Ed Reed also started training camp by getting a lot of press

Generations of Baltimoreans have come to expect humid August days followed by stormy evenings and Thursday was no exception as the clouds opened up in the second half, bringing rain and sloppy play.

Conditions compounded the coaching staff's challenge of uating the talent at the back end of the roster.  In fact, the results were just as predictable as the weather, with Carolina picking up two Ravens second-half fumbles that lead to ten of their twelve points.

Despite the miscues, the Ravens were able to show progress in two of the most talked-about areas of concern last season.

On offense, the revamped passing attack shined, with stout pass protection from the starters, and the deeper receiving corps flashing with some brilliant moments.

Defensively, the pressure put on the inexperienced Carolina quarterbacks from the Ravens front seven was promising, especially after head coach John Harbaugh identified interior pressure as the team's number-one priority coming into training camp.  If anything, this defensive strategy was made more critical by the fact that the team's top three cornerbacks were out for the game.   There's no doubt that it helped a patchwork secondary shine throughout the contest, easing fans' greatest fears a bit – at least for this week.

uating individual play in the preseason is difficult, given how uneven the level of competition can be throughout game.  But a few players stood out for their excellent play, including many new names to Ravens fans.  Ravens 24x7 game balls go out to four stand-outs who are new additions, or who will be counted on for increased roles

Joe Flacco got his work in and performed efficiently, making good, but not Ray Rice  spectacular throws. His numbers, eight of twelve for 120 yards and a touchdown are hard to argue with, even if padded by a number of screen passes for long gains.  Mark Bulger was much less consistent, with poor long throws and a fumble when he failed to protect the ball when leaving the pocket.  He did look more comfortable playing more of a West Coast style, moving his feet and hitting receivers on slants and out patterns.  Troy Smith did little to make you think other teams will make inquiries with Ozzie Newsome about the former Heisman Trophy Winner's availability anytime soon.

The coaching staff was quick to protect their biggest offensive threat, Ray Rice.  His night consisted of two play action fakes to the left, a decoy while split-out wide right, and a chip block on TE before drifting into the flat.   LeRon McClain put in the most impressive runs, churning for extra yards to push his average to five yards a carry.  Willis McGahee, who looked bigger than last season, shined as a pass catcher out of the backfield. Jalen Parmele did a nice job stepping up for Bulger in pass protection, but his fumble in the rain led to a long Carolina touchdown return.  Rookie Curtis Steele had a chance to show why there has been a buzz about him in camp.  He shined by escaping a near-safety and moving the ball sixteen yards straight up the middle.  And he bounced another run to the outside for twenty.  But Steele also fumbled to set up a Panthers field goal. Terrence Cody was inserted at fullback in the red zone, but the results were far from spectacular. Faced with the choice of two onrushing defenders, he blocked neither, and on the next play was flagged for a false start.  Converted linebacker, rookie Mike McLaughlin has a long way to go as a lead blocker, opting for cut blocks most of the night, with unimpressive results.

Coach John Harbaugh said that the injury would sideline Gaither for one to two weeks.  "It's not a serious thing," Harbaugh said, "but it is going to keep him out for a couple weeks until it settles down."

Another source told the NFL Network that the injury would keep Gaither out for the remainder of the preseason.

Gaither, who was afraid he might have had to face surgery, has not practiced since August 5.  Even before that time, he had been hampered on and off with various injuries that kept him from consistently practicing with the team.

Oniel Cousins started at right tackle during the Ravens' first preseason game. Cousins will remain in that position while Gaither mends.

Gaither had been moved from left tackle to right tackle early in camp.  Micheal Oher, coming off a memorable rookie season, was installed at left tackle.

In the offseason Gaither was the subject of trade rumors. The rumors focused on him moving to the Buffalo Bills. That talk has died down since the start of training camp.

The Gaither situation will be interesting to watch once he is healthy.  He has missed a significant amount of practice time.  This time away from the field may find the Ravens going in a different direction at Gaither's position.

Ed Reed also started training camp by getting a lot of press.  Most of the reports regarding Reed focused on a perceived lack of support from the Ravens' upper management.  Reed has seemed to soften in his stance as of late as we have not heard a negative word from him for quite a while.

It seems as if both sides are looking to move on and begin with the healing process.

Reed, an All-Pro free safety, is still recovering from offseason hip surgery and remains on the physically unable to perform list.

This inability to practice with the team has not kept the former NFL Defensive Player of the Year away from the team.  Reed has been at practice encouraging his teammates. Harbaugh said, "He's into it."

Harbaugh also noted Reed's progress. "I like what I see when I see him working. He looks like he's progressing."

While both players seem to have cut down on their negative comments and/or images as of late, this does not mean that all is well with either player.

Some are questioning if Reed will ever be able to play again after the serious surgery he has had.  The questions involving Gaither focus on his desire to play right tackle or even if he wants to play for the Ravens.  There is also the very real possibility that he will lose his job while he heals from his back injury.