Ravens: Five things to know
Ravens: Camp tour | 
Judge
WESTMINSTER, Md. -- Observations from Ravens camp:
1. So star linebacker Adalius Thomas is gone. The Baltimore defense will still suffocate opponents again. There's too much talent here, with the club returning 14 of its top 15 defensive players. Jarret Johnson replaces Thomas at outside linebacker, and while he may not be able to do everything Thomas did so well -- rush the passer, drop into coverage, pursue ballcarriers -- no one here is worried about moving on. "It's not like we're backing down," said defensive coordinator Rex Ryan. "Now, will one guy have all that responsibility? Probably not. It will take the efforts of a Gerome Sapp or, obviously, Jarret Johnson. Or maybe it's a Bart Scott or Haloti Ngata who take on those roles. Don't cry for us. We're ready."
2. The Ravens won't be sending thank-you notes to Indianapolis after the Dwight Freeney megabucks contract. The deal has implications for the Ravens because the contract for star pass rusher Terrell Suggs expires after this season. What's more, Suggs' agent is Gary Wichard, who, it just so happens, represents Freeney. Nice, huh? If the Ravens can't re-sign Suggs, which they want to do, look for the club to protect the guy as a franchise player.
3. Both coach Brian Billick and general manager Ozzie Newsome said they believe that if Steve McNair stays healthy, he can play another two or three years at quarterback. That doesn't bode well for backup Kyle Boller, who started until McNair showed up on the scene. Look for Boller to leave when his contract expires after this season. The Ravens would like to keep the guy, but some within the organization concede he might need a fresh start -- away from the criticism that dogged him here -- to advance his career. The Ravens probably will keep Heisman Trophy winner Troy Smith over NFL Europa star Drew Olson as a third quarterback.
4. Rookie Yamon Figurs is pressing B.J. Sams as the team's return specialist, but the smart money is on Sams to retain his job. Here's why: Baltimore opens with Cincinnati, and there is no way Billick entrusts the return duties -- especially on punts -- to a rookie.
5. Finding tackle Jared Gaither in the supplemental draft looks like another shrewd move for one of the game's most draft-savvy clubs. With starter Jonathan Ogden sidelined, Gaither has stepped into Ogden's spot at left tackle -- and with decent results. For someone as big as Gaither -- and he's 6-9, 350 -- he moves surprisingly well. "We liked his movement skills and the coordination he has with his body," said Newsome. "He's not a gangly kid." Nope, in fact he was offered a basketball scholarship to the University of South Carolina, turning it down to play football at the University of Maryland. When Ogden returns, Gaither returns to the bench -- and that is not such a bad thing for him or the club. "Right now," said Gaither, "I'm learning from one of the great offensive tackles."
