How good is this year’s corps of Ravens wide receivers?

“Entering the 2012 season, the Ravens may have the best group of receivers they’ve ever seen,” wrote Jason Butt.

With a stable of depth at the position, combined with the Ravens looking to implement a faster tempo with the no-huddle offense, there’s a chance the team keeps six receivers.

But only four are “locks” to make the team, says the CBSSports.com scribe.

The first three are pretty much indisputable: Anquan Boldin, Torrey Smith and Jacoby Jones.

Boldin had another standout performance in practice yesterday, making catches with a cornerback draped on his back. “After one of them, a Ravens PR person predicted that Boldin could be in for nice yr,” tweeted Carroll County Times’ Matt Zenitz.

Smith is a burner, but has added more weapons to his game and is looking to become a more complete receiver. Jones is supposed to be what Lee Evans couldn’t become last year – a speedy outside complement to Smith to help keep defenses honest.

Usually columnists say the competition gets a little murky after those first three players, but Butt is the first I’ve seen to declare second-year receiver LaQuan Williams as the “lock” at No. 4.

“Rarely has Williams dropped a pass in training camp,” wrote Butt. “Not only that, but some of the passes Williams has caught have been nothing short of outstanding. During the NFL lockout, Williams was working at a paint store and thought about enlisting in the military. Now he’s got a good chance of entering the WR rotation on Sundays.”

Now here’s where the battle gets interesting, says Butt, with one or two open spots remaining for four “bubble” players.

Tandon Doss “should make the team again” despite a hamstring injury limiting his training camp.

Doss leaves one potential spot remaining, which Butt currently gives to rookie free agent Deonte Thompson over sixth-round choice Tommy Streeter. David Reed is then projected to go on either PUP or IR.

“Thompson has made the most of each opportunity so far and has continued to receive reps, primarily with the second team,” Butt explains. “He’s got excellent speed and is a fluid route-runner. Like most rookies, he just has to work on consistency. He can contribute on special teams in both coverage and return units, and he could be an emergency return specialist.

“Streeter has yet to prove he belongs on the roster. Yet, at 6-feet-5, 220 pounds, he has ideal size as a wideout. He also has blazing straight-ahead speed. Coach John Harbaugh has described Streeter as a project, and his potential could be too much to risk placing [him] on the practice squad.”

Lock No. 1: Anquan Boldin
Lock No. 2: Torrey Smith
Lock No. 3: Jacoby Jones
Lock No. 4: LaQuan Williams
Bubble No. 5: Tandon Doss
Bubble No. 6: Deonte Thompson
Bubble No. 7: Tommy Streeter
Bubble No. 8: David Reed

Pats To Go 16-0? Not If Ravens Have Anything To Say About It

Last month, CBSSports.com’s Pete Prisco made a bolddddd prediction: the New England Patriots will have a perfect 16-0 record in 2012.

Turns out, ESPN AFC East blogger James Walker saw Prisco at a Miami Dolphins practice this week and challenged the columnist’s projection.

“Point out a game they’re expected to lose,” Prisco responded to Walker.

So he did.

And the No. 1 team on his list to beat the Patriots? The Baltimore Ravens, of course, with a 60 percent chance of beating the Pats in an AFC championship rematch.

“Yes, the Ravens won’t have reigning NFL Defensive Player of the Year Terrell Suggs, who is out with an Achilles injury, ” Walker wrote. “But I can tell you from experience that Baltimore’s M&T Bank Stadium is one of the NFL’s toughest venues for road teams. The Patriots will need their “A” game to beat the Ravens in their home stadium.

“This may end up being the toughest game on New England’s schedule.”

Below is a list of all the teams Walker thinks could beat New England, and their percent chance of doing so:

• Pats at Ravens: 60 percent chance of winning
• Pats at Bills: 40 percent chance of winning
• Texans at Pats: 40 percent chance of winning
• Broncos at Pats: 30 percent chance of winning
• Pats at Jets: 30 percent chance of winning
• 49ers at Pats: 30 percent chance of winning

Carr Reminded About Value Of Punter

Undrafted rookie linebacker Nigel Carr is trying to make this Ravens roster.

He knows he has to prove his worth on special teams if he’s going to get that chance, so he’s going all-out on every play.

But he may have gone overboard in Tuesday’s practice when he rushed from the left side of the defensive line to attempt to block a Sam Koch punt.  

“Immediately afterward, [Special Teams Coordinator Jerry] Rosburg grabbed Carr and spoke to him for an extended period of time,” wrote Edward Lee.

Carr confirmed that Rosburg gave him a little talk about the value of the punter.

“He told me, ‘Don’t injure the kicker,’” Carr told Lee. “But that’s part of it. As a rookie, you try to do everything right. Even on the scout team, you know that everything counts. I just told him, ‘Yes, sir, won’t happen again.’ And I moved on with my practice.

“If they see you doing that on scout team, they’ll know you really want to be here and that you really want to be on the team. A person in my position, an undrafted guy, it’s going to be hard to make this 53-man roster. So I have to do everything right. It’s not as much the defense right now. It’s more about special teams, going out there and really being perfect on special teams. That’s what’s going to put my foot in the door.”

Allen, Berry Not Relinquishing Backup RB Role

Right now, analysts’ popular picks for the No. 2 and 3 running back spots are third-round pick Bernard Pierce and rookie free agent Bobby Rainey, respectively.

In the preseason opener in Atlanta, Allen gained just 9 yards on five carries and Berry gained 17 yards on seven. Meanwhile, Rainey put together one of the best performances of the night, churning out 143 all-purpose yards.

“Allen understands that his grip as the first tailback behind Rice on the team’s depth chart could be loosening,” Lee wrote.

But the second-year back isn’t giving up.

“Being a competitor, that’s the type of thing you want to see,” Allen said of battle to backup Rice. “You don’t want it to be given to you. You want to have to come out here and work because it’s going to make you better. So I think having guys like Bernard and Bobby and Damien Berry makes me try to step up my game every time I come out here on the practice field. Every time I’m in a game, every time I walk into the meeting room, every time I’m trying to study, I have to do better.”

Quick Hits

• @CSteele32: Great pic of the #Ravens @Navyathletics practice, taken by @RDPhotoOP. @raylewis52com @pkruger99 @Artj97 @TwentyER [Twitter]
• Bernard Pollard, who’s known to enjoy laying a hit or two on opponents, loved having a little fight in practice yesterday. … @Crushboy31: Today was the best day by far this camp!!! [Twitter]
• @GerrySandusky: Great moment at end of Ravens practice. Ray Lewis and Sherman Cypress, make-a-wish recipient. Dream come true. [Twitter]
• In case you missed the video footage, it’s a must-see … @TorreySmithWR: shoutouts to @MichaelOher for catching that punt today…thanks bro haha [BaltimoreRavens.com/Twitter]
• @jtuck9 [Justin Tucker]: Big thanks to outstanding punt returners @TheRealMtCody and @MichaelOher. Got to see The Campaign tonight after a little practice film [Twitter]
• @BryantMckinnie: Currently getting a massage, gotta make sure the body is feeling right.
• Steelers linebacker James Harrison underwent left knee surgery on Wednesday, clouding his chances of returning in time for the start of the regular season. [Associated Press]
• Former Ravens Head Coach Brian Billick was at the practice in Owings Mills, Md. yesterday as the FOX crew gets ready to broadcast Friday’s game against the Lions. Billick met up with Nestor Aparicio to discuss some of the keys for the Ravens this season. [WNST]
• Is the Ravens secondary the best in NFL? Brad Jackson discusses. [CSNBaltimore.com]

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]

Left tackle Bryant McKinnie has not been participating in mandatory minicamp practice at the direction of the coaching staff.

The team felt it was better that McKinnie not practice for conditioning reasons, which is a decision that CSNBaltimore.com’s John Eisenberg calls “weird,” especially considering the Ravens gave him a $500,000 roster bonus in March with the understanding that he would be in better shape.

The columnist wonders if there is something deeper going on.

“They didn’t comment further, but the only way to take it is they aren’t happy with his conditioning,” Eisenberg wrote. “[I]t could be they’re becoming disenchanted with him.

“Michael Oher is filling the No. 1 left tackle spot at minicamp this week, with Jah Reid moving into Oher’s previous spot at right tackle. That’s Plan B, and don’t be shocked if it becomes permanent. The Ravens want McKinnie, but if they’re still unhappy with him in a couple of months, his roster spot could be in jeopardy.”

No Coincidence Team Signed Wragge

The same day the Ravens announced the signing of 32-year-old center Tony Wragge, reporters discovered starter Matt Birk would not be attending mandatory minicamp because of minor surgery to repair varicose veins in his legs.

Eisenberg says the two occurrences must be related.

“The team wouldn’t have signed [Birk] to a new three-year deal in February if it didn’t expect him to continue to start,” he wrote. “But it wasn’t a coincidence that the team also signed veteran Tony Wragge, who can provide an alternative if Birk’s injuries add up.”

Osemele Out Until Training Camp

Second-round pick Kelechi Osemele is out until training camp, according to ProFootballTalk.com.

He has been sidelined for the past couple weeks with an undisclosed injury, which turned out to be a quadriceps injury, says Aaron Wilson of The Carroll County Times. He added that Osemele should be fine when camp opens on July 25.

It’s unknown if Osemele could have returned before then. The rookies have a football school next week, but beyond that, the Ravens don’t have any more scheduled football activities until the start of training camp.

With the rookie down, PFT.com’s Josh Alper believes newly signed veteran Bobbie Williams’ chances at the starting left guard spot are looking better.

But even if there were no injury, Williams would still be considered the favorite.

“Harbaugh went to lengths to state that newly-signed veteran Bobbie Williams would compete for the starting job with [Jah] Reid and rookies Kelechi Osemele and Gino Gradkowski,” wrote Eisenberg. “But Reid could be the right tackle, Osemele and Gradkowski have never played an NFL snap, and Williams is a rugged old pro who could step in tomorrow.

“Barring something drastic, he has the job.”

Tucker Beat Cundiff From Long Range?

The kicker competition continues to get interesting.

Rookie Justin Tucker bested veteran Billy Cundiff from long range yesterday, according to CBSSports.com’s Jason Butt.

Butt reported that Cundiff missed three kicks on a tee from 50 yards to the right while Tucker drilled a 54-yarder “with room to spare” during team drills.

Many times reporters will watch various drills throughout practice, which may explain why our own Ryan Mink has a different account:

“Cundiff was good from 40 and 51 yards. Rookie Justin Tucker was good from 41, 48, 44 and 54 yards. Neither missed a field-goal attempt.” Those kicks were during team drills.

Ray Rice Ranked 22nd Best Player In NFL

Just get him the ball.

That was Steelers cornerback Ike Taylor’s advice for the Ravens.

Just give the ball to running back Ray Rice and you will inflict pain upon opponents.

Current NFL players ranked Rice as 22nd-best on the NFL Network’s Top 100 Players of 2012 (even though fullback Vonta Leach thinks he should have been rated even higher).

“I’m honored to be in the top 25 best players in the NFL,” Rice tweeted after his ranking was revealed last night along with the other athletes listed between Nos. 21-30:

21: Patriots TE Rob Gronkowski
22: Ravens RB Ray Rice
23: Patriots WR Wes Welker
24: Giants DE Jason Pierre-Paul
25: Texans RB Arian Foster
26: Bears DE Julius Peppers
27: Packers LB Clay Mathews
28: 49ers RB Frank Gore
29: Steelers LB James Harrison
30: Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger

In the video, Taylor, who knows what it’s like to play against Rice at least two times year, explains that as Rice goes, so does the Ravens offense.

“The stats showed when Ray Rice got the ball, they won. When he didn’t get the ball, they lost,” he said.

“So when they did start giving Ray Rice the ball more and more throughout the year, you start seeing the clock going down, you start seeing Flacco throwing play-action passes, you start seeing t. Smith getting the ball deeper – all because of Ray Rice.”

Rookie WRs ‘Stole The Show’ In Practice

Well that name is popping up again – Deonte Thompson.

He’s the popular pick among media to become the next rookie free-agent to make the roster as a long shot.

Sixth-round draft pick Tommy Streeter is another popular player who fans can’t seem to get enough updates about.

The two rookie wide receivers “stole the show” at practice yesterday in Owings Mills, according to The Baltimore Sun.

Thompson hauled in two long touchdown passes, one of which had Anquan Boldin and fullback Vonta Leach taunting linebacker Ray Lewis.  Meanwhile, Streeter made a few “acrobatic” grabs, including one in the back corner of the end zone. To celebrate, Streeter punted the ball about 20 yards straight up into the sky.

“Streeter won’t be able to make the team as a backup punter, but if he can show signs this summer that he has the hands and leaping ability to be a target for fades in the end zone – a dimension that could help the Ravens score more touchdowns in the red zone – it certainly won’t hurt his chances of making the squad,” wrote The Sun’s Matt Vensel.

Quick Hits

• Paul Kruger faces the daunting task of replacing Terrell Suggs on the Ravens defense, but right now, he doesn’t fill the same role as Suggs on all three downs. For now, rookie Courtney Upshaw fills Suggs’ weakside linebacker spot on first and second downs, while Kruger takes Jarret Johnson’s strongside position. On third downs, they switch. “My job is actually different from what Suggs does on regular downs,” Kruger explained. “I’m dropping into coverage a lot, moving around and doing a lot of the tight-end stuff. On third downs, I’ll be getting after the quarterback like I was last year, but I have more of a SAM linebacker position right now.” [CBSSports.com]
• RavensInsider: Terrell Suggs is scheduled to talk with Baltimore reporters following the Ravens’ minicamp practice [Thursday]. [Twitter]
• Ravens: Last year, Sizzle signed this in our office. Yesterday, he came in and made an addition. #DPOY http://t.co/3EdCLtTZ [Twitter]
• For all you Michael McAdoo fans (and we know you’re out there, because we hear from you often), the linebacker cleared waivers, allowing him to be placed on the Ravens’ injured reserve list. [The Baltimore Sun]
• Rice will have his high school number, No. 5, retired by the City School District of New Rochelle (N.Y.) on Saturday. [The Baltimore Sun]
• TorreySmithWR: Throwing the First pitch at the O’s game tomorrow [vs. Pittsburgh Pirates] #hypetweet [Twitter]
• RavensInsider: Cut by the Ravens this week, rookie defensive lineman Elliott Henigan went unclaimed on waivers [Twitter]
• Kevin Cowherd says it’s time that Ed Reed makes up his mind. [The Baltimore Sun]
• The Ravens will offer a new Bud Light Zone at M&T Bank Stadium this season as part of a continuing move to ramp up hospitality options for businesses. [Baltimore Business Journal]

You’ll always find it on our blogs landing page, and occasionally on the homepage too. Let me know what you think and enjoy!

The other day, I stumbled upon the Ravens’ JUGS machines – plugged in, ready to roll.

In the name of research, I couldn’t pass this up.

I jacked it up to 25 mph … no problem. Up to 30 mph … a little harder. Eventually, I found out 35 mph was the max I could hang onto from about 15 yards away. I’m man enough to admit I was too chicken to stare down the barrel beyond that.

That got me thinking though.

Could I catch Joe Flacco’s fastball?

So I did a bunch of asking around about Joe’s velocity and here’s what I got:

The only time a quarterback’s arm strength is officially documented is at the combine, so before they’re even rookies. Flacco said that when they are tested, they only take a three-step drop. So it’s not even as hard as it could be with a full five- or seven-step drop.

Flacco didn’t remember what his speed was (surprise, surprise … he doesn’t care about frivolous stuff like this), but Director of College Scouting Joe Hortiz dug up the records for me.

Flacco was clocked at 58 mph. That’s the speed it left his hand at. By the time it was caught on an out pattern, it was at 53 mph.

Quarterbacks Coach Jim Caldwell tested all of his quarterbacks at Indianapolis, and the average was 51 mph. Yes, that’s including Peyton Manning. Caldwell believes that the rest of the league is about the same.

So that means there’s proof that Flacco throws faster than your average NFL gunslinger.

But what about the receivers? How fast a spiral can they catch?

Tandon Doss said his top speed is 60 mph from 10 yards away. The other day, new wide receiver Jacoby Jones had the JUGS at 35 mph and was catching it from just a couple feet away.

Cornerback Lardarius Webb witnessed it from across the practice field, asked what speed he had it set on and yelled out, “You’re crazy!”

My sentiments exactly.

“Leap Year” players.

That’s what ESPN’s draft guru Mel Kiper calls guys who had a decent (not spectacular) rookie year, but could make a big jump in their second year.

Ravens 2011 first-round draft choice Jimmy Smith is one of Kipers “Leap Year” picks, after a sprained ankle on the first play in the Ravens’ season opener prevented him from taking a defensive snap for the first five games of the season.

If he can remain healthy, Kiper can even see Smith playing well enough to get Pro Bowl consideration.

“He wasn’t healthy to start the year, and Lardarius Webb rightly drew a lot of the attention,” Kiper wrote. “But with QBs looking to stay away from Webb, I wouldn’t be surprised to see a healthy Smith play at a Pro Bowl level in 2012. The guy has a ton of talent; he just needs to stay healthy and get comfortable in the system.”

Smith will have to beat out returning starter Cary Williams for the No. 2 CB spot before he can be considered for the Pro Bowl. With veteran OTAs beginning today in Owings Mills, Smith is expected to get plenty of action because Williams is still recovering from surgery to repair a torn labrum in his hip.

Regardless of how the competition shakes out, the Ravens could boast one of the best secondaries in the league next season. Webb believes he can be a Pro Bowler or even an All-Pro. Combine the Ravens’ three corners with an experienced safety corps led by future Hall of Famer Ed Reed and recently re-signed Bernard Pollard and big things could happen.

“Last year was Jimmy Smith and Cary Williams‘ first year playing,” Webb said after he signed his six-year deal in April. “I think the secondary changed completely. This year, they’ll be a year older and a year better. They can do nothing but get better. These guys are growing and understanding the game. We’re getting used to playing next to each other. With me, Jimmy Smith, Cary Williams and then Bernard Pollard and Ed Reed, there are not five guys better.

“We have the best secondary in football.”

$10 Million Separates Rice, Ravens

Right after The Baltimore Sun gave a glimmer of hope that the Ravens and running back Ray Rice might be headed in the right direction in negotiations, ESPN took away that hope a few hours later.

Jeff Zrebiec reported early yesterday morning that some progress has been made, only for Adam Schefter to say that no progress has been made despite continuing talks between the two sides.

Team officials and agent Todd France are reportedly struggling to find middle ground.

Blogger Jamison Hensley says the Ravens want to slot Rice along the lines of recent deals for the Texans’ Arian Foster and the Eagles’ LeSean McCoy, each getting almost $21 million guaranteed. Rice may want a contract closer to the one given to the Titans’ Chris Johnson, who got $30 million guaranteed.

“Until the sides can bridge a $10 million difference in the guaranteed money, there will be no progress made toward a new deal,” Hensley wrote.

Top 5 AFC North WRs

Ravens receivers Torrey Smith and Anquan Boldin will be the fourth- and fifth-best receivers in the AFC North this coming season, says Hensley.

Predicting the progress and decline of each receiver, Hensley believes Smith will take Boldin’s spot as the Ravens’ top receiver.

The Top 5 in the division in descending order are: A.J. Green (Bengals), Mike Wallace (Steelers), Antonio Brown (Steelers), Smith and Boldin.

“The second-round pick from a year ago finished only behind Green and Julio Jones in receiving yards by a rookie last season,” Hensley wrote of Smith. “[He] has a chance to become the Ravens’ top wide receiver this season. He clicked with Joe Flacco downfield, covering at least 25 yards on five of his seven touchdowns.

“Boldin hasn’t put up the numbers the Ravens envisioned when they traded for him. (His 57 receptions were his lowest in seven seasons.) Still, he remains the toughest receiver in the division and steps up in the big games (led Ravens in the playoffs with 10 catches for 174 yards).”

Owners To Vote On Pads, Trade Deadline, IR Change

NFL owners are scheduled to vote today on a variety of proposed rule changes, including one that could spark some controversy.

The group will vote on a proposal that could make wearing thigh and knee pads mandatory for all players, including those at skill positions like wide receiver and corner. Some players consider the thigh, hip and knee pads too bulky and claim they slow them down when speed is a must at their position.

“The rule’s genesis stems from the belief that players would be afforded better protection, which falls in line with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell’s safety initiatives,” wrote FoxSports.com’s Alex Marvez. “For example, some players who suffer bruised quadriceps muscles have been found not to be wearing thigh pads.”

If the proposal is passed by at least 24 of 32 owners (75 percent), the NFLPA plans to file a grievance with an arbitrator, according to Marvez.

Owners will also vote on propositions to move the regular-season trade deadline from Week 6 to Week 8, and to allow one player to return from the injured reserve list during the season.

Quick Hits

• RavensInsider: Ravens’ new salary-cap figure: $1.492 million under limit including Ray Rice’s $7.74 million tender, draft picks, undrafted rookies, etc. [Twitter]
• RickyWilliams: I was just looking at some pics from Baltimore. I will always have great memories from last season. Baltimore, like UT was football heaven. [Twitter]
• DJBerry20: @CaryWilliams29 Ozzie needs to be the be the GM for the lakers cause they dont have an eye for talent in LA [Twitter]
• I’m with Tryod Taylor and Michael Oher – a staple in any household is a box of Top Ramen. I was raised on the delicious goodness.  … MichaelOher: If you don’t have a box of these on deck then your wrong!! … TyrodTaylor: @MichaelOher gotta have chicken or shrimp lol [Twitter]  
• NFL Players Union President and former Ravens cornerback Domonique Foxworth sent a letter to his membership Monday outlining the gains they made in the collective bargaining agreement reached last summer with the league. Foxworth stressed safer working conditions and more lucrative contracts. [Associated Press]
• Receiver LaQuan Williams emerged as the biggest surprise from the Ravens’ undrafted rookie class last summer. But his fight isn’t over as he once again has to prove he’s worthy of making the team. [Carroll County Times]

Then the Ravens added veteran free-agent receiver Jacoby Jones and rookie Tommy Streeter, making the field even more crowded.

Jones is the early favorite for the job, but second-year wideouts Tandon Doss and LaQuan Williams and third-year receiver David Reed don’t plan on bowing out of the race any time soon.

“It’s definitely more competition and it’s going to bring the best out of all of us,” Reed said. “It’s going to be fun.”

Doss, Williams and Reed all got limited reps on offense last year, but they are heading into the season hoping to prove they deserve more playing time.

“I want to be a starter,” Doss said. “I didn’t come here to sit. I didn’t come here to watch other guys in front of me. I came here to make plays and make our offense and help win games.”

Doss was a fourth-round draft pick last year and was active for seven games throughout the season. He spent time on special teams and also helped fill in at receiver in the final two games when Anquan Boldin went down with an injury.

He didn’t have any catches, but showed off good hands in the preseason. At 6-foot-2, 205 pounds, he also has good size and emphasizes that he’s faster than people think.

“People think I’m slower because of the offense that we ran at Indiana, but that’s a myth. I do have speed behind me,” Doss said. “I’m very versatile. I have great hands. I run good routes. I understand defenses very well.”

Williams got the most work at receiver out of the three, finishing the year with four catches for 46 yards. He made two of those catches in a hostile atmosphere in Pittsburgh, showing the ability to come up with big plays in clutch situations.

He also spent much of the season playing special teams, and came up with a key play in the AFC championship game by forcing a fumble on a kickoff.

“I think I can bring versatility,” Williams said. “I can pretty much do anything. I can take you deep, I can beat you underneath, I can bring the blocking game, anything.”

Williams was an undrafted player out of Maryland who made the roster after shining in training camp.

He’s hoping to do that again this year.

“Overall, I just want to stand out in camp,” Williams said. “That third receiver spot is going to come down to the person who stands out the most, the person who makes the most plays.”

Reed is working his way back from a torn ACL that he suffered on Dec. 24 against the Cleveland Browns. He underwent surgery this offseason, and has been one of the most consistent faces in the team’s facility as he rehabs the injury.

He’s not back to full strength yet, but is happy with how he’s progressing.

“I feel like I’m a little bit ahead of schedule and I feel like I’m better than ever, actually,” he said. “I’m working on things that I’ve never worked on before. My whole body feels strong right now and I’m just going to keep getting better and better.”

Reed doesn’t have any receptions during his first two seasons, which were both riddled with injuries, but he started getting worked into the offense more last year before suffering the knee injury.

He has most of his experience on special teams as a kick returner, but he still views himself as a wideout.

“I’m a receiver and I know I’m going to be playing receiver,” he said.

It’s unclear exactly when Reed will be able to return to full strength, but he hopes to be back by the start of the season.

The other uncertainty is how many receivers the Ravens plan to carry on the roster. They kept six receivers on the 53-man roster last season, and if that’s the case again this year, then Reed, Williams and Doss could likely be fighting for their roster spots throughout training camp.

“I think you got to battle each and every day no matter what the position is,” Doss said. “It’s our job now. I can’t look at it like, ‘I’m behind this guy, so I’m going to let him do his thing.’”

“We have a lot of good receivers on this team right now and I feel like the coaches have a lot to play with,” Reed added. “We’re going to have a lot of firepower.”

“The position’s gotten bigger,” Hortiz said. “It seems like it’s continuing to get bigger. And the corner position is getting bigger to catch up.”

General Manager Ozzie Newsome said he’s in the market for a wide receiver. May he be looking for a big-bodied one in the draft?

This year’s draft class has plenty to choose from. Here’s a list of top wideouts and their size:

• Justin Blackmon, Oklahoma State; 6-foot-1, 210 pounds
• Michael Floyd, Notre Dame; 6-3, 229
• Kendall Wright, Baylor; 5-10, 194
• Stephen Hill, Georgia Tech; 6-4, 200
• Rueben Randle, LSU; 6-3, 205
• Mohamed Sanu, Rutgers; 6-2, 215
• Alshon Jeffery, South Carolina; 6-4, 230
• Marvin McNutt, Iowa; 6-2, 213
• Brian Quick, Appalachian State; 6-3, 209
• Tommy Streeter, Miami; 6-5, 210

The Ravens currently don’t have a big, tall receiver on the roster. Their tallest is 6-foot-2, 205-pound Tandon Doss. The heaviest is 6-foot-1, 223-pound Anquan Boldin.

The Ravens ranked 20^th in the league in average yards per reception last year (11.6).

One way to improve on that is to find wideouts who gain more yards after catch. Baltimore running back Ray Rice was third in the NFL among all players with 696 yards after catch last season. Torrey Smith was the team’s top wideout, tied at 78^th with 250.

The other option is to throw it deep. The Ravens did that well last season, as Smith was 11^th in the NFL in average yards at catch (how many yards they had already picked up when making the reception) with 11.8. Boldin was 19^th with 11.

Having a big-bodied wideout would add another weapon in that category.

“I think there’s a trend toward bigger wideouts because you get the 20, 30, 40-yard gains,” Hortiz said. “Those guys who are going to go up and get the jump ball and make the big plays can really tilt the game. So I think teams are looking for those impact-type guys.”

It’s not a case of players being born bigger. Hortiz believes it’s a case of larger athletes opting to stay at wideout to satisfy the NFL’s need.

“Guys want to play that position,” Hortiz said. “They’ve gone from a tight end to wideout and they’ve stayed lean and stayed fast. There’s a good group of them this year and there will probably be good groups going forward.”

Floyd, Sanu and Randle are three players who could possibly be available for the Ravens in the first or second round. Floyd has been linked to Baltimore in a few mock drafts.

Asked for his take on their combine showings, Hortiz said Floyd “ran well” with a (4.47 40-yard dash).

“Sanu is not a big speed guy, but when you watch him on film he catches the ball extremely well,” Hortiz said. “[Randle] does a little bit of both. He runs pretty well and then he catches the ball well.”

It looks to be a good year considering this free-agent class is deep.

The Ravens went young last season, drafting Torrey Smith and Tandon Doss, and keeping undrafted free agent LaQuan Williams on the roster.

They traded for Evans, who had an injury-plagued season capped off by the “drop” in the AFC championship, causing pundits to question whether he will return.

Will Newsome attack free agency this offseason?

Here is a look at some of top free-agent wide receivers the Ravens could consider:

Dwayne Bowe, Kansas City Chiefs
Unrestricted (6^th year); 27 years old; 6-foot-2, 221 pounds
2011 Stats: 14 starts, 81 receptions, 1,159 yards, 5 touchdowns
One of the most talented and physical wideouts in the game, Bowe is a handful for any cornerback. Don’t let his low touchdown total fool you; he’s a major red zone target and had 15 scores a year ago. Bowe and Chiefs cornerback Brandon Carr are up for franchise tag consideration in Kansas City.
(Upside – Playmaker; Downside – Price)

Marques Colston, New Orleans Saints
Unrestricted (7^th year); 28; 6-4, 225
2011 Stats: 7 starts, 80 receptions, 1,143 yards, 8 touchdowns
About the only thing that has slowed Colston down over the years has been nagging injuries. He has just twice played in all 16 games in his six years. He’s a mismatch nightmare with his size and speed, and the Saints – who have quarterback Drew Brees to re-sign – won’t be able to keep everybody.
(Upside – Size, Playmaker; Downside – Price, Injury Prone)

Vincent Jackson, San Diego Chargers
Unrestricted (8^th year); 29; 6-5, 230
2011 Stats: 16 starts, 60 receptions, 1,106 yards, 9 touchdowns
Jackson’s one of the top big-bodied, deep threats in the game. The Chargers have shown reluctance to lock him up long-term in the past and he is now expected to hit the open market, according to ProFootballTalk.com. Jackson will command a big payday, however.
(Upside – Size, Playmaker, Experience; Downside – Price)

Mario Manningham, New York Giants
Unrestricted (5^th year); 25; 6-0, 185
2011 Stats: 10 starts, 39 receptions, 523 yards, 4 touchdowns
The Super Bowl star with his 38-yard, toe-tapping reception is in line for a payday after that performance. He may not get it in New York, where Victor Cruz and Hakeem Nicks are already the main targets. If Manningham wants more action, he could look elsewhere. He’s been a sure-handed target.
(Upside – Age; Downside – Price)

Reggie Wayne, Indianapolis Colts
Unrestricted (12^th year); 33; 6-0, 198
2011 Stats: 16 starts, 75 receptions, 960 yards, 4 touchdowns
Wayne has expressed a desire to finish his career with the Colts but isn’t happy that they haven’t contacted him yet. One of the most consistent receivers in the league saw a dip in his production last year without battery mate Peyton Manning. Before that, he had seven straight 1,000-plus yard seasons.
(Upside – Experience, Production; Downside – Age, Price)

Other notable names:

• Plaxico Burress, New York Jets, Unrestricted
• Early Doucet, Arizona Cardinals, Unrestricted
• Pierre Garcon, Indianapolis Colts, Unrestricted
• Ted Ginn, San Francisco 49ers, Unrestricted
• DeSean Jackson, Philadelphia Eagles, Unrestricted
• Stevie Johnson, Buffalo Bills, Unrestricted
• Brandon Lloyd, St. Louis Rams, Unrestricted
• Robert Meachem, New Orleans Saints, Unrestricted
• Laurent Robinson, Dallas Cowboys, Unrestricted
• Wes Welker, New England Patriots, Unrestricted

Quarterback Joe Flacco threw two touchdown passes in the Ravens first three drives, but he finished with a season-low 132 passing yards and completed just 11 of his 24 passes in Saturday’s 20-14 win over Cleveland.

Boldin will also miss Sunday’s regular-season finale in Cincinnati, and with a roster spot opening because receiver David Reed was placed on injured reserve, some fans have asked if the Ravens might be interested in bringing in another receiver like Derrick Mason, who was recently cut by the Texans.

Head Coach John Harbaugh said Monday the Ravens don’t have any plans at this time to bring in a free agent. 

“There’s really not a lot of guys out there,” Harbaugh said. “If anything, people have been signing guys off their practice squads for about the last six weeks very aggressively. So unless a name comes before us, which we have not seen yet, I’d say that’s probably not going to happen.”

Deciding not to bring in a free agent shows that the Ravens have confidence in the passing game.

While Baltimore didn’t put up big passing numbers against Cleveland, dropped passes and a heavy dose of the running game played a part in the passing attack cooling off in the second half. Baltimore ran the ball 22 times compared to 12 passes in the second half, and Flacco completed just three passes for 27 yards. His one interception came in the fourth quarter.

“The biggest issue in the second half was obviously the drops,” Harbaugh said. “If we catch the ball the way we’re capable of catching the ball, the way we caught it the first half, those drives are going to be extended.”

Tight end Ed Dickson and wide receiver Torrey Smith both had dropped passes, and Lee Evans didn’t break up a pass in the end zone that ended up getting intercepted.

If the Ravens make those plays, the Browns might not have a chance to climb back from the 20-0 deficit.

“Those are guys who have made those plays, can make those plays, will make those plays, want to make those plays,” Harbaugh said.

With Boldin down, the Ravens have turned to Smith and Evans as the top two receivers, and rookie Tandon Doss worked as the number three option.

Smith was the only wide receiver to catch a pass – two receptions for 38 yards – as the rest of the catches were made by the running backs or tight ends. The rookie receiver was targeted with seven passes and drew a 60-yard pass interference penalty on the Ravens’ first offensive play.

Evans was targeted with four passes, but was held without a catch.

“In the second half, we just didn’t play well, and that starts with me,” Evans said.

Coaching players to avoid dropped passes can be tricky, as all of the Ravens receiving options have shown the ability to make impressive grabs at times. Harbaugh said they vary their approach when talking with players after a dropped ball.

“Depends on the guy, depends on the situation,” Harbaugh said. “With our guys, I think it’s more encouraging. We do encourage them to get on the JUGS machine, catch more balls, run better routes. There’s a lot of things that go into it.

“But bottom line, when you throw a guy the ball you want him to catch it.”

Baltimore’s offense responded with a rush for no yards, then a pass in the flats that went for two yards. It was then backed up five yards for delay of game.

Suddenly, it looked like the Ravens’ offense could be in for another lull that plagued it against the New York Jets before the bye.

Instead, Baltimore started firing.

First it was a 19-yard gain to rookie wide receiver Torrey Smith. Then a 51-yarder to Smith. The next drive began with a 56-yard heave to Anquan Boldin.

The Ravens’ offense, operating once again without speedster Lee Evans, was alive – and it started with the big plays it has added to its arsenal this season.

“That’s what you have to do against a team like this,” quarterback Joe Flacco said. “You can’t just shut them down and try to hang on and win a game. … You have to keep it going, you have to mix it up and really be aggressive.”

Flacco’s 19-yard strike to Smith was his second catch of the game and came when the Texans’ defense jumped offside. With a free play, Flacco fired a pass into tight coverage to find the rookie second-round draft pick.

The next play wasn’t designed to be a deep shot, but when Smith flew by his cornerback, then got over top Texans safety Danieal Manning, Flacco put it up. Smith had to slow down a bit and still hauled in the 51-yarder with room to spare.

It was Smith’s first big play since his Week 3 coming out party against the St. Louis Rams, in which he scored three touchdowns on his first three NFL catches.

“We just had to change the momentum,” said Smith, who finished with three grabs for 84 yards. “To have that big play, it definitely brought our offense to life some and we needed it.”

The Ravens settled for a field goal on that drive to retake the lead. After the Texans punted on their next possession, Baltimore dialed up another shot – only this one was a planned bomb, Flacco said.

Boldin, who had been previously moving the chains with intermediate catches against cornerback Johnathan Joseph’s man-to-man coverage, went deep along the left sideline. Joseph was on him tight, but Boldin went up and made a play for a 56-yard gain.

“I was just trying to pretty much box him out,” Boldin said. “I saw the ball the entire time and kind of knew where it was going to fall, so I kind of bodied him, and he jumped early and misjudged it.”

Boldin finished with eight catches for 132 yards. It was the most yards he’s had in a game since his third as a Raven last year, when he notched eight catches for 142 yards and three touchdowns against the Cleveland Browns.

“When they’re running by their guys, you just put it out there for them and they go get it,” Flacco said of Boldin and Smith.