Ravens News 7/29: Collective Effort

2024 NFL training camp news, buzz, fantasy football updates

Dan Graziano, ESPN

From 2019 (Jackson’s first full season as a starter) through the end of last season, Baltimore ran a league-low 484 plays that started with the quarterback under center. Of those 484, 176 were last season, so it was already a bigger part of Todd Monken’s offense than it was of his predecessors’ schemes. But I’d expect even more this year in an effort to take advantage of Henry. With a running start, Henry is pretty unstoppable, and playing from under center gives the Ravens the opportunity to hand him the ball when he has already built up plenty of momentum.

Since they’ve signed Eddie Jackson as a third safety, expect Orr and the Ravens to keep versatile star Kyle Hamilton in the role he played last season — mainly the nickel spot, with the ability to move around and do some different things. I asked Hamilton what he thought about the changes on defense and how it would go. “Honestly, these first three days of camp have been pretty telling as to where we’re at as a team and a defense,” he said. “I think it’s pretty easy to tell after being out there, we have everything we need. I don’t think there’s any sort of doubt that we can do exactly what we did last year and even more.”

The Ravens’ clear No. 1 wide receiver is 2023 first-round pick Zay Flowers, who had 77 catches for 858 yards and five touchdowns in his rookie season. They view him as a budding star, and I expect Jackson to feed him the ball a lot. But if you’re wondering who’ll emerge as the No. 2 receiver from a group headlined by veterans Nelson Agholor and Rashod Bateman, may I direct your attention to Likely, who expects to be more than just Mark Andrews’ backup tight end. Likely told me he’s working on learning every position a receiver might need to know in the offense and expects Monken to move him around the formation to maximize his receiving ability.

Ravens observations on Lamar Jackson’s energetic return, Isaiah Likely’s one-on-one wins and more

Childs Walker, The Baltimore Sun

Isaiah Likely gets the better of Kyle Hamilton

As Likely pointed out, his matchups with his 2022 draft classmate have been training camp highlights for the past three years. As rookies, they seemed to line up against one another seven times a practice. It happens less frequently now, but when it does, it’s a treat to watch the fast, crafty, 6-foot-4 tight end try to create space against the fast, crafty 6-4 safety.

Likely did just that Saturday, freezing Hamilton with a stutter step during a one-on-one rep and gliding down the sideline to catch an easy lob from Jackson. He beat Hamilton again later in practice.

“It’s the chemistry between him and Lamar,” tight ends coach George Godsey said when asked what has him most excited about Likely’s third NFL season. “He’s a guy we’re moving all over the place. He’s getting the extra work. He’s asking the good questions. The chemistry is there. The communication, it’s been wonderful listening to him and Lamar work together.”

Lamar Jackson proves he’s feeling better, returns to Ravens training camp with high energy

Jeff Zrebiec, The Athletic

Predictably, an offense that has mostly been dominated by the defense through the first week of training camp had its best day. Andrews and fellow tight end Isaiah Likely made their share of plays, as did Agholor. With the team’s No. 1 receiver, Zay Flowers, away from the team to attend a family wedding, Rashod Bateman made several catches. Wallace, fourth-round rookie Devontez Walker and Deonte Harty were involved, and Jackson also hooked up with undrafted rookie Qadir Ismail for a long connection.

Even though the offense probably had its best practice of camp, the defense still managed to get its hands on several footballs. Humphrey, who has been practicing well, snared two Jackson overthrows. First-round rookie Nate Wiggins also had an interception, as did Christian Matthew.

Ravens training camp battle tracker: Which offensive linemen impressed with pads on?

Shaffer & Han, The Baltimore Banner

Starting right guard

The contenders: Ben Cleveland started two games at right guard last season and played well, but he’ll need to raise his level of play in practice. Aumavae-Laulu is in the mix at right guard, too, along with Jones, who has over 600 snaps of experience there. Daniel Faalele will likely split time between right guard and right tackle while the Ravens determine his best fit.

July 24: In the final practice before full pads come on, Cleveland, Faalele and Josh Jones were all flagged for a false start.

July 26: In the Ravens’ first fully padded practices, their interior linemen fared well in one-on-ones. Blocking Madubuike in team drills, however, proved difficult.

July 27: Cleveland got into trouble with a false start, but he seemed to be in the middle of several of the best run plays. He was also solid in pass protection.

Starting right tackle

The contenders: Roger Rosengarten, a second-round pick, didn’t allow a sack over his final two seasons at Washington, according to Pro Football Focus. Faalele has played just 164 snaps at right tackle over his first two seasons in Baltimore. Patrick Mekari has starting experience at tackle and can line up anywhere, but he’s better served as a swing lineman. Josh Jones has played 256 snaps at right tackle in his career but just 22 total over the past two seasons.

July 26: With the Ravens wanting to give Faalele a long, hard look at guard, he’s had limited reps at tackle. Rosengarten, Mekari and most of the linemen had trouble picking up the team’s blitzes in its first fully padded practice, but it was tough to assign blame.

July 27: Rosengarten lost back-to-back pass blocking reps to outside linebacker Tavius Robinson, who overwhelmed the still-physically-developing rookie with power moves. It was an otherwise solid day in full pads for the Ravens’ tackles.

50 Words or Less: Sizing Up the Ravens’ Offensive Line

Ryan Mink, BaltimoreRavens.com

The Ravens bet on their young offensive line talent. In doing so, they saved a lot of money (spent on other upgrades: e.g. Derrick Henry) and avoided potential banged-up veteran breakdowns. It’s too soon to say whether that bet will work out or not.

The young linemen will not only improve during training camp but also over the course of the season. With that said, they must be good enough to beat the Chiefs Week 1. Baltimore’s daunting opening leg to the 2024 schedule puts the heat on the line to grow up fast.

Andrew Vorhees may have a stronghold at LG. It spoke volumes when veteran nose tackle Michael Pierce said Vorhees “is going to be really good.”

It will be a collective effort to fill Jadeveon Clowney’s shoes. Oweh will pick up part of the slack, and much of it falls on David Ojabo’s shoulders. Justin Madubuike will get more help from his fellow defensive linemen, and Zach Orr isn’t afraid to send his defensive backs.