Mike Preston of the Baltimore Sun reports today on the Ravens’  voluntary off-season workouts, and it’s the latest indication that the new coaching staff is making the players work a lot harder than the old coaching staff.

“Guys are running sprints, they’re coming out bent over, sucking wind and throwing up,” Ravens director of college scouting Eric DeCosta said. “I’ve been very, very encouraged from what I’ve seen so far. I think you’re going to see a difference in this team in terms of strength and conditioning, particularly with the offensive and defensive lines. This kind of conditioning pays off in the long run. This can only help us later.”

The report on the off-season workouts comes on the heels of coach John Harbaugh indicating at the league meetings that he plans to run a tougher training camp than former coach Brian Billick ran. Although no one comes right out and says it, the subtext of the stories coming out of Baltimore is that the new regime doesn’t think the players were in good enough shape under the old regime.

Preston reports that the coaching staff noticed receivers avoiding contact or going down too easily after catches last season, and the coaches want receivers to get bigger and stronger. New strength and conditioning coach Bob Rogucki says his emphasis on free weights instead of machines will make the players better.

Says Ravens linebacker Bart Scott of Rogucki’s approach, “It’s back to power, pure powerlifting instead of resistance. I like the philosophy, especially with the offensive line. Those guys are going to be McNasty.”