It's a brand new season for the Ravens...but it kinda isn't...because there are lingering injury issues...

Lardarius Webb, a cornerback the Ravens are counting upon to return to top-notch form in 2013, is still not completely healed from ACL surgery...

No position battles will be won over the next three weeks of OTA's. There will be no spirited one-on-one duels between wide receivers and cornerbacks or brawl-inducing hits. … The intensity is entirely different, as in what teams are allowed to do during the sessions.

That said, let’s look at the nine Ravens who are on the road to recovery from inury and their outlook for return:

OLB Terrell Suggs
11-year veteran, reported $13 million cap hit in 2013...
Tore Achilles tendon last offseason (returned after 6 games), tore biceps in December
Zrebiec’s outlook: “He played through the [biceps] injury and then opted not to have surgery this offseason, choosing instead to go the rehab route. Harbaugh and other team officials have expressed hope that a healthier Suggs will return to the form that he showed the previous season when he was the NFL’s Defensive Player of the Year.”   

DE Chris Canty
9-year veteran, signed three-year deal in March...
Suffered MCL sprain in December...
Zrebiec’s outlook: “His knee didn’t pass the scrutiny of Green Bay Packers’ team doctors who reportedly wouldn’t sign off on his physical after the team hosted Canty on a free-agent visit. The Ravens’ top decision makers voiced no such concern and all signs point to Canty being ready to go.”   

DT Haloti Ngata
8-year veteran, a reported $11.5 million cap hit in 2013...
Suffered sprained knee in Super Bowl...
Zrebiec’s outlook: “[His injury isn’t] expected to affect his preparation for the upcoming season. … His conditioning will be watched closely heading into the 2013 season as the Ravens’ new-look defense needs Ngata to return to his dominant form.” 

ILB Jameel McClain
6-year veteran, signed three-year deal in 2012 offseason...
Suffered spinal cord contusion in December...
Zrebiec’s outlook: “[McClain is the] favorite to start alongside rookie second-round pick Arthur Brown. … McClain has had no restrictions in his workout program and he recently spent some time in California with a specialized trainer. As of early this month, he had yet to be given full medical clearance.”

CB Lardarius Webb
5-year veteran, heading into second year of reported $50 million deal signed last offseason...
Tore ACL in Week 6...
“[Webb] has made nice strides by all accounts and suffered no setbacks. … [T]he Ravens obviously are going to proceed with caution with him in the hope that he’ll be ready at some point during training camp.”   

NT Terrence Cody
4-year veteran, in final year of rookie contract...
Underwent hip surgery this offseason...
Zrebiec’s outlook: “Training camp will be big for Cody who had a disappointing season last year and could be challenged for his roster spot. The Ravens added several defensive linemen, including nose tackle Brandon Williams, a third-round pick.”

DE Pernell McPhee
3-year veteran, 2011 fifth-round draft pick...
Underwent groin surgery after Super Bowl win...
Zrebiec’s outlook: “In late February, he was noncommittal about whether he would be ready to take part in OTAs and training camp and team officials haven’t recently updated his status.”

T/G Jah Reid
3-year veteran, started 7 games at left guard last season...
Placed on injured reserve before playoffs, underwent surgery to repair dislocated toe...
Zrebiec’s outlook: “By having the surgery when he did, Reid expressed optimism that he’ll be ready to go in time for the OTAs. He has been a fixture at the team facility this offseason, rehabbing the injury.”

DE Kapron Lewis-Moore
Rookie
Tore ACL in BCS national championship game...
Zrebiec’s outlook: “The Ravens drafted the former Notre Dame standout in the sixth round last month, knowing that they were unlikely to get much out of him this year. … [H]e’s expected to start the season either on injured reserve or the physically unable to perform list.”

A lot of Baltimore fans criticized the Ravens' front office for allowing Ed Reed to walk off into free agency...

But consider these recent developments:

The Houston Texans are just a couple of months into their association with Ed Reed, and they’re already not quite sure what is up with the Ravens’ former safety.

Everything was great when they signed him to a three-year, $15 million deal during free agency, but then earlier this month it was revealed Reed has undergone surgery to repair a hip labrum and will sit out all Organized Team Activities and minicamps. Reed was rehabbing in Denver when the Texans opened OTAs Monday.

Hs absence is causing consternation in Houston, as you might expect, but Reed didn’t exactly win the offseason perfect attendance award in Baltimore, either. He usually came to the Ravens’ lone mandatory minicamp each year, and actually didn’t even make that one in 2012. The Ravens didn’t seem to care much. Reed kept himself in terrific shape and was always ready when the season opened. Honestly, what was he going to get out of a minicamp that he didn’t already know?

Of course, the Texans aren’t really concerned about him missing OTAs; they just want him to be ready when the season begins. Their head coach, Gary Kubiak, told reporters Monday, at the start of OTAs, that Reed was doing “great.”

Reed’s surprising surgery has spawned a predictable round of online hyperventilating about whether the Texans knew he was injured, whether the Ravens knew he was injured, and whether Reed was honest about it during free agency. It’s conspiracy theory heaven and I’m not about to get into it.

What I do know is this is precisely why the Ravens were skeptical enough about bringing him back to let him leave when the Texans made him a nice offer.

Reed turns 35 in September. He is one of the greatest safeties ever, a future Hall of Famer, and still brings plenty to the table on the field, but he is dealing with myriad injuries and his best football is behind him. It would have been terrific to see him end his career where it should, in Baltimore, and I thought he would after the Ravens won the Super Bowl, but I can’t blame the Ravens for electing to go younger and healthier on the back end of their defense.

Ryan Mink of Ravens.com summed it up as well as anybody could right now---

This is Joe Flacco's Baltimore Ravens...

Organized Team Activities (OTAs) start Tuesday for the Ravens, the next step in preparation for the 2013 season.

Thus far, the players have participated in very limited “football school” sessions. Now OTAs will turn things up a notch.

While OTAs are still voluntary, they often draw more veteran players.

They are still not full padded practices, but players do wear helmets. Contact is allowed, but not full tackling. Players still cannot compete against each other in 1-on-1 battles, such as a cornerback versus a wide receiver. Practices can run for two hours.

Here are five storylines to watch during OTAs:

Joe Flacco's time

The Ravens’ franchise quarterback was at the Under Armour Performance Center last week and said in April that he plans to be on hand for offseason workouts. He came to OTAs last year.

It would be his first time with his teammates without the Ravens’ old guard, Ray Lewis and Ed Reed, on the roster. So it’s Flacco’s first real chance to take a tight grip on this team. Knowing Flacco, not much will change in his demeanor. But it will be interesting to see how other players act around the reigning Super Bowl MVP.

It’s also a key time for Flacco to gel with some of his young receivers (Tandon Doss, LaQuan Williams, David Reed, Deonte Thompson, Aaron Mellette, Tommy Streeter) in the hopes of finding someone to step up in place of departed Anquan Boldin.

Rookies practice with vets

The rookies already got a taste of what practicing with the veterans is like last week during football school. But those practices aren’t quite as intense as OTAs, and don’t often include as many veterans. One of the intriguing pairings will be rookie fullback Kyle Juszczyk and veteran Vonta Leach, who could be battling for the same position.

Which wide receiver emerges?

All of the competitors in the wide receiver competition should be present considering they were on hand for voluntary football school. Doss, Williams, Reed, Thompson, Mellette, and Streeter are looking to show something and start to pull away for the third receiver spot behind Torrey Smith and Jacoby Jones. Every practice will be important for them to make an impression, especially while they’re all healthy and able.

Center battles takes center stage

One of the more interesting battles this offseason will be the one for starting center. Second-year player Gino Gradkowski was written in earlier this season, but the trade for A.Q. Shipley adds competition. Shipley said coaches will give him a chance to earn the starting gig. Both players are gritty, hard workers who will put it all on the line.

Back to work, shaking off any hangover

The storyline for every Super Bowl winner is whether they will have a hangover into next season. Ravens players have consistently said they don’t expect that with this team under workmanlike Head Coach John Harbaugh. Reporters will get a look at this team’s demeanor.

I like the challenge and the tension in this year's Ravens camp. It's fun to observe the pressure on winning teams. I don't know why---  but I appreciate the angst about the absolute improbability of repeating as league champions. It makes for dramatic entertainment value... and it affects every single player on the roster.

I'm starting to think that Osemele is more valuable to the Ravens' overall offensive line picture than Michael Oher...

Yes I know, that's sacriligeous talk to a lot of you... but look at the reality...

Head Coach John Harbaugh and Run Game Coordinator Juan Castillo approached second-year lineman Kelechi Osemele this past week at OTA's...

“They told me personally that my goal this season should be Pro Bowl or bust,” Osemele said. “It’s the expectation that they have for me.”

The Ravens had a Pro Bowl left guard in Ben Grubbs, but he departed via free agency to New Orleans before last season. Now Osemele has a chance to be the long-term solution.

Osemele started every game during his rookie year. He spent the entire regular season at tackle, and moved to left guard for the playoffs.

That’s when he found his niche.

A couple weeks after the Super Bowl, Osemele got a call from Castillo, who was marveling at the playoffs tape he was reviewing. Osemele dominated.

“It came to me quite easily,” Osemele said. “I’ll only get better from here, so I really feel good about this being a breakout year.”

Last year’s second-round pick played left tackle throughout college at Iowa State. He moved to right tackle in the NFL, which worked well considering his sheer power.

But Osemele was happiest when Bryant McKinnie was inserted at left tackle, bumping Michael Oher to right tackle and moving him inside. Osemele is glad McKinnie was re-signed.

Playing guard gives Osemele an advantage because of his combination of explosiveness, strength and long arms. He generally can get his hands on opponents faster than a usual guard.

“It’s a natural fit for me,” Osemele said.

“From an experience standpoint, I definitely think I can take my game to another level. As I get more games, I’ll just continue to get better.”

Osemele has been a constant presence at the Under Armour Performance Center. He was one of the first players back in the building, running and lifting. He said Strength & Conditioning Coach Bob Rogucki has followed him around the weight room.

The 6-foot-5, 333-pounder said he feels a lot stronger, faster, quicker, more flexible and durable already this offseason. He’s come a long way from a year ago when he was a rookie trying to adjust to the NFL.

“The coaches have been on my [butt],” Osemele said with a laugh. “They just expect a lot from me and they’re not going to accept anything but my best. They’re definitely pushing me, which is what I like.”

Of the four new UDFA rookies just signed by the Ravens, I like Gary Walker's chances the best--- he's the safety from Idaho.

That's Gary Walker (6-0, 200) at Idaho stretching to break up a deep pass. Word on the street is Walker "plays like a Raven"...and he could surprise as added depth at safety and special teams.

Baltimore signed wide receiver Rashaad Carter (Tusculum), cornerback Mo Lee (Utah), outside linebacker Meshak Williams (Kansas State) and safety Gary Walker (Idaho).

The Ravens had open roster spots after they cut four rookie free agents and a first-year player last week following rookie minicamp.

Carter, Tusculum’s all-time leader in receiving yards, led the Pioneers with 1,056 receiving yards in his senior year in 2011. The Division II prospect hauled in 70 passes and averaged 96 receiving yards per game. He finished with 2,928 career receiving yards. Carter was out of football last year.

Lee is a big-bodied cornerback (6-foot-1, 191 pounds) who made 35 tackles, one interception, deflected seven passes and returned a fumble 47 yards for a touchdown during his senior year. He was originally recruited as a wide receiver.

Williams showed big-time production at Kansas State, and will now join teammate and second-round pick Arthur Brown in the Ravens’ front seven. Williams was second in the Big 12 with 8 ½ sacks and forced three fumbles last year. The 6-foot-2, 247 pounder played defensive end in college, so he will make somewhat of a position change.

Walker is a 6-foot, 200-pound safety from Idaho who finished with 295 career tackles. He led the Vandals in tackles last year (99) and had six pass breakups and one interception, which he returned 94 yards against LSU.

The Ravens also released undrafted rookie wide receiver Tori Gurley (South Carolina).

I see a little bit of Ed Reed and a lot of Bernard Pollard in this guy Gary Walker. I like the way he attacks the ball and handles his coverages. You can tell just by watching Idaho tape that he is a smart guy and takes pride in his film study.

We'll see if any of that observation of his play at Idaho translates to what the Ravens are looking for at safety. He'll be battling Omar Brown for that backup safety spot on the roster.