The funeral for Sherril Ogden was held last Friday after he passed away two
days before training camp began following a long bout with kidney disease.
Although Ogden has visited training camp in Westminster and said it was good to
be around the team again, he has yet to officially report and teammates have
said the 6-foot-9, 345-pound nine-time All-Pro is taking this personal loss
extremely hard.
“No, none whatsoever,” Billick said when asked if Ogden is considering hanging
up his cleats. “I’ve talked with Jonathan and we’ve got some things to sort out.
We’ve got to give him the appropriate time.”
When the Ravens arrived at camp, center Mike Flynn estimated that Ogden would be
out at least a few weeks.
Whenever Ogden chooses to report, it’s likely that he will need some time to get
into football shape. Ogden didn't indicate any thoughts about retirement or
indicate exactly when he would report when he spoke briefly with reporters at
McDaniel College prior to the funeral in Washington, D.C.
Several Ravens attended the funeral, including most of the offensive line, along
with Billick, general manager Ozzie Newsome and team president Dick Cass.
Billick spoke at the services on behalf of the team.
“Certainly, it’s got to be mentally right and emotionally right for him,"
Billick said. "But I’ve had no conversation with anybody, Jonathan included,
that has intimated that at all.”
TRAINING ROOM: Offensive guard Brian Rimpf, a valuable reserve blocker who
started seven games last season on the right side, is out indefinitely with a
left hamstring injury.
“It’s a severe hamstring injury, a possible tear,” Billick said.
Team officials said that that they are waiting for the swelling to go down to
learn if Rimpf has indeed torn his hamstring. His leg is heavily wrapped and he
hasn’t practiced since getting hurt Monday morning.
Wide receivers Clarence Moore (hernia) and Brian Bratton didn’t practice along
with cornerback David Pittman (hamstring) and rookie defensive tackle Haloti Ngata.
Ngata is recovering from a mild left knee sprain and said he might return to
drills as soon as Thursday, although he doubts he will be available for the
Ravens’ Friday night preseason opener against the New York Giants at M&T Bank
Stadium.
“It’s beginning to loosen up,” Ngata said. “I think I should be fine by Sunday
or Monday, maybe even sooner. I’m feeling a lot better now.”
Meanwhile, Moore remains on the physically unable to perform list after
undergoing two hernia surgeries during the offseason.
“It’s my understanding that this last one went very, very well,” Billick said.
“It cleaned up the residual problem from the previous surgery, the one back when
he was in college.
“It’s going much better than we anticipated. It looks like he’s moving pretty
good. We’ll just have to wait and see.”
NO PULL: The ascension of Billick’s former agent, Ray Anderson, to NFL vice
president of football operations doesn’t look like it’s going to garner the
Ravens any special treatment from the league office.
“I sent Ray a congratulatory note and said, ‘My fines should be cut back to zero
or none,’” Billick said. “He e-mailed me back a one-sentence response: ‘No
chance.’ He’s gone over to the dark side.”
QUICK HITS: Aubrayo Franklin took repetitions with the first defense with Ngata
out, splitting time with Justin Bannan. … Punter Leo Araguz worked with the
first-team and he practiced a fake field goal as kicker Matt Stover’s holder. …
The Ravens have begun implementing reverses and fake reverses with wide receiver
Mark Clayton. ... Billick complimented safety Dawan Landry and running back P. J. Daniels, two draft picks from Georgia Tech. “This is not too big for [Landry],”
Billick said. “They’re doing a good job at Georgia Tech. P.J.’s another one
that’s not overwhelmed. I give [Georgia Tech coach] Chan Gailey a lot of
credit.” … Billick singled out undrafted wideout Travis Latrendresse for praise.
“If he can keep it up, he’s got a chance,” Billick said. ... Billick
acknowledged concern about the depth at wide receiver and said the team hasn’t
ruled out adding a veteran.
Aaron Wilson writes for Ravens Insider and the Carroll County Times in Westminster Maryland.
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