NFL

"[Thompson] could sneak in there, he looks different, is fast and catches everything," coach John Harbaugh said. "But the other guys like [Tandon] Doss and [David] Reed have done well and worked hard during the offseason. As I've always said, the best player will play." Thompson was signed as an undrafted free agent out of Florida last year, and he caught just five passes for 51 yards in six games as a rookie. At 6-foot, 203, Thompson ran a blazing forty time of 4.32 at the Gators' Pro Day before turning heads at OTAs last spring. The competition for the Ravens' No. 2 receiver spot is going to be one of the top ones to watch.

"Clearly, my decision to retire has raised some questions," McClain said. "Quite simply, I love football, but I have decided at this time it is in my best interest to focus on getting my personal life together. Beyond that, I'm not sure what the future holds for me, including football. This was entirely my decision and the Ravens have been very supportive during this process. I am very grateful for the opportunity they gave me and wish them the best of luck in the future. God willing, maybe I'll play for them one day." Good for McClain. If he is truthfully trying to right his wrongs, we may not have seen the last of the 23-year-old.

In other words, McClain will be back in the NFL -- perhaps next season -- if he can keep himself out of trouble and take care of all of his legal issues. The Ravens have offered to be a resource for McClain, and they'll stash him on the reserve/retired list in order to have him under contract once/if he returns. The tough part for McClain is going to be the whole staying out of trouble thing.

"He has no desire to play, none whatsoever," said the source. "When he told me, I was sort of caught off guard and sort of not. You stop for a second and say, 'Wait, how could you quit?' But then you think again and say, 'He didn't like doing it.'" We don't doubt McClain is serious about retirement at this moment, but he could easily rediscover the "itch" when he runs out of money.

Charlie Weis' teacher's pet, Crist struggled mightily at KU last season after transferring from Notre Dame, completing just 47.7 percent of his passes while posting a 6.08 YPA and 4:9 TD:INT ratio. Inaccurate and an ineffective driver of the ball despite a big arm, Crist's NFL "career" is unlikely to ever even reach a practice squad.

"Rolando let me know that he plans to retire from the NFL," GM Ozzie Newsome said in a statement. "We have placed him on the Reserve/Retired list." It's a bizarre ending to a tumultuous career, but likely a false one. McClain doesn't turn 24 until July, and is only 37 months removed from being the No. 8 pick of the 2010 draft. He has numerous unresolved legal issues, however, and was facing release had he not "retired." If McClain can't get his life and career on track, he'll finish with just 244 tackles, seven sacks and one forced fumble across 41 games. The Ravens are moving forward with second-rounder Arthur Brown, Jameel McClain, Albert McClellan, and Josh Bynes at inside linebacker.

Tucker had a spectacular rookie season, converting 30-of-33 field goals and all 42 of his extra points. He also went 2-for-2 in the Super Bowl, with both makes coming in the fourth quarter. The last kicker to go perfect in a season was Mike Vanderjagt, who went 37-of-37 for the Colts in 2003.