Sports Direct

Asked whether his 2007 season was a disappointing one, Ravens wide receiver Mark Clayton responded bluntly: "Obviously... you can put that all in caps."

What wasn't obvious was the reason for his struggles.

Throughout last season, Clayton kept quiet about a personal crisis, trying to cope privately with a divorce while his wife was pregnant with his son, Ayden.

Clayton, 26, has never used his ordeal as an excuse, but he does recognize its impact.

"Without a doubt, it was the toughest thing I've gone through," Clayton said after the Ravens began their second week of training camp. "Growing up is understanding life and knowing how to deal with it and take care of your business. There was a lot of growing up in that for me."

On the field, though, Clayton regressed. more on Clayton

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Mason's gift of grab
Mike Preston: Despite 710 career receptions and 170 games played throughout a stellar 11-season career, Ravens wide receiver Derrick Mason, at least for now, is winning the battle against an opponent that has not lost a fight: Father Time. "He's got a lot more juice than I thought he did," receivers coach Jim Hostler said. more

Training camp updates
For multiple daily updates throughout Ravens training camp, go to baltimoresun.com/ravenscentral. more

Training camp photos
Check out new photos of training camp practices at McDaniel College in Westminster. more

O's, Sherrill ride July trade winds
Dan Connolly: In one sense, the Orioles should trade George Sherrill, who is under club control through 2011, only if they can get top value. If the Orioles can't get closer worth for their closer, then why trade him? Why not keep him and watch him save more games this year and maybe for the next three? But the flip side is that Sherrill's trade value might never be higher than it is right now. more

Wieters catching on quickly
Orioles minor league notebook: Matt Wieters keeps writing unbelievable baseball stories with his bat down on the Double-A Bowie farm. more

Photos: 2008 O's season -- Game by game
From Opening Day through Sunday's losing streak-busting win over the Angels, look through the Orioles season in pictures. more

Beijing 2008: Gould faces rough route to gold
Life has been a bumpy ride for Georgia Gould. Her path is cobbled with rough terrain -- rocks and roots, stumps and streams -- but she glides across it. "I get paid to ride my bicycle through the woods," said Gould, who was raised in Baltimore. "That's the coolest thing. It's the best job ever." more

Live scores, standings and more
Check out our live scores page for updated results, stats and standings from the sports world. To access the page directly, go to www.baltimoresun.com/scores. more

A new arena for Baltimore
Read Sun coverage and commentary on the plan to build a new indoor facility to replace 1st Mariner Arena. more

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