"Anquan Boldin's roles this year extend beyond No. 1 wide receiver, fiery leader and part-time play caller.

When Boldin broke the huddle in Ravens' training camp Thursday, the 30-year-old wide receiver lined up next to wide receiver Torrey Smith, a rookie who is finishing his first full week of NFL practices, and tight end Ed Dickson, who is 19 months removed from playing at the University of Oregon.

The Ravens' era with Derrick Mason and Todd Heap ended when the franchise's all-time leading receivers were released last week. The new one with Boldin and a bunch of fledgling receivers is just beginning.

Take away Boldin and the average age of the Ravens' wide receivers and tight ends is 24 years old. The group combined to make just 12 catches at the NFL level last year.

"I'm the big brother of the receiver corps now," Boldin said.

Boldin jokes that he's been the voice of experience ever since he was a rookie in Arizona. These days, his voice can be heard before the ball is snapped."