Baltimore Ravens Training Camp News and Notes: August 14

OWINGS MILLS, Md. -- 27 days separate the Baltimore Ravens from getting back to regular season football. Baltimore hosts Cincinnati on Monday Night Football to kick off the 2012 season on September 10.

Until then, the Ravens' focus isn't even the Detroit Lions (whom they host this Friday night). The Ravens' focus is to simply get better.

Of course that can go without saying, but the feel around camp is that the Ravens still have a long way to go to determine who will play where and who won't be on the active roster. That is more because of an excess of talent rather than anything else.

One of the key Ravens players is fifth-year quarterback Joe Flacco. Having never missed a game, a winning record in the playoffs (5-4) and still getting better, Flacco is unquestionably going to have a huge effect on Baltimore's success (or failure) in 2012.

In terms of getting to the line, identifying the defense then adjusting the offense accordingly, offensive coordinator Cam Cameron said this about Flacco: "If you graded him last year, he’s phenomenal at it."

The Ravens have used a lot of no-huddle offense during camp, which Cameron says is basically a version of the two-minute drill.

One of Flacco's best passes of the day came early on when he connected with tight end Billy Bajema off of a play action bootleg for a touchdown. The pass went right in between Jimmy Smith, Corey Graham and Emanuel Cook.

Cameron further vouched for Flacco's progression, saying, "...Joe just gets a little bit better at everything, every day."

Cameron also praised Flacco's backup, Tyrod Taylor: "He can light you up in the pocket."

Bobbie Williams got the day off today, which allowed Kelechi Osemele to play left guard for the second day in a row. While there's no set order of starters and backups right now, in their first game action of the year, Cameron liked what he saw from his offensive line against Atlanta. "Everybody did something really well. Everybody had at least one mistake."

Defensively, the Ravens had a great day. Smith looked strong during 7-on-7 drills, when he defended a pass and then forced a fumble. Cook continued his campaign for playing time after he intercepted a pass from Flacco that went through Bobby Rainey's hands.

Something the Ravens' defense has been historically great at is confusing the offense with multiple coverages and blitz packages. Defensive coordinator Dean Pees talked about that after practice: "That's the key...to disguise the blitz."

Cameron will attest to that, as he thinks very highly of Pees and his coaching ability. "He's the best I've gone against. It's very hard to decipher what they're going to do."

Hopefully the Ravens will be able to prevent the Lions from deciphering their defense, as quarterback Matthew Stafford and wide receiver Calvin Johnson possess elite NFL talent at their respective positions.

Friday's game time is set for 8:00 p.m., and will air nationally on FOX.

Notes

• Devin Goda, Jacoby Jones and Torrey Smith were absent from practice today. Ed Reed, Justin Tucker and Bobbie Williams were in attendance, but were inactive.
• Deonte Thompson got a lot of reps as the second wide receiver, opposite Anquan Boldin.
• Sam Koch was 1-for-2 in his field goal attempts, making a 30-yarder.
• Billy Cundiff was 6-for-7, including two makes from 51 yards and from 52 yards.