OWINGS MILLS -- It was a rough year for the Baltimore Ravens' pass rush last season despite the resurgence of Pro Bowl outside linebacker Terrell Suggs.

The Ravens wound up with only 27 sacks, the lowest total in franchise history as Suggs led the team with 11 sacks followed by 5 1/2 from Pro Bowl defensive tackle Haloti Ngata.

Ravens general manager Ozzie Newsome acknowledged that he'll be looking for an additional pass rusher through free agency, but he's also of the belief that the Ravens will generate more heat on opposing quarterbacks this season regardless of any more acquisitions.

Newsome figures that the return of cornerback Domonique Foxworth from a torn anterior cruciate ligament and drafting big, fast Colorado cornerback Jimmy Smith should give the front seven more time to get to the quarterback.

"The best way to affect a quarterback is to get people in his face, to hit him," Newsome said during a conference call with season ticket holders. "We realize that, but one of the ways you can affect a quarterback is you can force him to hold the ball for .2 or .3 seconds longer if you've got good coverage.

"I think that's where having Jimmy and getting Domonique back, along with the guys we already have, maybe with those guys in coverage, we can force the quarterback to hold the ball."

Plus, outside linebacker Jarret Johnson is healthier this year after dealing with nagging shoulder and back injuries over the past year.

And the Ravens are still hopeful that outside linebacker Sergio Kindle will play football again after missing his rookie season with a fractured skull.

"One thing that we were not able to get done last year is Jarret Johnson had some injuries," Newsome said. "He had to rehab to get himself ready to play football. He was rehabbing injuries. I think we will see a better pass rush out of Jarret Johnson, and as I've so stated, we are very, very optimistic that Sergio has an opportunity to get to the field. We just don't know when."

RAVENS TO ORGANIZE PLAYER ONLY WORKOUTS ~ Baltimore Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco, wide receiver Derrick Mason and several other players are scheduled to conduct workouts in two weeks at Towson University.

Flacco has already reached out to rookie wide receivers Torrey Smith and Tandon Doss to participate in the informal sessions, which are set for May 24, May 25 and May 26.

Middle linebacker Ray Lewis, outside linebacker Jarret Johnson and Mason have been combining to get the players together.

Earlier this offseason, Flacco organized several days of throwing sessions in Arizona that included Mason, Anquan Boldin, reserve quarterback Hunter Cantwell and tight ends Todd Heap, Ed Dickson and Dennis Pitta.

The majority of those attending are expected to be offensive players.

The activities will include weightlifting, conditioning drills and throwing sessions.