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The NFL has cancelled the Ravens’ final week of their offseason program, meaning the team will next reconvene at the end of July for training camp after finishing organized team activity No. 12 on Thursday.
A joint statement from the league and NFL Players Association stated thusly: “It was determined that the Ravens violated the rules concerning the intensity and tempo of drills conducted on the club’s organized team activity days and the length of time spent by players at the club’s facility on such days.”
“The NFL informed us of the situation, and the action they’ve taken is appropriate,” said Ravens General Manager Ozzie Newsome of the voluntary sessions. ”We made a mistake, and it won’t happen again. We’ll complete our organized team activity days this week and then turn our focus to the start of training camp.”
As a result of the ruling, players are not permitted to be at the facility during two OTAs next week, but will be paid for those sessions.
The Ravens wrap up OTAs 9-12 through this week’s passing camp. Baltimore was originally scheduled to hold two special teams-focused OTAs (June 15-16) before breaking for training camp.
The team will now have to wait until late July for players to report to McDaniel College in Westminster, Md., for training camp.
While it might call for a change in the offseason schedule, the Ravens are owning up to the complaint.
“When you make a mistake, you step up,” said Head Coach John Harbaugh. ”We’re accountable. As Ozzie said, it won’t happen again.”