After finishing with a 12-4 record and advancing to the AFC championship game last season, the Baltimore Ravens are preparing to improve for the 2012 football season. To do so, they made key off-season acquisitions that would help the team move forward while replacing players that have decided to move to other teams. This includes drafting a group of rookies with limitless potential, signing the most competitive free-agents that the NFL has to offer and signing long-term contracts with players that have performed well for he team in the past.
Key Departures:
Ricky Williams (Runningback), Dominique Foxworth (Cornerback), Ben Grubbs (Guard), Lee Evans (Wide Receiver), Cory Redding (Defensive Tackle), Brandon McKinney (Defensive Tackle), Jarrett Johnson (Outside Linebacker),Chris Carr (Cornerback), Tom Zibikowski (Strong Safety), Haruki Nakamura (Safety).
Key Arrivals:
Curtis Painter (Quarterback), Ma’ake Kemeatu (Defensive Tackle), Courtney Upshaw (Outside Linebacker), Bernard Pierce (Runningback), Ryan McBean (Defensive Tackle), Tony Wragge (Center/Guard), Corey Graham (Cornerback), Tommy Streeter (Wide Receiver), Bobbie Williams (Guard), Jacoby Jones (Wide Receiver/Kick Returner), Kelechi Oswmele (Guard), Cino Gradkowski (Center), Christian Thompson (Safety), Asa Jackson (Cornerback). The Baltimore Ravens football player will prepare for the 2012 season by attending training camp over the summer. Private training camp will take place throughout the summer, however the public is not welcome to attend due to a lack of space for spectators. However, the Ravens are hosting a lottery which invites 200 people to view one of their 14 training camp sessions. There will also be three public training camp sessions that will held for the public.
The Baltimore Ravens football player will prepare for the 2012 season by attending training camp over the summer. Private training camp will take place throughout the summer, however the public is not welcome to attend due to a lack of space for spectators. However, the Ravens are hosting a lottery which invites 200 people to view one of their 14 training camp sessions. There will also be three public training camp sessions that will held for the public. The 2012 Public Off-Site Training Camp Practices are listed below:
Saturday, August 4 at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore, Maryland
Sunday, August 12 at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium in Annapolis, Maryland
Sunday, August 19 at Stevenson University Mustang Stadium in Owings Mills, Maryland
Position Battles:
Guard(two positions)- Bobbie Williams vs. Jah Reid vs. Kelechi Osemele vs Cino Gradkowski.
2 Backup Runningback- Anthony Allen vs. Damien Berry vs. Bernard Pierce.
3rd and 4th Wide Receivers- Jacoby Jones vs. Tandon Doss vs. LaQuan Williams vs. David Reed rd th vs. Tommy Streeter.
Cornerback- Jimmy Smith vs. Cary Williams.
Outside Linebacker- Paul Kruger vs. Sergio Kindle vs. Albert McClellan vs. Courtney Upshaw
2012 Baltimore Ravens Preseason Schedule:
Thursday, August 9 at Atlanta Falcons
Friday, August 17 vs. Detroit Lions Thursday
August 23 vs. Jacksonville Jaguars Thursday
August 30 at St. Louis Rams
The Ravens have continued moving toward future success by signing players that will be critical in the years to come. This includes signing runningback Ray Rice to a 5 year, 40 million dollar contract on July 16 . The Ravens are also closer to working out a long-term deal th with quarterback Joe Flacco with some reports claiming that there is a “75-percent” chance that an agreement will be reached before the season begins. Earlier in the off season the Ravens also agreed to a six year, $52.7 million contract with cornerback Lardarius Webb.