Baltimore Sun

For players, fans alike, ‘hopes and dreams start right now’

- Jeff.zrebiec@baltsun.com twitter.com/jeffzrebie­csun Baltimore Sun reporter Don Markus contribute­d to this article.

For many Ravens, Thursday’s first full-squad practice of training camp marked a new beginning. Weddle played his first nine NFL seasons with the San Diego Chargers. The most ballyhooed member of an 11-man Ravens draft class, first-round pick Ronnie Stanley, worked as the starting left tackle. Quarterbac­k Joe Flacco was on the field for his ninth training camp, but in some respects it felt like his first. He had been sidelined for eight months after tearing the ACL and MCLin his left knee, and his goal was to be ready for the start of camp.

“I felt really good to be out there,” Flacco said. “I wasn’t as efficient as I would have liked to have been, but I felt comfortabl­e. I just need to throw it a little better and complete some more passes.”

For the organizati­on as a whole, Thursday’s practice, which lasted 21⁄ hours on a typically hot and humid July day in Baltimore, had been anticipate­d for months after the conclusion of one of the most disappoint­ing seasons in franchise history. Hard-driving coach John Harbaugh had said since late January that the team had moved on from last year’s injury-marred 5-11 season, its worst since 2007.

On the eve of training camp, Harbaugh’s message to his players focused on being “all in” and committed to helping the Ravens get back to the playoffs.

“It is a growth process,” Harbaugh said. “We were ‘all in’ last year in so many ways. I know that it reflected in the way that we handled the adversity and it built a foundation for this season. There are degrees of things like that. Are you going to be great at what you do or are you going to be OK at what you do?”

Flacco, running back Justin Forsett, tight end Dennis Pitta and cornerback Jimmy Smith returned to action, but wide receivers Steve Smith Sr. and Breshad Perriman, and pass rushers Terrell Suggs and Elvis Dumervil started training camp on the physically-unable-to-perform list.

Their absence, though, hardly diminished the enthusiasm of the announced 1,250 fans, who cheered loudly when Flacco connected with rookie Chris Moore on a long pass and when fellow newcomer Keenan Reynolds (Navy) made a one- handed catch along the sideline. But the biggest cheers of the day went up after Flacco found his friend Pitta down the seam for a long completion.

“It’s nice to see Joe move around, and I’m really excited about some of the new guys,” said Kevin Lanier of Bowie, who attended his first Ravens training camp practice with his father and brother-inlaw. “I think the sky is the limit for them if they can stay healthy.”

Matt Cwalina of Catonsvill­e attended with his 12-year-old daughter and 6-yearold son. He said he missed hearing Suggs’ usual trash talk on the field, but he was happy to see Flacco back and hopes a healthier team will lead to more success in 2016.

“I’m realistic. I’m not looking Super Bowl,” Cwalina said. “But I’m hoping they can sneak into the playoffs, maybe as a wild card, and surprise some people.”

Cwalina joked that his kids would sleep well Thursday night because of all the running around they were doing in the heat.

Known as the “Fan Man,” Matt Andrews, 76, came with his face made up in purple and black paint and with a string of gold plastic beads dangling from his neck. He said he misses training camp being held at McDaniel College in Westminste­r, “but this is nice, too.”

The organizati­on worked hard in recent months to upgrade the fan experience at training camp. The Ravens purchased adjacent land for a new parking lot that allows 250 more fans to attend practices than last year. They brought in enclosed bleachers that shield fans from the sun, and they expanded the fan zone, which includes interactiv­e games, an inflatable obstacle course for kids, food trucks and a team store.

Even on a hot day, the areas adjacent to the field were bustling and kids were waiting in line for autographs. When Flacco and Forsett approached, the kids chanted their names.

“It’s a great atmosphere,” Harbaugh said. “It feels like a turn-of-the-century baseball game with the coverings on the tents and everything. The fans were great, the stands were full. The kids were over there having the time of their lives. You hear them right now still. [Owner Steve “I wasn’t as efficient as I would have liked to have been, but I felt comfortabl­e,” Joe Flacco said. “I just need to throw it a little better and complete some more passes.” Bisciotti] really wants training camp to be something that connects with the fans.”

Overall, Harbaugh was pleased with day one of camp.

Though clearly rusty, Flacco looked comfortabl­e moving around the field and making throws. Several pass catchers made plays down the field. Rookie running back Kenneth Dixon suffered what the team believes is a minor knee strain, but the Ravens appeared to get through practice without any significan­t injuries.

“I was happy to see all the guys out here — all the vets and the rookies together on one field,” Stanley said. “It was nice to see everyone just getting back into it.”

 ?? KENNETH K. LAM/BALTIMORE SUN ??
KENNETH K. LAM/BALTIMORE SUN

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