Day 2 of Ravens mandatory minicamp was more pleasant considering it wasn't pouring, and quite intense Wednesday at the Under Armour Performance Center in Owings Mills, Md.
Here are some of the highlights:
- The competitiveness at practice was turned up a notch, as it seemed everyone was in a good mood and flying around in the beautiful weather. Head Coach John Harbaugh was impressed, saying, "It's starting to look like it's going to look come the end of July. … Some guys are starting to shine."
- Safety Ed Reed (unknown), center Matt Birk (varicose veins) and tackle Bryant McKinnie (conditioning)**were again not at practice for a second straight day. Harbaugh said he has still not spoken to Reed. "No, I haven't, not to make too much out of it," Harbaugh said. "I have tremendous respect for Ed. I have used the word 'admiration.' I am not worried about Ed being ready."
- Quarterback Joe Flacco was also not in attendance as his wife, Dana, went into labor with their first child in New Jersey.
- With Flacco absent, Tyrod Taylor ran the first-team offense. Taylor made some very good throws, and scored a touchdown in red-zone drills with his legs, but the defense for the most part got the better of the offense in 11-on-11 drills.
- Rookie running back Bernard Pierce left practice early on Tuesday. Harbaugh gave an update on his status today, saying he tweaked his hamstring, but that it's minor.
- Wide receiver Jacoby Jones came up gimpy after going up to make a play in traffic during 11-on-11. He walked slowly off the field before leaving practice. Harbaugh was not asked about his status. Immediately after it happened, safety Bernard Pollard, who was near the play, yelled across the field to the offense that it must just be cramps.
- Backup Curtis Painter was the No. 2 quarterback for the day, and had a couple beautiful deep passes, one of which went for a touchdown.
- Wide receiver LaQuan Williams made a great leaping catch in the back of the end zone after Taylor directed him to go deep off a bootleg. Taylor perfectly lofted it in and Williams showed his knack for going up to make plays.
- Rookie wideout Tommy Streeter had an up and down day. He dropped a sure deep touchdown pass along the sidelines and got roasted by the defense. But he responded with two one-handed grabs on fade routes in the end zone, one of which he punted after snagging.
- Jimmy Smith picked off Taylor on an out-route intended for Torrey Smith, and nearly returned it for a touchdown before being caught by Torrey. J. Smith lateralled the ball to Lardarius Webb for the touchdown, which sent the defense into a massive celebration.
- Rookie free agent wide receiver Deonte Thompson got behind the Ravens defense for a long touchdown. He's got major speed and has been impressive so far.
- Kicker Billy Cundiff was* good from 40 and 51 yards. Rookie Justin Tucker was good from 41, 48, 44 and 54 yards. Neither missed a field-*goal attempt.
- Sean Considine was the first-team free safety with Ed Reed out. Justin Boren and Gino Gradkowski took most of the first-team snaps at center. Once again, Jah Reid played right tackle with Michael Oher sliding to left tackle.
- Wide receiver David Reed (knee), Cary Williams (hip) and guard Howard Barbieri (undisclosed) again did not fully practice. Williams was in individual drills, and showed off his good hands.
- Former Browns QB Bernie Kosar was at practice chatting with his former tight end, Ravens General Manager Ozzie Newsome.
