Baltimore Ravens - baltimoresun.com

Ricky Williams says there's no link between football and head trauma

By Matt Vensel — Wed, 16 May 2012 16:30:00 GMT

Former Ravens running back Ricky Williams, who retired from the NFL earlier this offseason, kept a low profile during his one season in Baltimore. But now that Williams has walked away from football -- for forever, he swears -- he has used his celebrity to speak out against the way the NFL is addressing its concussion crisis.

Colts quarterback Johnny Unitas unflappable, unsurpassed, unforgettable

By Mike Klingaman , The Baltimore Sun — Tue, 15 May 2012 21:21:00 GMT

'Johnny U' revered for his late-game heroics, perseverance, common touch

No. 2: 'Johnny U' revered for his late-game heroics, perseverance, common touch

Ravens add five rookie free agents, including former Temple quarterback

By Jeff Zrebiec — Tue, 15 May 2012 19:08:00 GMT

The Ravens today signed five undrafted free agents after getting a look at them at their rookie minicamp over the weekend.

Chat wrap: Ravens Q&A with Matt Vensel

Tue, 15 May 2012 17:37:00 GMT

Jonathan Ogden selected for College Football Hall of Fame

By Jeff Zrebiec — Tue, 15 May 2012 17:31:00 GMT

Former Ravens' offensive lineman starred at UCLA

Former Ravens offensive lineman Jonathan Ogden is considered a strong candidate to be part of the 2013 Pro Football Hall of Fame class.

Asa Jackson eager to learn from Ray Lewis, Ed Reed

By Matt Vensel — Mon, 14 May 2012 20:00:00 GMT

As of Sunday, it still hadn’t quite set in to Ravens rookie cornerback Asa Jackson that he was practicing on an NFL football field. “I’m working toward getting in that mindset every day,” he said of making the transition to the professional ranks. But Jackson, a fifth-round draft pick out of Cal Poly, showed up with the right attitude.

Christian Thompson hopes to be 'that extra piece'

By Matt Vensel — Mon, 14 May 2012 14:30:00 GMT

Ravens rookie safety Christian Thompson knows that most of the playing time he earns this season will be on special teams. That’s how most rookies first make their mark in the NFL, but it will be especially true for Thompson here in Baltimore. The Ravens, who are deep in the secondary, struggled on special teams last season.

Baltimore Ravens Joe Flacco, Ray Rice get HBO shoutout on 'VEEP'

David Zurawik — Mon, 14 May 2012 13:58:00 GMT

Second week in a row that Baltimore gets some prime-time, Sunday-night love on cable

For the second week in a row, Baltimore got some prime-time, Sunday-night love on high-end cable TV.

Ravens' Upshaw makes good first impression

By Jeff Zrebiec — Mon, 14 May 2012 01:11:00 GMT

Upshaw: "There is only one Suggs. You can't replace Suggs."

The final practice of the Ravens' three-day rookie minicamp had finally ended, and Courtney Upshaw looked and sounded like a player who had made good use of the time.

Ravens rookie wide receiver Tommy Streeter learning from Ray Lewis

By Matt Vensel — Sun, 13 May 2012 20:36:00 GMT

Tommy Streeter will never forget the pain he felt the weekend of the NFL draft. Projected by some analysts to be a second-day pick, Streeter remained on the board until late in the sixth round. But shortly after the Ravens ended his disappointment, his phone rang. Linebacker Ray Lewis was reaching out to the Miami Hurricanes wide receiver and welcoming him to the family.

Osemele, Gradkowski focus on guard at Ravens minicamp

By Matt Vensel — Sun, 13 May 2012 19:30:00 GMT

Kelechi Osemele and Gino Gradkowski were drafted by the Ravens, in part, because of their ability to play multiple offensive line positions, but they spent the majority of the minicamp at guard. Both rookies will compete with Jah Reid for the vacant starting lineup spot at left guard.

Kicker Justin Tucker impresses at Ravens' rookie minicamp

By Matt Vensel — Sun, 13 May 2012 18:25:00 GMT

Texas kicker Justin Tucker was one of a handful of players who attended this weekend's rookie minicamp on a tryout basis. During Sunday’s practice, he booted all four of his field-goal attempts from inside the 55-yard line between the uprights, but was unsuccessful on two kicks from beyond that distance.

Recovered from surgery, Smith says that he's ready to take next step

By Jeff Zrebiec — Sat, 12 May 2012 18:52:00 GMT

Second-year wide receiver had double operation after strong rookie season

The reassurance that he was 100 percent healthy following an offseason operation on a double hernia didn’t come for Torrey Smith while running a route or going up to catch a pass.

The Top 175 Maryland athletes: No. 5, Ray Lewis

By Mike Klingaman , The Baltimore Sun — Sat, 12 May 2012 18:32:00 GMT

Ravens linebacker who brought 'winning energy' is honored to join Maryland's sports pantheon

Ray Lewis is the oldest Raven — he turns 37 on Tuesday — but as one of The Baltimore Sun's top 10 all-time Maryland athletes, he's just a kid. Eight of his peers are Hall of Famers in their respective sports. Seven were stars before Lewis was born.

At Ray Rice Day, Ravens' running back relishes giving back

By Jeff Zrebiec — Sat, 12 May 2012 17:28:00 GMT

As for season, Rice says: "I'll be ready"

The host of honor took the microphone, thanked the adults in the crowd and provided a few words of wisdom for the kids. And before he was finished, Ray Rice left little doubt where his focus will be once the Ravens’ 2012 season begins.

Derrick Mason likely to retire as Raven

By Matt Vensel — Fri, 11 May 2012 22:41:00 GMT

For six seasons, Derrick Mason left cornerbacks slipping on the turf with his signature comeback routes — cuts that were sharp, surgical, and effective. Now, as he sprints into life after football, Mason may soon swerve back to Baltimore to retire as a member of the Ravens.

Ravens announce signings of 20 undrafted free agents

By Matt Vensel — Fri, 11 May 2012 19:57:00 GMT

The Ravens have officially announced their full list of undrafted free agent signings, which includes 20 players. It became official when these rookies passed physicals and signed contracts with the team.

Ravens agree to terms with Courtney Upshaw, other draft picks

By Jeff Zrebiec — Fri, 11 May 2012 03:20:00 GMT

Team also finalizes deal with Streeter; every member of draft class has deal in place

When the Ravens’ 2012 draft class takes the field Friday for the start of a three-day rookie mini-camp in Owings Mills, everybody will be accounted for and newly signed.

Former Terps receiver Heyward-Bey charged with drunken driving

Fri, 11 May 2012 02:04:02 GMT

SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - Oakland Raiders wide receiver Darrius Heyward-Bey, the seventh pick in the 2009 NFL draft, was charged on Thursday with driving under the influence of alcohol following a traffic stop last month, an official said.

Minnesota Senate approves new stadium for Vikings

By Houston Mitchell — Thu, 10 May 2012 20:52:00 GMT

The Minnesota state Senate on Thursday approved a plan that relies heavily on public financing to build a $975-million stadium for the NFL's Minnesota Vikings.

'Madden,' concussions and the looming NFL player safety issue

By Dave Gilmore — Thu, 10 May 2012 19:32:00 GMT

Can football's most popular game be a true simulation without serious depictions of head injuries?

UPDATE: I just received an email response from Cam Weber, GM of American Football for EA Sports. He writes: “In order to depict the seriousness of concussions, when a player is injured in a Madden NFL game, they will be tended to by the medical staff and then escorted off the field. If the injury is determined to be a possible concussion, the player will not be permitted back into the game. Madden NFL has been used to help teach the sport of football to several generations in regards to the rules and complexities of the sport. This is an opportunity to drive awareness to the serious nature of head injuries.”

Ravens, Bernard Pierce agree to terms

By Matt Vensel — Thu, 10 May 2012 17:43:00 GMT

The Ravens and third-round draft pick Bernard Pierce agreed to terms Thursday morning, a league source confirmed, leaving second-round draft pick Courtney Upshaw and sixth-round draft pick Tommy Streeter as the team’s only unsigned 2012 draft picks. The running back will receive a four-year contract.

Terrell Owens on 'Dr. Phil': Confronted by the mothers of his chidren

By Carina Adly MacKenzie — Thu, 10 May 2012 16:56:01 GMT

Terrell Owens may not be playing football right now, but he's not shying away from the spotlight. On Wednesday Owens, who revealed that he was broke and "in hell" earlier this year, appeared on the "Dr. Phil" show. Also invited were the mothers of his children, three out of four of whom decided to participate.

Joe Flacco gets a little love from his NFL peers

By Matt Vensel — Thu, 10 May 2012 15:00:00 GMT

Joe Flacco was mocked by media and fans last month when he said that he thinks of himself as the NFL’s best quarterback . “I wouldn’t be very successful at my job if I didn’t feel that way,” the Ravens quarterback explained.

Ravens agree to terms with seventh-round pick, DeAngelo Tyson

By Jeff Zrebiec — Thu, 10 May 2012 03:12:00 GMT

Only three of their eight selections have yet to reach agreement

The Ravens continued to get draft picks signed ahead of Friday’s start to a three-day rookie mini-camp as they not only agreed to terms today on a four-year deal with fourth-round pick Gino Gradkowski , a guard/center out from the University of Delaware, they also reached an agreement with seventh-round pick DeAngelo Tyson , a defensive tackle out of Georgia.