The Under Armour Performance Center will be a much busier place Monday morning.
Most of the players will be back in the building as the Ravens open the voluntary portion of their offseason conditioning program. The Ravens have traditionally had strong participation under Head Coach John Harbaugh, and a number of key players are planning to participate again this season.
"I enjoy being here every day and getting that work, and it will be a little bit more crowded in here," cornerback Lardarius Webb said. "We can pump it up and we can start our offseason as a group. We can start working toward our goals."
The NFL's Collective Bargaining Agreement limits what the players and coaches are able to do during the voluntary workouts, and the first phase of the offseason program mostly allows for time in the weight room and classroom. Coaches are not allowed to have any on-field involvement with the players.
While the coaching staff's involvement is limited, players are able to lead on-field workouts with their teammates.
"It's just good to be around with the guys and teach the young guys how to work," Webb said. "When I was younger, I had guys like Ed Reed, Ray Lewis, Marshal Yanda, Terrell Suggs, and I looked up to them. I saw how they worked. Now that's my job. I have to show those guys that this is how we do it around here. This is the standard of the Baltimore Ravens. I have to be here and try to be an example."
The on-field workouts are important during the offseason, but the most important aspect of this year's program may be the implementation Offensive Coordinator Gary Kubiak's new system. The coaching staff can start teaching the scheme, and then quarterback Joe Flacco can work with receivers to implement the calls.
The first phase of the program lasts two weeks, and then coaches will be able to start individual on-field instruction with players in non-contact drills. Phase two continues for three weeks and full team drills are not allowed during that time. Phase three then takes place over the next four weeks, and that is when full team drills are allowed in Organized Team Activities (OTAs) and minicamp.
The Ravens will hold their OTAs May 28-30, June 3-5, June 9-10 and June 12-13, and the three-day mandatory minicamp will take place June 17-19.
