Baltimore Ravens: 8 Things We've Learned from Training Camp so Far

Baltimore Ravens fans' twitter feeds, social media and televisions are blowing up with football news: Training Camp has arrived.

With it comes plenty of news: injuries, depth charts, stand outs and underperforming players.

With that in mind, here's a look at all we've seen so far from the defending Super Bowl champions. 

The Position Battles Are Completely Unclear

Heading into training camp, two position battles have stood out: inside linebacker and receiver. Well, those competitions are still raging with no answer in sight.

The Ravens have had four guys rotating as first-string receivers. Jacoby Jones remains the de facto starter, but Deonte Thompson and Tandon Doss have both impressed. One of those younger guys will probably get the job in the end, but it will go down to the wire.

Inside linebacker is also decidedly unclear. Josh Bynes and Albert McClellan have been getting starting reps, but Daryl Smith and Arthur Brown are certainly more talented. Jameel McClain would likely be a starter if he remains healthy. Who starts on opening day remains to be seen.

Terrell Suggs Is Ready to Bounce Back

Perhaps the biggest standout from Ravens camp has been Terrell Suggs, who is lean, mean and ready to dominate this season.

He is in perhaps the best shape of his career, and his leadership and intensity have been contagious. This is an emotional football team and certainly an emotional defense, and Suggs sets that tone perfectly.

Suggs needs a good season next year, and early indications are positive that he will have the bounce-back season he's looking for.

Lardarius Webb Is Getting Healthy Quickly

Injuries have gotten plenty of press for the Ravens and the entire NFL, but it's Lardarius Webb's return from injury that may be the most positive story out of camp.

His practice workload has been gradually increasing, and he's handled it all well. Webb should be ready to go early in the season, if not by opening day.

Even the Ravens Have Off-the-Field Issues

The Ravens are a steady franchise, but even they get in trouble from time to time. Case in point, Asa Jackson.

Jackson was suspended eight games for performance-enhancing drug use, though he claims the drug was legitimately prescribed and the whole thing is just a case of mishandled paperwork.

Whatever the reason, Jackson will now have an even harder time making the team after this latest setback.

There Is No Such Thing as Enough Depth

The Ravens felt pretty good about their tight end situation heading into camp. Then, Dennis Pitta went down for the season and now, Ed Dickson is out with a slightly torn hamstring.

Things can change in a split second in the NFL. What was once a strong position is now thin as paper in Baltimore. Don't be shocked if more of the unexpected happens.

The Defense Is Further Along Than the Offense

Defenses are usually a step ahead of offenses at this time of the year. For the most part, the Ravens' defense has dominated scrimmages, both physically and mentally.

That could mean that the Ravens are in line to have a dominating defense, or perhaps an underwhelming offense. 

Maybe both, but you can bet the Ravens defense will be better this year than last.

Joe Flacco Will Go as Far as His Surrounding Cast Takes Him

The Ravens have been dealing with some issues on offense because of injuries and new personnel. Flacco has occasionally struggled as a result, as he did Monday.

Ravens fans already know that Flacco struggles under pressure, and he's been under plenty of it in camp so far. Terrell Suggs and Elvis Dumervil are too good for the Ravens' patchwork offensive line (patchwork due to injuries and conditioning, not talent).

Flacco will need to be kept upright to make good on the promise he showed in last year's championship run. The pressure that comes with his new contract won't make things any easier either. 

The Ravens Enjoy Training Camp as Much as Any Team in the NFL

How many teams get to have ice cream at practice? The Ravens do, at the very least.

The Ravens have such a strong, fun locker room. Few teams seem to enjoy each other as much as the Ravens do, and their jubilee over ice cream is just another example of that.

What kind of season do you think the Ravens will have?