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HOT TOPIC
The Ravens have high expectations for offensive lineman Chris Chester, who will be given the chance to compete for a starting job immediately.
"He's going to look so good out there athletically that, at some point, we're going to have to find a way to get him on the field," said Eric DeCosta, the Ravens' director of college scouting. "If we can coach him up -- I think we can -- this guy's potential long term is as good as anybody's in the draft."
Chester was the only major addition to the Ravens' offensive line, which was widely considered the weakest area on the team last season.
Team officials can see him competing for all three starting jobs on the interior line, pressing the likes of center Mike Flynn, left guard Edwin Mulitalo and right guard Keydrick Vincent. Chester mainly worked at right guard with the second group during spring camps.
Kevin Wilson, the University of Oklahoma offensive coordinator, said the best scenario for Chester is to sit for a couple of years because he is far from a finished product. A converted tight end, Chester started just one season on the offensive line.
"He isn't a guy who is going to walk in and be a Day One starter," Wilson said. "One or two years from now, he might be a tremendous player. He's still a guy who is athletically good enough but is still learning how to become a player who can match his talent."
It's hard not to notice Chester's agility in minicamps.
His quick feet stand out from the rest of the linemen. His initial burst is impressive but not surprising because he ran the 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine in 4.78 seconds (most guards average 5.3 seconds).
Chester has yet to disappoint since being the 56th overall selection in the draft, the highest an offensive lineman has been taken by the Ravens since Jonathan Ogden (fourth overall) in 1996.
When asked if he thought he could start immediately, Chester said he is "physically and emotionally" ready.
"I don't want to get ahead of myself because I haven't played a game," he said. "Within time, I feel like I can make an impact."
Chester's path to the NFL has included some curves.
He didn't start playing football until he was in high school. He spent his first three seasons at Oklahoma at tight end before being lured to the offensive line.
In convincing Chester to make the switch, the coaches told him tight ends will occasionally get the ball in their hands but centers touch it on every play.
"Not that he was a bad guy or rebellious, but you could tell he wanted to be a tight end in his heart," Wilson said. "Now, I think he realizes it is good for him."
Even with his limited experience at offensive line, the Ravens don't consider Chester a gamble.
They admit there will be an adjustment period for Chester to absorb a new system. But they don't see him struggling at offensive line drills.
"It doesn't show up that this is an unaware tight end who is now playing offensive line," said Chris Foerster, the Ravens' offensive line coach.
Foerster, though, won't get into the debate about whether Chester can play immediately or needs to sit for a couple of years.
"I have no preconceived thoughts whether he can impact us this year or in two years," he said. "It's totally up to Chris and his development as a player."
PLAYER NOTES
--Two fights broke out in the second-to-last practice of offseason minicamps. Backup center Jason Brown and reserve linebacker Mike Smith got into a shoving match, which later involved linebacker Jarret Johnson getting Brown in a headlock.
One play after the skirmish was broken up, Brown and Smith got into another fight, wrestling each other to the ground. Other players joined in. Coach Brian Billick stopped practice with just a few minutes remaining and made all the players run sideline to sideline about a dozen times.
"Since we don't want to practice or think, I want to see you run until I'm ... tired of seeing you run," Billick told the team.
--In one of the last plays of spring camps, receiver Derrick Mason injured himself while making a diving catch in the end zone. He limped off the field before practice ended and seemed to be favoring his ankle.
Team officials did not express concern for their leading receiver. "How many times do I tell them about not going to the ground?" coach Brian Billick said. "He'll be all right."
--This marked the final workout before the Ravens reconvene for training camp on July 27, an earlier-than-expected report date. The Ravens will have light workouts on July 28 and 29 and then suit up for the first contact practice on July 31.
--Offensive tackle Jonathan Ogden, safety Ed Reed, defensive end Trevor Pryce, and linebacker/defensive end Terrell Suggs missed a majority of the final voluntary minicamp.
--Cornerbacks Samari Rolle (elbow) and Chris McAlister (toe), linebacker Ray Lewis (hamstring), center Mike Flynn (knee) and receivers Clarence Moore (hernia) and Mark Clayton (hamstring) did not practice in the final minicamp because of injuries.
Clayton's hamstring limited him most of last offseason, too. "We're going to make him start renting his uniform if he's not out here more," Billick said.
STRATEGY AND PERSONNEL
With the acquisition of quarterback Steve McNair, the Ravens' only hole is at free safety.
Look for the Ravens to add a veteran there if one becomes available either before or during training camp. The Ravens are hoping Dawan Landry, a fifth-round pick, can step up if the team is unable to add another safety.
FRANCHISE PLAYER: None.
TRANSITION PLAYER: None.
UNRESTRICTED FREE AGENTS
--CB Dale Carter (not tendered June 1).
--LS Drew Caylor (not tendered as ERFA).
--DT Gary Gibson (not tendered as ERFA).
--CB Cash Mouton (not tendered as ERFA).
--WR Patrick Johnson (not tendered June 1).
--RB Jamel White (not tendered June 1).
RESTRICTED FREE AGENTS: None.
EXCLUSIVE RIGHTS FREE AGENTS
--DT Cedric Hilliard (tendered at $350,000).
PLAYERS RE-SIGNED
--CB Robb Butler: ERFA; $425,000/1 yr).
--PK Aaron Elling: RFA; $721,600/1 yr.
--NT Aubrayo Franklin: RFA; terms unknown, had been tendered at $721,600.
--LB Dennis Haley: ERFA; $350,000/1 yr.
--DE Jarret Johnson: RFA; $1.573M/1 yr.
--LS Matt Katula: ERFA; $350,000/1 yr.
--RB Jamal Lewis: UFA; $26M/3 yrs, $5M SB; 2006 cap: $2.67M.
--FB Ovie Mughelli: RFA; terms unknown, had been tendered at $721,600.
--CB Zach Norton: ERFA; $350,000/1 yr).
--CB Evan Oglesby: ERFA; $350,000/ 1 yr).
--OT Tony Pashos: RFA; had been tendered at $1.573M.
--OG Brian Rimpf: ERFA; terms unknown.
--QB Brian St. Pierre; ERFA; terms unknown.
--RB B.J. Sams: ERFA; $425,000/1 yr.
--LB Bart Scott: UFA; $13.5M/3 yrs, $6.5M SB; 2006 cap: $3.17M.
--LB Mike Smith: ERFA; $350,000/1 yr).
--RB Musa Smith: RFA; $721,600/1 yr.
--C Thatcher Szalay: ERFA; $425,000/1 yr.
--DE Benard Thomas: ERFA; $350,000/1 yr).
--CB B.J. Ward: ERFA; $350,000/1 yr).
--TE Daniel Wilcox: Potential RFA; 3 yrs, terms unknown.
--LB Zac Woodfin: ERFA; $350,000/1 yr).
PLAYERS ACQUIRED
--RB Mike Anderson: FA Broncos; $8M/4 yrs, $2M SB.
--P Leo Araguz: FA; terms unknown.
--DT Justin Bannan: UFA Bills; $8M/4 yrs, $3M SB.
--CB Corey Ivy: UFA Rams; $2.16M/3 yrs, $250,000 SB; 2006 cap: $668,333.
--LB Tim Johnson: UFA Raiders; 1 yr, terms unknown.
--QB Steve McNair: Trade Titans.
--DE Trevor Pryce: FA Broncos; $25M/5 yrs, $10M guaranteed.
--LB Gary Stills: FA Chiefs; $2.6M/3 yrs, SB unknown.
PLAYERS LOST
--LB Peter Boulware (released).
--OT Orlando Brown (released; post-June 1 designation).
--S Will Demps: UFA Giants; 5 yrs, terms unknown.
--TE Darnell Dinkins: UFA Browns; $2.1M/3 yrs, $200,000 SB.
--WR Randy Hymes: UFA Jaguars; terms unknown.
--DT Maake Kemoeatu: UFA Panthers; $27.5M/5 yrs, $6M SB/$2M OB '07.
--LB Tommy Polley: UFA Saints; terms unknown.
--CB Deion Sanders: UFA; retired).
--RB Chester Taylor: UFA Vikings; $14.1M/4 yrs, $5.6M guaranteed.
--DE Tony Weaver: UFA Texans; $26.5M/5 yrs, $12M SB.
--S Chad Williams: UFA 49ers; terms unknown.
--QB Anthony Wright: UFA Bengals; 1 yr, terms unknown.
--P Dave Zastudil: UFA Browns; $8M/5 yrs, $1.66M SB.
MEDICAL WATCH: No updates.
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