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Ravens tight end Dennis Pitta has signed his second-round restricted tender for the 2013 season.

It was only a formality, but the tender will pay the fourth-year tight end $2.02 million this season before he is scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent next winter. General manager Ozzie Newsome and the Ravens have already expressed interest in signing the tight end to a long-term contract, but that task often becomes difficult when a player enters his final season before free agency.

In 2012, Pitta caught a career-high 61 passes for 669 yards and seven touchdowns as he continued to be one of quarterback Joe Flacco’s favorite targets. The 27-year-old added to those numbers in the Ravens’ run to a Super Bowl title, making 14 receptions for 163 yards and three touchdowns in four postseason games.

With the offseason trade of Anquan Boldin and the Ravens not yet bringing in a veteran receiver to replace him, many have speculated that Pitta will see more time lining up in the slot and will have an expanded role in helping to replace Boldin’s production. Such a plan would certainly help Baltimore’s passing attack but would also complicate efforts to re-sign Pitta to an extension prior to the end of the 2013 season.

In other news, the Ravens announced the signings of four rookie free agents: wide receiver Rashaad Carter from Tusculum, cornerback Moe Lee from Utah, safety Gary Walker from Idaho, and outside linebacker Meshak Williams from Kansas State. Williams, of course, was a teammate of second-round linebacker Arthur Brown.

Baltimore also announced the release of wide receiver Tori Gurley, who played at South Carolina.

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With Mother’s Day this Sunday, Major League Baseball will continue its initiative for breast cancer awareness by providing pink bats for players to use on the holiday for the eighth consecutive year.

The initiative holds special meaning for Nick Markakis with his mother being a breast cancer survivor, but you’re unlikely to see the Orioles right fielder swinging a pink piece of lumber on Sunday.

The reason?

The pink bats made by MaxBat for Markakis and others who own a contract with the maple wood bat company will not be permitted for use by MLB due to an exclusive agreement with Louisville Slugger. The famous wood bat company produces all of the bats distributed by the league to players for Sunday’s games.

On a day meant to raise awareness and celebrate breast cancer survivors around baseball, we will instead witness the latest example of many of these initiatives being as much — or more — about a money grab and protecting sponsors as they are about doing something good. The simple notion that MLB won’t allow pink bats made by other companies for players to use for one day in the season reflects how much more concerned the league is with keeping a sponsor happy rather than allowing players to pay tribute to those fighting the disease.

By no means is the initiative without charity as MLB claims to have raised more than $1 million through auctions of these game-used bats over the last eight years. Pink personalized bats made by Louisville Slugger will also be sold on MLB.com, with $10 from each bat going to Major League Baseball Charities to be apportioned to fight breast cancer. The league says more than $300,000 have been donated from sales of these personalized bats.

But are these dollars representative of a sincere effort to help or little more than a write-off in order to strike a profit behind a veil of charity?

Of course, MLB isn’t alone as the National Football League faced criticism with the revelation that a measly five percent of the profits made from the massive amount of pink gear sold — players and coaches also wear pink throughout the month of October — is donated to the American Cancer Society. According to the league, the rest of the profit is pumped back into its breast cancer awareness program titled A Crucial Catch, but that has drawn scrutiny from those believing the pink merchandise is much more about marketing the league to women than truly trying to make a difference in defeating breast cancer.

Charities and non-profit organizations constantly face questions over how the money they raise from the public is ultimately used, but it’s frustrating to see entities worth billions being stingy when the curtain is pulled back with programs such as these.

It’s understandable for MLB to use its partnership with Louisville Slugger to produce these pink bats as well as the light blue ones used on Father’s Day to raise awareness for prostate cancer, but to prohibit players like Markakis from using pink lumber produced by other companies for use on Sunday reveals the league’s true colors.

And there’s much more green than there is pink.

(Updated at 8:15 p.m. – After receiving plenty of negative reaction on Friday evening, Major League Baseball released the following statement via Twitter:

“All players can use pink bats Sunday with any bat company that makes a modest donation to @KomenForTheCure.”)

Needing to fill their void at center, the Ravens have acquired A.Q. Shipley from the Indianapolis Colts to compete with second-year lineman Gino Gradkowski for the 2013 starting job.

General manager Ozzie Newsome will send a conditional pick in next year’s draft to the Colts in exchange for Shipley, who made five starts and appeared in 14 games during the 2012 season. The 6-foot-1, 309-pound lineman was a seventh-round pick of the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2009 and spent time on practice squads in Pittsburgh (2009) and Philadelphia (2010) before signing with Indianapolis last year.

Considering the Ravens invested a 2012 fourth-round pick in selecting Gradkowski, you’d expect him to have the inside track in emerging as the retired Matt Birk’s replacement. He appeared in 16 games during his rookie season, serving primarily on special teams and saw limited time at center.

Shipley would be the ideal fit for a role similar to the one held by veteran Andre Gurode in 2011 when he served as Birk’s backup and filled in at both guard positions as well.

According to Pro Football Focus, Shipley earned a +6.9 grade in 476 offensive snaps last season. The Ravens drafted Colorado State-Pueblo lineman Ryan Jensen in the sixth round of last month’s draft to presumably offer some competition to Gradkowski, but the addition of Shipley diminishes the rookie’s chances of making the 53-man roster.

Shipley was a four-year letterman at Penn State and was an All-America selection, Rimington Trophy winner, and Big Ten Offensive Lineman of the Year as a senior. He is a native of Moon Township, Pa. and attended Moon Area High School in Pittsburgh. 

The Ravens also announced Thursday morning that they’ve released rookie guard Jeff Braun, who played at West Virginia and attended Winters Mill High School in Westminster.

Just two days after concluding their mandatory rookie minicamp, the Ravens made five roster cuts that included four rookie free agents and one first-year player.

The most notable was tight end Murphy Holloway, who was attempting to make the transition from college basketball to the NFL. He hadn’t played football since his sophomore year in high school and was a long shot to even stick on the Ravens’ practice squad.

Three other free-agent rookies were cut, including uarterback Nathan Stanley of Southeast Louisiana, running back Ray Holley of Louisiana Tech, and Florida International cornerback Jose Cheeseborough.

Baltimore also parted ways with defensive tackle Swanson Miller after signing him early in the offseason. He previously spent time in the New Orleans Saints organization.

Per The Sun, the Ravens have also withdrawn their exclusive-rights free-agent offer to safety Emanuel Cook, who spent the 2012 season on injured reserve after suffering a broken leg in the preseason. He’s appeared in 17 games in his career split between the New York Jets and Baltimore and will attempt to catch on elsewhere as a special-teams player.

Baltimore Ravens WR/KR Jacoby Jones and partner Karina Smirnoff avoided elimination again Tuesday night during Week 8 of ABC’s “Dancing With The Stars.” The duo had received a 27/30 for their performance of the Viennese Waltz on Monday night’s show…

Later on Monday night’s show, the pair was joined by fellow pro dancer Cheryl Burke for a paso doble that received a score of 25/30 from the judges (we’re assuming it wasn’t scored higher because Jones was wearing Pittsburgh Steelers colors while making the moves)…

Joining Jacoby (and his ever increasingly popular mother) in the audience Monday night in Los Angeles was Leigh Anne Tuohy, adoptive mother of Ravens OT Michael Oher. (Picture courtesy of Baltimore Media Blog.)

“We could not be more proud to announce the 2013 College Football Hall of Fame Class,” said Archie Manning, NFF Chairman and a 1989 College Football Hall of Famer from Ole Miss. “These players and coaches are some of the greatest to have ever participated in our sport, and we offer our most sincere congratulations to each of them for this incredible achievement. Gene Corrigan and the NFF Honors Court deserve the utmost respect for selecting another tremendous group of inductees.”

COACHES:

Troubled Ravens linebacker Rolando McClain can apparently cross one item off his laundry list of legal problems as he has reportedly pleaded guilty to a window tint violation stemming from a January incident.

According to The Sun, McClain entered the plea to avoid appearing in court on Tuesday. The city of Decatur, Ala. has dismissed a charge for providing a false name when McClain was originally pulled over for the window tint violation.

McClain is still due in court in July for charges stemming from April 21 when he was arrested in his hometown for disorderly conduct and resisting arrest. The incident took place in a Decatur park after police were summoned in response to a dispute.

The 23-year-old linebacker has been arrested three times in less than two years but remains on the Ravens’ offseason roster despite finding trouble less than two weeks after he was signed to a one-year, $700,000 contract that includes up to $400,000 in incentives. None of the money is guaranteed should general manager Ozzie Newsome elect to part ways with the 2010 first-round pick.

The second-round selection of Kansas State inside linebacker Arthur Brown in last month’s draft put McClain’s future in further doubt in many critics’ eyes, but the Ravens have indicated they’re willing to allow due process to play out before making any decision on the troubled linebacker, who spent the first three years of his NFL career in Oakland.

OWINGS MILLS, Md. — On the day when the Ravens were wrapping up their mandatory rookie minicamp, coach John Harbaugh answered questions about the return of his starting left tackle and oldest player on the roster.

After agreeing to a two-year deal worth a maximum of $7 million to remain in Baltimore on Thursday, Bryant McKinnie, 33, is expected to come to town this week to finalize the contract and begin offseason workouts. His return means the Ravens have now retained four of five starters from their Super Bowl XLVII offensive line, with only 15-year veteran Matt Birk departing due to retirement.

The Ravens had publicly entertained thoughts of moving second-year lineman Kelechi Osemele to left tackle, but a new contract for McKinnie means Baltimore can keep Osemele at left guard, solidifying another position that would have been a question mark had the 2012 second-round pick made the position change.

“Having Bryant back is a big plus for us. We were hoping that would be the case,” Harbaugh said. “I’m looking forward to seeing him next week and getting him in here and going to work. We want our line to be as strong as it can possibly be and that makes us stronger.”

Harbaugh, run-game coordinator Juan Castillo, and other members of the organization kept in touch with McKinnie throughout the offseason, even when it appeared they had little interest in bringing back the 2002 first-round pick. The Ravens’ involvement in negotiating with McKinnie spiked after they were unable to come away with a left tackle of the future in last weekend’s draft and saw San Diego and Miami make contract offers to his agent Michael George.

Asked if he’s been pleased with what McKinnie has told him in terms of his activity and conditioning level this offseason, Harbaugh spoke in generic terms since he hasn’t seen the left tackle since the end of last season. Specific details of McKinnie’s deal hadn’t been reported as of Sunday afternoon, but it’s believed there will be some incentives related to workouts and playing time.

There was plenty of speculation that McKinnie found his way into Harbaugh’s doghouse last season as he didn’t start a game until the playoffs, but the Baltimore coach reached out to the 354-pound lineman earlier this offseason to make it known that he wanted McKinnie to stay with the Ravens in 2013.

“I’m always pleased with conversations with Bryant McKinnie,” Harbaugh said. “I enjoy talking to Bryant. He’s one of my favorite guys. He’s a sterling conversationalist. We talk a lot about stuff, a lot of different things — a broad range of topics. I always enjoy that. I think he does as well.”

Spagnuolo’s role a work in progress

Sunday marked the first time Harbaugh commented publicly on the hiring of former St. Louis Rams head coach Steve Spagnuolo as a senior defensive assistant, and it appears his role will remain fluid as the offseason moves into training camp and the start of the regular season.

The pair spent seven seasons working together as assistants for the Philadelphia Eagles before Spagnuolo moved on to become the defensive coordinator of the New York Giants and ultimately the head coach in St. Louis from 2009 through 2011. Spagnuolo spent last season as the defensive coordinator of the New Orleans Saints but was fired after his unit finished last in yards allowed and 31st in points surrendered.

“His accomplishments speak for themselves. I think it adds to an already very strong staff and just makes us that much better,” Harbaugh said. “The more great coaches and great players that we can build into what we’re doing, the better we’re going to be. He’ll build into the defensive side, he’ll assist where needed, and I think we’ll build that in as we go. He can really work with any position, so it’s a big plus for us.”

Given the 53-year-old Spagnuolo’s impressive resume aside from working with an overmatched New Orleans defense a year ago, it will be interesting to see how closely he works with defensive coordinator Dean Pees and whether his longstanding relationship with Harbaugh may put him in line to be the eventual replacement for the 63-year-old.

Elam impresses early

Sunday offered the media’s first glimpse at first-round safety Matt Elam in a Ravens uniform and the University of Florida product didn’t disappoint, showing good speed and nearly picking off a pass during 11-on-11 drills.

Harbaugh even pointed to some of the leadership traits Elam exuded with the Gators that already were carrying over to the practice field in Owings Mills this weekend.

“Matt really picked things up quickly. He really did a nice job of communicating in the back end, which is not usual for a rookie,” Harbaugh said. “Most rookie defensive backs — even all defensive players — have a tough time with the communication part of it because they’re not confident enough to make the calls. He’s smart. He picked it up quickly, he jumped right back there and made the calls with force and played fast. He looked good.”

Odds & ends

Sunday featured an impressive moment for the Towson Tigers football program as quarterback Grant Enders — invited to try out this weekend — connected with wide receiver Gerrard Sheppard on the final play of Sunday’s practice. However, Enders was also the quarterback nearly picked off by Elam in 11-on-11 drills. “Enders and Sheppard looked really good in this camp,” Harbaugh said. “They are NFL-quality guys.” … Former Maryland tight end Matt Furstenburg caught a touchdown from University of Pittsburgh quarterback Tino Sunseri, who also tried out this weekend. … Second-round linebacker Arthur Brown of Kansas State showed impressive quickness dropping into coverage and blanketed running backs and tight ends running routes on a handful of plays. … Harbaugh said the Ravens are interested in bringing in another kicker who can handle punting and placekicking duties to share reps with kicker Justin Tucker and punter Sam Koch during training camp.

OWINGS MILLS, Md. — Chosen by the Ravens to begin working toward a third championship in franchise history, a collection of rookie draft picks and free agents took the practice field in Owings Mills for the first time on Friday.

But before any of these first-year players can entertain thoughts of how big their respective roles will be during the 2013 season and beyond, simple tasks such as lining up in the huddle correctly or even finding the locker room must be mastered in their first mandatory minicamp. Adjusting to the speed of an NFL practice is challenging enough, but diving headfirst into a playbook more complex than any encountered in college will be a chore players won’t master for quite some time.

It’s all about baby steps, starting with first-round safety Matt Elam and finishing with the undrafted rookies trying to gain favor with head coach John Harbaugh and the rest of the staff in their first weekend together.

“You just take a couple of minutes at a time. I know we have lunch, so that’s what I’m looking forward to right now,” said fourth-round linebacker John Simon as he laughed. “Then, we have meetings, so [I'm] not getting too ahead of yourself and just slowly getting through the day – putting your focus into everything.”

Following an offseason filled with free-agent departures, retirements, and difficult releases, the Ravens view this draft as a pivotal step in replenishing a championship team with young talent ready to play immediately, whether it be as a starter or a key reserve. This is especially true on the defensive side of the football where the Ravens lost six key contributors and already view Elam as well as second-round inside linebacker Arthur Brown as projected starters against the Denver Broncos in Week 1.

Unlike other organizations plagued with prolonged spells of losing or lukewarm success, the Ravens’ Super Bowl XLVII title brings instant credibility in getting rookies to buy into their message with no questions asked. Of course, general manager Ozzie Newsome and his scouts have made a point to identify high-character players with team-centric goals that take precedent over personal accolades.

Understanding the organization’s way of doing things can’t be learned overnight, but the message is clearly expressed from the moment rookies walk into the building.

“I walked into the locker room and the first thing I saw was, ‘Team. Team. Team,’” Brown said. “That was definitely comforting to me, just recognizing that it is all about the team. I come from a school that definitely focuses on a team effort, so really just seeing that from the coaching staff and the other players is definitely what I am all about.”

Competing with Cody

Third-round pick Brandon Williams admits to having a chip on his shoulder after hearing the doubts about his NFL potential coming from Division II program Missouri Southern State, but the 335-pound defensive lineman couldn’t help but smile when asked about the opportunity he’s received in Baltimore.

Newsome made no secret about his team’s need to get stronger at the nose tackle position after Terrence Cody and Ma’ake Kemoeatu struggle at the spot throughout the 2012 season. The Ravens invested free-agent money in veteran defensive ends Chris Canty and Marcus Spears to strengthen the defensive line but waited until the second day of the draft to identify Williams as a viable option at nose tackle.

And with Cody entering the final year of his rookie contract and failing to live up to expecations, Williams sees a golden opportunity to etch out a key role in the defensive line rotation.

“I love it. It’s great being here competing,” Williams said. “[Cody will] make me better; I’ll make him better. It’s just a team thing and a [defensive] line thing. We both can feed off of each other’s energy and play.”

Of course, with the Ravens’ extensive depth at defensive end, Pro Bowl defensive tackle Haloti Ngata could see more time playing inside, but there’s no disputing the opportunity that Williams has to make his mark in his first professional season.

No replacing Ray

Brown has heard the comparisons to the incomparable Ray Lewis since before the Kansas State linebacker was even drafted by the Ravens as his possible replacement, but the second-round pick is taking it all in stride.

Understanding there’s no way he can put himself in the conversation with one of the greatest defensive players in league history, Brown is looking forward to learning from the many remaining veterans influenced by the future Hall of Fame linebacker as well as crossing paths with Lewis himself. Expectations will be high after the Ravens moved up six spots in the second round to take him after suffering the losses of both Lewis and free-agent departure Dannell Ellerbe this offseason.

“The way I look at it is [there's] no replacing Ray Lewis,” Brown said. “He is still a part of this team. He has had a major impact on so many of guys that are already here. Really, I am just an addition looking to fulfill my role and be an impact player.”

Brown’s biggest competition for a starting job alongside Jameel McClain appears to be fourth-year linebacker Rolando McClain, who carries severe baggage from his days in Oakland as well as an arrest earlier this month that took place less than two weeks after he was signed to a one-year contract. His troubles coupled with Brown’s selection have led many to wonder whether the 2010 first-round pick will even make it to training camp as a member of the Ravens.

Taking the Harvard baton

In addition to answering questions about a potential competition with Pro Bowl fullback Vonta Leach, fourth-round selection Kyle Juszczyk of Harvard has been asked about his connection with retired Ravens center Matt Birk, who attended the same Ivy League school.

Juszczyk and Birk are both represented by agent Joe Linta and kept in touch over the last month as the former learned his draft fate. In addition to clarifying the pronunciation of his name — saying it’s like “you ‘use’ a ‘check’” — the rookie fullback shared Birk’s advice in preparing him for what to expect in the locker room as a Harvard product.

“On draft day he texted me, congratulated me [and] told me he thought I’d do well,” Juszczyk said. “He apologized and said, ‘Guys in Baltimore don’t think Harvard guys are too smart anymore –- sorry about that.’”

Even in retirement, Birk’s sense of humor can still be felt in Owings Mills.

Simon on Meyer

Simon received arguably the best compliment of any of the Ravens’ 10 draft picks when Ohio State head coach Urban Meyer said he would name his son after the Buckeyes defensive end after he served as a two-time captain in Columbus.

Projected to play outside linebacker in Baltimore’s 3-4 system, Simon was appreciative of his college coach’s words — even if they were uncharacteristic based on his perception of Meyer.

“He never really said it to my face, so I’ve never actually heard it, but I’ve heard other people talk about it,” Simon said. “He’s a blunt person. He tells it like it is. For him to say something like that about myself, it’s special to me and I respect the hell out of the guy. It means a lot.”

Steve Spagnuolo, former head coach of the St. Louis Rams (2009-11), has joined the Baltimore Ravens coaching staff, it was announced today by head coach John Harbaugh. Spagnuolo’s full-time position with the team is senior defensive assistant.

“Steve had a number of opportunities in the league right now, and we’re excited he picked the Ravens,” Harbaugh said. “He comes to a staff that we believe is very strong, and he makes us even better. His wealth of NFL coaching experience speaks for itself, and he’ll help us across the board. We think he can help with every position on the defense, and we’ll take full advantage of his knowledge and excellent teaching abilities. The Ravens got better today with the addition of an outstanding coach and person like Steve.”

Below are highlights of Coach Spagnuolo’s coaching career:

·         Fourteen-year NFL coaching veteran, including last season (2012) as defensive coordinator of the New Orleans Saints, three seasons (2009-11) as head coach of the St. Louis Rams and two (2007-08) as defensive coordinator of the New York Giants.

·         Coached as part of teams that have clinched eight playoff berths, won six division titles, made five conference championship game appearances and won Super Bowl XLII (NYG – 2007).

·         Spagnuolo was the defensive architect of the Super Bowl XLII Champion New York Giants (2007), a unit that ranked in the NFL’s Top 10 in eight single-season statistical categories, including a league-high 53 sacks.

·         Spent seven seasons (1999-2006) on the Philadelphia Eagles’ coaching staff with Ravens head coach John Harbaugh. Ravens strength and conditioning coach Bob Rogucki also served as an assistant with the Eagles in 2006.

·         From 2001-04, Harbaugh and Spagnuolo were on an Eagles’ staff that won four-straight NFC East titles, reached four-consecutive conference championship games and earned one Super Bowl berth.

·         From 1999-2005, Philadelphia ranked first in the NFL in third-down defense (33%), second in points allowed per game (17.0), second in quarterback sacks (265) and third in red zone defense (43%). During the 2001 campaign, the Eagles did not allow more than 21 points in 16-regular season games, just the fourth time that feat has been accomplished in NFL history.

·         Led St. Louis to a six-game turnaround between 2009 and 2010, marking the second-best turnaround in the NFL during that span. The Rams also made significant defensive improvements in Spagnuolo’s second-season at the helm:

-             Advanced 10 spots in total defense from 2009 to 2010

-             Ranked second in the NFL in third-down defense in 2010

-             Finished third in negative-play yardage (sacks and tackles for loss)

-             Ranked seventh in sacks in 2010

-             Improved from 31^st to ninth in opponent passer rating from 2009-10

·         Helped develop young defensive talent, including Rams MLB James Laurinaitis, who led the team in tackles all three seasons under Spagnuolo. DE Chris Long also emerged as a young pass rushing threat, culminating in a career-high 13 sacks in 2011.

·         A native of Whitinsville, Mass., Spagnuolo was the Male Scholar Athlete of the Year at Springfield College in 1982, where he graduated with a bachelor’s degree in physical education. He also earned a master’s degree in sports management from the University of Massachusetts.

SPAGNUOLO’S Coaching Background

1982-83               Massachusetts                                    Graduate Assistant

1983                    Washington Redskins                         Player Personnel Intern

1984-86               Lafayette (Pa.)                                    Defensive Line/Special Teams

1987-89               Connecticut                                         Defensive Backs

1990-91               Connecticut                                         Defensive Coordinator/Defensive Backs

1992                    Barcelona Dragons (WLAF)                Defensive Line/Special Teams

1993                    San Diego Chargers                            Scout

1993                    Maine                                                  Defensive Backs

1994                    Maine                                                  Defensive Coordinator/Linebackers

1994-95               Rutgers                                               Defensive Backs

1996-97               Bowling Green                                    Defensive Backs

1998                    Frankfurt Galaxy                                 Defensive Coordinator/Linebackers

1999-2000           Philadelphia Eagles                            Defensive Assistant

2001-03               Philadelphia Eagles                            Defensive Backs

2004-06               Philadelphia Eagles                            Linebackers

2007-08               New York Giants                                 Defensive Coordinator

2009-11               St. Louis Rams                                    Head Coach

2012                    New Orleans Saints                            Defensive Coordinator

2013                    Baltimore Ravens                               Senior Defensive Assistant