Ravens cornerback Cary Williams declined a three-year contract extension offer from the Ravens worth about $15 million, according to Aaron Wilson of The Baltimore Sun.

The 27 year old had signed his $1.972 million second-round tender in May and said at the time that he hoped the two sides would get back to the negotiating table.

Now, he is choosing to play out that tender in hopes of getting a better offer when he becomes an unrestricted free agent this offseason.

“My philosophy on doing that was just having confidence in myself,” Williams told Wilson. “I know myself, I know my ability. I know my work ethic. At the end of the day, the offer, I felt like I could always make that. I felt it wasn’t good enough and my agent said it wasn’t good enough. I love playing for the Ravens. I would love to be here, but right now we’re just in the negotiation stage.

“For me to say the money ain’t good, that wasn’t the case. It’s good money, but my job is to make the most money I possibly can for my family. I’m thinking about my daughter and any future children I want to have. I want some kind of security, and the deal we had wasn’t like that.”

Williams’ play was a pleasant surprise last season, as he emerged as a starter for the Ravens after a slow start to his NFL career. He was drafted by Tennessee in the seventh round out of Division II Washburn. The Ravens picked him up off the Titans’ practice squad in 2009.

Williams underwent surgery on his right hip last offseason after recording a career-high 77 tackles and 18 pass deflections in 2012. Williams says his hip is 100 percent, but he now favors his left hip because of overcompensation.

He will have to overcome any health obstacles, plus the competition from teammate Jimmy Smith, if he is going to get the contract he desires.

Just as he has his whole life, Williams is betting on himself.

“Cary was fired up about his value and what he’s worth after a successful year,” Marc Lillibridge, Williams’ agent, told Wilson. “We feel like if he can play as good or better than last season and lead the Ravens to a Super Bowl, then he’ll get his just due. I completely agree with that. You roll the dice on yourself your entire life.”

Wilson believes there could be  middle ground for Williams in the future, noting there are many starting cornerbacks that average above $5 million, but won’t get Nnamdi Asomugha, Darrelle Revis or even Lardarius Webb money.

Williams hopes that middle ground will be found in Baltimore.

“Although Williams turned down the Ravens’ contract offer, that doesn’t necessarily mean he’s engaged in an exit strategy,” wrote Wilson. “Ideally, Williams would like to remain with the Ravens depending on the level of contract talks.”

Birk Sympathetic To Replacement Refs, Boldin Not So Much

After playing in two preseason games with the league’s replacement officials, Ravens receiver Anquan Boldin sees a need for change.

The 10-year veteran told The Sun’s Peter Schmuck, “they’ve really got to do something” about officiating. “Some of the calls out there … the way the game was being stopped. It just looked unprofessional,” Boldin said.

The officials have made a few blunders in each of the Ravens games, the most memorable from the first game when the official referred to Atlanta as Arizona on more than one occasion. In Friday’s contest against the Lions, the officiating crew needed nearly three minutes of conferences to figure out how to mark off an 18-yard facemask penalty on Detroit near the end of the first quarter.

The Lions team website writer Mike O’Hara said the refs were a “disgrace on any level of officiating football.”

But Ravens center Matt Birk is more sympathetic to the situation these men and women have suddenly found themselves in.

“They’ve been thrown into the fire on the biggest stage of the world,” he told Schmuck. “These guys have been thrown together and probably have never worked together before.”

In the CSNBaltimore.com video below, former Vice President of Officiating Mike Pereira discusses the latest in the league’s negotiations with the referees.

Zenitz: Cundiff Coming Across As ‘Very Bitter’

After Friday’s home preseason debut, in which both incumbent kicker Billy Cundiff and rookie challenger Justin Tucker were perfect on field-goal attempts, Cundiff told reporters he isn’t competing against Tucker.

Instead, he said he is competing against himself because it’s his job to lose.

“The way the coaches have approached me and the way everybody in the organization has approached it is that if I kick well, this is my job,” Cundiff said after the game. “This isn’t necessarily a competition between myself and Justin. This is really a competition with myself and how good I can be.”

The Carroll County Times’ Matt Zenitz believes Cundiff’s comments aren’t coming across in a positive light.

“Cundiff [is] coming across very bitter towards the competition with Tucker,” Zenitz tweeted. “Almost seems resentful that the comp. is even being viewed as close.”

J. Smith Developing ‘Serious Issue?’

Cornerback Jimmy Smith was right there in coverage with one of the league’s best wide receivers, Calvin Johnson, in Friday’s preseason contest. But Smith didn’t look for the ball at the last moment and ended up allowing a touchdown reception.

Turns out, he did the same thing in practice on Sunday, giving up another touchdown to 2011 Seattle Seahawks practice squad player Patrick Williams.

CSNBaltimore.com’s Ray Frager says it’s a forgivable mistake against a man called “Megatron,” but not with a receiver trying to make the roster.

“So, is this a serious issue with Smith’s technique or concentration or some other cause?” asked Frager. “Preseason is the time to figure this stuff out.

“As others have pointed out, the absence of Terrell Suggs likely means more blitzing, which means more leaving cornerbacks by their lonesome. So you can’t have a corner who’s not able to locate that oblong brown thing flying through the air.”

Dickson, Pitta Still On Schedule For Season Opener

So far, so good.

Tight ends Ed Dickson (shoulder sprain) and Dennis Pitta (broken hand) are still on schedule to play in the Ravens season opener against the Cincinnati Bengals on Monday night, according to The Sun.

“It’s much better, a lot better,” Dickson said of his shoulder. “I can actually do some catching and stuff, and more conditioning. The progress is definitely pretty good. Hopefully I can get back there in a week or so. I’ll do anything possible to get out there for the season opener. I don’t want to miss those. I want to play [now], but I’m glad I still have these preseason games to get healthy.”

Pitta still isn’t cleared to catch any passes, but says he’ll be ready to go.

“With the hand, you’ve got to let the bone heal,” Pitta told The Sun. “We’re being smart with it and making sure that we’re doing all we can at the proper time. If we prepare right, we’ll be ready to go when the season starts.”

So Is T. Smith Fine Or Not?

There were some conflicting opinions about how receiver Torrey Smith looked in his return to practice yesterday after being held out of a few days of practice last week and the Lions game.

“Doesn’t look like Torrey Smith is affected by that ankle,” tweeted Ryan Mink. “He’s flying around the field.”

But CSNBaltimore.com’s J. Michael Falgoust saw something completely different, saying Smith “hobbled” through parts of practice.

“Smith clearly favored the ankle when he had to come to a sudden stop, plant and push off. When Smith had to do that, he came away with a limp. Flacco went to Smith on a short pass over the middle that went off of his hands. Smith limped away.

“That could jeopardize Smith’s ability to play in Thursday’s home game vs. the Jacksonville Jaguars. Coach John Harbaugh is more optimistic.”

You can take a look at some footage of Smith from yesterday’s practice in the video to the right. It’s limited, but what do you think?

Quick Hits

• @RavensInsider: Calvin Johnson: ‘They were blitzing a lot. They leave their DBs on an island. When that happens our guys get wide and we can’t wait.’ [Twitter]
• mattvensel: Jacoby Jones with a big gain on an end around. Why didn’t that work the 448 times they tried that with Donte Stallworth? [Twitter]
• Tweet after Omar Brown already notched three fumble recoveries and an interception in two preseason games. … @mattvensel: Sweet Jesus. Omar Brown recovered the onside kick. Word of advice, #Ravens fans: If you’re at a wedding with Omar Brown, don’t even bother trying to catch the garter or the bouquet. [Twitter]
• @RavensInsider: Courtney Upshaw said he’s down to 274 pounds. “With the cardio and losing the weight,” Upshaw said, “it really helped me a lot.” [Twitter]
• @RavensCommunity: @Ravens Matt Birk kicks off back to school! Distributing school supplies to 150 Baltimore-area students! [Twitter]
• @BPierce_30: Love the fan base in bmore!!! Shout out to everyone that came out last night
• Hey Jamison Hensley, who will be the starters on the Ravens’ offensive line? “By the end of the season: LT McKinnie, LG Osemele, C Birk, RG Yanda, RT Oher.” [ESPN]

Safety Omar Brown was running back to the sideline after nabbing his second of three – yes three – turnovers when Head Coach John Harbaugh stopped him.

“You’re trying to make this team, aren’t you?” Harbaugh asked.

“Yes, sir,” Brown simply replied.

The Ravens have to be feeling good about their rookie free agent class – which Harbaugh declared the best he’s seen since coming to Baltimore in 2008. Brown wasn’t the only one to make the head coach think twice about cutting him from the roster.

Below are four players – three being rookie free agents – that are longshots to make the team, but had glowing performances in the Ravens’ preseason opening 31-17 win in Atlanta.

Brown: “Omar Brown again?” tweeted Matt Vensel after the Marshall alumnus notched the trifecta  in his first NFL game. He recovered two fumbles and nabbed an interception, the first three-turnover game since high school. He also he tied Albert McClellan for the team lead with five tackles. Brown was a key contributor in the Ravens’ ability to come from behind and outscore Atlanta 31-3 down the stretch to secure the victory.

Receiver Deonte Thompson: This Florida rookie free agent’s standout performance didn’t come as a surprise to fans that have been following his buzz in training camp. Thursday night’s performance, in which Thompson led all Ravens receivers with three catches for 53 yards, was just a continuation of what he’s done in practice. He consistently got behind the Atlanta secondary and his biggest highlight was a 22-yard touchdown grab that gave the Ravens the lead for the first time. “[He] wore out the Falcons’ backup defensive backs, who simply couldn’t cover him,” wrote CSNBaltimore.com’s John Eisenberg.

But his bid for a roster spot is still far from over in a crowded receiving corps. In addition to Tandon Doss, LaQuan Williams and David Reed, Thompson is also competing against Ravens sixth-round pick Tommy Streeter. Baltimore rarely likes to cut its draft selections. “[Streeter] has the size and speed (6-5, 4.4) that NFL teams covet,” wrote CBSSports.com’s Jason Butt. “But undrafted rookie Deonte Thompson might be leading him at this time in the race for the final receiver spot on the 53-man roster. His speed is unquestioned, and he certainly raised some eyebrows with his play.”

Running back Bobby Rainey: What a night for the compact 5-foot-8, 212-pounder who is competing  with rookie Bernard Pierce, first-year back Damien Berry and second-year vet Anthony Allen for the No. 2 job behind Ray Rice. “[Rainey] won this first game easily,” Eisenberg wrote of the competition.

Not only is the Western Kentucky star built like Rice (same height and weight), but he produced like the Pro Bowler too. He rushed for 36 yards on 12 carries and also caught three passes for 28 yards and a touchdown. His touchdown pass was Rice-like too, pulling in a screen pass and then zigging and zagging his way through defenders for the 18-yard score. Oh, and he added 76 yards on special teams. “Rainey made a case that he should be given some second-team reps next week, that is if third-round rookie Bernard Pierce remains out with a hamstring injury,” wrote Butt.

Quarterback Curtis Painter: The former Peyton Manning backup is trying to convince the Ravens to allocate a third coveted roster spot to the quarterback position. Painter threw three second-half touchdown passes to lead the Ravens in the come-from-behind win. He finished the night completing 7-of-14 passes for 76 yards and a 106.0 quarterback rating. “Curtis Painter, where has this been all training camp?” asked Vensel. For real. If the four-year veteran is going to stick around, he will need to do more of the same over the next several weeks.

‘Loving’ WR Smith’s New Tools

The chemistry between quarterback Joe Flacco and Torrey Smith picked up where it left off last season. The two combined for 43 yards on three catches, one going for 25, in a little more than a quarter of play Thursday night.

But there is something new with Smith – the weapons he’s added to his arsenal. Not only does he have more consistent hands, but he’s showing he is more than just a deep threat.

“I liked – make that loved – how the Ravens used Torrey Smith underneath. Those crossing patterns can be really dangerous,” tweeted Vensel.

“Also, if Torrey learns to run the comeback route half as well as Derrick Mason did, that might be unstoppable with DBs fearing his speed.”

Anthony Allen Didn’t Take Advantage

Thursday night was supposed to be Allen’s chance to separate from the rest of the field in the running back competition.

There ended up being separation, but it was Rainey who was ahead by the end of the night.

“In the battle for the backup running back job, Anthony Allen didn’t take advantage of Bernard Pierce being out with a hamstring injury,” wrote Eisenberg.

The team’s 2011 seventh-round draft pick only churned out nine yards on five carries, an average of 1.8 yards per rush. He also dropped a potential first-down pass in the first quarter while looking to avoid contact, and he gave up a sack.

Bryant McKinnie Didn’t Start, But Looked Good

The Ravens didn’t give incumbent left tackle Bryant McKinnie the start Thursday night, choosing instead to go with Michael Oher in his spot and Kelechi Osemele on the right side.

But that didn’t surprise McKinnie; he knew he needed the reps with the second team.

“Just started back practicing on Monday, only had 1 day n pads. So I needed the extra work 2nite 2 get back n rhythm. Felt good!” the 11-year veteran tweeted.

Not only did he feel good, but he looked good.

“The veteran appeared to move well and handle his assignments easily, with no breakdowns,” wrote Eisenberg.

Granted, the former Pro Bowler was playing against the Falcons’ reserves, but he is on his way.

Quick Hits

• Replacement referee, Craig Ochoa, just couldn’t get it right Thursday night as he had his birds confused and kept referring to Atlanta as the Arizona Falcons. [NFL.com]
• @MyMoment_Rainey: I want to thank everyone who came to support me at the game 2night! Thanks! I appreciate that! Felt great playing back at home! Thanks again [Twitter]
• @_KIDRaven_[CB Asa Jackson]: Tonight was an amazing experience. I couldn’t be more grateful… Thank u God and #Ravensnation for giving me this chance…. Man!!! [Twitter]
• @RayRice27: Great first pre season win now it’s time to get back to work can’t forget it’s still training camp #Ravens [Twitter]
• @TorreySmithWR: Had fun playing in a real game again..looking forward to finishing up camp strong….FYI I’m ok stop mixing me up with ED haha [Twitter]
• @brendon310: Just went head up on chicken sandwiches with Haloti. 3 each. I think he snuck in a 4th when I wasn’t looking. 230 vs 330 lol [Twitter]
• “Baltimore’s punt coverage team, which ranked 24th last season and gave up two touchdowns, is still a concern,” wrote Jamison Hensley. “The Ravens gave up a 45-yard return in the first quarter after Albert McClellan and Emanuel Cook missed tackles.” [ESPN]
• Without Terrell Suggs and Courtney Upshaw, the pressure on the quarterback wasn’t there … “The defensive front got little pressure on Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan, allowing him to throw for 155 yards and a touchdown,” wrote Butt. “Ryan could have done more damage if it wasn’t for a sneaky interception from linebacker Brendon Ayanbadejo, who Ryan never saw. The Ravens’ defensive line failed to penetrate Atlanta’s offensive line, which was seen as makeshift heading in.” [CBSSports.com]
• @ProFootballTalk: Jared Gaither still can’t get on the field at Chargers camp [Twitter]
• @mattvensel: Corey Graham has looked good in camp, too, and at least three DBs have pointed out to be me unsolicited how impressed they are by him. [Twitter]
• Pretty sweet Ravens video set to the music from “The Dark Night Rises.” Created by reed20xhawk. [YouTube]

Shortly after American swimmer Michael Phelps made history by winning a gold medal in the 4 × 200 meter freestyle relay to become the most decorated Olympian ever (19 overall medals at the time), receiver Torrey Smith tweeted about the unprecedented accomplishment.

“Really enjoying watching history,” wrote Smith. “@MichaelPhelps is that dude!!!”

You could say Phelps still had a lot on his plate when he received Smith’s tweet.

He was still preparing for the men’s 200 individual medley – which he ended up winning over fellow American Ryan Lochte yesterday and set another Olympic record with the most gold medals ever (16 golds, 20 total medals) – and was bombarded with a host of other tweets and calls.

The list of those reaching out to Phelps included Lil Wayne, Kimmie Meissner, Warren Sapp, Young Jeezy and Missy Franklin. Oh and not to mention a personal phone call from President Barack Obama.

Still, Phelps replied, showing some excitement to see Smith in action himself.

“Thanks bro!!! Looking forward for the season to start!!!” he wrote.

Phelps, a Baltimore native who was born and raised in the Rodgers Forge neighborhood of Towson, is a self-professed Ravens fanatic.

He served as an honorary captain at a Titans-Ravens game in 2008 after he won eight gold medals in the Summer Olympics in Beijing.

Unsure that he wanted to compete in the London Olympics, Phelps credited linebacker Ray Lewis for helping him rekindle his Olympic fire and motivating him to continue his rigorous training.

“Someone who helped me find the passion back was Ray Lewis,” Phelps told The Baltimore Sun in May. “He’s been able to help me kind of just find me.

“I love to watch him play. It sends chills up my spine. And his words are so powerful. It’s what friends are for.”

Ozzie: Fastest Group Of Ravens WRs Ever

“These Ravens can fly,” wrote ESPN’s John Clayton after visiting Ravens training camp in Owings Mills, Md.

It was just over a year ago when the biggest knock on the Ravens receivers was that they were too slow and couldn’t gain separation against good man-to-man defense. Clayton says their lack of speed would cause quarterback Joe Flacco to hold the ball too long, waiting for running back Ray Rice or one of the tight ends to get open.

But Ravens General Manager Ozzie Newsome seems to have cured that problem and told Clayton that he believes “this is the fastest group of receivers he’s ever put together.”

Newsome got to work by first adding No. 2 receiver Smith in the second round of the 2011 draft. Then speedster Jacoby Jones was cut by the Texans this offseason and Ozzie “jumped on him.” LaQuan Williams, an undrafted rookie free agent from last year, and 2012 sixth-rounder Tommy Streeter have wheels of their own.

Flacco Over Being Conservative, Wants To Attack

With Flacco taking more of a leadership role in Baltimore, he continues to suggest to the coaching staff that he wants the offense to be more aggressive, even when the Ravens have a fourth-quarter lead, according to Clayton.

“For more than a decade, the Ravens have been constructed to win with defense and good running,” he wrote. “Flacco wants the Ravens not to be as cautious. Because the Ravens defense is so good, Flacco thinks the Ravens should go for the jugular.

“Instead of sitting on 17-3 leads that could end up being 20-17 victories, Flacco wants more offense and more points. Not a bad idea.”

Harbaugh believes Flacco will have a breakout year in 2012, wrote Clayton, and he’s not the only one raving about the fifth-year veteran.

While at practice, the ESPN analyst noted that teammates and even beat reporters are giving Flacco shining reviews.

“[T]his is clearly his best training camp in terms of focus and execution,” Clayton wrote.

There has been a perception in the past that Flacco hasn’t been trusted to be given the reigns of the offense or the ability to call audibles at the line of scrimmage.

Offensive Coordinator Cam Cameron told reporters yesterday that Flacco “has a lot of flexibility,” which varies based on what the offensive line can do and some other factors.

But Cameron summed up his quarterback’s ability this way:

“I guess the best way for me to be able to word it is that there is nothing we wouldn’t be able to do with Joe Flacco at quarterback in any aspect of the game,” he said.

K.O. Stonewalls Sergio … Twice

As soon as he recovered from back spasms and returned to the field, rookie offensive lineman Kelechi Osemele “has been a fixture” with the first-team offense at right tackle.

And he seems to be fitting in well.

As The Baltimore Sun put it, K.O. K-Oed pass rusher Sergio Kindle yesterday, “giving up no ground to the twisting and turning outside linebacker.” And he didn’t just stonewall Kindle once. He did it twice.

“Osemele has a future with the offensive line and represents good insurance if the Ravens can’t count upon McKinnie,” wrote ESPN’s Jamison Hensley. “But coach John Harbaugh’s preference is to start the five best offensive linemen, so that means McKinnie, Oher, left guard Bobbie Williams, center Matt Birk and right guard Marshal Yanda.”

Pees Not Worried About Upshaw – Yet

Baltimore is relying a great deal on rookie Courtney Upshaw as the Ravens look to fill the void left by Terrell Suggs.

But the Ravens’ top 2012 draft pick missed his fourth consecutive practice of training camp yesterday with a bruised right shoulder.

It’s not time to get too worried about his absences … yet.

“I’ll start getting worried if it’s halfway through the [preseason],” Defensive Coordinator Dean Pees told reporters. “What we need to do is just get him out there – especially for some preseason games – and have him hit and get hit and actually play. It’s one thing to go out and practice. There’s different situations here in practice that are just not the same as game-type tempo and game-type situations, and that’s [why] we need to get him out there.

“I’m not too concerned yet until if we get down the road and he’s not playing in any games. Then I will be concerned.”

Quick Hits

• Overheard by Matt Vensel in practice yesterday: “‘Chad, go grab my Pedialyte! Isn’t that your job? Don’t you know that people are looking for jobs?” – strong safety Bernard Pollard to director of media relations Chad Steele. [The Baltimore Sun]
• Former Ravens running back Jamal Lewis’ statement reacting to his arrest and being charged with child abandonment: “My arrest on Wednesday evening was the result of a misunderstanding rather than the result of me being an unfit father. I am a responsible parent and have always provided for my children. That fact cannot be disputed. I have made mistakes in my life, but failing to care for my children is not one of them. I’m confident this matter will be resolved as the legal process plays out, and I will continue to work toward an arrangement within the court system that will allow me to effectively co-parent my son.” [The Carroll County Times]
• @Ravens: I have received the #Ravens practice playlist. Not all approved yet, but I see some Eminem, a lot of Jay Z, George Clinton and Run-DMC. [Twitter]
• @RayRice27: Happy birthday to my best friend in the whole wide world. I love you mom [Twitter]
• @RavensCommunity: Hosted Boys & Girls Clubs of Harford County today at training camp practice! Happy faces! [Twitter]
• Hensley, in your opinion, who has the best secondary in the AFC North? “Baltimore has the best corners in the division. Pittsburgh has the best safeties.” [ESPN]
• @Crushboy31 [Bernard Pollard]: Fast hard practice today!!! I see something special coming together… [Twitter]
• Speaking of Pollard, he and the rest of the Ravens secondary aren’t backing off their claim that they’re the best unit in the NFL. “If I wasn’t to piggyback that, I would be wrong,” Pollard said of Lardarius Webb’s original assertion. “I think we have a really, really good secondary. We have a Hall of Famer at free safety, really good guys on the outside and I’m kind of a piece of the puzzle. So we all complement each other very well.” [The Baltimore Sun/CSNBaltimore.com]

I thought that was pretty interesting, and it got me thinking about the drastically different rookie seasons the two players had.
 
Smith started 14 games, caught 50 passes for 841 yards and set a Ravens rookie record with seven touchdowns. Heyward-Bey started 11 games, made nine catches for 124 yards and one touchdown.
 
That’s a colossal difference.
 
After the draft last year, Head Coach John Harbaugh made a quick reference comparing the two receivers. Turns out, he was right on the money.
 
“It remains to see if [Smith] is better, but we sure think he’s going to be,” Harbaugh said. “I think he’s got better hands. I just think he’s more natural as a receiver.”
 
It should be noted that Heyward-Bey has come a long way since his tough rookie season. He caught 64 passes for 975 yards and four touchdowns last year.

Now if Smith can continue that same trajectory of improvement, think how good he’ll be…

Remember the NFL referee, Tony Corrente, who was “lucky” for getting knocked down and injured during a Ravens-Steelers scrum in last season’s opener?

The injury led to a trip to the doctor’s office, where physicians discovered throat cancer early enough to treat it.

After months of chemotherapy and radiation treatments, doctors were able to deliver excellent news to Corrente in May. They can no longer find any evidence of cancer remaining in him, reports the L.A. Times’ Sam Farmer.

Fantastic.

His journey was filled with pain and hardship, as Corrente lost his sense of taste and drinking supplement drinks felt “like swallowing broken glass.” The 60-year-old retired high school teacher dropped from 194 to 180 pounds, but he was able to avoid a feeding tube and surgery.

And even with the NFL currently looking for replacement referees because of a contract dispute with the officials’ union, Corrente is just thankful for life.

“When you can wake up in the morning,” Corrente told Farmer, “every day is a good day.”

It’s been nearly nine months since Corrente broke up Ravens center Matt Birk and right tackle Michael Oher from Steelers linebacker LaMarr Woodley and safety Ryan Mundy. Corrente fell hard to the ground during the scuffle, hitting his head on the turf. He felt soreness in his neck and back, but didn’t feel dizzy.

Ravens trainers allowed him back in the game, but told him to take an over-the-counter pain medication in the officials training room. Corrente chose Motrin over Tylenol, which was a significant decision because the medicine acted like a blood thinner. The Motrin, combined with his coughing, caused a vessel in the tumor to break.

He woke up to blood on his pillow, so he promptly went to the specialist, and the rest is history.

After his first round of chemotherapy, Corrente worked another Baltimore game at the end of the season and thanked Birk and Oher for knocking him down and saving his life. They stood in front of him “dumbfounded.”

“Mind-blowing is a good word,” Birk said in January. “You know, the guy says half-jokingly, but half-serious, that we saved his life. It’s kind of like, ‘Well, no.’

“I just came back to that you never know how God is going to use you. And here Mike and I just thought we were probably just being tough guys, getting in a little scuffle after a play, but everything happens for a reason.”

Steelers Fans Boo Smith At Charity Game

I have a little more info on the Torrey Smith tweet from yesterday.

The Ravens second-year receiver participated in a charity celebrity softball game over the weekend, hosted by Philadelphia Eagles halfback LeSean McCoy to raise support and awareness of ALS.

It’s a disease Smith and Ravens fans know a lot about because of Senior Advisor of Player Development O.J. Brigance’s fight against the illness. (Check out Smith and his teammates singing happy birthday to O.J. in one of the most heartwarming videos I’ve ever seen come out of the team facility.)

The charity softball event was hosted in Lancaster, Pa., which is firmly planted in Steelers Country. So when Smith was introduced to the crowd of 7,000, he didn’t receive the warmest welcome.

“I had a nice ovation full of Boos from Steeler fans haha jeez it’s a charity game,” he wrote on Twitter.

If Smith continues to break Steelers fans’ hearts, he will have to get used to the booing.

As a rookie, Smith caught the game-winning touchdown pass at Heinz Field last November. Trailing by four points, the Ravens offense managed a 92-yard drive, capped off by Smith’s 26-yard TD grab over cornerback William Gay with eight second remaining. Go ahead, re-live the moment with the video to the right.  

And the catch was more than just a single game-winner. It gave the Ravens a sweep over the Steelers last year, which ended up being the division tiebreaker when both teams finished 12-4. As the AFC North champs, the Ravens got a first-round bye and a home playoff game in the divisional round. The Steelers had to travel to Denver for the wild-card round, and lost in overtime.

“In a way, Smith’s catch made the Ravens’ season and broke Pittsburgh’s,” wrote CSNBaltimore.com’s John Eisenberg.

Former Raven Troy Smith Released By Pittsburgh

Former Ravens quarterback and Heisman Trophy winner Troy Smith was released by the Pittsburgh Steelers yesterday, per the team’s official Twitter account.

The former Ohio State star and Ravens’ 2007 sixth-round pick was trying to revive his NFL career after being released by the Ravens and 49ers, and then playing for the Omaha Nighthawks last year in the UFL.

When Smith was signed by the Steelers in May, he knew the odds were against him in making the roster, but he was hopeful. At the time, veterans Byron Leftwich and Charlie Batch, the backups to starter Ben Roethlisbeger for multiple years, were free agents.

But Leftwich and Batch are back in Pittsburgh, leaving Smith the odd man out.

“That leaves Smith without a job a month before the start of camps and more than a year removed from his last NFL experience,” wrote PFT.com’s Josh Alper.

Quick Hits

• Ravens: Reminder, Haloti Ngata will be revealed in the top 10 of NFLN’s Top 100 Players of 2012 this Wednesday. How high do you think he’ll be? [Twitter]
• CaryWilliams29: Thankful for another day…All good things come to those who WORK!!! Stay Hungry, Stay Humble [Twitter]
• vleach44: Vonta Leach football camp weekend in NC 5 days away. Come out and support events. [Twitter]
• CaryWilliams29: I decree it, I declare it, I shall win!!! Listening to Marvin Sapp – “I Win” In spite of the circumstance and situation…I have the victory [Twitter]
• JameelMcClain: Had to push myself today.. Happy about the results. Not finishing is not an option➡➡EVER! [Twitter]
• Some Bengals fans think their franchise is still unfairly and ignorantly labeled as a thug team. Are Bengals players’ deeds going unnoticed? [Cincy Jungle]

But with the Ravens there is a strong positive link.

Let’s just say Baltimore is for (Dog) Lovers.

Wide receiver Torrey Smith, linebacker Brendon Ayanbadejo, long snapper Morgan Cox, nose tackle Terrence Cody and more Ravens love posting online about their pooches and bringing them around during slow times like this while we all await training camp.

Smith and Ayanbadejo are part of an advertising campaign with the City of Baltimore targeted against animal abusers.

The “Show Your Soft Side” campaign features “tough, strong athletes, who want to convince kids in a city where youngsters have recently been charged with burning, beating and stoning animals, that real men love cats and dogs — they don’t hurt them.”

The ad (which Torrey has as his Twitter avatar) is a picture of the wideout posing with his pit bull, Prince. It reads, “Forget about catching Torrey Smith unless you’ve got four legs and answer to the name Prince.”

Ayanbadejo is with his French bulldog, Buster. It reads, “Buster may be the only guy alive who actually enjoys being tackled by Brendon Ayanbadejo.”

Ayanbadejo, who breeds dogs and has even sold some locally, and Smith both tweeted about their canine friends on Monday.

“Me & Bust riding dirty!! @ bayview park,” Ayanbadejo said.

“Why is he allowing her to hold him like that haha,” Smith tweeted, including a picture of a girl holding Buster.

Cox and his new wife adopted a black lab puppy, Crosby, and went as far as getting a professional photographer to take pictures with the new family member. (Beware, these are insanely cute and will likely zap an hour from your day.)

Cody owns his own dog kennel, Mt. Cody Kennel, where they train all breeds. The website looks like a work in progress, but you can check it out here. He also brings his dogs into the Under Armour Performance Center occasionally.

Other players have brought their dogs around and let them run around on the back fields too, including Paul Kruger and Bryan Hall.

The Ravens have a handful of players working their way back from season-ending injuries and offseason procedures, and here is a look at the most recent injury updates:

WR/KR David Reed (knee surgery): Reed had knee surgery following a torn ACL on Dec. 24 that forced him to finish the season on injured reserve. He has been one of the most consistent faces in the building during the offseason, making sure that the injury gets proper treatment during rehab.

He said that he is ahead of schedule with the recovery process and hopes to be completely healthy by training camp in late July. He did not participate in contact drills during OTAs this week.

CB Cary Williams (hip surgery): The fifth-year cornerback had surgery in February to repair a torn labrum and has been rehabbing throughout the offseason. He has participated in the team’s voluntary conditioning program since signing his second-round tender earlier this month.

Williams suffered the injury in the game against Seattle on Nov. 13, but he played the remainder of the season and started every game. He described his health as at about 80 percent in early May, and expects to be fully recovered by the time training camp starts. Williams also was not on the field during OTAs.

OLB Terrell Suggs (Achilles tendon surgery): The reigning Defensive Player of the Year suffered an Achilles tendon injury while working out this offseason, and he underwent surgery on May 8 to repair the tear. Suggs described the injury as a partial tear and still hopes to make a return by November.

The Ravens have not provided an exact timetable for Suggs’ return, but Head Coach John Harbaugh said Wednesday that right now Suggs is simply allowing the surgery scar to heal and will likely begin rehabbing next month.

“The rehab doesn’t start until all that healing takes place,” Harbaugh said. “He is going to have a doctor’s appointment the first week of the minicamp. Then, he is going to come up here, and then we’ll start to rehab at that point.”

DT Haloti Ngata (thigh): The Pro Bowl defensive lineman was beat up by the end of last season and had a procedure after the season to repair an injury. The exact injury or procedure has not been reported, but Ngata said that he now feels “really good” after taking time off to rest and recover.

WR Torrey Smith (sports hernia): Smith had surgery after the season to repair a hernia injury that he played through for most of last season. He said last month that he is fully recovered from the injury and is expecting to have a big season in his sophomore campaign.

He was a full participant in OTAs and did not look hindered at all.

But he’s slowing it down this offseason.

Smith and the rest of the Ravens’ rookies didn’t have organized team activities last year due to the lockout. Now, Smith is taking advantage of the extra time by going back to the basics and re-training himself in the fundamentals of being a wide receiver.

It could be the key to having a bigger sophomore season.

“We arrived late [last year] and we kind of played to cover it up,” Smith said. “A lot of us were thrown into it and it kind of forced us to learn faster. Now we’re taking things slow and we’re able to understand it.”

Smith was considered somewhat of a raw product coming out of Maryland, while possessing blazing speed and playmaking potential.

But after the Ravens released veteran Derrick Mason just before the start of training camp, Smith entered his first practice opposite starter Anquan Boldin.

He relied on those tools to have a breakout rookie season. By Week 3, Smith was a starter, and he turned in a 50-catch, 841-yard season with a Ravens rookie record seven touchdowns.

“I wouldn’t change it looking back at it now,” Smith said. “It force fed us, it forced us to grow up fast. We had to learn [from] mistakes on the fly.”

Even while recovering from offseason sports hernia surgery – which should help him play even faster this season – Smith was a constant figure at the Ravens’ voluntary strength and conditioning program. He was spending time in the classroom and working one-on-one with Wide Receivers Coach Jim Hostler.

Smith’s honing his technique, from his route-running, getting in and out of breaks, technique catching the ball and even blocking.

Asked for one specific part of his game that Smith has noticed a change, he said it’s recognizing body balance while running routes. He can now tell by his balance whether, for example, his route was too short.

“I’m starting to feel it and get it a lot more. It feels natural,” Smith said. “I have the natural ability. For me, it’s just putting all the technique together so I can be dominant.”

With All-Pro safety Ed Reed’s repeated retirement talks over the last few years, he must drive the Ravens “absolutely nuts.”

At least that’s what Peter King of SI.com thinks.

Judging by some of the comments made by The Flock here at BaltimoreRavens.com, I’d say that’s an accurate description for some Ravens fans.

How does Reed’s back and forth affect his teammates, especially his partner in crime and hard-hitting strong safety Bernard Pollard, who signed a three-year extension earlier this month?

“Oh, man, I don’t know,” Pollard said on a Houston radio station KILT this weekend, per sportsradiointerviews.com. “This is a business, and Ed and I have had these talks before, but whatever he decides to do, we back him 100 percent. The guy is a heck of a football player, he’s been a heck of a football player his whole career and for me it’s exciting playing with him.

“I guess I will put this out there, he better not leave me hanging so we’ll be alright.”

‘No Indication’ Ravens Will Dock Suggs’ Pay

Even though injured Terrell Suggs’ pay is the talk of the sports world, it’s apparently not the talk of The Castle.

Under CBA rules, the Ravens could place Suggs on the non-football injury list and not pay him all of his reported $4.9 million base salary this season because his injury occurred while away from the team facility and not under its direction

But The Baltimore Sun’s Jeff Zrebiec reports there has been “no indication” the Ravens are considering doing so.  He reiterated that there has been “no internal discussion” among team officials about docking the reining Defensive Player of the Year’s pay.

As such, the Ravens are on the right course with Suggs, says ProFootballTalk.com’s Mike Florio.

“As we’ve said before and will say again (including right now), it would be asinine to punish Suggs … for getting injured while trying to get/stay in shape,” Florio wrote. “Absent evidence they suffered the injuries doing something reckless or risky, any injury sustained during any type of normal exercise (including basketball) should result in no consequence to Suggs or Peters or any other player.

“The Ravens have done nothing in recent years to suggest that they are stupid.  And unless they know something the rest of us don’t about how Suggs was injured, it would be stupid to not pay him.”

Reed Using Suggs’ Injury As Leverage?

Is there a link between Suggs’ injury and Reed’s musing about retirement?

Earlier this offseason, Reed first indicated that he would be back for this season and many more to come. He later said he wanted a new contract and respect. After Suggs’ injury, Reed started with retirement talk, but then quickly backtracked after it created a stir.

It’s possible that Reed sees the loss of Suggs as leverage to get the Ravens to come to the negotiating table. But for his strategy to work, Reed has to make the possibility of retirement believable, says Florio.

“Reed surely still wants that new contract, and Reed seems to realize that, with Suggs injured, Reed suddenly has the leverage to make it happen — but only if he makes the Ravens think he’s serious about walking away,” wrote Florio. “The problem is that, like many other players, he loves the game and he can’t pretend he would retire when he knows in his heart that he won’t.”

“Don’t be surprised if the musings about possibly retiring continue, despite what Reed has most recently said.  … The billionaires who own NFL teams didn’t become billionaires by not making shrewd business decisions.  For Reed, it would be very shrewd — and justified — to make the Ravens sweat about the possibility of having neither Suggs nor Reed in 2012.”

T. Smith Looking Swank At Preakness

Ravens receiver Torrey Smith attended Preakness this weekend, where I’ll Have Another was victorious and began his final push for the Triple Crown. (By the way, how fitting was it that the Preakness winner was decked out in purple?)

Smith posted several pictures of himself looking all swank alongside linebacker Ray Lewis, Panthers quarterback Cam Newton, a U.S. bobsled team gold medal winner and a shot from the stage. Check ‘em out.

‘Cathartic Moment’ For Ozzie

After former Ravens receiver Lee Evans let the game-winning touchdown catch slip through his fingers in the AFC championship, he sought out General Manager Ozzie Newsome the next day.

Newsome said that Evans came to him because the Hall of Fame tight end had endured so many painful memories with the Browns and perhaps he would have advice on how to overcome.

“As time moves on, it heals,” Newsome told Evans. “You will heal.”

But former Browns teammate Earnest Byner, whose career is defined by “the fumble” against the Denver Broncos, told Newsome that his advice misled Evans.

Newsome described Earnest’s response, who said, “Yeah. But you know what? You do heal, but it’s always there. Even though I got a chance to win a Super Bowl with the Redskins, it still eats at me what happened when we played against the Broncos.”

As part of an ESPN Cleveland’s “A Dinner With …” series, Newsome opened up about all the pain he endured.  Beacon Journal writer Marla Ridenour described the event as a “cathartic moment” for Newsome.

“Two veteran Browns beat writers had never heard many of the stories Newsome told,” Ridenour wrote. “They practically came pouring out, tales of his 13-year career as a Browns Hall of Fame tight end and as the director of pro personnel in 1995 when owner Art Modell moved the franchise to Baltimore.”

Newsome recalled the disappointment and heartache of losing to the Broncos in back-to-back AFC title games in 1986 and 87. He remembered the somber mood throughout the city when Art Modell announced he was moving the franchise to Baltimore.

After Newsome finished commiserating with the crowd of 100 – which you can read about more in depth here – Ridenour wondered if the Ravens GM now has better advice for future players who might be suffering through football heartache.

“The point Byner made about what Newsome said to Evans might have stuck,” she wrote. “Perhaps in reliving his painful past, Newsome found the right answer for the next player who asks him how to cope.”

Clayton: Flacco Deal Will Come After Rice Negotiations

Providing an update to ESPN viewers, “The Professor” John Clayton explained that there has been no recent progress between quarterback Joe Flacco and the Ravens in contract extension negotiations.

And you may not expect any more progress until after the Ravens get franchised running back Ray Rice signed to a new deal. The deadline for Rice and Baltimore to come to terms is July 16.

“[For] Joe Flacco, [there's been] no progress as far as getting a deal done,” Clayton said. “[T]he Ravens are tight against the cap. Because of that, it’s very difficult to try to get something done.  But at some point after they do Ray Rice, they’ll get Joe Flacco.”

Quick Hits

• Ed Reed earned the top single-game performance by a safety with his effort in the AFC divisional win over the Houston Texans in which he ended the game with a pass breakup in the end zone and then had to be helped from the field. “Performances like this are why it becomes such a big deal when Ed Reed even contemplates retirement,” wrote Khaled Elsayed. “By the end of the game his body looked broken, but Ravens fans would argue it’s worth it. He broke up three passes, beat Chris Myers (our top-ranked center) for a pressure, prevented Arian Foster from moving the chains on a third down, and – of course – had an interception. If he wasn’t playing, the end result could have been very different.” [Pro Football Focus]
• RayRice27: CongratSRT @cbridner: Hey @RayRice27 my fiancé and I got our engagement pictures back and this is one of our favorites.  [Twitter]
• LWebb21: Oriole fans I’m throwing out the first pitch next Friday night at the @Orioles game come check me out first place Orioles vs Yankees [Twitter]
• MichaelOher: Shout out to @SJTuohy on finishing a great High School Career proud of you son!! [Twitter]
• Wouldn’t take Kemo for a Bieber fan … MaakeKemoeatu: good performance by justin bieber on billboards [Twitter]
• Receiver Anquan Boldin is looking for ways to counteract possible brain damage. [CSNBaltimore.com]
• The players’ decision to fight the NFL for a reduction in their offseason workload in the new collective bargaining agreement, a fight they won, could end up costing Suggs and others who suffer non-football injuries. [ESPN]
• Lewis visited the Loyola University Maryland men’s lacrosse team before its practice last week to give a talk prior to the Greyhounds’ NCAA quarterfinals game. They went on to beat Denver over the weekend to advance to the Final Four. This speech isn’t as inspirational as the one he gave the Stanford basketball team earlier this offseason, but it’s still pretty good. [YouTube]

If you had to choose Baltimore’s most pivotal player in 2012 that could make or break its chances of raising the Lombardi Trophy, who would it be?

You probably don’t have to worry about Ray Lewis, Ed Reed, Haloti Ngata, Anquan Boldin and Ray Rice. You know what they are going to bring.

One could argue that Terrell Suggs or one of the candidates to replace him – Courtney Upshaw, Paul Kruger or Sergio Kindle – would be the most pivotal. An argument could also be made for Joe Flacco or whoever wins the starting left guard spot.

But Bill Polian, ESPN analyst and former Indianapolis Colts vice chairman, believes the player who could have the greatest effect on a Ravens’ potential Super Bowl run is Torrey Smith because he hasn’t performed up to elite status … yet.

In fact, Polian believes Smith is the 5th-most pivotal player in entire NFL heading into the 2012 season.

“[T]he defense in Baltimore is not the problem,” wrote Polian. “The offense, however, needs a deep threat in the passing game, and Smith is the guy best suited to fill that role.

“For years the air attack has not been as reliable as the other facets of the team, and if Smith can be consistent catching the ball and making plays downfield, it will be the last piece in an otherwise well-rounded contender. The Ravens seem to believe in him since they didn’t address their receiving corps in the draft. They did sign Jacoby Jones in free agency, however, and he could add another speed element.”

Smith finished his rookie season last year with 50 receptions for 841 yards and seven touchdowns – and that was while he was playing through a sports hernia beginning in Week 4.

Given that he had such an impressive rookie season despite the injury and an atypical offseason, Smith may prove Polian right and push the Ravens over the top.

The second-year receiver believes he will top the 1,000 receiving mark in 2012.

“My biggest thing is that I will be healthy and whatever comes with that,” Smith said in April. “I was fast last year even with the injury so I wasn’t really too concerned about that. [I was just concerned about] not being able to play, about not having any pain while playing. I’m just excited about that.”

Below are Polian’s 10 most pivotal NFL players in 2012:

1. New York Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez
2. Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Doug Martin
3. Detroit Lions defensive tackle Nick Fairley
4. Houston Texans quarterback Matt Schaub
5. Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Torrey Smith
6. Buffalo Bills tackle Chris Hairston
7. Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Julio Jones
8. San Diego Chargers running back Ryan Mathews
9. Pittsburgh Steelers defensive ends Ziggy Hood and Cameron Heyward
10. San Francisco 49ers’ entire receiver corps

Somebody Had To Battle Skip With Suggs Recovering

With Suggs recovering from Achilles tendon surgery, somebody else had to step in and bring sanity to the world while Ravens fans’ favorite sports commentator [note sarcasm], Skip Bayless, spewed haterade over Joe Flacco.

Enter Stephen A. Smith.

Discussing Flacco (No. 74) and Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo’s (No. 91) rankings in the NFL Network’s Top 100 Players, Smith argued that the players, who determined the final list, got it right by putting Flacco ahead.

Bayless argued that Flacco had a “pathetic” performance against the Jets last season and that Ed Reed publicly called him out after a poor playoff performance against the Texans. Bayless said that outperforming Tom Brady in the AFC championship was a fluke, calling him “Joe Fluke-o.”

“I don’t care what you say, I’m taking Romo and never looking back at Joe Flacco,” Bayless said.

Even though Romo has better passing statistics, Smith argued that the Ravens’ fifth-year quarterback performs better under pressure and in big games while Romo can’t get it done when his team needs him most. Flacco has more upside and is still progressing, and Smith says that Romo has hit a plateau.

“When you look at the fact that the Baltimore Ravens are knocking at the door, when you look at the way Flacco performed in the AFC championship game, when you look at the fact that he is relatively inexperienced, that he doesn’t have that many years in the league, pretty much just four years, I think the upside is greater,” Smith said.

“I get the impression with Tony Romo that what you see is what you’re going to get. When it really gets thick, he simply can’t get it done.”

Below is a side-by-side comparison of Flacco and Romo’s stats over the last four years.

Flacco                                                                 Romo

44-20                         Win-Loss                          28-23

60.8                           Comp. Pct.                       64.4

215.9                         Pass YPG                          269.0

80-46                           TD-INT                            94-40

86.0                        Passer Rating                    97.1

Ravens Best Fit For DE Antwan Odom

Would the Ravens have made it to the AFC championship if they hadn’t picked up left tackle Bryant McKinnie in late August last year?

Jason La Canfora isn’t so sure they would have.

That’s why the NFL Network analyst, who by the way is moving to CBS, listed six free agents still on the street that could be critical to a team’s success in 2012.

“A key, cheap free-agent signing can do much more than just bolster depth – it can provide an important starter at a vital position of need,” wrote La Canfora.

One such free agent is defensive end Antwan Odom, who has been largely forgotten about as he recovers from a botched hand surgery.  In 2009, he registered eight sacks in six games for the Cincinnati Bengals and at the age of 30 he could still play several more years, says La Canfora.

“[P]rior to injuries mounting, this dude was tearing up quarterbacks and giving elite tackles a hard time off the edge,” wrote La Canfora. “He’s regaining strength, lifting weights again, and should be able to show off for teams within a month.”

La Canfora reports that teams are calling Odom, including the Denver Broncos, but believes he would best fit in Baltimore. Some have speculated that Giants defensive end Osi Umenyiora would also make a good fit in Baltimore, but a trade and contract demands could make him an expensive option.

With a tight salary cap, the Ravens could get Odom for a bargain.

“The Ravens know him well, having faced him so often within the division, and I’d tend to think getting a crack at the Bengals twice a year would suit Odom perfectly,” La Canfora wrote. “Baltimore longed for an improved pass rush depth even before the Suggs injury. Now it’s acute. The Ravens explored options like Mark Anderson early in free agency, and with their cap situation, trading for someone with a big contract isn’t really feasible. Odom is an Alabama product, and Ravens GM Ozzie Newsome will always have an emotional attachment to that school. Seems like a natural fit to me.”

Quick Hits

• RavensInsider: Ravens exec Pat Moriarty did eight rookie deals Marshal Yanda restructure signed Jacoby Jones Ryan McBean and extended Bernard Pollard deal [Twitter]
• jeffzrebiecsun: Even with the new CBA and slotting system, that’s still pretty solid work by Pat Moriarty and the Ravens front office. [Twitter]

• There’s still no progress between the Ravens and Flacco, but the two sides are expected to keep talking through the remaining offseason months. [ProFootballTalk.com]
• SiriusXMNFL: New @Ravens WR Jacoby Jones tells us, “It came down to the Ravens & Panthers but I could not turn down the Ravens offer.” [Twitter]
• Rice visited Old Mill Middle School in Millersville to congratulate students on their efforts to eat healthier and play harder as part of the NFL Play 60 initiative. [WJZ]