The Baltimore Ravens have had their final OTA Mini-Camp cancelled by the NFL as punishment for violating the NFL's Collective Bargaining Agreement. According to team and league sources, the Ravens recent OTA's were too physical and tougher than typical for these so-called "voluntary" workouts and the NFLPA (player's union) received a complaint which was lodged against the team. The league then decided the team's fate and determine the final Mini-Camp session scheduled for next week would be cancelled, although the players would still be paid for the practices.
The team has taken their "medicine" with class and both GM Ozzie Newsome and Head Coach John Harbaugh commented on the league's decision. Click on the 'Jump' to read their quotes.
More on this and other Ravens' news after Baltimore Beatdown attends today's OTA at their Owings Mills Practice Facility.
June 7, 2010
For Immediate Release
COMPLAINT RESOLVED
The NFL has cancelled the last week of the Ravens’ organized team activities. (The Ravens were scheduled to have special teams OTAs next Tuesday and Wednesday, June 15-16.)
Here are statements from Ozzie Newsome, John Harbaugh and the NFL:
Ravens General Manager/Executive Vice President Ozzie Newsome:
"The NFL informed us of the situation, and the action they’ve taken is appropriate. We made a mistake, and it won’t happen again. We’ll complete our organized team activity days this week and then turn our focus to the start of training camp."
Head Coach John Harbaugh:
Joint Statements by the NFL and the NFL Players Association:
The NFL Management Council and the NFL Players Association have resolved a complaint by the Players Association against the Baltimore Ravens concerning violations of the Collective Bargaining Agreement’s off-season workout rules.
It was determined that the Ravens violated the rules concerning the intensity and tempo of drills conducted on the club’s organized team activity days ("OTA days") and the length of time spent by players at the club’s facility on such days.
As a result, the Ravens will forfeit the final week of their off-season program (June 14-18). Ravens’ players are not permitted to be at the facility on those days, but will be paid for the sessions. The club cannot reschedule the cancelled days.