OWINGS MILLS, Md., Aug. 26 (UPI) -- The Baltimore Ravens Monday saw the return of two key members of their defensive unit when they returned to the practice field.
Veteran defensive Michael McCrary, a pass-rushing specialist, and linebacker Peter Boulware came back simultaneously.
McCrary returned after spending all of the preseason on the physically unable to perform list. He missed all of training camp as he worked his way back from the knee surgery that ended his 2001 season after 10 games.
"I'm just looking forward to getting on the field and getting a feel for things and being with my team, which is important for me," McCrary said. "I'm really happy to be back. This is where I belong. I feel at home."
Boulware, who has team-record 52 sacks, missed the first three preseason games while he, too, recovered from surgery.
"I probably could have come back last week, extra hard, but I waited until I was fully healthy and ready to go," Boulware said. "So this week, if I push it as hard as I can, hopefully nothing will happen. I'm just going to go out there and whatever (defensive coach Mike) Nolan or Coach (Brian) Billick thinks I need to play, I'm going to do it. I'm just going to go out there and show what I have."
Both McCrary, a 6-4, 260-pounder from Wake Forest, and Boulware, a former All-American at Florida State, will get playing time in the Ravens' preseason finale Thursday night against the New York Giants.
In 131 career games over nine years, including 86 starts, McCrary has 399 solo tackles, seven forced fumbles, and one interception.
Boulware, a 6-4, 255-pounder, has played in every regular game (80) for the Ravens since he was drafted in 1997. He has 191 solo tackles, 10 forced fumbles.
