*View Full Training Camp Schedule *
The Ravens are starting training camp early this year, opening the practice fields at McDaniel College in Westminster, Md. to the public with two practices (8:45 a.m. and 3:30 p.m.) on Tuesday, July 22.
Twenty-six days and 43 practices later, the Ravens will return to team headquarters in Owings Mills, Md. and continue preparations for their season opener against the Cincinnati Bengals Sept. 7.
Rookies, quarterbacks and injured veterans will be the first to report on July 21. That group will participate in four practices before the full team will take the field for two sessions (8:45 a.m. and 2:45 p.m.) on Friday, July 25.
Despite Harbaugh's new regime in Baltimore, which began back in January, he was committed to providing fans with the best opportunity to support and interact with the Ravens. The idea of continuing the tradition of holding camp in Westminster for a 13th consecutive year was a foregone conclusion.
At each practice, fans will have the opportunity to collect autographs of their favorite players, while getting up close to Harbaugh and his staff. Only three sessions are closed to the media and public - July 24, which will serve as an administrative and orientation day and Aug. 6 and 15, both pre-game walk-throughs.
The Ravens have also scheduled a practice exclusively for a Suite Holders and Sponsors Day for the morning of Tuesday, July 29. That will be closed to the media
"We've had an outstanding offseason program," Harbaugh said. "We are really excited to take the next step at McDaniel College. We like the fact that so many fans come to our practices. That will add another level of excitement to our time out there."
The Ravens wrapped their final Organized Team Activity (OTA) last week, but kept the rookies onsite for a three-day rookie camp that ends Wednesday.
Harbaugh thinks that while the veterans are ready to begin training camp, many of the younger players need a last-minute crash course in Ravens football.
"[We want to] just bring the rookies along further, as far as we can," he explained. "We're going to push them as hard as we can and get them as far as we can. The goal, essentially, is to get them as close as we can to being able to compete for a job in training camp."
Those competitions will play out during Baltimore's four exhibition contests. The Ravens will begin their preseason at the New England Patriots on Thursday, Aug. 7. The preseason home opener comes on Aug. 16 against the Minnesota Vikings at M&T Bank Stadium, followed by a road trip to St. Louis on Saturday, Aug. 23. The preseason finale comes Thursday, Aug. 28 against the Atlanta Falcons.
For more information, find a full schedule of training camp by clicking here, or call (410)261-RAVE for the Ravens' training camp hotline, which is updated daily.
