ITEM: Another Ravens OLB tears Achilles
According to a report in the Carroll County Times, Baltimore Ravens outside linebacker Mike McAdoo tore an Achilles tendon during organized team activities on May 31, and the team expects him to miss the entire 2012 season.
McAdoo had surgery on June 1, according to the report. The 6-foot-7, 245-pound McAdoo was in the mix to fill in for All-Pro Terrell Suggs, who partially tore his Achilles in April.
McAdoo, 21, spent last season on the injured reserve list with a knee injury and did not play during his final college year at North Carolina in 2010 because of an NCAA suspension.
Also talking to the Carroll County Times was running back Ray Rice, the unsigned franchise player who rejoined his teammates for the Lardarius Webb annual charity softball game.
"It's like a breath of fresh air coming out here," Rice said. "We've got the best fans. It's always fun. I had fun. I'm a big kid."
As an unsigned veteran, Rice is not permitted to participate in organized team activities, and common perception is that the Ravens aren't close to negotiating a long-term contract extension with him.
"I miss it," Rice said when asked about not being around his teammates. "That's one thing you miss is the camaraderie with the guys. As far as playing football, I know I'm always going to be up to speed. The best thing about my situation is that we have the same offensive coordinator. I miss the camaraderie. It's sort of like the lockout last year. I know the guys are working hard. I'm just happy to be out here with these guys."
Under NFL rules, the Ravens have until July 16 to negotiate a new deal for Rice. Otherwise, he'll play this season under a $7.74 million franchise tag.
In one other bit of news, the Ravens claimed offensive tackle Paul Madsen, 6-4, 309, off waivers from the Buffalo Bills.
Madsen, 26, from Colorado State, is older than most rookies because he delayed his enrollment at Colorado State until 2007 to serve a Mormon mission. The Ravens created a roster spot for Madsen by cutting undrafted rookie running back Brandon Pendergrass, from Wake Forest.
ITEM: Cook says offense needs these OTAs
There were no OTAs for NFL teams one year ago because of the lockout, and Cincinnati Bengals center Kyle Cook believe it's a good thing for the team that there is an offseason program this year.
Cook told Bengals.com that he believes this year's offense needs OTAs even more than last year's group that missed them.
"I don't think the lockout hurt as much as it could have because we had a core group of guys that were here," said Cook. "If there was a lockout this year, it would have been a little bit different because you would have had no time to jell with two guys."
The new guys to whom Cook referred to are left guard Travelle Wharton, signed as an unrestricted free agent to replace Nate Livings, and right guard Kevin Zeitler, one of the team's pair of No. 1 picks in April.
"It's been different. The first week was different, but the progress between the first and second week has been huge," Cook said. "Not only is it new guys at the position but it's a new guy in the system, so they're learning as they go and we're getting used to each other.
"Two smart guys. Travelle is going to be playing his 100th game, so he's been around the league. Zeitler is obviously a first-rounder, a great player, so you've got all the confidence in the world he can do it. It's not like you're playing next to guys who have never done it before or don't have what it takes."
