Anyone reaching 21 years old, as the Ravens are this year, is going to try a few new things.
For the team's first of two stadium practices Aug. 1, the team returned to a natural-grass surface for the first time since 2002, the better to cut down on the kinds of injuries that crippled their season and to lessen the maintenance cost incurred by the use of synthetic turf.
Also, the names on the team's Ring of Honor have been shrunk to a smaller size so names of future inductees can fit alongside them.
Some team and civic pride will be displayed on the field, with the word "Baltimore" emblazoned in the end zone and plans to put the team's bird helmet logo at midfield in place of the "police badge" emblem.
