Lewis said he could have participated, but expects to practice by Monday.
Under NFL guidelines, the former NFL Offensive Player of the Year can be
activated from the list at any time.
Lewis worked on the sidelines with trainers and didn’t appear to be in major
discomfort during agility drills. Team officials thought he might be able to
practice as soon as today.
“It’s strictly precautionary, trainer’s call,” said Ravens coach Brian Billick,
who also noted minor issues with Lewis’ ankle and heel after his surgery from a
year ago. “The idea is to get a firm idea of where he is physically before we
put him in that situation.”
Veteran backup running back Mike Anderson took the majority of the repetitions
with the first offense in Lewis’ place. Lewis is starting ahead of Anderson, a
former Denver Broncos starter acquired during the offseason.
R. LEWIS RETURNS: Middle linebacker Ray Lewis practiced for the first time since
last October when he injured his hamstring badly enough against the Chicago Bears that it required season-ending surgery.
The former NFL Defensive Player of the Year appeared fit, fluid and flashed his
usual aggression and speed.
“My leg felt real good,” Lewis said. “We’re going to definitely be safe because
it fatigues here and there. I didn’t feel it tweak at all.
“I can burst. I can run full-speed. I only play it one way: I play it with
reckless abandon.”
BILLICK DISPLEASED: Practice was somewhat ragged, and Billick expressed his
displeasure afterward.
During an abnormally short press conference for the usually loquacious coach
that lasted just 2 1/2 minutes, Billick said the team's effort would have been
fine for a minicamp session.
“As a training camp day, it sucked,” Billick said. “But that’s to be expected.
What we’re trying to get out of these four practices is something very specific
to get ourselves cranked up for Monday.”
MOORE SIDELINED: Wide receiver Clarence Moore was also placed on the physically
unable to perform list after undergoing two offseason hernia surgeries, and it’s
unclear when he’ll return.
Moore has had five surgeries to repair a sports hernia incurred in college. The
latest procedures became necessary when mesh wire intended to stabilize his
abdomen got loose last season.
TICKETS GO FAST: The Ravens sold out the majority of their single-game tickets
Friday morning with their Nov. 26 game against the defending Super Bowl champion
Pittsburgh Steelers selling out in six minutes. Three-hundred are available for
the final three games.
There are 600 to 700 remaining tickets available for the Ravens’ two home
preseason games against the New York Giants (Aug. 11) and the Philadelphia Eagles (Aug. 17).
Team executives expect to sell out the remainder of the tickets by Monday.
OGDEN UPDATE: It’s possible the Ravens might be required to temporarily
designate offensive tackle Jonathan Ogden on some sort of reserve/did not report
list while he grieves his father’s recent death. The funeral is scheduled for
Friday.
Center Mike Flynn, who phoned Ogden to express his condolences, said he expects
Ogden to return in a few weeks.
DIFFERENT LINEUP: With Ogden absent, Adam Terry worked with the first offense at
left tackle. Because defensive tackle Haloti Ngata was involved in a a one-day
holdout that ended Friday afternoon when he agreed to a five-year contract,
newcomer Justin Bannan worked with the starters. And rookie safety Dawan Landry
took most of the work with the first defense ahead of Gerome Sapp.
NATIONAL INK: Ray Lewis and quarterback Steve McNair were photographed for an
upcoming cover story in The Sporting News.
Aaron Wilson writes for Ravens Insider and the Carroll County Times in
Westminster Maryland.
If you are reading this article via a news portal, you can find the
original on RavensInsider.Com
URL:http://www.ravensinsider.com