Former Pro Bowl cornerback Deion Sanders appears ready to end his retirement and join the Baltimore Ravens for the upcoming season, according to a story posted on the Baltimore Sun's Web site last night.
The Sun, citing an unnamed league source, reported that the seven-time Pro Bowler will play for the Ravens "barring any setback in his training regimen or 'last minute change of heart.' "
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Where: McDaniel College, Westminster, Md.
When: Through Aug. 24.
Today's practices: 9:30-11:15 a.m. and 3-4 p.m. (special teams).
Parking and admission are free. For updates on practice times, call
410-261-3267.
Next Preseason Game: Friday, 8 p.m. at Philadelphia (CBS).
Look Who's Here
Steve Spurrier was just another face in the crowd at the Ravens' training camp Tuesday morning. The ol' ball coach -- wearing a striped polo shirt and his trademark visor (minus the Washington Redskins logo) -- has kept a low profile since resigning as Redskins coach last December and watched the morning practice from a seat in the stands at McDaniel College.
"I think he just came out here to enjoy the day," said Ravens offensive assistant Jedd Fisch, who invited Spurrier. "He's a football coach, he likes football and that's what it comes down to. He got to see Travis Taylor and Fred Weary, and he loves that stuff, he really does."
Spurrier has several ties to the Ravens: Fisch spent two seasons as a graduate assistant with Spurrier at the University of Florida, Taylor and Weary played for the Gators, and Dick Nolan, father of defensive coordinator Mike Nolan, was once Spurrier's coach.
After practice, Spurrier chatted with Ravens owner Steve Bisciotti and several players. He ate lunch with some of the coaching staff, met with Coach Brian Billick and General Manager Ozzie Newsome, and then returned to his home in Virginia.
"We've got way too many head coaches around here, in my mind," Billick joked. "It's great to have Steve out here. He's going to give us a critique on the morning, so it's good to see him out here."
Injuries
QB Kordell Stewart (sore shoulder) dressed for practice but did not participate. T Orlando Brown was absent for personal reasons . CB Fred Weary (quadriceps, knee), WR-PR Derek Abney (shoulder), DT Matt Zielinski (knee), RB B.J. Sams (wrist), LB Peter Boulware (knee), QB Anthony Wright (shoulder) and TE Trent Smith (leg) did not practice. T Casey Rabach (knee) sat out the morning session but took part in some afternoon drills.
-- Camille Powell
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Sanders is one of the NFL's greatest cornerbacks and a future Hall of Famer, but he has not played since the 2000 season (when he was with the Washington Redskins) and is 37 years old. He would have a specific role with the Ravens, playing in passing situations as the nickel back.
Sanders has reportedly been working out at his home in Texas. He apparently began to consider a return to the NFL after receiving phone calls from his close friends and potential Raven teammates, Ray Lewis and Corey Fuller.
ESPN reported on its Web site on Tuesday that Sanders had consulted Michael Jordan about making a comeback and was "definitely" going to play for the Ravens, according to an unnamed source.
"Sure, if he comes out of retirement" the Ravens would be interested, Coach Brian Billick said on Monday. "Stand in line. There would be a lot of teams interested if he came out of retirement."
J. Lewis Faces Additional Charge
Baltimore Ravens running back Jamal Lewis, whose federal drug conspiracy trial is set to begin Nov. 1 in Atlanta, now faces an additional charge of attempting to possess cocaine.
Lewis and Angelo Jackson, a childhood friend, were indicted on federal drug conspiracy charges in February, but only Jackson was charged with attempted cocaine possession. The extra charge was included in a superseding indictment released yesterday by the Justice Department, a common move in complicated cases when the government refines its original accusations.
Lewis's Atlanta-based lawyers told the Associated Press that the additional charge was not a surprise, that it should not complicate their case, and that it should not add to Lewis's punishment were he convicted. "This is not big news for us," attorney Ed Garland told the AP.
"This is something that we can't control or Jamal can control at this time," Ravens spokesman Kevin Byrne said. "There is a due process, and he'll get his day in court. Like we've said before, there are two sides to every story."
