Ravens remain very optimistic about signing Shayne Graham

Ravens officials remain privately optimistic about signing kicker Shayne Graham even though the sides have yet to finalize a deal.

One Ravens official told The Sun that he would be "shocked" if the team failed to reach an agreement with the longtime Cincinnati Bengals kicker. Graham is expected to compete with Billy Cundiff for the Ravens' kicker job.

In addressing the Graham situation after Wednesday's rookie minicamp, coach John Harbaugh said, "Shayne is a guy who we've in contact throughout and we're interested in. We'll just have to see how it plays out in the next number of days."

Harbaugh declined to say what's holding up the deal with Graham.

"We're just in a process of trying to upgrade every position, and the kicking position being one of those," Harbaugh said.

Without being asked about Cundiff, Harbaugh praised the kicker who helped stabilize that position last season.

"I think Billy's had a tremendous offseason," Harbaugh said. "If you look at the way he kicked during the season, I thought he had a very good season, especially coming in like he did. He hadn't been kicking for a couple of years. So, Billy Cundiff is a guy who can definitely kick in this league. He's got leg strength, and his accuracy and mechanics have tremendously improved because of the work he's put in."

Harbaugh added, "Now, you add competition to the mix, two guys who have a good solid, mature mindset and can handle pressure. And we'll see how it shakes out. That's something we would like to do. We always like to have competition."