The Ravens hit the practice field Wednesday for the second week of organized team activities (OTAs).
The team got a little preview of training camp life during a sunny Baltimore afternoon with temperatures in the low 80s.
"We really kind of appreciated the heat a little bit," Head Coach John Harbaugh said. "We've had a couple of hot days this week and that's helped climatize us a little bit for training camp and the early the part of the season."
Here were some of highlights from the two-hour practice that was open for media viewing:
- Veteran wide receiver Steve Smith Sr. jumps out on the practice field, and continues to make big plays. He beat safety Matt Elam to catch a deep pass from Joe Flacco over the middle of the field, and later in practice he burned past cornerback Chykie Brown on a slant route to score a touchdown. Smith may be a 14-year veteran, but he clearly doesn't take it easy in practice, even in June.
- Cornerback Jimmy Smith had one of the highlights of the day when he picked off Flacco and then returned the interception for a touchdown. Jimmy Smith weaved in and out of traffic on the return and then beat Flacco to the end zone. Jimmy Smith even had a little fun on Flacco's behalf, as he flipped the ball up in the air right as he crossed the goal line.
- Flacco also got the better of Jimmy Smith at one point during practice, as he connected with wide receiver Torrey Smith on a perfectly thrown back shoulder pass down the sidelines. Torrey Smith snatched the pass and turned upfield past Jimmy Smith to take off for the touchdown.
- The Ravens got a few young wide receivers back in the mix, as rookie seventh-round pick Michael Campanaro (hamstring) and second-year receiver Aaron Mellette (knee) both returned to action.
- Some of the veterans not on the practice field included outside linebackers Terrell Suggs and Elvis Dumervil, defensive tackle Haloti Ngata, defensive end Chris Canty, inside linebacker Daryl Smith and right guard Marshal Yanda.
- Running back Justin Forsett juked Elam in the open field, and the offensive players made sure Elam heard about it. Several players on the offensive side chided Elam about getting beat.
- Flacco is starting to develop his timing with the new targets. He connected with Steve Smith on several passes and also seemed to be on the same page as tight end Owen Daniels. Flacco looked much sharper compared to last week's open practice that took place in the rain.
- Second-year lineman Ryan Jensen got in a little scuffle after a play, but it didn't amount to much. Jensen is known as a gritty player, and Harbaugh likes what he has seen from Jensen at right tackle.
- Second-year defensive lineman Kapron Lewis-Moore has a great opportunity this offseason to carve out a role for himself. He's fully recovered from a torn ACL that he suffered in the final game of his college career, and now he's in a position to get some playing time. He is getting reps with the first-team defense, and he's flashed at times. On one play, he broke through the first-team offensive line to chase Flacco in the backfield.
- Running back Ray Rice has clearly slimmed down from last season, and he appears to have quickness back in his game.
- Rookie Brent Urban looks like someone with a lot of upside. He's a huge player out on the field, and he ran past the offensive line to get into the backfield on multiple occasions.
- The Ravens went with some oldies on the practice playlist. Lynyrd Skynyrd, Led Zeppelin and The Temptations all made the playlist during Wednesday's practice.
John Harbaugh, Joe Flacco and Steve Smith, Sr. lead the Ravens through the second week of OTAs.