Ravens Could Face Discipline Regarding Practice Violations
BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- The Baltimore Ravens are under investigation for allegedly using full pads during rookie mini-camps this year. Under the collective bargaining agreement, players are not allowed to practice in full pads until training camp begins later this year. This rule has been enforced more strictly in recent years since the CBA was negotiated and it's likely that Baltimore will be punished for the offense if it is proven that they did break the rules.
According to ESPN's Jamison Hensley, the offence in question occurred on May 6 when players were asked to suit up in pads during a non-contact punt protection drill. The Ravens thought the rookie minicamp didn't fall under the same rules as OTA's and halted activities immediately once they were notified by NFLPA representative Benjamin Watson of the violation.
Though this may appear to be a case of misunderstanding as it relates to the CBA, ESPN's Adam Schefter reports that the NFL believes the Baltimore Ravens were aware of the non-contact practice rules for the rookie minicamps and still moved forward with the pads anyway. He goes on to say that this information will likely factor into any potential disciplinary actions.
This isn't the first time the Ravens have gotten in trouble with the NFL regarding practice violations.
In 2010, the NFL forced Baltimore to cancel their last week of Organized Team Activities due to broken rules regarding the intensity and tempo of drills conducted earlier that offseason as well as the length of time spent at the team facility by their players.
