Training Camp 7/30. Full Squad: Notes, Pictures and Videos.

Today was the start of full squad practices for the Baltimore Ravens. On a glorious day in Westminster, Maryland, fans flocked into McDaniel College by the thousands to see a Ravens team that could make a serious run at a Superbowl in the 2010-2011 season. The energy was high and the fans were enjoying the sunny 80 degree weather while watching all the aspects of our team come together. Here are a few notes from the morning practice.

• Matt Birk did not practice today and Chris Chester took his spot at Center on the first team. Chester was solid, but did struggle when Terrence Cody came in there.
• Ed Reed was seen on the opposite practice field doing conditioning drills for nearly the entire practice. It was really encouraging to see Reed out there trying to do whatever he can to get back in the lineup. 
• The WR are looking very good at this point. During drills, there were very few drops from the guys and they all looked to be running crisp routes. There really is not one guy who I see as an automatic cut.
• WR Donte Stallworth looks better than ever. This guy is built for speed. He is much bigger than I imagined him being in person. Huge arms, huge upper body, strong legs and was a catching machine today. The dreads have never looked so good.
• Anquan Boldin cannot be covered. This guy made every single route and catch look effortless. Granted it was against some of our backup CB, he still made everything look easy. Boldin does not have a neck, it is just a muscle that connects his head to his enormous upper body. Baltimore fans should be extremely excited about what this guy is going to bring to our offense.
• One guy I was very impressed with today was rookie WR David Reed. During the drills and 11 on 11, Reed was laying his body out all over the place, even if the ball was thrown where he could not get it. On one play, Troy Smtih threw a high pass that was sailing towards going out of bounds. Even though the catch did not count, Reed made a great attempt at getting both feet down when he dove for the ball. Strong route runner.
• Joe Flacco is beyond what any of the other QB's bring to this offense. When he is in there, you just get the feeling that everything will be alright. His throwing motion, awareness, poise and sheer size just stands out so much more than Bulger, Smith and Beck. The guy looks great
• Before the practice started, coach Jim Zorn was running the QB's through a very interesting drill. Using huge green bouncing balls, Zorn and the other QB's would throw these balls as hard as possible at one QB standing in the middle. What this did was simulate a pass rusher coming in very fast and forced the QB to react quickly, avoiding the sack. On one throw, Troy Smith nailed John Beck in the back, nearly knocking him over.
• RB Willis McGahee takes a hand off up the middle where he is met by SS Dawan Landry. A collision ensues and McGahee is launched off his feet. This was by far the hit of the morning and what we learned from it is that Willis had lost a tooth.
• During special teams drills this morning, there were some players running drills that we are not used to seeing. WR Mark Clayton was blocking on return drills with none other than Donte Stallworth carrying the ball in his hands. This could be a sign of things to come and I like the mentality that Clayton has now of doing anything he can to help this team win, even if that involves playing special teams this late in his career.
• WR Eron Riley and Justin Harper looked sharp. Both made some very nice leaping catches multiple times and showed off some great speed. 
• There were many different defensive schemes run throughout practice today. One thing I noticed was alot of 4-3 formations that had Jarrett Johnson lining up at DE with Ray, Ellerbe and Suggs at LB. It was switched up many times and was causing alot of problems for the QB's.
• With the 2nd string offense in there, Marc Bulger throws an interception to CB Chris Carr which was taken to the house about 50 yards for a TD. The entire place erupted, including the defensive members. After the celebrations, Carr decided to punt the ball in the air causing laughter throughout.
• Terrence Cody could potentially be the biggest man in the NFL. When you see him on the field, you cannot even tell he is wearing pads because of his size. The O-Lineman were having a rough time on a few plays today with Cody. On one running play, McGahee cut up the middle and all of a sudden you see Cody sprinting as fast as possible to get to McGahee........he did not catch him.
• Kickers looked strong today, with Graham coming out on top for the practice it seemed. Cundiff missed a field goal that Graham had previously made. Talks are looming between fans that Graham is going to win this job, but it is way too early to tell.

Here are a couple videos I was able to record from the practice today. HERE

Here are a few pictures from the practice.

The Bacon and Beer Pen. $2 Bud Lights and free breakfast. 

About 1/4 of the crowd at the practice. More than any Orioles game this year.

Ed Reed doing drills

Derrick Mason kept it on 2nd down for quite a bit of time, lol.

WR Anquan Boldin signing some autographs for the kids.

Thanks for looking through these and much more to come throughout the month - Brian