As the first preseason game showed, the Ravens looking to implement more of a no-huddle attack this year.

With that stated, there are pros and cons to going at that speed most of the time.


Let's begin with the cons: If you don't convert your third down opportunities, you end up with a quick series without burning much clock off. That's precisely what the Ravens did on their first three drives against Atlanta in the first quarter, and they were only able to manage four yards in of total offense in nine plays.

To contrast, Falcons receiver Julio Jones had 109 yards during that same 15-minute period.

"It works really well when you convert," coach John Harbaugh said. "It doesn't look so good when you don't convert. When we have situations during the season -- if we're out there and choose to go at that tempo (and) we don't convert, our defense is going to have to get stops. And when we do convert we will build some momentum on our opponents. You have to understand how that goes."

The pros, though, generate a lot of momentum. If the no-huddle attack gets going, then it can affect more than just the offensive side of the ball.

On Baltimore's fourth and final drive for the starters, the Ravens used the no-huddle (not a hurry-up, though) and successfully completed an 11-play, 77-yard drive for a touchdown.

Five players return to practice: CB Jimmy Smith (back), DE Arthur Jones (hip flexor), C Matt Birk (back), LB Dannell Ellerbe (hamstring) and RB Bernard Pierce (hamstring) all returned to the football field Saturday.

Still missing: DT Ryan McBean (broken ankle), TE Dennis Pitta (hand), TE Ed Dickson (sprained shoulder), WR Torrey Smith (ankle), OL Jah Reid (calf), OLB Terrell Suggs (Achilles), LB Darryl Blackstock (groin), LB Josh Bynes (vertebrae), CB Asa Jackson (hamstring), CB Chykie Brown (hamstring), WR Logan Payne (hip), WR Tandon Doss (hamstring), WR David Reed (ACL) and WR Patrick Williams (undisclosed) were absent from practice Saturday. OLB Courtney Upshaw participated in individual drills only and was seen with a wrap around his right shoulder, which was sprained in practice almost two weeks ago.

TE depth a problem: With Dickson and Pitta out for the preseason, Harbaugh was asked if there was a chance the team could sign another tight end for the duration of camp.

"It's not just needing a guy, it's also guys being available that you think can play and if they can stay healthy. There is no point in bringing a guy in and he gets hurt. Then, we just have one more hurt guy to deal with and then it can affect your salary cap."

McBean timetable unknown: Harbaugh offered no comment when asked if DT Ryan McBean's fractured dislocated ankle puts his season in doubt.

"There is no reason for me to comment on it any further," Harbaugh said. "I already saw the (injury) in the paper so you guys have all the injury information that you'll need."

Ravens in Annapolis: Baltimore will hold an open practice to the public at Navy Marine Corps Memorial Stadium in Annapolis, Md. on Sunday. Harbaugh said he actually took an official visit to Navy as a high school recruit, but ultimately signed with Miami (Ohio).

"I probably should have (signed with Navy), looking back on it," Harbaugh said. "I kind of wish I had. But Miami was a great place, too. No offense to Miami, I liked it there. You never know if you're tough enough for something like that. So I probably had my doubts at the time."

Follow Ravens reporter Jason Butt on Twitter @CBSSportsNFLBAL.