Not your ordinary special teams practice

Special teams practice usually draws yawns from fans, features little hitting and tackling, and offers the offensive and defensive starters a chance to stay back at the hotel and relax.

That wasn't the case this afternoon. Sure, starters like linebacker Bart Scott, safety Dawan Landry and wide receiver Mark Clayton took active roles on special teams because they've done that in the past. But in the John Harbaugh era, linebacker Ray Lewis, tight end Todd Heap and wide receiver Derrick Mason also attended practice. While Heap and Mason -- dressed in their uniforms -- watched from one end of the field with assistant head coach/defensive coordinator Rex Ryan, Lewis actually took a couple reps on kickoff coverage. I can't remember the last time that happened. more...