Haloti Ngata continues to get bouquets thrown his way

 Both starting defensive tackles -- Haloti Ngata and Kelly Gregg -- appear to be in great shape. Keep an eye on defensive tackle Lamar Divens, in his third season out of Tennessee State. He is a load, and brings it.

While defensive end Paul Kruger has added 25 pounds from a year ago, he still needs to work on staying low and using better technique.

As for rookie tackle Terrence Cody, he needs a lot of work. It's apparent that at Alabama he could just push offensive linemen around because of his size, but that hasn't worked so far in training camp.

Cody needs to improve his body control and technique. Once he starts Todd Heap moving forward, Cody can't slow down. Cody has athleticism, but so does every other player in the NFL. He has to improve on technique to progress and take the next step.

Fresh from a 2009 season capped by his first Pro Bowl appearance, Haloti Ngata continues to get bouquets thrown his way.

Last week, the 6-foot-4, 350-pound defensive tackle was cited by the NFL Network's Brian Baldinger, who compiled his list of the five best players in the NFL.

"My fifth-best player in the league is Haloti Ngata, the immovable object that anchors the Baltimore Ravens' defensive line," Baldinger said. "He's allowed [linebacker] Ray Lewis to still play at a very high level. You talk to centers around the league, they don't want any part of Haloti Ngata."

Ngata, who spoke on Tuesday, downplayed the recognition.

"It's definitely great, but I'm trying to get myself better year after year," he said. "Right now, I feel a little bit behind because of my surgery, but hopefully, I'll get my strength back up, and I hope I can prove him right."