Baltimore Ravens Training Camp News and Notes: August 21

OWINGS MILLS, Md. -- This time 12 years ago, Ray Lewis was preparing for his fifth NFL season, which would eventually result in a Super Bowl XXXV championship.

This time 12 years ago, Albert McClellan was 14 years old and hadn't even taken a snap of high school football.

McClellan would go on to play at Kathleen High School in Lakeland, Fla.—the same high school where Lewis played.

Two linebackers from the same home town that went to the same high school 11 years apart are now playing on the same defense.

Lewis spoke about the second-year up-and-comer after practice:

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"I definitely knew about Albert [McClellan]. Albert was really down the line [and then came here], which is funny. He’s just one of those guys. He’s just one of those guys that’s going to work hard. He is going to give you everything he has, and that’s what you appreciate about him. He’s a very humble man, and he plays the game with a certain love and certain passion for it."

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McClellan is listed as a linebacker, but has mostly played outside. However, he can also play inside linebacker and defensive end. Regardless if he starts or not, he figures to be a big part of what the Ravens want to do on defense.

Two other players that are unsung nationally but can contribute to the team in big ways are nose tackle Ma'ake Kemoeatu and punter Sam Koch.

Kemoeatu was drafted by the Ravens in 2002 and played in Baltimore until 2005. After that, he spent three years with the Panthers (2006-08) and one year with the Redskins (2010).

Kemoeatu called Lewis earlier this year asking for advice. Lewis told him to just get in the best shape possible. Lewis has noticed the difference: "He's playing like a man. He's playing like a grown man," he said.

Koch is a player who fits perfectly on the Ravens. In a division like the AFC North, where field position is crucial and with weather that is often adverse, Koch's able to perform at an elite level.

John Harbaugh is happy to have Koch on his team:

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"He is one of the more underrated players in the league, let alone punters in the league. If you look in the AFC, it seems like the AFC is just stacked with great punters, so Sam doesn't always get that recognition he might deserve. [He is a] great directional punter, very consistent, gets it off quick. He's a tremendous pooch punter in the plus territory. He just does everything really well."

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Joe Flacco displayed great anticipation today, as he has throughout training camp. He's routinely able to throw 20-yard out routes from the opposite hash and put the ball in the perfect spot, even before the receiver breaks out of their route.

Flacco is a strong performer in the red zone, too. On three consecutive red-zone pass plays, Flacco threw touchdowns (one to LaQuan Williams off of play action, and then two to Anquan Boldin).

This year is shaping up to be one where Flacco will have ample opportunity to become one of the top five quarterbacks in the NFL.

The Ravens will have a closed walk-through tomorrow before hosting the Jaguars on Thursday night. Game time is set for 7:30, and will air locally on WBAL-TV.

Notes

- Sergio Kindle and Sean Considine wore red non-contact pinnies for the third straight day.

- Larry Webster, former Ravens defensive tackle and current football coach at Baltimore Polytechnic Institute, brought his team to practice.

- No kickers attempted field goals.

Mike Fast is a Featured Columnist for Bleacher Report. Unless otherwise noted, all quotes were obtained first-hand.