Ravens Training Camp Day 1 Recap

Jul 24, 2014; Owings Mills, MD, USA; Baltimore Ravens running back Ray Rice (27) runs with the ball during practice at Under Armour Performance Center. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

Ravens training camp day 1 had some great moments on the field that were a bit overshadowed by one big injury and one huge announcement.  In case you were living under a rock, Ray Rice learned that his suspension would be a mere two games in length.  We also learned that Aaron Ross tore his achille’s tendon, which will end his season before it began.

It wasn’t all somber news, of course (though the Rice announcement has to be great news for the Ravens).  John Harbaugh was very pleased with the first official practice and said everyone was in tremendous shape.  Harbaugh did chime in on the Rice situation, telling the press “it’s part of the process, there are consequences when you make a mistake like that.”

Harbaugh expressed confidence in Bernard Pierce’s ability to carry the load.  “I’m confident in Bernard,” Harbaugh said. “He’s a heck of a player, in the best shape of his life.”

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Harbaugh was asked if the Ravens would look to sign another veteran cornerback after losing Ross.  He said the team had no urgency to do so, but “if there’s somebody out there that can bolster the competition we’ll bring them in.”

The coach was seemingly giddy about Torrey Smith after practice, predicting that he would have a breakout season. Harbaugh praised Smith’s work ethic as well, saying “you gotta pull the guy back and tell him to take a blow.  He’s like a horse, he’s gonna run himself until his heart explodes.”

Haloti Ngata, like Terrell Suggs, had a lot of praise for the rookies, saying they looked fast.  He also revealed that the team is moving him around and playing Brandon Williams at the nose as well.

On the field, Steve Smith continued to impress.  He reportedly caught virtually every ball that came his way, including one that went for a 70 yard touchdown.  Smith reportedly burned Lardarius Webb on the TD and, of course, spun the ball afterwards.

That’s all for today.  Stay tuned for Day 2!