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DeAndre Hopkins cut over the middle of the field and full-stretched to haul in a throw from Lamar Jackson. The newly acquired Ravens wide receiver, taking passes from the two-time NFL Most Valuable Player during their second practice together, rolled over the catch without planting his hand in the turf for balance, sprung up and bolted. “He’s different man,” Jackson said, his eyes widening. “He caught the ball and I’m like, that’s some vet — that’s some super-vet type stuff. It’s just dope to have him and I’m looking forward to throwing a lot of touchdowns to him.” Super veteran is an apt descriptor for the newest Ravens receiver. Hopkins is entering Year 13, having been selected to five Pro Bowls and three All-Pro teams, now here in Baltimore joining his fifth team. Hopkins laughed that he’s played with far more quarterbacks than any other Ravens receiver, which means he knows a thing or two about getting acclimated. The key to developing trust between quarterback and receiver is simple, Hopkins said. It’s practice and effective communication. Even if the only times he and Jackson have worn purple jerseys and run plays together at the team’s facility in Owings Mills have been the first day of organized team activities in May and Tuesday for their first mandatory minicamp, the back and forth has been sharp. “He’ll come up to me and tell me what he’s seeing on a route and stuff like that,” Jackson said. “I’m like, ‘That’s what I saw! That’s what I was telling coach I wanted you to do.’ Stuff like that. That’s what you like to see from your receiver, like to hear from your receiver. Like engaging with those guys. All my receivers are like that.” It showed on Wednesday, even if manifesting in small sample sizes. Jackson’s first throw to Hopkins was a go route up the right sideline. Cornerback Nate Wiggins was tight to the receiver’s inside hip. Safety Kyle Hamilton came crashing toward the boundary. Their timing was about a step off, the throw just beyond Hopkins’ reach, falling incomplete. Hopkins saw three other passes thrown his way during 11-on-11 drills. He caught all three. The first was a simple crossing route that he hauled in and stepped upfield for what was presumably a touchdown in a no-tackling practice. Later, Hopkins made the catch that had Jackson all giddy. And the final was a rifle into Hopkins’ hardened hands about 5 yards upfield. What Baltimore is getting is a go-up-and-get-it type of “X” receiver. Zay Flowers and Rashod Bateman rely on their quick feet to create enough separation to find open grass. Mark Andrews and Isaiah Likely, both big-bodied tight ends, are the only 50-50 ball catchers in the Ravens’ offense. That is, until Hopkins — who offensive coordinator Todd Monken said he views as a third starter, rather than a No. 3 receiver — joined the fold. Ravens wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins impressed quarterback Lamar Jackson on Tuesday during portions of minicamp. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff) There is no tried-and-true timeframe for when he and Jackson will be in lock step on the field. It differs. But Hopkins is the kind of guy who only recently started playing chess on his phone and already thinks he’s a champion. He’s up late at night studying football formations with his girlfriend. He can’t wait to wake up for practice the next day. That implies training camp should be plenty of headway for the two to be ready by September. “You’re speaking to trust,” quarterbacks coach Tee Martin said. “You’re speaking to catch radius. Stuff that you see with Mark and Zay, Likely, you can now see with DeAndre Hopkins cause he’s very similar. He’s a wide receiver that can play strong. Big, strong hands that quarterbacks love.” Martin went on to laud Hopkins’ ability to compete for the ball. To go after the ball and bring it down. “Early on,” Martin said, “his communication has been great. His expectation as a very veteran, highly productive wideout is something that we haven’t seen in a while. Hopefully it’s a good thing for us.” Hopkins was in a similar situation last season, joining a high-octane offense powered by a superstar quarterback. The Tennessee Titans traded him to Kansas City before the deadline. With the Chiefs, Hopkins played 10 games, catching 41 passes from Patrick Mahomes for 437 yards. It was a truncated ramp-up to arrive in Kansas City and hit the field days later. A full offseason in Baltimore will only offer more time to strengthen the communication between quarterback and receiver. Hopkins is a “quick study,” according to Martin, who “loves talking to the quarterbacks.” Related Articles Ravens QB Lamar Jackson quiet about possible contract extension Ravens observations: Here’s what stands out so far at mandatory minicamp Lamar Jackson wants Ravens to sign CB Jaire Alexander: ‘Go get him, Eric’ Ravens’ Lamar Jackson defends Mark Andrews after playoff backlash Trial date set for Ravens OL Ben Cleveland over arrest on suspicion of DUI There have been plenty of initial conversations about what Jackson likes and what Hopkins likes. Maybe more importantly, what they each don’t like. They’ll use this mandatory minicamp and training camp to get on the same page for the start of the season. Hopkins was asked if, within those conversations, anything stands out about the type of quarterback Jackson is. Hopkins swatted that question as if it were a pesky gnat. “I can’t give a [public service announcement] about Lamar Jackson,” he said. “Lamar Jackson is a great quarterback all around. I’m not gonna come up here and try to PSA about Lamar Jackson. He puts that on display every Sunday.” Jackson’s competitiveness takes center stage every time he enters the building. Hopkins saw him before Tuesday’s practice shooting on a mini basketball hoop in the locker room, and even there “he didn’t want to lose.” Hopkins didn’t want to compare Jackson with Mahomes or any other signal-caller he’s played with either. “Lamar is a unique quarterback, he’s a great quarterback,” Hopkins said. “I’m just excited to go out first game against the Bills and put something on tape with him.” Have a news tip? Contact Sam Cohn at scohn@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/samdcohn. View the full article

There were sidearm slings to Isaiah Likely and Charlie Kolar in stride and completions to Zay Flowers, DeAndre Hopkins and Mark Andrews. Some throws were on target, some were off, some were intercepted. The difference was who was throwing them. It was in many ways the full Lamar Jackson experience, at least as much as it can be this time of year, with plenty of bounce in his step. Tuesday afternoon, the Ravens quarterback made his first appearance in Owings Mills since the first day of voluntary organized team activities last month. It marked the first of a two-day mandatory minicamp and every player was in attendance with the exception of safety Ar’Darius Washington and rookie offensive lineman Emery Jones Jr., both of whom have been sidelined this spring with injuries. Shortly after Jackson took the field for the two-plus hour practice, quarterbacks coach Tee Martin asked him what he’d been watching this offseason. “The first thing he said was the games that we lost,” Martin said. “He’s like, I just wanna know how we lost ‘em and what we did and how we can be better.” The answer is easy. Baltimore turned the ball over three times in its 27-25 divisional round loss to the Buffalo Bills. Two of them came from Jackson, with a fumble on one play and an interception on another. What, then, was his focus in rewatching the misery? “Try to make the game a lot easier for us,” Jackson said. “Going into a game and knowing what a defense gonna do before they do it.” Martin added that the loss to Buffalo was also a “deep-felt” one for the two-time NFL Most Valuable Player. “The last two seasons it kind of ended that way with some really emotional losses,” Martin said. They’ve stuck with Jackson. “I felt like when we protected the ball we had no problems moving the ball down the field,” he said of the defeat in Orchard Park, New York, in January. “Just the turnovers. [Without] turnovers, I feel like we win.” How long did it take for him to get over? “I don’t think I get over any loss,” he said. “I got losses from youth football that still haunt me.” Ravens quarterbacks coach Tee Martin told the media that Lamar Jackson spent the early part of the offseason watching film of the team's recent losses to find areas of needed improvement. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff) He was also still bothered by the vitriol directed at Andrews — his most trusted confidant since the two entered the NFL together in 2018 — after the wide-open tight end dropped a would-be game-tying 2-point conversion with 93 seconds remaining against the Bills. Speaking for the first time since after that loss, Jackson offered an impassioned and impromptu defense of his favorite target. “That guy’s different,” he said. “I been seeing my guy be getting talked about and I really don’t like that. He’s done so much for us.” The same can easily said about Jackson, of course. Entering his eighth year in the league, he has risen to perhaps the best player in the sport and is coming off his best season. In 2024, Jackson posted career highs in passing yards (4,172), touchdowns (41) and nearly took home a third NFL MVP Award, narrowly beaten out by Bills quarterback Josh Allen. Which is why the Ravens and Jackson have already engaged in contract extension discussions this offseason. Though Jackson, 28, still has three years remaining on the $260 million contract extension that he signed during the 2023 offseason, general manager Eric DeCosta has said extending the quarterback’s deal is a priority. With a prohibitive salary cap hit of $74.5 million slated for 2026 and 2027, it would behoove Baltimore to do so sooner than later. Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson, center, completes a drill during Tuesday's practice. Jackson is in contract negotiations with the Ravens, but he declined to discuss the status of those conversations. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff) Asked about the status of those discussions, however, Jackson declined to answer questions pertaining to his contract. Whenever a deal gets done, though, it’s likely Jackson will be among the highest paid players in football. Though he was briefly the highest paid player in the league when he signed his most recent deal, Jackson’s annual average salary has since slipped to 10th. The longer things go without a new deal, the costlier he could become. For comparison, the Bills signed Allen to a six-year, $330 million extension earlier this offseason. In the meantime, Flowers has said that Jackson has talked about wanting to gather players for more meetings, while Jackson said he plans to get together with his pass catchers before the start of training camp in late July. Martin added that Jackson has also been a far more vocal leader than he was a few years ago. “I feel like just bonding with my guys that’ll help us out a lot more,” Jackson said. “Picking each other’s brains, being around each other a lot more we’ll probably know what one of us is thinking ahead.” How exactly that manifests remains to be seen. Related Articles Ravens observations: Here’s what stands out so far at mandatory minicamp Lamar Jackson wants Ravens to sign CB Jaire Alexander: ‘Go get him, Eric’ Ravens’ Lamar Jackson defends Mark Andrews after playoff backlash Trial date set for Ravens OL Ben Cleveland over arrest on suspicion of DUI READER POLL: Which part of the Orioles’ roster are you most confident in right now? Jackson attended just one of the team’s nine voluntary practices earlier this spring, though he did recently get together with Flowers for at least a couple of throwing sessions down in South Florida, where both live in the offseason. And it was clear that the Buffalo loss was still on his mind. One of those sessions included the quarterback being captured on video voicing his displeasure on a miscommunication and likening it to his interception against the Bills. “We just make each other better,” he said of the sessions with Flowers. “We gonna talk trash to one another because we wanna see each other win.” He’s also confident about what’s ahead. Said Jackson: “We gonna bounce back.” Have a news tip? Contact Brian Wacker at bwacker@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/brianwacker1. View the full article

It’s hard to predict if the Ravens’ secondary has made significant progress, but the unit already looks better this offseason. The Ravens had their first of two straight mandatory minicamp practices Tuesday, and the secondary has been nowhere near as bad as a year ago when it gave up the deep ball consistently and allowed 244.1 passing yards per game, second worst in the NFL. Those Ravens couldn’t find tight ends or running backs, much less receivers. But the team has used several different combinations in practices thus far, mixing safeties Kyle Hamilton and Malaki Starks, the team’s first-round draft pick out of Georgia in April, along with cornerbacks Nate Wiggins, Marlon Humphrey, Jalyn Armour-Davis and Reuben Lowery. Keep an eye on Lowery, a rookie free agent out of the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. He is only 5-9 and weighs 204 pounds, but the 22-year-old continues to make plays and is always near the ball. It will be interesting to see what the Ravens do with Hamilton and Humphrey this season. Hamilton is an impact player near the line of scrimmage and Humphrey can play inside or outside but is better playing over a slot receiver. He still has decent speed, but isn’t as fast as he used to be. Jackson watch Quarterback Lamar Jackson threw the ball reasonably well in his first appearance in two weeks. His short passes were tight and most were thrown to the outside, which is the perfect location. His long ball had some touch and he even threw some high and tight passes to the outside around 12 to 15 yards down the field, which hasn’t been a strength throughout his career. But as general manager Eric DeCosta continues to negotiate with Jackson about a contract extension, I wonder what would happen if the Ravens changed directions and stopped pampering him. For instance, schedule practices in the morning instead of allowing Jackson to sleep in. Maybe stop allowing him to miss practices in the middle of the week and practice like other players on the roster. After eight years, it’s worth trying something else, but maybe the Ravens believe this is their year to reach the Super Bowl despite Jackson’s 3-5 record in the postseason. Well, it’s just a thought. Ravens wide receiver Rashod Bateman jogs behind LaJohntay Wester during Tuesday's practice. Bateman received a contract extension earlier this offseason. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff) Intrigue on offense It will be interesting to see what offensive coordinator Todd Monken dials up this season. So far, we’ve seen waggles, throwback screens, rollouts, straight drop-backs, tosses to running back Derrick Henry and quick hitters to running back and speedster Keaton Mitchell as well as passes over the middle to Mark Andrews and even the long ball to fellow tight end Isaiah Likely. So far, receivers Zay Flowers, Rashod Bateman and Tylan Wallace have made plays, but the most improved might be second-year player Devontez Walker out of North Carolina. His route running has taken a step forward, so the potential is still high for the 2024 fourth-round pick. D-line dealings The more I watch rookie defensive lineman Aeneas Peebles play, I like his technique. He is small at 6 feet and 289 pounds, but has good technical skills. If you aren’t overly big, it helps to have good technique, especially if you are fast. Peebles has a good explosion and gets off the ball well. If he can get into the backfield early, the sixth-round pick out of Virginia Tech might cause some problems, especially for slower developing plays such as counters or traps. While on the subject of defensive linemen, second-year player C.J. Ravenell works too high and veteran nose tackle John Jenkins appears to be a perfectionist. Jenkins can get sloppy at times, but always works hard to improve. Undrafted rookie John Hoyland, shown Tuesday, is battling with sixth-round pick Tyler Loop to be the Ravens' kicker. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff) Just for kicks The best moment of the day belonged to a Ravens security officer who stopped the media and fans from walking behind the goal posts when rookie John Hoyland was attempting a field goal. Really? Do you think Steelers fans in Pittsburgh won’t be screaming and yelling obscenities among other things if Hoyland or fellow rookie Tyler Loop are attempting a field goal in crunch time during the last game of the regular season? Related Articles Ravens QB Lamar Jackson quiet about possible contract extension Lamar Jackson wants Ravens to sign CB Jaire Alexander: ‘Go get him, Eric’ Ravens’ Lamar Jackson defends Mark Andrews after playoff backlash Trial date set for Ravens OL Ben Cleveland over arrest on suspicion of DUI READER POLL: Which part of the Orioles’ roster are you most confident in right now? Get low Here’s a suggestion for outside linebacker David Ojabo, the fourth-year player and 2022 second-round pick out of Michigan: If he stayed low and wasn’t so stiff coming out of his stance, he would have more success. When you watch outside linebackers Kyle Van Noy and Odafe Oweh, they usually stay low, even though Oweh gets too high at times. Mike Green, the rookie second-round pick and outside linebacker out of Marshall, stays low and works the leverage game. Pressure’s on With the additions of Green and veteran receiver DeAndre Hopkins, it’s apparent that the Ravens are loading up for the season. Owner Steve Bisciotti also gave coach John Harbaugh a three-year contract extension in late March, but that’s all meaningless in the grand scheme of things. Bisciotti gave former Ravens coach Brian Billick a four-year extension at the end of the 2006 season but fired him a year later after the Ravens went 5-11. Of course, Harbaugh is more polished and a better overall coach then Billick, but anything is possible in the NFL if there aren’t enough wins. Have a news tip? Contact Mike Preston at epreston@baltsun.com, 410-332-6467 and x.com/MikePrestonSun. View the full article

Jaire Alexander famously jumped up and down with jubilation when his Louisville teammate Lamar Jackson was drafted by the Ravens during Alexander’s post-draft interview. Tuesday afternoon, Jackson matched his former teammate’s energy. The Ravens’ star quarterback advocated for Baltimore to sign Alexander, who was recently released by the Green Bay Packers. Jackson said that he’s reached out to the 28-year-old cornerback. “Go get him, Eric,” Jackson said, dropping to his knees in his pitch to Ravens general manager Eric DeCosta. The fit makes sense on paper. Jackson previously requested that the team sign wide receivers Odell Beckham Jr. and DeAndre Hopkins. Both have ended up in Baltimore. Now he wants his former college teammate here. “I hit him up. You don’t know with Jaire,” Jackson said after the Ravens’ mandatory minicamp practice. The Baltimore Sun previously reported that the Ravens had interest in Alexander at last year’s trade deadline, though the discussion didn’t go far because Baltimore preferred not to give up draft compensation. Alexander will almost certainly sign a one-year deal, which helps the Ravens’ chances. Baltimore could afford to bring the two-time Pro Bowl cornerback in on a cheap one-year deal, allowing Alexander to essentially play on a “prove-it” contract, chase a Super Bowl ring and sign a longer deal in the offseason. And cornerback depth is one of the biggest question marks on a loaded Ravens roster. Baltimore’s passing defense ranked 31st in yards allowed per game (244.1) last season and recorded 12 interceptions, six fewer than 2023. When healthy, Alexander has played like a premier corner, earning an 89.5 Pro Football Focus coverage grade over the past three seasons, which is tied for second in the NFL across that span. But he’s rarely been available in recent years, missing at least 10 games in three of the past four seasons. He appeared in just seven games last year because of quadriceps and knee injuries. In his seven NFL seasons, he’s played a full campaign just once. Related Articles Ravens QB Lamar Jackson quiet about possible contract extension Ravens observations: Here’s what stands out so far at mandatory minicamp Ravens’ Lamar Jackson defends Mark Andrews after playoff backlash Trial date set for Ravens OL Ben Cleveland over arrest on suspicion of DUI READER POLL: Which part of the Orioles’ roster are you most confident in right now? Baltimore also seems to like its group of young corners. Jalyn Armour-Davis and T.J. Tampa have impressed during offseason practices, and the team also drafted two sixth-round cornerbacks in Bilhal Kone and Robert Longerbeam. Alexander’s talent would almost immediately place him as one of the Ravens’ starting outside cornerbacks, allowing veteran defensive back Marlon Humphrey to play in the slot and Nate Wiggins and Alexander to man the outside. “I love all our corners, but go get him Eric,” Jackson said. If Jackson’s wishes are granted again, Alexander could be the next high-profile camp addition in Baltimore. Have a news tip? Contact Sam Jane at sjane@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/Sam_Jane230. View the full article

Lamar Jackson was rifling through a list of all the talent he’ll have at his disposal this season. There’s Derrick Henry, Zay Flowers, Rashod Bateman, DeAndre Hopkins, Isaiah Likely and Mark Andrews. He paused on the last name. “I got to get on Mandrews real quick,” Jackson said. The Ravens quarterback took an unprompted 30-second aside Tuesday to come to the defense of the tight end who has been his safety blanket for much of his career — and who was on the wrong side of wretched social media backlash for two crucial gaffes in their AFC divisional round loss to Buffalo. “I been seeing my guy get talked about and I really don’t like that,” Jackson said in his first session with the media since that 27-25 defeat in Orchard Park, New York. “Because he’s done so much for us — I’m off topic right here — but he’s done so much for us and how people did him, I just don’t like that. “Mark’s still Mark. He’s still Mandrews.” Andrews was not made available to reporters after that gutting January playoff loss, in which he lost a fumble that led to the Bills’ go-ahead field goal and then dropped a game-tying 2-point conversion attempt in the final minutes. He did not show up to locker room clean out the following day to address the drop or his fumble in the second half, but did take to Instagram to spell out how devastated he was. Four months later, at Baltimore’s first week of voluntary open practices in late May, Andrews spoke confidently about how it fueled his offseason. “As a professional, it’s all about being able to move past it but storing that in the memory bank and understanding that this is not the end,” Andrews said. “This is something I’m going to work with, and get better and improve and move on.” Andrews, who turns 30 in September, had come off a season in which he became the Ravens’ all-time touchdowns leader. When trade talks swirled, the rumor mill pointed to Andrews as a prime target on the thinking that Baltimore would prefer to extend Likely, the ascendant 25-year-old entering the final year of his rookie contract. “I think I’ve been able to do it at the highest level, the best of the best for a long time,” Andrews said last month when asked about trade speculation. “And I’m not slowing down.” Related Articles Ravens QB Lamar Jackson quiet about possible contract extension Ravens observations: Here’s what stands out so far at mandatory minicamp Lamar Jackson wants Ravens to sign CB Jaire Alexander: ‘Go get him, Eric’ Trial date set for Ravens OL Ben Cleveland over arrest on suspicion of DUI READER POLL: Which part of the Orioles’ roster are you most confident in right now? He caught 55 passes for 673 yards and a career-high 11 touchdowns last season after not scoring for the first five weeks of the season. He continued to be a reliable safety valve in one of the most efficient offenses in league history, as measured by DVOA. His Buffalo blunder was a shocking way for the season to end. It cornered Andrews’ name into the darkest parts of sports fandom on social media. Jackson took exception to that. “He’s accomplished so much for us and himself,” Jackson said of his 2018 draft mate. “I feel like, just let things happen sometimes.” That Buffalo loss stung. It was clear in Jackson’s voice — contextualized by quarterbacks coach Tee Martin saying Tuesday that Jackson was hard on himself going back and watching the tape. The two-time NFL Most Valuable Player added a little extra oomph on this next part. He was speaking as much for himself as he was defending his tight end. “We wish we woulda won that game,” Jackson said. “I wish I didn’t throw that interception. I wish I didn’t fumble. I wish that mishap didn’t happen. But it happened. It’s just a lesson learned. Next time, we’ll do something better.” Have a news tip? Contact Sam Cohn at scohn@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/samdcohn. Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson speaks to the media after Tuesday's practice in Owings Mills. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff) View the full article

Ravens offensive lineman Ben Cleveland, who was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence in Georgia in February, has pleaded not guilty, according to Baldwin County court records. His trial is scheduled for July 15. The Ravens did not immediately respond to a message seeking comment. Cleveland, 26, was stopped at 10:25 p.m. on Feb. 12 in Milledgeville, a city of roughly 16,000 that is about 90 miles southeast of Atlanta, after police observed his black Ford F-250 failing to maintain its lane, weaving in between the lines and nearly going into a ditch, according to the arrest report. The 6-foot-7, 315-pound Cleveland told police that he had “approximately 3-4 beers” and was coming from a nearby country club but had not consumed any alcohol within two hours, the report said. However, Cleveland, who was wearing a medical boot on his left foot at the time, failed at least one field sobriety test, and a breathalyzer issued at the scene came back with a blood alcohol level of 0.178, more than double the legal limit of .08. He was arrested and charged with driving under the influence of alcohol and failure to maintain his lane. What discipline he might receive from the NFL also remains to be seen. According to the league’s and Players Association’s policy on substance abuse, a player can be fined, suspended or face other “appropriate discipline” if convicted of or if admitting to a violation of the law relating to the use of alcohol. That includes a three-game suspension without pay for a first offense. Games included in the suspension can’t be preseason contests. If there are aggravating circumstances, including “extreme intoxication” of a blood alcohol level of 0.15% or more, increased discipline may be imposed, according to the policy. Despite the arrest, the Ravens re-signed Cleveland in March to a one-year deal worth $1.17 million, according to Over The Cap, shortly after the 2021 third-round draft pick out of Georgia became a free agent. While perhaps surprising after his playing time had decreased significantly, the move came after last season’s starting left guard, Patrick Mekari, signed with the Jacksonville Jaguars and reserve guard/tackle Josh Jones with the Seattle Seahawks. Cleveland, who was absent from at least one voluntary organized team activities practice earlier this month and did not participate in another, is expected to provide depth along a relatively young offensive line. Related Articles READER POLL: Which part of the Orioles’ roster are you most confident in right now? Inside the Ravens’ roughly $20M overhaul to Owings Mills practice facility 5 things we learned from Ravens OTAs and what to watch at minicamp Ravens’ John Harbaugh roasted by brother for missed catch at Orioles game Ravens see breakout year ahead for this pass rush ‘centerpiece’ Andrew Vorhees, who is entering his third year after sitting out his first with a knee injury and losing his starting left guard job in part because of an ankle injury last season, is the favorite to start at left guard this season. Last season, Cleveland played easily the fewest snaps of his career on offense (49), though he did contribute 117 snaps on special teams as part of the field goal and extra point block units after he blocked a field goal attempt in Baltimore’s win over the Commanders in October. Ravens training camp will open in late July, though an official start date has yet to be announced. Have a news tip? Contact Brian Wacker at bwacker@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/brianwacker1. View the full article

Don’t look now, but the Orioles are steadily climbing back toward competitiveness. After a 4-2 homestand and sweep of the Los Angeles Angels, Baltimore enters its road trip in Tampa, Florida, against the Rays with a 30-40 record and is now six games out of a playoff spot. The Orioles have a long way to go, but they are playing better baseball. We want to hear from you. Which part of the roster are you most confident in right now? After you vote, leave a comment and we might use your take in The Baltimore Sun. The Baltimore Sun reader poll is an unscientific survey in which website users volunteer their opinions on the subject of the poll. To read the results of previous reader polls, click here. View the full article

This week’s Ravens two-day mandatory minicamp on Tuesday and Wednesday in Owings Mills will mark the end of practices for players until the start of training camp in late July. Construction on the team’s massive training complex, however, marches on. For the past several weeks, multimillion-dollar renovations to “The Castle” have been ongoing with furious pace. Those enhancements are also largely player-focused. Although the Ravens declined to provide specifics through a team spokesperson, who said they will have more details once the work is completed, building permits filed with Baltimore County detail the changes taking place. According to the permits, the Ravens are building a one-story addition on the rear of the facility, with some of that dedicated to a revamped training room. That includes removing and relocating hydrotherapy pools, along with adding new pools, saunas and a steam room. The total cost of renovations is estimated at $20 million, according to the permits. “I want the best for my players,” owner Steve Bisciotti said in an interview for the team’s website earlier this year. “The facility, that’s just a no-brainer. I wouldn’t get caught behind; I’d rather be one step ahead of that stuff.” The changes also come after Baltimore received middling marks in the two most recent NFL Players Association team report cards, with the training room graded a C-plus in 2023 and B-minus in 2024. “Part of our legacy really needed an investment on the football side,” team president Sashi Brown also told the team’s website. “There’s been so much progress and evolution. You’ve seen colleges at the D-1 level and other facilities built around the NFL that have just progressed and pushed forward what a modern training facility looks like.” Related Articles 5 things we learned from Ravens OTAs and what to watch at minicamp Ravens’ John Harbaugh roasted by brother for missed catch at Orioles game Ravens see breakout year ahead for this pass rush ‘centerpiece’ Ravens assistant gives impassioned speech supporting DC Zach Orr Ravens OTA observations: Owner Steve Bisciotti makes first appearance The renovations come as the team’s home field, M&T Bank Stadium, is in the second of a three-year overhaul that will cost more than $430 million of state money. Last month, the Ravens provided a tour to reporters showcasing the progress of those mostly premium upgrades. This is also just the latest upgrade and expansion to the Ravens’ training facility, which was built in 2004. In 2018, they added 45,000 square feet along with renovating another 35,000. That included a larger locker room, a new auditorium, new meeting rooms, a dining hall, a new broadcast room, a new draft room and a player lounge, among other comforts. Those renovations cost $45 million. Have a news tip? Contact Brian Wacker at bwacker@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/brianwacker1. View the full article

The voluntary portion of Ravens practice is over. Baltimore wrapped up three weeks of organized team activities on Wednesday, with coach John Harbaugh pleased enough with what he saw in the nine two-hour sessions that he decided to cancel the final one. Next up: Mandatory minicamp on Tuesday and Wednesday, when all players who aren’t otherwise injured are expected to hit the field and required to attend in Owings Mills. Though the Ravens had relatively good attendance in OTAs, the final practices before players break before training camp later this month will mark the first time that the entire roster will practice together this offseason. That, of course, includes quarterback and two-time NFL Most Valuable Player Lamar Jackson, who only made one appearance during the first OTA practice open to reporters before retreating to his home in South Florida. Predictably, without Jackson there, practices over the past few weeks haven’t had quite the same level of juice and execution. That should change beginning Tuesday, so here’s a look at what we learned from OTAs and what to look for at this week’s two-day minicamp: Lamar Jackson’s arrival Though Jackson did show for one voluntary practice, he hasn’t spoken with reporters since Baltimore’s season-ending divisional round loss to the Buffalo Bills on Jan. 19. As noted, he also hasn’t practiced much. Whether skipping all but one of the OTAs was contract-related — Jackson’s deal runs through 2027, but general manager Eric DeCosta earlier this month on the “Bmore Baseball” podcast acknowledged that the two sides have begun extension talks — or simply because it was voluntary isn’t clear. But coaches haven’t been too worried about his absence, even if the play of veteran Cooper Rush and second-year quarterback Devin Leary has been inconsistent at best and shoddy at worst. “Lamar, the day he was out of here, played great,” Harbaugh said. “I could see he was in great shape, threw the ball great, made the right reads, knew the offense in an excellent kind of way. I thought he was fantastic. And when he comes back and practices, when that happens, I expect him to play at that level. That’s what you measure. … I’m not measuring, really, the attendance. I mean it’s a voluntary camp, so I’m not measuring that.” Added offensive coordinator Todd Monken, now in his third year in Baltimore: “I always feel good about Lamar. He always comes in ready. I’ve never felt like when we’ve started camp, or whenever he’s been here, that he is not ready.” Presuming Jackson doesn’t skip mandatory minicamp — a la Cincinnati Bengals star edge rusher Trey Hendrickson, who did so over a contract dispute — the expectation is that he’ll be there and that in turn will ratchet up the level of everything from the quality of play to the overall energy and attention. Ravens rookie safety Malaki Starks has already impressed coaches this offseason with his work ethic and knowledge of the game. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff) Defense points to being elite again Rookies Malaki Starks and Mike Green have already drawn rave reviews, something that is rare from coaches at this stage. Starks, a safety and Baltimore’s first-round pick out of Georgia, has been running walk-throughs for rookies at the team hotel all spring. Green, an edge rusher out of Marshall who led the country in sacks last season but fell to late in the second round because of off-field concerns centered around two sexual assault allegations, has shown a high motor and been inquisitive. “He can answer any question in a meeting,” Harbaugh said of Starks. “He’s very much a pro, probably way advanced beyond his years, in terms of being a pro.” Related Articles Ravens’ John Harbaugh roasted by brother for missed catch at Orioles game Ravens see breakout year ahead for this pass rush ‘centerpiece’ Ravens assistant gives impassioned speech supporting DC Zach Orr Ravens OTA observations: Owner Steve Bisciotti makes first appearance Ravens rookie watch: This is what practice looks like for Malaki Starks “From a pass rush standpoint, Mike is skilled,” pass rush coach Chuck Smith said of Green. “Mike can cross-chop; Mike can spin; Mike can ghost. But from that standpoint, Mike is the best example of this new generation that have learned from the pros, and he comes in already really highly skilled up. … His ‘get-off’… I’m just amazed that he’s in his base two-point stance, and he has no false steps. He gets off on the ball fast.” While coaches won’t get a full sense of their skills until the pads go on during training camp, minicamp will serve as another entree, and the depths of Baltimore’s talent will be on full display. So far, inside linebacker Roquan Smith has looked perhaps the fastest he’s been since arriving in Baltimore via trade in 2022, while outside linebacker Odafe Oweh has added 20 pounds of muscle without sacrificing speed. Cornerback Nate Wiggins has also played more physically and with more certainty, while defensive tackle Broderick Washington has arrived in shape and looked powerful. Add all of that to a group that includes Pro Bowl safety Kyle Hamilton, All-Pro slot cornerback Marlon Humphrey, defensive tackles Nnamdi Madubuike and Travis Jones, outside linebacker Tavius Robinson and veteran and last year’s team leader in sacks Kyle Van Noy, and it’s hard to find a weak spot. Even at inside linebacker — one of the more vulnerable groups last year — the Ravens look improved, with Trenton Simpson more communicative and confident, and rookie Teddye Buchanan someone who could potentially contribute meaningfully. With second-year players T.J. Tampa Jr., Sanoussi Kane and Adisa Isaac expected to get a decent share of snaps at cornerback, safety and outside linebacker, respectively, along with the possibility the Ravens add another veteran such as Pro Bowl corner Jaire Alexander, second-year defensive coordinator Zach Orr has plenty of talent at his disposal. Orr’s comfort in Year 2 also can’t be overstated. In the impassioned words of Smith, he was the reason for Baltimore’s turnaround down the stretch last year and is positioned to be the next great, young defensive coordinator. Ravens wide receiver Devontez Walker, shown at the Isaiah Likely charity softball game, has shown improvement thus far this offseason. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff) Wide receiver battles brewing There’s little question over who the Ravens’ top three wide receivers are. Zay Flowers, Rashod Bateman and offseason acquisition DeAndre Hopkins will get most of the targets. Beyond that is where things are worth watching. Devontez Walker, the speedy 2024 fourth-round draft pick out of North Carolina, has had a nice spring thus far. His routes look more polished, and he has played with more physicality in crowded and contested-catch situations. It helps to know the playbook, too. “He’s just way more confident, way more certain when he runs a route,” Harbaugh said. “He’s off the ball. He’s in his break. He’s out of his break. He’s upfield. He goes and gets the ball. Assignment-wise, he comes out of the huddle much more aware.” The question is, can he beat out veteran Tylan Wallace? Now in his fifth year, Wallace is coming off career highs in catches (11) and yards (193) and last season caught his first career touchdown pass. Walker has the higher ceiling and can stretch defenses, while Wallace has been a special teams stalwart. Both will be on the roster, but Walker, who logged just 57 snaps on offense and one catch for a touchdown on just three targets, will have a shot to see more action. That would then leave the sixth receiver spot possibly to rookie LaJohntay Wester, who has made a few nice grabs so far, flashed elite speed and an array of juke moves, and will have a chance to be the starting punt returner. Ravens offensive lineman Andrew Vorhees, shown running a drill with Ronnie Stanley, is battling to reclaim his left guard spot. (Kevin Richardson/Staff) Left guard and the rest of the offensive line Offensive line is as about as glamorous as a fuel pump, but with a bad one, a Ferrari isn’t going anywhere. Sub in the league’s top offense from a year ago, and you get the idea. Which is part of the reason why offensive line coach George Warhop would rather someone win the left guard competition outright rather than having to use a possible rotation. Last season, Andrew Vorhees started at left guard before suffering an ankle injury and being replaced by Patrick Mekari. Though Vorhees never regained the job, he did play “very, very well,” Warhop said, in Week 18 against the Cleveland Browns while filling in for an under-the-weather Mekari. Warhop said that he has also been impressed with Vorhees this spring, so that would mean that he’s the front-runner for the starting role, with veteran Ben Cleveland, Darrian Dalcourt and seventh-round rookie Garrett Dellinger behind him. The rest of the starters up front, meanwhile, figure to be the same as last year with Pro Bowl selections Ronnie Stanley and Tyler Linderbaum at left tackle and center, respectively, Roger Rosengarten at right tackle and likely Daniel Faalele at right guard. The Ravens also added some depth with veteran tackle Joseph Noteboom and six other rookies, including tackles Emery Jones Jr., who has yet to practice because of a shoulder injury, and Carson Vinson. One thing the group has to get better at, though, is avoiding penalties. Baltimore’s 132 penalties last season were the second-most in the league, and 45 of them were on the offensive line, which led the NFL. It’s a trend that has continued to the offseason, too. Asked last week whether he was encouraged by what he saw during OTAs, Warhop said, “Too many false starts, so no. We’ve got to be better.” Some of that could be attributed to a mismatched medley of players participating this time of year, as well as a new quarterback (Rush) learning a new offense. But Baltimore also can’t keep putting its high-octane offense behind schedule when it comes to the games that do matter. Ravens outside linebacker David Ojabo walks with his dog Prince during the Isaiah Likely Softball Slam. Ojabo faces stiff competition to earn reps at pass rusher. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff) Ojabo on the outside looking in This summer is critical for David Ojabo. The oft-injured linebacker has appeared in just 18 games (one start) since Baltimore selected him in the second round of the 2022 draft, with last year’s 13 games marking the first time he appeared in more than three in a season. He’s also in the final year of his contract. “A lot of times when you’re getting healthy, you’re not necessarily gaining, you’re just trying to manage to get back to where you started,” Smith said of Ojabo. “So now I think this offseason, his platform has raised, from the standpoint of, he’s had a chance to work harder. He has a chance to do the different things that it takes from a strength standpoint, and he has worked really hard.” So far, though, he hasn’t stood out, and that figures to only get more difficult to do. Oweh, Van Noy and Robinson are ahead of him on the depth chart. Isaac is entering just his second year and is under contract through 2027, and the Ravens drafted Green. That’s already five outside linebackers, which is what they kept on the initial 53-man roster last season. Have a news tip? Contact Brian Wacker at bwacker@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/brianwacker1. View the full article

Ravens coach John Harbaugh and Los Angeles Chargers coach Jim Harbaugh have long been rivals on and off the field, but the brothers have never let that competition get between their relationship. Baseball is apparently a different story. After wrapping up the final Ravens practice of organized team activities on Wednesday, John Harbaugh attended the Orioles’ 10-1 win against the Detroit Tigers at Camden Yards and sat behind home plate next to Baltimore icon and minority team owner Cal Ripken Jr. That alone would be noteworthy for fans, but what happened next is what got everyone’s attention. Early in the game, a foul ball drifted behind the plate and landed just behind the netting near Harbaugh and Ripken in the second row of seats near the home dugout. Neither attempted to make the catch, leading to a brief interaction between Orioles catcher Adley Rutschman and his fellow Baltimore sports celebrities. Jim Harbaugh couldn’t let that stand. After Thursday’s practice in El Segundo, California, the 61-year-old Chargers coach called out his older brother for his lack of effort on the play. “The lesson there is to keep your eye on the ball … that was a can of corn,” said Jim, who joked that he didn’t want to bring it up but returned from his session with reporters to do just that. Jim said he would never advise Ripken, a Hall of Fame shortstop who set the MLB record for consecutive games played during his 21-year career in Baltimore. But he noted that his 62-year-old brother was once a “tremendous middle infielder” and lamented that he didn’t bring a glove to the game. Jim has previously said that he brings a glove to every baseball game he attends, and he told the San Jose Mercury News in 2014 that he had caught 20 balls over the years. “Every time I’ve ever gone to a baseball game, that’s my main focus,” Jim told the newspaper. “Going and getting a ball.” After canceling the Ravens’ final OTA session scheduled for Thursday, John won’t have a chance to respond publicly until next week’s mandatory minicamp. He’s had the upper hand on the field, however, going 3-0 against his younger brother, including a victory over Jim’s San Francisco 49ers in Super Bowl XLVII and a 30-23 win over Los Angeles last season. Have a news tip? Contact sports editor C.J. Doon at cdoon@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/CJDoon. View the full article

There is a firm belief within the Ravens’ pass rush room that Tavius Robinson is tracking toward a breakout year. He sits in the front row of every meeting room. He’s never missed a practice or a lifting session. And he’s never missed a meal, John Harbaugh said, only half-jokingly. Even team owner Steve Bisciotti made a comment to the Ravens coach about No. 95 during Wednesday’s voluntary practice at organized team activities. When Robinson’s out there, Harbaugh said, “he plays full throttle.” He passed the baton to his pass rush coach, Chuck Smith, who heaped even more praise on the burly outside linebacker entering his third season in Baltimore. “Listen,” Smith said, as if he wanted to be sure anyone within earshot caught his next words. “Tavius Robinson doesn’t get enough credit because Tavius Robinson is one of our centerpieces.” Robinson was drafted 124th overall in 2023 out of Mississippi by way of Ontario, Canada. The 26-year-old hasn’t missed a practice in his career. “I’d be dead wrong to miss out on something,” he said, flashing the smile that never seems to leave his face. It’s been a year-over-year climb. As a rookie, Robinson played 29% of the team’s defensive snaps, buried down the depth chart, siloed from the core pass rush group that led the NFL in sacks with 60: Kyle Van Noy, Jadeveon Clowney and Odafe Oweh. Smith called Robinson a “glass eater” during training camp last summer, implying that he’d be ready for a step forward. “Everybody here will see that,” he said. That manifested into Robinson playing 43% of the defensive snaps, logging 3 1/2 sacks and 12 quarterback hits (fourth most on the team), a leap forward from his one sack and one quarterback hit as a rookie. Smith’s “glass eater” comments were met by some skepticism at the time. But Robinson showed tangible improvement in 2024, even if this past season’s group was paced by a pair of double-digit sackers in Van Noy and Oweh, both of whom are returning. To some extent, Smith thinks it’s merely a matter of reps. If Robinson took 250 pass rush reps per year, he might start flirting with a double-digit sack season himself. Harbaugh said in December that he viewed Robinson as a newly established three-down player. Defensive coordinator Zach Orr felt as if he noticed Robinson playing faster and more aggressively. There were signs that he could lean fully into playing as a pass rusher. “Tavius Robinson, now,” Smith said, “is going to be, I believe, a bona fide pass rusher.” Ravens outside linebacker Tavius Robinson works out at Wednesday's practice. Pass rush coach Chuck Smith said the third-year player "doesn't get enough credit." (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff) When it comes to breakout years, Robinson doesn’t have to look far for guidance. Oweh is coming off his own in Year 4. The 2021 first-round pick notched five sacks in two of his first three seasons. He returned stronger and with cleaner technique. That, coupled with an uptick in reps, earned Oweh his first double-digit sack hoodie, a coveted reward from Smith. That’s a lofty mark to predict for Robinson. But it’s reasonable to envision, as Smith is adamantly predicting, more forward progress. “Going into my third year, things are coming smoother,” Robinson said of why this could be his breakout season. “The way I see plays. As the years have gone on, it’s gotten easier. I can see plays better. It’s kind of like taking it to the next level every year. I think this year is gonna be great for sure.” Everyone in the pass rush room has a unique trait or a signature style, Smith said. Robinson’s is his power. His bread and butter is his bull rush move. He’s never had any problems putting hands on people, but one focal point for him last summer was to improve his pull-through technique. Related Articles Ravens assistant gives impassioned speech supporting DC Zach Orr Ravens OTA observations: Owner Steve Bisciotti makes first appearance Ravens rookie watch: This is what practice looks like for Malaki Starks Ravens kicking competition brewing? Both rookies are impressing. Broncos, former Ravens RB J.K. Dobbins agree to one-year deal He spent this offseason adding rush moves to his repertoire. Robinson wants to explode off the line, try to knock an offensive lineman off balance to disrupt the pocket. His improvements have been rooted in his ability to play off that initial strike. Some of what he’ll be able to contribute is tough to gauge during OTAs. Players don’t wear pads, meaning in scrimmage situations that pass rushers aren’t firing off the line like they normally would. Individual drills can provide a glimpse. Training camp will offer a better analysis of what Robinson’s third season might entail. Still, there’s a clear consensus from those in meeting rooms with Robinson and who see his reps up close that this is the year he might break out. “Make no bones about it,” Smith said, “Tavius Robinson is a centerpiece on our defensive front.” Have a news tip? Contact Sam Cohn at scohn@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/samdcohn. View the full article

It was the last question after the last voluntary practice of organized team activities Wednesday in Owings Mills, and pass rush coach Chuck Smith couldn’t wait to share his thoughts on second-year defensive coordinator Zach Orr. The words were as impassioned as they were revealing. Asked about Orr’s growth from last spring to this one, Smith spoke fervently for 2 1/2 minutes about Orr, calling him the “truth,” “smart,” and a “special coach.” His answer also appeared to lessen the impact of former senior adviser Dean Pees. “I was hoping somebody asked me this,” Smith began. “All of last year, I was watching everybody broadcasts and talking. I’ve lived it; I’ve walked it; I’ve seen it. I watched this coordinator stand on 10 toes. Zach is the guy. “Zach Orr, I’m telling you, is going to be an incredible coordinator, and let me tell you why. When we were struggling last year, I watched him stand in front of these mics every week and talk to you all, and he didn’t flinch.” Over the first half of last season, Baltimore had one of the NFL’s worst pass defenses in what was Orr’s first season calling defensive plays on any level. The nadir came in a Week 10 win over the AFC North foe Bengals, with Cincinnati quarterback Joe Burrow torching the Ravens for 428 yards and four touchdowns despite being without No. 2 receiver Tee Higgins. His top target, Ja’Marr Chase, also went wild, with 11 catches for 264 of those yards and three scores. The game also sparked changes, with Orr meeting with players, altering the structure of defensive meetings as well as making personnel and scheme adjustments. Down the stretch, Baltimore boasted one of the league’s top defenses. “Zach Orr looked those players in the eye, and he never lets the highs get too high or the lows get too low; he stayed in the middle,” Smith said. “And I’m telling you, he always would be positive, but he was tough. He’s tough on the coaches and the players. He would tell everybody, and he would show everybody how close we were to actually having success. It might be an angle of a defensive back running to the ball, or it might be a pass rusher that ran past the quarterback, and the quarterback ran, and he led.” It was after a Week 5 win over the Bengals in another wild shootout, however, that Pees, who was the Ravens’ defensive coordinator from 2012 to 2017, was brought on by coach John Harbaugh. Harbaugh described him as a good sounding board and credited him for connecting last year’s defense to prior ones. Should the Ravens' defense return to being among the best in the NFL this season, Zach Orr could be a head coaching candidate next offseason. (Kim Hairston/Staff) On Wednesday, Smith pointed to Orr, though. “I know last year a lot of people in the media were saying, ‘Well, this guy came in and helped,’” Smith said in an apparent reference to Pees. “No, Zach Orr did it. Zach Orr, in those rooms, with the coaches, he led, he made the changes in support with coach Harbaugh and the guys on that staff. But, Zach Orr truly led the charge. I’m a witness to it, and I’ve been wanting to say this, because the dude is the truth. Dude didn’t flinch, and dude is going to be one of the best coordinators in the league. Related Articles Ravens OTA observations: Owner Steve Bisciotti makes first appearance Ravens rookie watch: This is what practice looks like for Malaki Starks Ravens kicking competition brewing? Both rookies are impressing. Broncos, former Ravens RB J.K. Dobbins agree to one-year deal Ravens OTA observations: Lamar Jackson forfeits $750K workout bonus “He is smart, he is a leader, and when you watch him work every day, this dude comes to work, I’m telling you. I’m just glad that was my last question, because I wanted to set the record straight because I’m a part of it, and I have no reason to come up here and ‘B.S.’ you all, because you know how I roll. But, Zach Orr was the one who changed what we did last year, and give [coach] John Harbaugh a lot of credit. He was in there with us, too. But, I’ve got to give Zach most of the credit for the adjustments that happened in that secondary … He’s a special coach, and I’m really blessed to be around a guy like that.” Should the Ravens’ defense return to being among the best in the NFL this season, Orr could be a head coaching candidate next offseason. Pees, meanwhile, is expected to stay on as a consultant but will not have a full-time role, according to Harbaugh. Pees’ son, Matt, was also hired as the team’s assistant inside linebackers coach this offseason. Have a news tip? Contact Brian Wacker at bwacker@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/brianwacker1. View the full article

Wednesday marked what ended up being the final voluntary practice of organized team activities for the Ravens with coach John Harbaugh deciding to cancel Thursday’s edition, but it marked the first appearance on the field for team owner Steve Bisciotti. Bisciotti made his way to the festivities via his golf cart, then saddled up next to Harbaugh for much of the two hours, bending his coach’s ear at times during warmups and individual drills as well as team action. It’s also not particularly unusual for Bisciotti to be on hand for practices in the spring and summer. Bisciotti, who hasn’t spoken with reporters since 2022, has had a busy offseason, most notably including the team parting ways with kicker Justin Tucker after he was accused of sexually inappropriate behavior by several massage therapists from several Baltimore-area spas. It won’t be his last appearance, either, with the 65-year-old usually a presence during training camp, which will kick off later this month. Hamilton arrives Ravens Pro Bowl safety Kyle Hamilton attended Wednesday’s voluntary practice, his first in since sessions opened to reporters two weeks ago. His presence could be an indication that contract negotiations between the club and Hamilton are moving in the right direction. The Ravens have already exercised Hamilton’s fifth-year option worth $18.6 million, guaranteeing that he will be a member of the team in 2026. As a rookie and No. 14 overall pick in the 2022 draft out of Notre Dame, Hamilton signed a four-year deal worth $16.25 million. He might be NFL’s top safety and last year finished second on the team in tackles with 107. He has also emerged as an impact player near the line of scrimmage as far as stopping the run and rushing the passer. Combined with rookie Malaki Starks, the team’s first-round pick out of Georgia, the Ravens have one of the best safety tandems in the league, but it will cost them. It will be an interesting month or two leading into training camp. Besides Hamilton, the Ravens are expected to extend the contracts of quarterback Lamar Jackson and center Tyler Linderbaum, as well as possibly tight end Isaiah Likely and defensive tackle Travis Jones. Ravens left tackle Ronnie Stanley is in good shape coming off a bounce-back season. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff) Stanley in shape The Ravens’ best running play still seems to be the quick toss around the left end to halfback Derrick Henry. Opposing defensive backs don’t want to see the 6-foot-3, 247-pound Henry running behind left tackle and lead blocker Ronnie Stanley followed by 300-pound fullback Patrick Ricard. That will keep a lot of them up late at night. As for Stanley, his lower body appears to be as thick as a year ago, and that’s another good sign heading into training camp. Andrews’ intensity high Tight end Mark Andrews was running 40-yard sprints at full tilt before practice started Wednesday. A year ago, Andrews appeared hobbled at times catching a pass in full stride, but that won’t be the case this season. Andrews has always had that competitive fire, but it seems more intense after his fumble and dropped 2-point conversion attempt in the Ravens’ AFC divisional round loss to the Buffalo Bills last season. Ravens kicker Tyler Loop converted just five of nine field goal attempts during Wednesday's practice. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff) In the Loop Rookie kicker Tyler Loop is still the favorite to land the starting job to replace the jettisoned Tucker, but he’s had his ups and downs this spring. Wednesday fell into the latter. During one session the sixth-round draft pick converted just five of nine field goal attempts between roughly 32 and 60 yards (the vantage point from where reporters were allowed to watch made it difficult to see the exact spot). Almost all of the four misses were wide right, with one, from approximately 60, sailing wide left. His makes came from 32, 38, 43, 55 and 53 yards, while his other misses were from 50 and 55 (twice). On the upside, distance was not a problem as he has shown to have plenty of leg. Still, as the one kicker that senior special teams coach Randy Brown identified and stumped for ahead of the draft, there is pressure — on Loop and Brown — with it being the only kicker Baltimore has ever used a draft pick on. Opportunities for young players A lot of veterans and expected starters got a decent amount of rest during team play. That paved the way for some of the younger players hoping to make the roster or practice squad to try to show off their skills. Tight end Sam Pitz was one player who made a couple of really nice catches, including one leaping and twisting grab on a deep ball to the sideline during 7-on-7 play and then another contested grab during full team action. Veteran Anthony Miller, who was on the practice squad last season, also made a nice outstretched catch over the middle on a pass from Devin Leary that was too far out in front of him. He then made another one-handed snag, but was out of bounds in the back of the end zone on an overthrown ball. Dayton Wade, who signed a reserve/futures contract earlier this year after spending his rookie season on Baltimore’s practice squad, also had several catches throughout the course of the day. Kane angling for third safety role Second-year safety Sanoussi Kane was “flying” around Wednesday, as Harbaugh put it. He wasn’t wrong. Kane was a regular pest in the secondary during the two-hour session. Though there’s still a long way to go between now and training camp and the start of the regular season, the seventh-round pick out Purdue has a shot at playing a meaningful role after logging just 22 defensive snaps last season and mostly being limited to special teams. “I think he’s taken a big step this year,” Harbaugh said. “Starting to look like he could be that guy.” Harbaugh added that Kane has a “shot” to be the third safety alongside Kyle Hamilton and rookie Malaki Starks. That would certainly help with Ar’Darius Washington expected to be out for most if not all of the season with a torn Achilles tendon. A proclamation like that from Harbaugh at this point is also revealing. Minor injuries There were a few notable players who missed practice because of injuries. Among them were safety Beau Brade, new veteran cornerback Chidobe Awuzie and rookie edge rusher Mike Green. None were due to anything “serious,” Harbaugh said. He added that Brade and Awuzie were dealing with ankle injuries, while Green, who still hasn’t signed his rookie contract, is “fine.” Meanwhile, backup guard Ben Cleveland participated in the first three quarters of practice but was seen walking softly on the sidelines in the last 30 minutes. The fifth-year player and 2021 third-round pick out of Georgia has struggled to stay healthy during his career. The only other player who spends more time in the training room has been cornerback Jalyn Armour-Davis, a 2022 fourth-round pick from Alabama. He has suffered several leg and ankle injuries, but got some extensive work along with second-year cornerback T.J. Tampa Jr. on Wednesday. Ravens safety Kyle Hamilton stretches before works out during OTA at Under Armour Performance Center. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff)Ravens cornerback T.J.Tampa Jr., front, works out during OTA at Under Armour Performance Center. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff)Ravens kicker Tyler Loop, center, lines up a practice kick with fellow kicker John Hoyland, left, during OTA at Under Armour Performance Center. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff)Ravens tackle Ronnie Stanley works out during OTA at Under Armour Performance Center. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff)Ravens left tackle Ronnie Stanley is in good shape coming off a bounce-back season. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff)Ravens special team coordinator Chris Horton, center, conducts OTA at Under Armour Performance Center. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff)Ravens insider linebacker Roquan Smith works out during OTA at Under Armour Performance Center. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff)Ravens outside linebacker Adisa Isaac speaks with media after OTA at Under Armour Performance Center. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff)Ravens outside linebacker Tavius Robinson speaks with media after OTA at Under Armour Performance Center. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff)Ravens pass rush coach Chuck Smith speaks with media after OTA at Under Armour Performance Center. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff)Ravens coach John Harbaugh said that "intentionality has been a real big message in this offseason." (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff)June 11, 2025: Ravens outside linebacker Tavius Robinson works out during OTA at Under Armour Performance Center. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff)Ravens kicker Tyler Loop converted just five of nine field goal attempts during Wednesday's practice. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff)Ravens outside linebacker Adisa Isaac, left, works out during Wednesday's practice. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff)Ravens outside linebacker Adisa Isaac, center, works out during OTA at Under Armour Performance Center. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff)Ravens outside linebacker Adisa Isaac works out during OTA at Under Armour Performance Center. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff)Ravens head coach John Harbaugh, left, and special team coordinator Chris Horton, right, conduct OTA at Under Armour Performance Center. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff)Ravens cornerback T.J.Tampa Jr., works out during OTA at Under Armour Performance Center. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff)Ravens cornerback T.J.Tampa Jr., works out during OTA at Under Armour Performance Center. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff)Ravens head coach John Harbaugh conducts OTA at Under Armour Performance Center. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff)Ravens kicker Tyler Loop lines up a practice field goal during OTA at Under Armour Performance Center. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff)Ravens outside linebacker Tavius Robinson works out during OTA at Under Armour Performance Center. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff)Ravens cornerback T.J.Tampa Jr., works out during OTA at Under Armour Performance Center. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff)Ravens outside linebacker Tavius Robinson works out during OTA at Under Armour Performance Center. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff)Show Caption1 of 24Ravens safety Kyle Hamilton stretches before works out during OTA at Under Armour Performance Center. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff)Expand Final practice Initially, the Ravens were scheduled to have another voluntary practice on Thursday. But on Wednesday, Harbaugh decided to cancel it. The past few weeks, he said, were about “weeding” and preparing for training camp later this month after next week’s two-day mandatory minicamp. The full team is expected to be on hand, including quarterback Lamar Jackson, who has been absent since the first OTA open to reporters. “I feel really great about it,” Harbaugh said of the past few weeks. “Intentionality has been a real big message in this offseason. We’re trying to be intentional about everything we do, understand what we do, we do it for a reason and understand what the reason is. “I believe they’ve really taken it to heart and when you do that it makes for a better practice, so I feel really good about the practices.” In the next breath, however, he said there are still “lots of things” to work on, something we’ll see in earnest beginning next week before players break for camp. Extra points • Let’s see how the Ravens use rookie Aeneas Peebles, a sixth-round pick and defensive linemen out of Virginia Tech. Peebles has exceptional quickness and could be a factor in passing situations, but his 289 pounds is on a 6-foot frame. He could form an effective pass rushing combination with end Nnamdi Madubuike, but he might get pushed around in the run game. • It’s early, but two of the team’s top linebackers have been impressive. That includes veteran Roquan Smith, but third-year outside linebacker Trent Simpson has also played well. Simpson has been effective as a pass rusher, but his added 10 to 15 pounds of bulk is clearly noticeable. • Neither of the backup quarterbacks, Cooper Rush or Leary, have been impressive. Rush has been more disappointing because he had success with Dallas, but he hasn’t shown much touch on the long ball. Leary appears to be a training camp casualty. • Emery Jones Jr., the rookie right tackle and third-round pick from LSU, was expected to challenge for some playing time this season, but that will be difficult after he had recent shoulder surgery and has not lifted weights in several months. Have a news tip? Contact Brian Wacker at bwacker@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/brianwacker1. Contact Mike Preston at epreston@baltsun.com, 410-332-6467 and x.com/MikePrestonSun. View the full article

Nearly every player on the Ravens finds time to kneel during practice. Whether it’s in between drills, as they watch other teammates or during post-practice prayers, most will take a brief break from standing in the summer heat. Except safety Malaki Starks. The first-round draft pick didn’t leave his feet during Baltimore’s practice on Friday. Starks was one of the first teammates to high-five backup defenders after drills, constantly spoke with coaches during breaks and made a leaping interception in man coverage against tight end Mark Andrews. Starks chuckled when asked about his unwillingness to leave his feet. Arriving from Georgia coach Kirby Smart’s program, the rookie was surprised by the relative freedom of the NFL. On his first day in Baltimore, he was told to arrive at the facility at 6:30 a.m. “What time do I [really] have to be there?” Starks asked. The team responded by sending the schedule again. “At Georgia, you don’t sit down,” Starks said. “The league is a little different; they’re not as strict. I mean, this is your job.” To get a sense of the rookie’s early impact in Baltimore, The Baltimore Sun followed Starks for Friday’s practice. Here’s what we observed. Starks wakes up at 5:50 a.m. and is at the Ravens’ practice facility by 6:30 a.m. to use the cold tub and hot tub before practice starts. He warmed up with cornerback Nate Wiggins, safety Beau Brade and rookie cornerback Robert Longerbeam. Starks seemed reserved, calmly going through each workout with relative ease. The rookie is notably bigger than most of his defensive back peers, standing at 6 feet 1 and 203 pounds. But his mobility was also evident during a secondary drill, smoothly flipping his hips back and forth. Defensive coordinator Zach Orr said that Starks can play a variety of positions, but the rookie lined up as the deep safety for the majority of practice. During last offseason, Orr was watching the esteemed Georgia defense and other defensive back prospects. He kept circling back to the Bulldogs’ No. 24. It’s part of why Starks earned the “red star” grade from Baltimore’s scouting department, the team’s highest designation for a prospect. Related Articles Ravens kicking competition brewing? Both rookies are impressing. Broncos, former Ravens RB J.K. Dobbins agree to one-year deal Ravens OTA observations: Lamar Jackson forfeits $750K workout bonus After viral moment, Ravens RT Roger Rosengarten has ‘way more confidence’ Ravens OTA observations: A rookie flashes, but where are the veterans? “By week or by game plan, he played all around the secondary, and he still was the best player back there,” Orr said. Starks played alongside Wiggins, Brade and cornerbacks Marlon Humphrey and Jalyn Armour-Davis during team periods. He seemed to be a strong communicator, signaling with his hands and talking to Humphrey after reps. During a break, linebacker Roquan Smith and Starks shared a long conversation. Kyle Hamilton has been mostly absent during OTAs, but the All-Pro safety and two-time All-Pro Humphrey are ideal role models for the rookie. “I think my biggest thing is, I want to learn from Kyle,” Starks said. “He’s the best safety in the league, and Marlon is the best nickel in the league. So just being able to be around those guys and take pieces from their game and figuring out and really just pick their knowledge and be a sponge is huge.” The rookie’s highlight of the day came during the 11-on-11 red zone drill. Starks covered Andrews in man-to-man coverage before intercepting a pass from Cooper Rush. The rest of the defense sprinted after Starks, waving their arms in excitement. Senior secondary coach Chuck Pagano even joined in on the fun, pointing at the offensive coaching staff. But the play wasn’t perfect. Starks said that Orr and Pagano told him that he bit on Andrews’ initial fake, letting his eyes wander to the quarterback. He recovered to make the interception, but it was a teaching moment, Starks said. “When you come into an organization that’s very successful and has very high standards, I think the expectation is known,” Starks said. “And I think they also did a really good job of like, ‘Hey, you’re a rookie, you’re going to make rookie mistakes’. But just being able to be myself and learn.” Ravens safety Malaki Starks spent time with former NFL coach Jon Gruden in preparation for the draft. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff) On this Friday, there was another respected coach to offer advice to Starks. Longtime NFL coach Jon Gruden observed the Ravens’ practice last week, speaking to the defense on Thursday. Starks and Gruden share a history, as he trained with Gruden in Tampa, Florida, during the predraft process. During their third meeting, the two were watching tape when Gruden told Starks, “Baltimore, they’re going to get you.” Months later, Gruden approached Starks at practice. The circumstances have changed since their last meeting. Starks is expected to be a key cog in the Ravens’ defense alongside Hamilton, forming one of the most potent safety tandems in the NFL. It seems like a perfect fit on paper. “Hey man, I told you [Baltimore was going to get you],” Gruden told Starks at practice. But the rookie’s trying to keep a broader perspective. “It’s not about when you get here. It’s about how long you stay,” Starks said. “Being able to be here for a while, that’s my goal.” Have a news tip? Contact Sam Jane at sjane@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/Sam_Jane230. View the full article

When the Ravens released the embattled Justin Tucker in May, two weeks after drafting a kicker for the first time in the organization’s history, the prevailing reaction was that that selection will be the Week 1 starter. Sixth-round pick Tyler Loop winning the job is still the most likely outcome. But he’s not the only kicker regularly fitting the ball through the uprights during the open portion of practice at organized team activities. John Hoyland has been sharp, too. On Tuesday, Hoyland, an undrafted free agent out of Wyoming, attempted six field goals. The team drill allowed one third-down play for the offense that set up a kick. Hoyland nailed all six, from distances ranging between 37 and 52 yards. Two of them were from an impressive 48. Hoyland’s career long in college was from 56 yards, which he did twice as a senior. Loop last kicked on Monday, part of an alternating plan between the rookies during minicamp and OTAs. He too made all six of his tries from as close as 27 yards and as far as 41. Loop’s most impressive day of voluntary workouts happened last week, when he buried a 60-yarder. His record at Arizona was from 62. The media viewing area at OTAs isn’t always conducive to seeing how close a kick is against either upright. Coach John Harbaugh said Friday that he had a good angle on Loop, noting “they were all right down the middle” and he “made that 60-yarder easily.” These past few days of practice have been particularly strong for the quasi kicking competition. On Thursday, however, Hoyland made only half of his six attempts, including a stretch of three consecutive misses. Both Loop and Hoyland struggled more during rookie minicamp and the first few sessions of OTAs. It seems they’ve both gotten their bearings since. Special teams coach Randy Brown was the one who found Loop. Brown canvassed the country looking for a potential successor to Tucker. He returned to Baltimore and told general manager Eric DeCosta, “There’s one guy that I really covet.” They drafted Loop in the sixth round, making him the favorite in this kicking competition, which has a tad more variability compared to other positions. Related Articles Ravens rookie watch: This is what practice looks like for Malaki Starks Broncos, former Ravens RB J.K. Dobbins agree to one-year deal Ravens OTA observations: Lamar Jackson forfeits $750K workout bonus After viral moment, Ravens RT Roger Rosengarten has ‘way more confidence’ Ravens OTA observations: A rookie flashes, but where are the veterans? Hoyland, on the other hand, was in Baltimore for a tryout last month, then signed with the team after rookie minicamp. He went undrafted, like Tucker in 2012, but is getting every chance to compete. “Both kickers, I thought, looked really good today,” Harbaugh said after the first day of rookie minicamp. “So, we got them out there behind the line with the snap and everything, and I think they made them all, didn’t they? So that’s good to see. It’s a good start that way.” The real competition begins later next month at the start of training camp. Those kicks will be diligently tracked until the powers that be name one a starter and presumably cut the other — although a trade can’t be ruled out. In 2019, the Ravens sent undrafted kicker Kaare Vedvik, a former soccer player from Norway who impressed during the preseason, to the Minnesota Vikings in return for a 2020 fifth-round pick. The Vikings waived him three weeks later, while Baltimore used that selection on defensive tackle Broderick Washington. Have a news tip? Contact Sam Cohn at scohn@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/samdcohn. John Hoyland, an undrafted free agent from Wyoming, is making it a competition so far during practices. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff) View the full article

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — The Denver Broncos beefed up their offensive backfield on Tuesday, agreeing with free agent running back J.K. Dobbins on a one-year deal worth up to $5.25 million. A 2020 second-round pick by the Ravens, Dobbins has an extensive injury history, including an ACL tear in 2021 and a torn Achilles tendon in 2023, but he’s been productive when healthy. He gained a career-best 905 yards on 195 carries and tied his career high with nine rushing touchdowns last year with the Los Angeles Chargers despite missing four games with a sprained knee. Word broke of Dobbins’ acquisition just as the first day of the Broncos’ mandatory minicamp was wrapping up, and coach Sean Payton was coy when asked about, saying, “I’m not going to answer to any reports. I think we’re close.” When Dobbins visited the team last week, Payton said: “It’s just another opportunity to possibly bring in another good football player to help us win.” If healthy, Dobbins figures to be one of the primary ballcarriers along with rookie R.J. Harvey, a second-round draft pick out of Central Florida. Other running backs on the roster include second-year pros Blake Watson and Audric Estime, third-year player Jaleel McLaughlin and fourth-year pro Tyler Badie, a 2022 sixth-round pick of the Ravens who spent most of his childhood in Randallstown. A lot will be expected of Dobbins on third down after the Broncos lost their best pass protector in their backfield when Javonte Williams left for Dallas in free agency. One of Dobbins’ best games last season was at Denver in mid-October, when he rushed 25 times for 96 yards and a touchdown in the Chargers’ 23-16 win. “Yeah, he’s a good back, especially when healthy,” Broncos safety Brandon Jones said. “We kind of go back a little bit to high school and college, so I’m very familiar with him as a person and his game on the field. Yeah, he’s a baller. He was one of the running backs that had the better rushing games against us last year. “So, I’m super excited for him to be here.” Related Articles Jets pass rusher Jermaine Johnson ‘excited’ to face Aaron Rodgers and Steelers in Week 1 Aaron Rodgers says his decision to play for the Pittsburgh Steelers this season was ‘best for my soul’ Ravens OTA observations: Lamar Jackson forfeits $750K workout bonus After viral moment, Ravens RT Roger Rosengarten has ‘way more confidence’ Ravens OTA observations: A rookie flashes, but where are the veterans? View the full article

Lamar Jackson was a full participant for the Ravens’ first open practice of organized team activities on May 28. He hasn’t returned to the field since, costing him $750,000 for the second consecutive year. In the two-time NFL Most Valuable Player’s contract through 2027 is a clause that would pay out three-quarters of a million dollars should Jackson attend at least 80% of the team’s voluntary workouts. He’s stacked enough absences to forfeit that bonus money, lowering his 2025 compensation from $43.5 million to $42.75 million. John Harbaugh hasn’t seemed worried. Attendance isn’t something the longtime Ravens coach is measuring, he said last week. Plus, Jackson was an infrequent participant during last year’s OTAs and proceeded to have the best statistical season of his career. While the franchise quarterback has only practiced once thus far, he has not met with reporters since Baltimore’s AFC divisional round loss against the Buffalo Bills. He’s in the minority there. Only two teams have not made a quarterback available: The Ravens and the Colts. Indianapolis is practicing without Anthony Richardson because of a shoulder injury and presumed backup Daniel Jones met with the media when he signed in free agency three months ago. Encouraging attendance Ten players were absent from Tuesday’s voluntary practice. Two were expected because of previous injuries: Safety Ar’Darius Washington (Achilles tendon) and rookie offensive lineman Emery Jones Jr. (shoulder). Outside linebacker Kyle Van Noy has not attended an OTA practice yet and defensive tackle Nnamdi Madubuike hasn’t been seen at the team’s Owings Mills facility since the first week they hit the field. Jackson, wide receivers Rashod Bateman and DeAndre Hopkins and safety Kyle Hamilton were also, to some extent, expected absentees. There were, conversely, a pair of discouraging absences in the secondary. Second-year safety Beau Brade and cornerback Chidobe Awuzie, whom the Ravens signed this offseason, were both seen leaving the field with injuries on Monday. Neither returned on Tuesday. No update has been provided for either. Tuesday was the first OTA practice for Jake Hummel. The linebacker and special team ace who signed in March was away from the facility to be with his wife, who gave birth to a son last week. Related Articles Broncos, former Ravens RB J.K. Dobbins agree to one-year deal After viral moment, Ravens RT Roger Rosengarten has ‘way more confidence’ Ravens OTA observations: A rookie flashes, but where are the veterans? Could the Ravens sign CB Jaire Alexander? Their history says it’s possible. READER POLL: Will the Orioles compete for a playoff spot this season? The rest of the roster was accounted for on what was perhaps the best-attended OTA practice since the first open session. Two takeaways A Ravens practice sans Jackson is bound to feature some shaky quarterback play, with the caveat that most of the 7-on-7 or 11-on-11 drills were run at three-quarters speed with no tackling. Rookie outside linebacker Mike Green grabbed his first interception in a Ravens jersey. The second-round pick undercut a route in the flat on a throw Devin Leary was trying to squeeze to his right side. Green promptly danced and got a noticeable reaction from his teammates. Sanoussi Kane recorded the day’s only other interception. The second-year safety dropped back toward the right side of the end zone and hauled in a floater from Cooper Rush. John Hoyland, an undrafted rookie kicker out of Wyoming, was sharp on Tuesday during Ravens OTAs. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff) Kicker impresses The undrafted kicker sent out on the practice field fighting for reps with sixth-round pick Tyler Loop looked sharp Tuesday afternoon. John Hoyland went a perfect 6-for-6 on his field goal attempts. Three were from 48 yards, one was from 46 and another was from 37. His longest of the day sailed through the uprights from 52 yards. Presnap penalty issues persist In 2024, the Ravens led the NFL in penalties with 140. Of those infractions, 21 occurred in the first four weeks of the season. All told, Baltimore was a middle-of-the-pack team in presnap penalties — far worse than expected for a team in Super Bowl contention. It was a point of emphasis in meetings all of last year, second-year offensive line coach George Warhop said. And it has continued into camp. Asked whether he’s seen encouraging signs these past few weeks, Warhop said matter-of-factly, “Too many false starts. So, no. We gotta do better.” Warhop said that defensive holding penalties were a particular point of emphasis from Harbaugh. But for the offense, it was presnap infractions. ‘Glad he’s back’ Before left tackle Ronnie Stanley signed his three-year, $60 million extension in March, second-year right tackle Roger Rosengarten was, admittedly, bugging him endlessly. He tried recruiting other offensive linemen to do the same. Rosengarten took a small vacation with his family shortly after the season ended and was still texting or calling Stanley every day. “I was like, ‘Left side’s lookin’ real good,’” said Rosengarten, who would have likely moved to left tackle had Stanley departed in free agency. Rosengarten wanted to keep his mentor and blind side counterpart around, “because I thought we had a really good dynamic duo of me and him bouncing off each other from left to right. I think it all played out at the end of the day, glad he’s back.” Stanley signed the deal in early March. Rosengarten said his message that day wasn’t necessarily a “thank you,” but read more like a “finally” or a sigh of relief for the sake of continuity and keeping the All-Pro in town. Have a news tip? Contact Sam Cohn at scohn@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/samdcohn. View the full article

Ravens second-year right tackle Roger Rosengarten doesn’t consider himself a “nobody” anymore. “I think last year ‘nobody’ was kind of a harsh word for myself,” he said Tuesday in Owings Mills. “I’d much rather [have said], ‘I know I’m a rookie.'” It was amid last season’s Week 18 rout of the Cleveland Browns at M&T Bank Stadium that Baltimore’s second-round draft pick out of Washington introduced himself to one of the game’s premier pass rushers, Myles Garrett. Between plays, he sought a jersey after the game from the four-time All-Pro and 2023 NFL Defensive Player of the Year. Garrett replied in the affirmative, but then heaped praise on the rookie starter. “Hey, you’re in the league,” he said in a moment that NFL Films captured for “Hard Knocks: In Season With the AFC North.” “Y’all winning games. Y’all looking great. You ain’t never a nobody. I got you.” Just over a week later, Garrett lived up to his word. Quarterback Lamar Jackson delivered an autographed jersey to Rosengarten in the Ravens’ locker room. It was a cool moment for the first-year starter. It was also telling of just how far he’d come in a short time. On Rosengarten’s first play in Week 1 against the defending Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs, defensive tackle Chris Jones made the rookie go viral for a different reason. The three-time All-Pro shot past him and strip-sacked Jackson. The turnover led to a go-ahead touchdown for the Chiefs, who never relinquished the lead. Later that week, Rosengarten acknowledged that he’d gotten the “rookie yips” in what was his “welcome-to-the-NFL moment.” Related Articles Broncos, former Ravens RB J.K. Dobbins agree to one-year deal Ravens OTA observations: Lamar Jackson forfeits $750K workout bonus Ravens OTA observations: A rookie flashes, but where are the veterans? Could the Ravens sign CB Jaire Alexander? Their history says it’s possible. READER POLL: Will the Orioles compete for a playoff spot this season? “My first play was not how you want it to go,” he said Tuesday. “I wanted to build off that.” That he did. Two weeks later, it was Rosengarten’s block (along with one by tight end Mark Andrews) that helped spring Derrick Henry for an 87-yard touchdown run on Baltimore’s first offensive play in a blowout of the Buffalo Bills in Baltimore. He continued to progress and by midseason was a largely dependable blocker in the pass and run game. Rosengarten allowed just four sacks and 36 pressures on 548 pass blocking snaps, according to Pro Football Focus. That included not giving up any against Garrett, who finished the year with 14 sacks, in that finale. And despite opening the season with PFF grades of 31.0 in pass blocking and 48.2 in run blocking, he finished the year with a total grade of 70 in the former and 60.7 in the latter — good marks in a division replete with elite pass rushers, including Pittsburgh Steelers standout T.J. Watt and Cincinnati Bengals star Trey Hendrickson, who led the NFL with 17 1/2 sacks last season. Still, there is much to work on, offensive line coach George Warhop said. Rosengarten also said that he’s his own toughest critic. There isn’t one specific area he’s trying to improve on — there are “about 10 or 11.” “Too many to list,” he said. “I’m super critical of myself.” Roger Rosengarten said he's "super critical of myself." (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff) One thing that should help is the return of left tackle Ronnie Stanley. A Pro Bowl selection last season and All-Pro in 2021, Stanley was due to hit free agency this offseason but instead signed a three-year, $60 million extension to remain in Baltimore. Before that, there had been talk about the possibility of moving Rosengarten to the left side should Stanley bolt. Along the way, Rosengarten, who was one of the players Stanley routinely tutored after practice last season, wrangled some of his fellow offensive linemen to encourage the veteran to stick around with regular text messages about how good the left side of the line could be with Stanley returning. Once the deal was done, the message was “finally.” It was an important one, too. Though the Ravens have some potential questions about their two guard spots with Daniel Faalele returning on the right side and Andrew Vorhees hoping to regain his spot on the left side after suffering an ankle injury an being replaced by the since-departed Patrick Mekari, they are in good shape elsewhere with Stanley, Rosengarten and Pro Bowl center Tyler Linderbaum. “I thought we had a really good dynamic duo of me and him and just bouncing off each other from left to right,” Rosengarten said of his relationship with Stanley. “I think it all played out at the end of the day. “Going into this year, I’m gonna play with way more confidence.” Have a news tip? Contact Brian Wacker at bwacker@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/brianwacker1. View the full article

Let’s start this off by saying it was only voluntary organized team activities, and the final Ravens roster won’t be determined for several more months. But it’s never too early to make observations. Several veterans didn’t show up for the third week of OTAs, including quarterback Lamar Jackson, wide receivers Zay Flowers and DeAndre Hopkins, left tackle Ronnie Stanley, defensive end Nnamdi Madubuike, outside linebacker Kyle Van Noy, fullback Patrick Ricard and defensive tackle Broderick Washington. Guard Ben Cleveland, who missed the first couple of OTA practices but showed up last week, was at practice in street clothes and did not participate. It’s not that big of a deal; these are, after all, voluntary. But, interestingly, the Ravens had nearly perfect attendance during the first few OTAs, and now they don’t. A lot of the veterans claimed that their divisional playoff loss to the Bills left a “bad taste” in their mouths. I guess that “bad taste” has subsided. Rookie edge rusher is flashing Rookie Mike Green, a second-round draft pick out of Marshall, has outstanding quickness. His “get off” shows the athleticism he needs to become a good pass rusher. We don’t want to anoint him the next Lawrence Taylor, but he has explosiveness, something both outside linebackers of a year ago, Odafe Oweh and David Ojabo, don’t show nearly enough of. In crunch time (aka the playoffs), when the Ravens are facing some of the top quarterbacks in the AFC, they will need a pass rusher who can win a one-on-one matchup or even beat a double-team to get a key sack. Do the Ravens finally have their “go fetch” pass rusher? Or will they have another pass rusher who will disappear against the elite quarterbacks? That’s a key question that could determine their success next season. Checking in on the O-line Second-year right offensive tackle Roger Rosengarten weighed 316 pounds last season but seems to have bulked up in his first full offseason in an NFL weight room. The only offensive lineman who might have outworked him is 6-foot-6, 320-pound guard Andrew Vorhees. Related Articles Could the Ravens sign CB Jaire Alexander? Their history says it’s possible. READER POLL: Will the Orioles compete for a playoff spot this season? Ravens’ Keaton Mitchell running faster after injury: ‘Like a Devin Hester’ Ravens OTA observations: Harbaugh talks Gruden invite, Jackson absence Ravens RB Derrick Henry gets motivation from unlikely source: Adam Sandler Word has it that even the strength coaches got tired of seeing Vorhees in the weight room. As for starting right guard Daniel Faalele, he appears way too big and out of shape. That seems to be the case with the 6-8 and 380-pound Faalele because he always has to play his way into shape. As for the rest of the offensive linemen, it will be hard for any of the rookies to make a major contribution this year outside of Emery Jones Jr, the third-round pick and offensive tackle from LSU. He hasn’t practiced and probably won’t be ready until late in training camp because of a shoulder injury. Mr. ‘Tough guy’ There were a couple of radio guys recently who wanted to hand out the “tough guy” award to Stanley. But he isn’t just tough, he’s smart. Stanley, a 10-year veteran, figured out recently that when a player reaches 30 years of age, he had better work harder in the offseason. He showed last offseason how that would translate to the field, as it finally led to Pro Bowl recognition again after battling knee and ankle injuries for years. It’s no different than other older players who have come through Baltimore, such as tight end Shannon Sharpe, middle linebacker Ray Lewis and defensive back Rod Woodson. One big dude The “Big Body” award goes to C.J. Okoye, the 6-6, 315-pound first-year player and defensive lineman from Agbogugu, Nigeria. We watched him do some work recently, and he punished the two-man sled with straight-up power getting those long arms extended. Not sure how he moves yet, but his muscles and mass are evident. Another player of outstanding girth is 6-3, 327-pound nose tackle John Jenkins. He doesn’t have Okoye’s power, but he could be difficult to move. He looks a lot like former Ravens nose tackle Michael Pierce, just two inches taller. Young guys to watch Some young players to keep an eye on are rookies — cornerback Bilhal Kone, linebacker Teddye Buchanan and second-year receiver Devontez Walker. A perfect match Malaki Starks woke up Monday morning to a text from Baltimore’s new defensive backs coach Chuck Pagano, who eagerly came out of retirement to get back into football. Pagano had sent the rookie safety film at 5 a.m. from Thursday’s practice. “That’s how I want to be coached,” Starks said. “I received that very well. So just being able to have someone like that in my corner, it’s a blessing.” Ravens coach John Harbaugh was without several key veterans during Monday's organized team activities. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff) Absences are notable The practices are voluntary and plenty of guys have trainers elsewhere that they prefer to work out with in the ramp-up to mandatory minicamp later this month or training camp, which starts in late July. Still, there were plenty of notable absences at the first practice of the week. Cornerback Chidobe Awuzie limped off the field after a play near the left sideline during a scrimmage near the end of practice. Awuzie took his shoe off and had a trainer tape his ankle. Coach John Harbaugh did not speak with reporters, and no update was given on his status. CB Tampa making plays Second-year cornerback T.J. Tampa undercut tight end Charlie Kolar on a pass from backup quarterback Cooper Rush up the seam. Tampa reached out, picked the ball out of the air and pirouetted down to the turf, then took off with an impressive interception. It was a fairly well-placed throw and a savvy read by Tampa. He’s someone who has plenty to prove this summer. Tampa’s rookie year was hampered by an ankle injury, playing just 18 defensive snaps in seven games. He’s someone who will be in the mix as the team’s first replacement should a Ravens cornerback suffer an injury. Pagano name-dropped Tampa last week as one of the younger guys who sought feedback on what film he had. DL coach speaks The Ravens had one of the better defensive fronts last year. They allowed the fewest total rushing yards while bringing down the quarterback 54 times, which was the second most in the NFL last year. Much of that credit is owed to defensive line coach Dennis Johnson, who spoke Monday about two additions to the group. Baltimore drafted Aeneas Peebles in the sixth round out of Virginia Tech. He’s an undersized tackle at 6 feet, 289 pounds. But Johnson said that “Peebles has elite get-off. Obviously he’s going to have to learn to play a little more technically sound, the way we play here as time goes. But he’s taking to it, he’s learning, he cares and he wants to be out here.” The other addition, of course, is Jenkins. That signing became official post-June 1, when Pierce’s retirement was processed. Jenkins is in Year 13, playing for his seventh club. “A very polished vet,” Johnson said of Jenkins. “Already in the meeting rooms, you can tell his wisdom from being in the league for so long. Talking with the younger guys, his ability to pick up a playbook and play the way that we play our techniques fairly quickly. Then he comes out today and is executing more of those things. Gotta get him familiar with the system, but very impressed with him so far.” Rookie kicker Tyler Loop had another strong day for the Ravens on Monday. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff) Staying in the Loop Rookie kicker Tyler Loop lined up for six field goals opposite a defense during Monday’s practice. He split the uprights on all six, kicking from what appeared to be 37 yards, 32, 35, 37, 41 and 40. Harbaugh said on Friday that all of Loop’s kicks were “right down the middle,” including one from 60 yards that he made “easily.” Monday’s practice yielded similar results. Have a news tip? Contact Mike Preston at epreston@baltsun.com, 410-332-6467 and x.com/MikePrestonSun. Contact Sam Cohn at scohn@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/samdcohn. View the full article

Seven years ago, Jaire Alexander was mid-interview when he found out that the Ravens had used the final pick of the first round of the NFL draft on quarterback Lamar Jackson. “Let’s go, man!” the cornerback said after he was selected by the Green Bay Packers 14 picks earlier in 2018. “I told you.” “That’s my brother there,” Jackson responded after seeing the footage that same night. “I hope I’m going to play against you, bro. I hated going against you in practice.” Now, it’s possible the two former Louisville stars could be teammates once again. On Monday, the Packers released Alexander, finally bringing to an end a months-long saga between the two sides. Green Bay previously had given the embattled and oft-injured two-time Pro Bowl selection permission to seek a trade. After no deals materialized this offseason — including one with the Buffalo Bills — he will now be free to sign with whichever team he chooses. Though talks with Baltimore have yet to take place, there was some interest last season ahead of the trade deadline, though the discussion didn’t go far because the Ravens preferred not to give up draft compensation, a source with direct knowledge of the situation told The Baltimore Sun. But Baltimore also checks a lot of the boxes in terms of what Alexander is looking for. Among those criteria is a one-year deal, which would allow him to seek a bigger, long-term contract next offseason, and playing for a contender. Though Baltimore ranks 21st in the league in effective cap space at just under $19 million, according to Over The Cap, Alexander, who was set to make $17 million this season but will almost certainly get paid significantly less, is a player the Ravens could afford as a short-term rental on a Super Bowl-caliber roster. The Ravens could also create more cap space through contract extensions, of which there are a handful of candidates, including Jackson, or via restructuring other deals. Importantly, signing Alexander would not be a long-term commitment for a Baltimore team that is ready to contend for a title now. Signing him for a year and him leaving in free agency next offseason could also net the Ravens a compensatory draft pick. There’s also the Jackson factor. Related Articles Ravens OTA observations: A rookie flashes, but where are the veterans? READER POLL: Will the Orioles compete for a playoff spot this season? Ravens’ Keaton Mitchell running faster after injury: ‘Like a Devin Hester’ Ravens OTA observations: Harbaugh talks Gruden invite, Jackson absence Ravens RB Derrick Henry gets motivation from unlikely source: Adam Sandler Two years ago, when he was in the midst of contract negotiations, the quarterback requested that the team sign wide receivers Odell Beckham Jr. and DeAndre Hopkins. It took two separate seasons, but each ended up in Baltimore, with Beckham spending the 2023 season with the Ravens and Hopkins signing this offseason. So, another request, this time to bring Alexander aboard — particularly during another round of contract extension talks — would not be a surprise. Baltimore also has a history of adding veteran, former Pro Bowl players that they can get at the right price. Alexander’s addition would also figure to immediately strengthen a pass defense that ranked 27th in yards allowed per game (238.3) last season and was 17th in interceptions with 13. Currently, Baltimore’s cornerback group includes Marlon Humphrey, Nate Wiggins, Chidobe Awuzie, T.J. Tampa and Jalyn Armour-Davis. They also selected two cornerbacks — Bilhal Kone and Robert Longerbeam — in the sixth round of this year’s draft. Bringing Alexander into that fold would give Ravens defensive coordinator Zach Orr more flexibility and depth. It would also allow him to use Wiggins and Alexander on the outside, with Humphrey, an All-Pro in the slot last season, remaining inside. Awuzie, whom Baltimore signed to a one-year veteran minimum deal this offseason, adds depth and has the versatility to potentially contribute at safety, a position he played in college. Armour-Davis has also seen some reps at safety during voluntary organized team activities this month. Given Awuzie’s and Armour-Davis’ injury history and Tampa’s lack of experience, the Ravens need as much depth as they can find. It’s why Eric DeCosta is fond of saying he can never have too many cornerbacks. Karl Merton Ferron / Baltimore SunRavens quarterback Lamar Jackson hurdles Packers cornerback Jaire Alexander during a preseason game in 2019. The play was called back because of a penalty. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff) Of course, Alexander’s medical file could raise some concerns. He has missed at least 10 games in three of the past four seasons. Last season, he appeared in just seven games because of quadriceps and knee injuries. Only four times in his seven seasons has he played at least 13 games. Only twice has he played a full season. Other reasons could also prevent the Ravens from signing him. A bold player with a brash persona, Alexander was notably suspended for one game in 2023 for “conduct detrimental to the team” when, in his return to the lineup from injury, he inserted himself into the coin toss in a game against the Carolina Panthers — even though he was not designated as a captain with that responsibility that week — and nearly bungled the decision that would have given the Panthers the ball to start both halves. Alexander said afterward that he went onto the field for the coin toss because the game was in his hometown of Charlotte, North Carolina. He has also drawn criticism over his availability, or lack thereof, because of injuries. Still, Alexander has been one of the game’s best cornerbacks when healthy. Despite playing in just seven games last season, he finished second on the team in pass breakups (seven) and tied for second in interceptions (two). In 2022, he had five interceptions and 14 pass breakups in 16 games, and in 2019 had 17 pass breakups and two interceptions, also in 16 games. Over his seven seasons, including the playoffs, Alexander has 15 interceptions. Now the only question is whether his next one will come in a Ravens uniform. Have a news tip? Contact Brian Wacker at bwacker@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/brianwacker1. Jaire Alexander has 15 interceptions in seven seasons. (Jeffrey Phelps/AP file) View the full article

The Orioles are finally showing signs of life. They went 4-2 on their West Coast road trip and have gotten or are expected to get several key players back from injuries. But with a 26-32 record entering Tuesday’s series opener against the visiting Detroit Tigers, it’s fair to wonder if any turnaround would be too little, too late. Will Baltimore, by season’s end, be in the mix for a playoff spot? We want to know your thoughts. After you vote, leave a comment and we might use your take in The Baltimore Sun. The Baltimore Sun reader poll is an unscientific survey in which website users volunteer their opinions on the subject of the poll. To read the results of previous reader polls, click here. View the full article

Keaton Mitchell didn’t waste words. “22.4,” he wrote on X, followed by a yawning emoji. It was a month ago Friday that the Ravens’ speedy running back reached that in mph during a workout inside the field house at the team’s training facility in Owings Mills. Through the first two weeks of practices on grass during organized team activities, he has looked the part, too, turning corners and burning angles of would-be tacklers. Just how much better is the 23-year-old former undrafted free agent out of East Carolina 18 months removed from a devastating knee injury that he suffered in December 2023? His top speed shortly after he signed with Baltimore two years ago, he said, was 22.2 mph, so the answer is he’s even faster. “He looks good,” coach John Harbaugh said Friday. “He looks way better than he did at the end of last season just as far as movement. “I have hopes for him. I expect him to be really good.” Though Mitchell returned to the field in Week 10 last season, he did not look the same. He ran with caution. He didn’t have the same level of acceleration that had raised eyebrows and turned heads his rookie season when he averaged 8.4 yards per carry and 10.3 yards per catch. He appeared in three straight games but only logged two snaps apiece in the first two, didn’t have a single carry or reception and looked cautious in the four kickoffs he returned. Mitchell was then inactive for three straight games before returning for Weeks 16 and 17 when he tallied just 30 yards and a touchdown on 15 carries. He also returned a kickoff 47 yards in the regular-season finale against the Cleveland Browns but he still wasn’t quite the same player. The road back was also at times difficult mentally for Mitchell, so he leaned on teammates and fellow 2023 rookies Tavius Robinson and Trenton Simpson while he was rehabbing his knee. They kept him up to speed on what was happening with the team and offered encouragement. “When you face adversity, you need those type of guys with you just to keep you in a positive mindset,” Mitchell said. Even after he after he returned, he acknowledged that it took time before he felt like himself again. Ravens running back Keaton Mitchell, shown practicing this past season, feels fully recovered from his 2023 knee injury. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff) “The mental part coming back you always thinking about your knee, worried about what’s gonna happen what’s gonna happen if I get tackled,” Mitchell said. “But overcoming that, I’m way much better.” That confidence and a healthy knee also adds another dimension to what was the NFL’s top rushing attack last season, led by Derrick Henry’s bruising 1,921 yards, 5.9 yards per carry and 18 total touchdowns. Mitchell’s speed and shiftiness also gives Baltimore another dynamic weapon alongside quarterback and two-time NFL Most Valuable Player Lamar Jackson, receivers Zay Flowers, Rashod Bateman and DeAndre Hopkins and tight ends Mark Andrews and Isaiah Likely. His presence will also extend to kick returns. Mitchell said Friday that it’s a role he will “definitely” have this season. “I wanna be the one to return the kickoff returns,” he said. “and being able to be like a Devin Hester, like, don’t-kick-it-to-that-guy type of guy.” Related Articles Ravens OTA observations: Harbaugh talks Gruden invite, Jackson absence Ravens RB Derrick Henry gets motivation from unlikely source: Adam Sandler Ravens react to Aaron Rodgers joining Steelers: ‘It’d be great to pick off A-Rod’ Ravens OTA observations: Jon Gruden invited to practice, speaks to defense Ravens’ ‘DB expert’ Chuck Pagano couldn’t wait to come out of retirement Hester, who played for four teams from 2006 to 2016, mostly for the Chicago Bears before spending his final season with the Ravens, is the only return specialist to have been enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame after five kickoff returns and 14 punt returns for touchdowns. With a change to the new dynamic kickoff rule putting touchbacks at the 35-yard line, up from the 30 last season, Mitchell believes he can have a significant impact in that area of the game. “It’s like a natural instinct,” he said. “It’s like an outside zone play for a running back.” Mitchell also finally isn’t thinking about his knee anymore. “I’m out there like normal,” he said. “not worried about what my knee doing.” Have a news tip? Contact Brian Wacker at bwacker@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/brianwacker1. View the full article

The Ravens wrapped up their second week of voluntary organized team activities Friday in Owings Mills, and for the second straight day former NFL coach Jon Gruden was roaming the sideline during the two-hour session. Gruden and Baltimore coach John Harbaugh go back a long way, with the two having worked on Andy Reid’s staff in the late 1990s when Reid was the coach of the Philadelphia Eagles. The former assistants have kept in touch since and recently ran into each other in Tampa, Florida, where Gruden lives and where Harbaugh’s daughter had a lacrosse game. Harbaugh and his offensive coordinator Todd Monken and tight ends coach George Godsey also spent time down there with Gruden last offseason. While Gruden didn’t get a copy of the playbook or a script — “You can only go so far; you’ve got to draw the line somewhere,” Harbaugh said — he did speak to the defense Thursday and the offense Friday. The former coach of the Oakland/Las Vegas Raiders and Tampa Bay Buccaneers also provided Harbaugh with his insights. “He studied us, and basically the message was, ‘If I was game-planning against you and your defense, what would I do and how would I attack you guys?’” Harbaugh said. “And he didn’t just stop there. He watched our offensive guys, he talked to our offensive guys, looked at all the players and had something for each player. “He’s just phenomenal and very, very detailed. [He’s] a great teacher, too.” Gruden’s coaching career also came to an unceremonious and controversial end when, in October 2021 an NFL investigation into the Washington Football Team for workplace misconduct revealed emails that Gruden had sent between 2011 and 2018 to then Washington general manager Bruce Allen that contained racial, misogynistic and homophobic slurs. In his second stint with the Raiders at the time, Gruden resigned shortly after the emails were reported by the New York Times. Gruden won 122 games as an NFL coach, including a Super Bowl title with the Bucs in the 2002 season. After resigning in 2021, Gruden spent 2023 as a consultant for the New Orleans Saints and is currently employed by Barstool Sports. He had no problem speaking up during the Ravens’ practices. “He was grinding pretty good on some guys,” Harbaugh said. “He was letting them know where they can get better, which I respect. I think a great coach is not afraid to tell people where they can improve, and doesn’t every player want to know that?” Lamar Jackson absent again Since showing up for the second voluntary OTA session last week, Lamar Jackson hasn’t been seen since. Not that Harbaugh is too worried about it. “I’m not taking any position on it or judging it, or whatever,” he said. “Lamar, the day he was out of here, played great. I could see he was in great shape, threw the ball great, made the right reads, knew the offense in an excellent kind of way. I thought he was fantastic. Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson, shown at OTAs in May, wasn't at OTAs on Friday. Coach John Harbaugh isn't concerned with Jackson's absence at the voluntary workouts. (Kim Hairston/Staff) “And when he comes back and practices, when that happens, I expect him to play at that level. That’s what you measure. … I’m not measuring the attendance. I mean it’s a voluntary camp, so I’m not measuring that. I love being out here, and I think all the players do. And when Lamar’s out here, I promise you, he loves being out here. You could see it when he was out here. So, he’s my guy. I love him, and I can’t wait to just get into this season and get going.” It’s also not dissimilar to what Jackson did last year, when he was in attendance for OTAs early, absent the middle week and then returned during the final week. He then had career highs in passing yards (4,172) and touchdown passes (41) while directing an offense that became the first to surpass 4,000 passing and 3,000 rushing yards in the same season en route to a 12-5 record and AFC North title. Jackson struggled in the playoffs with two turnovers in a divisional round loss to the Buffalo Bills, but it would be a stretch to pin that on voluntary practices taking place in June when he nearly won a third NFL Most Valuable Player Award for his performance during the regular season. That said, if history is any indication, there’s a chance Jackson could be in attendance next week when Baltimore wraps up OTAs with four more practices between Monday and Thursday. Related Articles Ravens RB Derrick Henry gets motivation from unlikely source: Adam Sandler Ravens react to Aaron Rodgers joining Steelers: ‘It’d be great to pick off A-Rod’ Ravens OTA observations: Jon Gruden invited to practice, speaks to defense Ravens’ ‘DB expert’ Chuck Pagano couldn’t wait to come out of retirement Aaron Rodgers agrees to deal with Steelers, ending months-long dance Other observations • Defensive tackle Travis Jones made the play of the day, batting a pass from backup Cooper Rush up in the air and leaping to haul it in for an interception on the first play of full team work. • It was also one of several interceptions on the day, with the veteran Rush and second-year quarterback Devin Leary both struggling with throws that were either well off-target or easy targets for defenders. Rookie safety Malaki Starks and second-year cornerback Nate Wiggins snagged two of them. • Second-year wide receiver Devontez Walker has enjoyed a nice spring thus far. Thursday, he had a pair of contested catches against Wiggins and fellow cornerback T.J. Tampa and made a pretty over-the-shoulder catch in the end zone on a pass from Leary. • The practices are voluntary, but the intensity for some players and coaches is not. That includes tight Mark Andrews, who let Rush hear about it after the quarterback had three straight incompletions at one point, while Harbaugh was in the ear of a couple of players, including Tampa at one point after yanking him out of one seven-on-seven session. Left tackle Ronnie Stanley also had words with Jones after the opening interception. • With temperatures into the 80s under a toasty midday sun, Broderick Washington and Jones were two players who had to take a knee on the sideline at one point. Guard Daniel Faalele, who struggled to stay on the field Thursday, was a little better Friday. Have a news tip? Contact Brian Wacker at bwacker@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/brianwacker1. Ravens quarterback Cooper Rush works out during OTA at Under Armour Performance Center. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff)Ravens offensive tackle Ronnie Stanley, from left, works out with Carson Vinson during OTA at Under Armour Performance Center. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff)Ravens Sr. Defensive Assistant/Secondary coach Chuck Pagano, right, watches CB work out during OTA at Under Armour Performance Center. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff)Ravens runningback Keaton Mitchell speaks with media after OTA workout at Under Armour Performance Center. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff)Ravens head coach John Harbaugh gets ready to speak with media after OTA workout at Under Armour Performance Center. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff)Ravens coach John Harbaugh speaks with media members Friday. Harbaugh detailed how former NFL coach Jon Gruden's presence at practice this week was beneficial for the team. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff)Ravens cornerback Nate Wiggins speaks with media after OTA workout at Under Armour Performance Center. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff)Ravens kicker John Hoyland works during OTA at Under Armour Performance Center. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff)June 6, 2025: Ravens’ works out during OTA at Under Armour Performance Center. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff)Ravens kicker John Hoyland works during OTA at Under Armour Performance Center. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff)June 6, 2025: Ravens’ works out during OTA at Under Armour Performance Center. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff)Ravens kicker Tyler Loop, right, works out with long snapper Nick Moore, left, and holder Jordan Stout during OTA at Under Armour Performance Center. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff)Ravens kicker Tyler Loop works out during OTA at Under Armour Performance Center. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff)Ravens cornerback Nate Wiggins works out during OTA at Under Armour Performance Center. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff)Ravens kicker Tyler Loop works out during OTA at Under Armour Performance Center. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff)Ravens cornerback Nate Wiggins works out during OTA at Under Armour Performance Center. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff)Ravens kicker Tyler Loop, right, works out with holder Jordan Stout during OTA at Under Armour Performance Center. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff)Ravens safety Malaki Starks works out during OTA at Under Armour Performance Center. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff)Ravens safety Malaki Starks works out during OTA at Under Armour Performance Center. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff)Ravens safety Malaki Starks works out during OTA at Under Armour Performance Center. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff)Ravens tight end Mark Andrews works out during OTA at Under Armour Performance Center. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff)Ravens tight end Mark Andrews works out during OTA at Under Armour Performance Center. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff)Show Caption1 of 20Ravens quarterback Cooper Rush works out during OTA at Under Armour Performance Center. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff)Expand View the full article

Derrick Henry doesn’t have a lot left to prove. The Ravens running back put up historic numbers in high school, won a national championship and the Heisman Trophy at Alabama and ranks 19th on the NFL’s all-time rushing yards list. About the only thing missing from his resume, like his equally accomplished quarterback Lamar Jackson, is a Super Bowl ring. But there’s something else that will be driving the 31-year-old Henry this season as he seeks to become the first player in league history to rush for 2,000 yards twice in his career: A role in an Adam Sandler movie. Come again? In a recent appearance on “The Dan Patrick Show,” Henry revealed that his favorite actor is Sandler, the 58-year-old star of everything from “Saturday Night Live” to beloved comedies such as “Happy Gilmore” to thrilling dramas like “Uncut Gems.” Patrick then issued a challenge: If Henry gets 2,000 yards again this year, he’d use his connections to get him in a Sandler film. “Cool, say no more. Remember that now,” said Henry, who nearly eclipsed that total with 1,921 yards and 16 touchdowns in his first season in Baltimore after nearly a decade with the Tennessee Titans. “Say no more. The bet is on. No pressure at all.” On Friday, Patrick posted a video of him calling up Sandler — or “Sandman,” as he calls him — to make the request and Sandler video chatting with Henry at a recent practice in Owings Mills. “2,000 yards-plus this year gets you not only in the movie, but we have a nice dinner together and talk about Dan Patrick’s facial hair and how hard it is for him to grow it,” Sandler says on the call. “I love ya, keep it up.” Patrick then showed a direct message from Henry to thank the longtime sportscaster and radio personality for connecting him with Sandler. The surprise came just a few weeks after Henry signed a two-year extension with the Ravens worth $30 million. “Dan you’re a real one!” Henry posted in response Friday on X. “@AdamSandler is da [goat emoji: Greatest of All Time] I appreciate the extra motivation!” Henry does have some acting practice already, having appeared in commercials for State Farm, Old Spice and Pepsi, the latter of which premiered before a huge audience ahead of last season’s NFL season opener between the Ravens and Kansas City Chiefs. What movie will it be? Patrick joked that it could be “Grown Ups 3” or “Happy Gilmore 3” but doesn’t know for certain. Sandler has acted in 102 films, been a producer in 37, a writer in 23 and an executive producer in 26, according to Letterboxd, but he’s never directed a movie. Perhaps that’s his next project, with Henry playing the starring role. Have a news tip? Contact sports editor C.J. Doon at cdoon@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/CJDoon. Related Articles Ravens OTA observations: Harbaugh talks Gruden invite, Jackson absence Ravens react to Aaron Rodgers joining Steelers: ‘It’d be great to pick off A-Rod’ Ravens OTA observations: Jon Gruden invited to practice, speaks to defense Ravens’ ‘DB expert’ Chuck Pagano couldn’t wait to come out of retirement Aaron Rodgers agrees to deal with Steelers, ending months-long dance View the full article

The AFC North already features two quarterbacks on a Hall of Fame trajectory: Lamar Jackson and Joe Burrow. The Pittsburgh Steelers added a third star to the division on Thursday, agreeing to a one-year deal with Aaron Rodgers. The 41-year-old Rodgers is 3-0 as a starter against the Ravens in his 20-year career, although he’s only played Baltimore once since 2013. The four-time NFL Most Valuable Player missed the Ravens’ trip to Green Bay in 2017 because of a broken right collarbone but led the Packers to a dramatic 31-30 win at M&T Bank Stadium in Week 15 of the 2021 season. With star quarterback Lamar Jackson out with a sprained ankle, backup Tyler Huntley nearly led the Ravens all the way back from a 31-17 deficit, but his 2-point conversion pass in the final minute fell incomplete. While that loss was the third of six straight for the Jackson-less Ravens as they dropped from an AFC-best 8-3 to missing the playoffs, it was a memorable game for Rodgers, who threw three touchdown passes to tie Brett Favre on the franchise’s all-time list and lead Green Bay to its third straight NFC North title. “That’s why he’s a Hall of Famer,” then-Ravens defensive back Anthony Averett, a special teams contributors thrust into the starting lineup that day because of mounting injuries, said of playing Rodgers. “He can put the ball where you can’t get to it, but [only] the receiver [can], really.” After surprisingly being picked late in the first round of the 2005 NFL draft, Rodgers also got his most playing time as a rookie against Baltimore. Entering in relief of Favre during Baltimore’s 48-3 win in Week 15 that season, Rodgers completed 8 of 15 passes for 65 yards and an interception while being sacked three times. His 36.8 passer rating that day is tied for the fourth-worst of his career. In four total games against Baltimore, including wins over quarterback Joe Flacco and coach John Harbaugh in 2009 and 2013, Rodgers has completed 62.7% of his passes for 911 yards with seven touchdowns and four interceptions while being sacked 10 times. “We’ve always respected Aaron Rodgers. He’s a Hall of Fame quarterback,” Harbaugh said during the Ravens’ voluntary practice in Owings Mills on Friday. In Pittsburgh, the aging star found a team in desperate need of help quarterback. The Steelers’ struggles at the position were especially discernible against Baltimore last season. Russell Wilson threw for 422 yards against the Ravens’ defense in the regular season, including an 18-16 victory in Pittsburgh in Week 11 that pushed the Steelers to an AFC North-leading 8-2, but he struggled down the stretch and into the postseason. The Ravens then beat Wilson and their archrivals, 34-17, in Week 16 en route to winning a second straight division title and crushed them again, 28-14, in the AFC wild-card round, handing Pittsburgh its fifth straight loss and sixth in a row in the postseason. Both Wilson and Week 1 starter Justin Fields departed in the offseason for the New York Giants and New York Jets, respectively, leaving a gaping hole on the roster. The Steelers brought back veteran Mason Rudolph and drafted Ohio State’s Will Howard in the sixth round, but neither were considered a strong contender to start the season. Enter Rodgers. Related Articles Ravens OTA observations: Jon Gruden invited to practice, speaks to defense Ravens’ ‘DB expert’ Chuck Pagano couldn’t wait to come out of retirement Aaron Rodgers agrees to deal with Steelers, ending months-long dance READERS RESPOND: Some Ravens fans feel stadium renovations cater to wealthy Ravens sign WR Rashod Bateman to 3-year extension: ‘Change the narrative’ After suffering a torn Achilles tendon in his first game with the Jets in 2023, Rodgers returned and played 17 games last season, throwing for 3,897 yards with 28 touchdowns and 11 interceptions while ranking 25th among quarterbacks with a 48.0 QBR. The Jets went 5-12 with him as a starter, which included midseason firings of coach Robert Saleh and general manager Joe Douglas, and moved on from the veteran quarterback in the offseason after hiring Aaron Glenn and Darren Mougey to lead a new era. Despite rampant speculation swirling for weeks about his future, Rodgers waited to sign with the Steelers until late in the offseason. He told “The Pat McAfee Show” in April that his attention was focused on helping people in his inner circle who were “battling some difficult stuff” and that he didn’t want to decide until he knew he could fully commit. He’s expected to show up for mandatory minicamp next week. If he remains healthy, Rodgers’ first appearance against Baltimore will come Dec. 7 at M&T Bank Stadium. The teams will then face off in the regular-season finale on Jan. 4. If all goes according to plan, perhaps that game will have major playoff implications. The Ravens would welcome that. “It would be great to pick off A-Rod,” Ravens cornerback Nate Wiggins said. “It’s going to be great facing him.” Have a news tip? Contact Sam Jane at sjane@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/Sam_Jane230. Kenneth K. Lam / Baltimore SunThe Ravens' Justin Madubuike sacks then-Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers during a 2021 game at M&T Bank Stadium. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff) View the full article