CBA Signed, Ravens Training Camp Finally In Full Swing

It took a few extra weeks, but the boys are back in town at 1 Winning Drive in Owings Mills.

With yesterday's ratification by players of the new NFL Collective Bargaining Agreement, the Baltimore Ravens were able to get veteran free agents on the field. Veterans not already signed by a team could not practice until the deal was completed.

The agreement allowed new faces like fullback Vonta Leach and tight end Bernard Pollard, as well as re-signed players like cornerback Chris Carr and offensive lineman Marshal Yanda to finally get on the field, though some took their time, the Associated Press reported.

Leach and Pollard are playing again, just in time for fans to welcome them to Baltimore during the Ravens' first public practice of training camp, which will be held at M&T Bank Stadium Saturday at 10 a.m., the team website said.

Leach will replace departed Pro Bowl fullback Le'Ron McClain (Kansas City Chiefs) and Pollard is competing to fill the void at safety next to Ed Reed, left by Dawan Landry's signing with the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Pollard finished last season with the Houston Texans with 111 tackles, second-most in the league for non-linebackers, The Baltimore Sun reported.

The safety position was a storyline Thursday for another reason, too, as there was some concern Reed might be nursing an injury after spending Thursday's practice coaching instead of in pads.

But the All-Pro told The Sun he's only trying to protect his 32-year-old body by limiting practice time.

"I don't feel like I have to prove anything," Reed told The Sun. "I'm not trying to be an individual or anything, but preseason is preseason. It doesn't count for anything.

"So long as we are ready come September, which I will be and I am, I don't feel there's any more I have to prove."

Two weeks into camp, the Ravens' only major injury concern is center Matt Birk, who will miss three to four weeks after having a surgical procedure to clean the bursa sac in his left knee. But the Ravens still expect Birk to be in the starting lineup this season.

Maybe the most entertaining storyline thus far has been fourth-year quarterback Joe Flacco's fiery reaction to off-season criticism from members of the Pittsburgh Steelers and Cincinnati Bengals.

According to Yahoo! Sports, Flacco responded to the criticism by saying, "I think I'm pretty damn good."