Photo by McClatchy Newspapers Joe Flacco

IT WAS a relaxed Joe Flacco who talked with reporters the first day of Ravens training camp Tuesday at McDaniel College, a far more relaxed quarterback than he was a year ago when he spoke at a press conference to announce his signing before the start of camp.

On Tuesday, he even joked with reporters about a commercial he made.

He's comfortable going into this season. Last year he was a rookie. Going into training camp he was third-string behind Kyle Boller and Troy Smith. Flacco just hoped to see some action when the season began.

This year he is the man. Because of a season-ending injury to Boller and Smith's illness, Flacco started every game last year. He got off to a slow start, but showed great improvement as the season progressed helped Baltimore finish 11-5 and earn a surprise playoff berth.

"I feel I am light years ahead of where I was last year at this point," Flacco said after the Ravens ended their first practice on Tuesday. The practice was for rookies, quarterbacks and selected veterans. The rest of the team is scheduled to practice Friday. "I didn't know what to expect last year. You feel like a freshman in high school, in college again. You don't know anybody. You don't know what to expect practicewise."

He said he was scared to mess up.

This year, he'll be under more pressure because more will be expected of him after he handled himself so well as a rookie.

His goal during the offseason was to stay in shape and continue to learn the offense.

"This is my second year, so I am going to take training camp like I don't know anything about the offense," he said. "I will kind of just re-learn it and see if I can pick up anything new about it."

But he will be without his top receiver, Derrick Mason, who has announced his plans to retire. Last year, Mason caught 80 passes and was the target for Flacco during crucial moments.

This year, he has no such receiver. Mark Clayton is the only receiver that caught more than 13 passes a year ago (41). The Ravens have been looking for receiver Demetrius Williams to have a breakout season. But he has been bothered by injuries.

"I'm not worried about (Mason's absence) and if I'm not worried about it no one else should be worried about it," Flacco said. "Last year at this time I had no idea who I was going to be throwing the ball to. I didn't know what Derrick Mason and Mark Clayton even looked like. I probably thought Mark Clayton was Derrick Mason at that point. This year we are in much better shape than last year."

"Joe doesn't need a security blanket, Joe's a big boy," Baltimore coach John Harbaugh said.

Still, the Ravens need a go-to receiver if Mason doesn't return. Clayton and Williams were among the selected veterans who were at training camp on Monday. Harbaugh said that Williams looked bigger and stronger. Now, the Ravens can only hope he stays healthy.

One thing that helped Flacco last year was his demeanor. He didn't get rattled like many quarterbacks. He stayed calm. He always says that's just the way he is.

"I don't know if Joe Cool is a great name for me," he said. "I'm laid back. I just go out there and play football. People can say whatever they want."

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THERE WERE SEVERAL veterans at practice on Monday, including nose guard Kelly Gregg, who missed all of last year because of knee surgery. He took part in drills.

"The one thing about Kelly is he's so excited to be here, and he's really moving good, and I think he's got all the cobwebs off from the OTAs," first-year defensive coordinator Greg Mattison said.

Tackle Michael Oher, the Ravens' first-round pick, still has not signed and was not at practice.

"The sooner Michael gets in, the better it's going to be," Harbaugh said. "I know Michael wants to be here."

Players placed on the physically unable to play list incuded running back Willis McGahee (knee), guard Ben Grubbs (ankle) and Marshal Yanda (knee), cornerback Samari Rolle (groin and shoulder), wide receiver Yamon Figurs, offensive tackles Adam Terry (knee), Joe Reitz and Lou Saucedo, defensive tackle Lamar Divens, linebacker Jason Phillips and tight end Davon Drew. Harbaugh said most of them are temporary and should be at practice soon.

Harbaugh was asked about the possibility of signing quarterback Michael Vick.

"We've had long discussions about Michael Vick, and we have our feeling on how he would impact our team or not impact our team," Harbaugh said. "We have a course of action that you could ask (General Manager) Ozzie Newsome about."