Minicamp for the Baltimore Ravens has been intense. Players are reporting that the hitting is often and the hitting is hard. Tight end Quinn Sypniewski was lost for the season during minicamp after tearing a knee ligament.

On Saturday, tempers were flaring during the minicamp. Two separate fights brought nearly the entire team to blows. Oniel Cousins and Amon Gordon started the first fight, while Corey Ivy and Frank Walker started the second fight.

New coach John Harbaugh has indicated that he believes that the fights are nothing major. Part of the reason why tension is high is due to the players trying to learn offensive coordinator Cam Cameron’s new system. Defensive coordinator Rex Ryan was seen laughing during the fights.

In fantasy football terms, it’s good to see that the Ravens are living up to their reputation as being a fiery team. Their defense has been a fantasy disappointment in recent years. This could be a sign that Harbaugh has the team back to its old fiery ways.

Offensively, the Ravens can’t be as bad as they were in recent years. They’ll be able to move the ball, even if it takes 2008 NFL draft pick Joe Flacco to do it.

Photo: Newscom

The Baltimore Ravens already have their first major injury of the 2008 NFL season. Quinn Sypniewski, a backup tight end, was lost for the season after tearing a knee ligament in minicamp. Sypniewski will need approximately nine months to fully heal.

During the 2007 season, Sypniewski played a larger than expected role due to starter Todd Heap struggling with injuries for most of the season. Sypniewski ended the season with 246 receiving yards and two touchdowns. The 6-foot-6 tight end out of the University of Colorado had his best game in Week 11 when he had six catches for 53 yards.

For the 2008 season, the Ravens will have to hope that Heap can remain healthy. Expect Daniel Wilcox to be the backup at tight end and for Sypniewski to be placed on IR. The Ravens did not draft a tight end in the 2008 NFL Draft.

Quinn Sypniewski, Baltimore Ravens

Photo: Newscom