guard's leg injury not considered serious

On offense, Ray Rice broke free for a 28-yard run while quarterback Joe Flacco calmly faked a handoff and found Anquan Boldin alone in the back of the end zone.

Reserve defensive back and special-teams contributr carted off