Ravens Start offseason Program Today

March 18, 2013; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh during the annual NFL meetings at the Arizona Biltmore. Mandatory Credit: Casey Sapio-USA TODAY Sports

It is difficult to care much about something as trivial as offseason conditioning programs or sports in general on days like today, but We have decided to try and maintain normalcy here at Ebonybird.com. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the victims and families of those involved in tragedy at the Boston Marathon. 

The Ravens have officially begun their offseason conditioning programs. Ravens both new and old rolled into Owings Mills today to get together for the first time since the season ended to start to prepare for their title defense. Many Veterans including Joe Flacco, Ray Rice, Michael Oher, The rehabing Lardarius Webb and Torrey Smith were present.

Arthur Jones, who was just involved in a car accident where a careless driver veered into his lane and struck his vehicle head on, was present, healthy and participated in full. All of the Ravens recent signings were present as well. Michael Huff, Elvis Dumervil, Roland McClain, Chris Canty and Marcus Spears were all practicing for the first time as Ravens.

Everyone who attended, aside from Webb who is rehabbing, participated in full. There were no injuries to any of the players in attendance.

These workouts are very limited in accordance with the current CBA. No position coaches or coordinators are allowed to conduct the practices, only strength and conditioning coaches. other coaches are allowed to be in the building, and of course the players can talk to them outside of practice, but they can not participate in the actual practice. Players are allowed to get on the field and throw passes and catch, but they can not wear pads and the practice is not coordinated to include on field practice. This is basically a glorified weight lifting session followed by a game of catch.