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The Ravens kicking battle took a turn Saturday. Baltimore released undrafted rookie free agent John Hoyland, leaving sixth-round rookie Tyler Loop as the lone kicker currently on its roster just two weeks into training camp. Coach John Harbaugh said after practice that the move was made for roster reasons. “We definitely weren’t planning on making a move,” he said. “We were planning on John being there for at least one [preseason] game, maybe two games, maybe all the games depending how it went. “We just had roster needs right now.” Among those needs were adding a pair of tight ends to account for the loss of Isaiah Likely, who is expected to miss at least the next six weeks after undergoing surgery to repair a broken bone in his foot that he suffered earlier in the week. To fill the void, the Ravens signed Scotty Washington, 28, and former Kansas City Chiefs reserve Baylor Cupp, 25. In corresponding moves, the Ravens also brought back veteran defensive end Brent Urban, 34, and signed former Jacksonville Jaguars and Cleveland Browns running back D’Ernest Johnson, 29, with undrafted rookie free agent Marcus Major Jr. dealing with a concussion. To make room for them, they also released tight end Sam Pitz and outside linebacker Diwun Black. As for Loop, Harbaugh said he has kicked well enough so far to win the job, though he stopped short of declaring him Baltimore’s starting kicker. Though Loop did not take any kicks during Saturday’s practice, Harbaugh said that he practiced at M&T Bank Stadium earlier in the day and made all of his attempts. Baltimore will have its annual stadium practice Sunday. “But as we know, it’s gonna be the games that mean the most,” Harbaugh said of Loop, the first kicker the organization used a draft pick on in its 30-year existence. The Ravens’ first preseason game is Thursday night against the Indianapolis Colts in Baltimore. Up until Saturday, both kickers had performed similarly, with Loop converting 40 of 44 field goal attempts and Hoyland making 28 of 32, though Loop has looked more the part with a powerful leg. Related Articles Stock up, stock down: Which Ravens are making moves at training camp? Ravens observations: Lamar Jackson shows off; defense ‘not always fun’ After viral Ravens video, Michael Phelps says he’ll teach players to swim Odafe Oweh’s breakout Ravens season earned him his renaissance summer How Ravens backup QB Cooper Rush factors into Super Bowl chase | COMMENTARY “Tyler’s kicking the ball great,” special teams coordinator Chris Horton said Thursday. “The ball sounds awesome coming off his foot. “We just have to find that consistency from the field that we’re practicing on early in practice, when we go over as a team, and we’re together, we are continuing to see the same swings and the same ‘foot the ball.’ Other than that, I think he’s doing a heck of a job.” Each had been competing to replace the embattled Justin Tucker, who was released by the Ravens earlier this offseason shortly before he was suspended 10 weeks by the NFL after facing sexual misconduct allegations from more than 15 massage therapists at Baltimore-area spas. Harbaugh had hoped to identify a replacement for Tucker by the third week of training camp or so. But with Hoyland’s release, that decision has likely been made, though Harbaugh didn’t rule out bringing back Hoyland if Loop struggles and if he’s still available. Have a news tip? Contact Brian Wacker at bwacker@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/brianwacker1. View the full article

The Ravens have completed their first eight practices of training camp, and the first preseason game on Thursday against the Indianapolis Colts is inching closer. For some players — such as quarterback and two-time NFL Most Valuable Player Lamar Jackson — performance at this point shouldn’t be read too deeply into. Jackson is a known entity and, some inconsistencies aside, he has looked every bit one of the best players in the league. Many others, however, have stood out or struggled, thus heightening expectations or raising questions about impact or role. While there are not a lot of opportunities to start on either side of the ball for a roster that is rich with front-end talent, an injury or two could change things significantly. Already, there has been the usual spate. Here’s a look at whose stock has risen and fallen so far during training camp: Brian Wacker, reporter Stock up: WR Devontez Walker. Perhaps no Ravens player has made a bigger leap from Year 1 to Year 2 than Walker, who at times last summer was nonexistent or didn’t know what to do. This summer, he’s been the antithesis of that. On Tuesday alone, Walker hauled in a touchdown pass from Cooper Rush over cornerback Nate Wiggins, snagged another score over the middle from Jackson and had an outstretched catch in front of safety Malaki Starks. Three days earlier, he hauled in a deep ball from Jackson after separating from Wiggins, and in one-on-one drills against Jaire Alexander, he snatched a pass from Jackson on a nice comeback route. There has also been more polish and explosiveness to his routes and his hands have looked great, even in contested situations. He remains one of the fastest players on the roster and he’s been a special teams contributor. “He’s doing a tremendous job of just being in the playbook, understanding what he’s supposed to do and then going out and trying to make plays each and every opportunity that he gets,” wide receivers coach Greg Lewis said. While Baltimore’s top three receivers will be Zay Flowers, Rashod Bateman and DeAndre Hopkins, Walker could push Tylan Wallace for the No. 4 spot. Ravens wide receiver Devontez Walker, left, is congratulated by quarterback Lamar Jackson after catching a touchdown pass against the Giants in 2024. The second-year wide receiver is off to a great start to his 2025 training camp. (Adam Hunger/AP) Stock down: LB Adisa Isaac. On the plus side, Isaac has at least been healthy, which he wasn’t during his rookie season last year when a hamstring injury that dated to his draft preparation resulted in him missing too much time. Now that the 2024 third-round pick out of Penn State is on the field, he has to make a bigger impact if he hopes to find a regular role amid an outside linebacker group that already includes Odafe Oweh, Kyle Van Noy, Tavius Robinson and rookie second-round pick Mike Green. It has been a process. Simply put, Isaac has lacked explosiveness, hasn’t shown much in the way of pass-rush moves and has struggled to shed blockers, thus not coming close to getting to the quarterback. His run defense has been OK, but David Ojabo, who figures to be battling Isaac for the fifth outside linebacker spot, has outperformed him significantly. “When you think of all the guys that can rush, you think of Maxx Crosby; he can spin. You think of the guy at Pittsburgh; he can ghost. I’m not going to say his name, because that’s how we roll, but when you think about different guys, though, they’ve got skilled rushes,” pass rush coach Chuck Smith said. “So, that’s what Adisa is working on. That’s one thing we want to implement. Guys are at different levels right now, and they’ll continue to work to get better. Adisa is on the right path. I hope that he continues to work hard, and he’ll get better.” Mike Preston, columnist Stock up: LB Trenton Simpson. So far, weakside linebacker Trenton Simpson has been impressive. A season ago, he was benched after Week 13 for Chris Board and Malik Harrison. Simply put, he couldn’t cover. In this camp, Simpson has gone stride for stride downfield with tight end Mark Andrews and been very solid covering running backs out of the backfield and into the flats. There have also been times when Simpson has put pressure on Jackson, forcing him to either slide to one side or step up in the pocket. The six to eight pounds of muscle he added in the offseason appear to have helped because Simpson hasn’t lost any quickness. In fact, he seems more comfortable this season compared with a year ago playing next to middle linebacker Roquan Smith. Ravens guard Andrew Vorhees, shown in 2024, is off to a slow start to training camp. (Kim Hairston/Staff) Stock down: LG Andrew Vorhees. The belief here was that Andrew Vorhees would step up and become the starting left guard, but that hasn’t happened yet. Vorhees worked hard in the offseason and he runs and pulls extremely well. The problem is his pass blocking. For whatever reason, he stands too high coming out of his pass set and smaller, quicker guys — tackles Nnamdi Madubuike and even tackle Aeneas Peebles — can work under him and gain leverage. It appeared that Vorhees would easily win the starting job over top competitor Ben Cleveland, but neither has established much of an advantage. Both are good when it comes to run blocking, but struggle in pass protection. Sam Cohn, reporter Stock up: CB Nate Wiggins. He’s played sticky coverage upfield, gotten a hand in the way over the middle and surged into the backfield to disrupt the screen game. Wiggins’ freshman year was an hors d’oeuvre. Based on his first two weeks of training camp — one of which included pads and only one day included live tackling — he’s showing signs of being the lockdown corner the Ravens hoped when they used a first-round pick on the skinny kid from Clemson. Wiggins seems to be one of the beneficiaries of adding Alexander, whom wide receiver Zay Flowers called the most confident defensive back he’d ever been around. Late last week, Wiggins’ second pass breakup of the day called for celebration alongside Alexander, teaming up for the patented seatbelt move. Orr has been most excited to see him step up to the challenge of facing the three-time All-Pro (and beat him a couple of times). “Nate has had a couple really good practices,” Harbaugh said Monday. “Two [or] three really good practices in a row, both playing press and off and coverage. He’s also reacted nicely to underneath throws in zone and made some nice tackles, too. … So, so far so good.” Ravens cornerback Nate Wiggins runs during training camp. The second-year cornerback has impressed during the early stages of camp. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff) Stock down: QB Cooper Rush. If all goes well, this will prove to be the most inconsequential question mark of training camp. If Jackson were to suffer any sort of setback, the onus might fall on Rush to keep the Ravens’ season afloat. Otherwise, the only time the journeyman backup might see the field is during the preseason and late in out-of-hand games during the regular season. Still, the Ravens went out and signed Rush, an established backup, to be serviceable insurance. He’s been shakier than that during camp thus far. A few of Rush’s deep balls forced receivers to pull back or reroute. He’s been solid in the short game, but his timing downfield is head-scratching. Rush knows his role as well as anyone. “You don’t have to be Superman,” he told The Baltimore Sun, “you’ve just got to go play football.” Related Articles Ravens observations: Lamar Jackson shows off; defense ‘not always fun’ After viral Ravens video, Michael Phelps says he’ll teach players to swim Odafe Oweh’s breakout Ravens season earned him his renaissance summer How Ravens backup QB Cooper Rush factors into Super Bowl chase | COMMENTARY ESPN cuts ties with Shannon Sharpe after settlement of sexual assault lawsuit Sam Jane, reporter Stock up: CB Chidobe Awuzie. All the fanfare in the secondary is centered around the additions of Alexander and Starks. But through the first week of training camp, it’s been a different offseason pickup who has impressed. Awuzie made multiple nice plays against the starting offense this week, including two pass breakups Wednesday and an interception Tuesday. The veteran cornerback had the worst season of his career last year in Tennessee, leading to his release by the Titans. But he’s been a solid CB2 for the most part since entering the league in 2017. Awuzie‘s impressed and is making a push up the depth chart. Stock down: CB Robert Longerbeam. A different backup cornerback has had a tougher week. The Ravens drafted Longerbeam in the sixth round out of Rutgers, but he has struggled to cover in the opening practices. The rookie is lean and undersized, which has led to him getting overpowered by bigger wideouts. He also missed a tackle along the sideline during Wednesday’s practice, which surely won’t help him get on the field, then he appeared to get dinged up in a collision with rookie receiver LaJohntay Wester in Thursday’s practice. With a deep defensive back room, Longerbeam will have to make up ground to earn a spot on the 53-man roster. Have a news tip? Contact sports editor Tim Schwartz at timschwartz@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/timschwartz13. View the full article

Lamar Jackson dropped back, took a couple of hops and lofted the ball deep down the left sideline, over outstretched cornerback Chidobe Awuzuie and into the awaiting arms of streaking receiver Dayton Wade. It was perhaps the prettiest and best throw the two-time NFL Most Valuable Player has made through the first two weeks of training camp in Owings Mills. A few plays later in the 11-on-11 period, he connected with Wade again, this time on a deep out route with Nate Wiggins in coverage. Still, the expectation for Jackson is higher. “I think there’s a lot left there for him, in terms of growth,” offensive coordinator Todd Monken said. “I think he sees the field better now than he did even two years ago. “I think he’s just getting started with his ability. He’s always had the ability as a playmaker [and] to run with the ball, but his ability, yes, he’s improved greatly in — which is a huge credit to him — his ability to throw the football to win at all times of the game, really, and in all phases of the game.” It was a marked improvement from the sloppiness of a day earlier — even without top pass catchers Zay Flowers and Rashod Bateman practicing — and the offense put together a spirited outing despite not being in pads. Jackson also dazzled at times, most notably on a no-look pass to receiver Malik Cunningham in the flat, with linebacker Roquan Smith bearing down on him. He simply threw the ball to a spot without looking and hit his former college teammate in stride. Defensive highlights As inconsistent as the offense has looked at times, there are two irrefutable facts: Defenses are always ahead of offenses at this point, and Baltimore’s defense could be poised to return to greatness. “The good news is, we get to go against an elite defense from personnel and staff,” Monken said. “The tough thing is we get to go against an elite defense and staff, and that really stresses you. It really forces you to practice every day at a high level or you’ll get exposed. “It’s not always fun to go against our defense. It’s a great challenge, but it’s not always fun.” After racking up 13 sacks in 2023, Nnamdi Madubuike took a step back with half as many last season. On Thursday, he was plenty disruptive, though. That included twice pushing through the middle of the line and swatting a pair of passes from Jackson (though one of them was hauled in by Cunningham before a defender could snag an interception). Ravens cornerback Chidobe Awuzie blocks a volleyball that gets kicked during a drill. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff) Jackson was picked off, however, when his pass to Cunningham during a 7-on-7 period sailed too high, deflected off the hands of the leaping receiver and was caught by safety Sanoussi Kane. Outside linebacker Mike Green also had a gorgeous spin move on right tackle Roger Rosengarten at one point and should have gotten to Jackson for a sack. But Rosengarten recovered well and kept him from reaching the quarterback. Fellow rookie Malaki Starks also continued to make plays, at one point swooping in for a nice pass breakup on a ball intended for Cunningham. Kicker wars The battle between rookie kickers Tyler Loop and John Hoyland continued Thursday, and both had identical performances. Both players went 3-for-4 during team periods, and both missed their longest field goal attempts of the day, with Loop missing a 51-yarder wide right and Hoyland going wide left from 50 yards. They each made kicks from 29, 33 and 39 yards. Is there any concern? Ravens rookie kicker Tyler Loop is 40-for-44 on field goal attempts so far during training camp. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff) “I think the one thing we need to do with both guys, in particular, is that we just need to find that consistency,” special teams coordinator Chris Horton said. “Tyler’s kicking the ball great. The ball sounds awesome coming off his foot. But then, I think over the last eight days, there might be four misses. We just have to find that consistency from the field that we’re practicing on early in practice, when we go over as a team, and we’re together, we are continuing to see the same swings and the same ‘foot the ball.’ Other than that, I think he’s doing a heck of a job.” Overall, Loop is 40-for-44 and Hoyland 28-for-32. Related Articles Stock up, stock down: Which Ravens are making moves at training camp? After viral Ravens video, Michael Phelps says he’ll teach players to swim Odafe Oweh’s breakout Ravens season earned him his renaissance summer How Ravens backup QB Cooper Rush factors into Super Bowl chase | COMMENTARY ESPN cuts ties with Shannon Sharpe after settlement of sexual assault lawsuit Spotlight on Kolar Monken estimated that third-string tight end Charlie Kolar might have “put in 6,000 yards” on Wednesday, between special teams, live reps and all his other duties. “I got a lot of respect for Charlie,” Monken said, with some extra conviction in his voice. Kolar didn’t arrive in Baltimore as a traditional blocking tight end, as far as Monken knew. He was a someone who could pose an advantageous matchup on the merit of good ball skills, making tough catches in the red zone. Monken shouted out Kolar, who will fill a bigger role while Isaiah Likely remains out with a foot injury, for embracing his role as a special teamer and a snowplow for running back Derrick Henry. “Man, has he come a long way,” Monken said. Have a news tip? Contact Brian Wacker at bwacker@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/brianwacker1. Contact Sam Cohn at scohn@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/samdcohn. Baltimore Ravens tackle Carson Vinson hits a padded sleigh during camp at the team’s training facility. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff)Ravens cornerback Chidobe Awuzie blocks a volleyball that gets kicked during a drill. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff)Baltimore Ravens special teams players gather to shout during camp at the team’s training facility. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff)Baltimore Ravens senior special teams coach Randy Brown reaches for cornerback Nate Wiggins during camp at the team’s training facility. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff)Baltimore Ravens punter Jordan Stout receives a snap during camp at the team’s training facility. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff)Baltimore Ravens quarterback Cooper Rush is flanked by Lamar Jackson and Devin Leary while taking snaps during camp at the team’s training facility. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff)Baltimore Ravens inside linebackers coach Tyler Santucci during camp at the team’s training facility. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff)Baltimore Ravens wide receivers coach Greg Lewis instructs the unit during camp at the team’s training facility. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff)Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson gazes at practice from beneath his raised helmet during camp at the team’s training facility. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff)Baltimore Ravens quarterback Cooper Rush is welcomed by center Tyler Linderbaum during camp at the team’s training facility. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff)Baltimore Ravens quarterback Cooper Rush backs up behind starter Lamar Jackson during camp at the team’s training facility. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff)Baltimore Ravens head football coach John Harbaugh watches practice during camp at the team’s training facility. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff)Baltimore Ravens quarterback Cooper Rush practices between Lamar Jackson and Devin Leary during camp at the team’s training facility. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff)Baltimore Ravens senior defensive assistant/secondary coach Chuck Pagano watches practice during camp at the team’s training facility. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff)Baltimore Ravens senior special teams coach Randy Brown watches practice during camp at the team’s training facility. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff)Baltimore Ravens offensive line players from left, Nick Samac, Garrett Dellinger, Gerad Lichtenhan and Ozzie Hutchinson follow each other during camp at the team’s training facility. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff)Baltimore Ravens punter Jordan Stout during camp at the team’s training facility. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff)Baltimore Ravens wide receiver LaJohntay Wester turns between obstacle poles during camp at the team’s training facility. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff)Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Malik Cunningham smiles during camp at the team’s training facility. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff)Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Xavier Guillory catches the ball during camp at the team’s training facility. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff)Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson still has room to grow, according to his offensive coordinator. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff)Baltimore Ravens guard Ben Cleveland leads tackle Joseph Noteboom, tackle Corey Bullock and center Tyler Linderbaum during camp at the team’s training facility. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff)Baltimore Ravens cornerback Nate Wiggins runs during camp at the team’s training facility. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff)Ravens rookie kicker Tyler Loop is 40-for-44 on field goal attempts so far during training camp. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff)Baltimore Ravens inside linebacker Chandler Martin avoids linebacker Jake Hummel during camp at the team’s training facility. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff)Baltimore Ravens head football coach John Harbaugh gestures while speaking with coaching fellow Prentice Gill during camp at the team’s training facility. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff)Baltimore Ravens cornerback Bilhal Kone waits for his turn to practice during camp at the team’s training facility. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff)Baltimore Ravens defensive coordinator Zach Orr during camp at the team’s training facility. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff)Baltimore Ravens offensive coordinator Todd Monken during camp at the team’s training facility. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff)Baltimore Ravens special teams coordinator Chris Horton during camp at the team’s training facility. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff)Baltimore Ravens quarterbacks coach Tee Martin during camp at the team’s training facility. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff)Show Caption1 of 31Baltimore Ravens tackle Carson Vinson hits a padded sleigh during camp at the team’s training facility. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff)Expand View the full article

Marlon Humphrey wants to learn how to swim. Luckily for him, the longtime Ravens cornerback has landed perhaps the best teacher available. Michael Phelps, a 23-time Olympic champion from Baltimore and perhaps the most decorated swimmer of all time, responded enthusiastically to Humphrey’s social media video in which the Raven asks Phelps for swimming lessons. “I got yall!!! Let’s do it!!,” Phelps responded on Instagram. Humphrey posted the video on Tuesday afternoon, writing on X and Instagram, “Hey @MichaelPhelps we need your help!! From the #RavensAquaticsTeam.” The skit included offensive lineman Ronnie Stanley, safety Kyle Hamilton and tight end Charlie Kolar standing in the Ravens’ practice facility pool. One by one, the four pleaded with Phelps to help them with their aquatic technique while falling underwater. “Hey, Mr. Phelps, we have a problem,” Stanley says to start the video. “Did you know that one in three Ravens cannot swim,” Hamilton said. “We have a solution for you, sir,” Kolar said. “Come to Ravens training camp in this beautiful aquatics center and teach us how to swim,” Humphrey adds. The video went viral, garnering more than 4,200 likes and 350,000 impressions on X. Phelps, who grew up in the Rodgers Forge neighborhood in Towson and is a longtime Ravens fan, responded to the video within a day. Phelps has attended many games in the past. He was an honorary captain for a 2012 game, and in 2024, Phelps and his son delivered the ball for the AFC championship game between the Ravens and Chiefs at M&T Bank Stadium. It seems like the Olympian might get to have an even closer relationship with the organization after Humphrey’s video. Even though some of the actors didn’t know they’d be starring in a public campaign. “I should have known [Humphrey would post the video]. It’s so on brand,” Kolar said Wednesday. “I thought it was going to be like a story or maybe sent to him, but I should have known better. I should have known better.” Have a news tip? Contact Sam Jane at sjane@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/Sam_Jane230. Related Articles Odafe Oweh’s breakout Ravens season earned him his renaissance summer How Ravens backup QB Cooper Rush factors into Super Bowl chase | COMMENTARY ESPN cuts ties with Shannon Sharpe after settlement of sexual assault lawsuit Ravens observations: WR Zay Flowers absent from training camp practice Ravens TE Isaiah Likely will have surgery to repair broken bone in foot View the full article

There’s a popular internet meme that might help explain Odafe Oweh’s offseason. It’s LeBron James shirtless in a pool. His hand sits comfortably atop his forehead. He’s blinded by the summer sun, flashing the most infectious, toothy smile. The NBA superstar’s caption reads: “Smiling through it all! Can’t believe this is my life.” Oweh had more than a few moments away from football this offseason that made him feel that way. Like rubbing shoulders with A-list celebrities all garnished in designer wear, stepping up to a microphone at a professional recording studio or mentoring kids in Lagos, Nigeria, where his parents immigrated from. The Ravens’ pass rusher holds two truths, tangoing through the explanation of an arduous yet gratifying past six months. Oweh trudged off the field of Baltimore’s discouraging playoff loss in snowy Orchard Park, New York, feeling unfulfilled. Like he hadn’t done enough. It fueled an insatiable hunger that Oweh translated into 20 pounds of bulking to prepare for this fall. Simultaneously, the 26-year-old completed the most productive season of his four-year career: his first double-digit sack season, an achievement considered the barometer of excellence at the position. So for perhaps the first time in his career, Oweh, a true renaissance man, enjoyed himself. “I pride myself on, if I don’t have the season that’s at least good enough in my eyes — obviously, I wanted to do better — but I hit a mark that I never hit before,” Oweh told The Baltimore Sun. “I felt like it gave me the room to still work but also enjoy the fruits of my labor and tap into things that I like to do.” In May, Oweh, who considers himself well dressed with high-end grungy style, was thrust into the deep end of the fashion world: The Met Gala. “I got tapped into that whole world for the first time,” Oweh said. He prides himself on picking pregame outfits every Sunday. It “helps your spirit,” he said. New York City Fashion Week was totally different. On that same trip, Oweh’s friend invited him into a recording studio. It was just for fun — at first. He got an inside look at how the pros do it before being handed a headset and microphone to mess around with freestyling and singing. Oweh said that he tried to tap into his favorite artists, Drake and Future, while a sound engineer walked him through the process. Freestyling was tough. Rapping while managing his breathing patterns was tougher, and gave Oweh a newfound appreciation for the pros. His big gig came later in Arizona alongside the artist, Lu, otherwise known as Oweh’s former Penn State teammate and NFL linebacker Jesse Luketa. The two of them were in a studio together, flanked by a handful of other established artists. “The guy made the beat and wanted to see what we could do,” Oweh said. His debut feature on the song, “DND,” was born out of a prompt about weighing your time between a girl you like and professional aspirations. This summer might have scaled new frontiers. But Oweh — or his pen name, DAFÉ — has long prioritized creative outlets. This offseason, Odafe Oweh was able to reconnect with interests that he’s held at bay most of his career, such as fashion. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff) If he’s wearing an all-black outfit to the stadium, it’s an expression meant to be convey, “I’m trying to kill somebody.” When Oweh underwent thumb surgery after the 2023 season, he used his good hand to draw that famous picture of Kobe Bryant shooting free throws in pajamas with his wrist heavily wrapped. “At that point, I was a little hurt,” Oweh said. “I was still locked in on my goals, so that’s how I expressed that.” This offseason — catching The Miami Open tennis tournament (while he was there training), enjoying life as a fan during his brother’s March Madness run, an invitation to The Met Gala and putting his vocal chords to the test — was a testament to the season he had. All of Oweh’s off-the-field interests took center stage. It was his renaissance summer. “That’s the crazy part, I’ve been telling people,” Oweh said with a laugh. “People are like, ‘You not no renaissance man.’ I’m like, ‘I do everything that is the definition of a renaissance man.’” By definition, it’s someone with many talents and interests. Football consumes a majority of Oweh’s life. It’s the center of his world. This offseason, he was able to stretch beyond. He was able to reconnect with interests that he’s held at bay most of his career. To pour into his creative side. On a side project with The Players’ Tribune, Oweh gave himself all four spots on the tunnel fit Mt. Rushmore. And when asked for two people he could have dinner with, dead or alive, Oweh picked James and famed designer Virgil Abloh — a nod to the intersection of his life in sports and creativity. Related Articles How Ravens backup QB Cooper Rush factors into Super Bowl chase | COMMENTARY ESPN cuts ties with Shannon Sharpe after settlement of sexual assault lawsuit Ravens observations: WR Zay Flowers absent from training camp practice Ravens TE Isaiah Likely will have surgery to repair broken bone in foot Ravens hire former NFL referee to help with persistent penalty problems The other “can’t believe this is my life” moment of Oweh’s summer was his football camp in Nigeria. Until two years ago, he had never visited his West African roots. Oweh’s parents, Henry and Tania, instilled an importance in giving back to the community. So he spent this trip sharing quality time with his family and Lagos luminaries. Then pouring back into the game of football hosting a camp alongside Nigerian teammates, Nnamdi Madubuike and David Ojabo. “When I was in Nigeria helping kids, they were asking me questions and looking up to me,” Oweh said. “This was something I dreamed about. I would find myself in the middle of that, just step back and be like, ‘Wow, you did it.’” Oweh wasn’t satisfied with how 2024 ended. But his breakout year gave way to a lively summer. He still can’t believe this is his life. Have a news tip? Contact Sam Cohn at scohn@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/samdcohn. View the full article

The life of an NFL backup quarterback has to be one of the greatest jobs in America. They get on TV consistently, usually wearing a baseball cap backward. They eat great meals and stay in luxurious hotels. They get to work out daily and their bodies don’t get mangled every Sunday like starters. It certainly beats digging a ditch or moving furniture for a living. “You don’t have to be Superman, you’ve just got to go play football, get the ball to the fast guys, and that’s kind of the mentality,” Ravens backup quarterback Cooper Rush said. “You have to trust the guys around you, and believe me, there are a lot of fast guys here.” The Ravens signed Rush, 31, to a two-year deal in March worth $6.2 million, which could climb as high as $12.2 million. Without question, he is one of the best backups in team history, certainly one of the most established with no apologies to former predecessors such as Tyler Huntley, Tyrod Taylor, Anthony Wright, Chris Redman and Eric Zeier. He’s the quarterback the Ravens need if two-time NFL Most Valuable Player and starter Lamar Jackson goes down with an injury. The Ravens now have a proven investment, and Rush saw the same advantage of playing in Baltimore. “This came out of nowhere, but we’re really happy with it,” Rush said. “Obviously, this is a loaded roster, a team that is competing every year. They wanted someone who can go in and help out when needed. With them being such a good team, it was a pretty easy decision.” It’s another sign of the urgency for Baltimore to get to the Super Bowl this year. Few teams invest in a backup with such a high profile, but since the 2021 season, Rush played in 38 games with the Dallas Cowboys, starting 14. He has a 9-5 record in those contests, replacing Cowboys starter Dak Prescott. In an eight-year NFL career, Rush has completed 60.7% of his passes for 3,463 yards with 20 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. His career passer rating is 83.8. That’s pretty impressive. “This has been a good change of scenery for us and the family. I’m enjoying it,” said Rush, who has two daughters. “Having good teams help. We had a couple of good teams in Dallas and you have to be ready for the opportunity to just go do your job. You kind of remind yourself, you know how to play football, you’ve done it your whole life.” The move to sign Rush was interesting because he doesn’t possess Jackson’s improvisation and scrambling abilities that take the Ravens’ offense to another level. Actually, few do, as Jackson threw for 4,172 yards last season and ran for 915. Ravens quarterback Cooper Rush works out during OTAs earlier this offseason. Rush appeared in 12 games for the Cowboys this past season, throwing 12 touchdown passes and five interceptions. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff) Rush is more of a traditional passer, born to throw first and run only if necessary. The mix and match with the Ravens’ offense is intriguing because they can go big with running back Derrick Henry, fullback Patrick Ricard and tight ends Mark Andrews or Charlie Kolar, or spread a team out with three- or four-receiver sets featuring DeAndre Hopkins, Rashod Bateman, Zay Flowers and Tylan Wallace. “This offense is so multiple,” Rush said. “Obviously with Lamar, you can do a lot more in the run game than someone like me. But you have a really deep tight end room as well as running back room with different bodies and speeds. Watch the tape. You can do pretty much anything. “You see that, and as a quarterback, you find where you fit it. You’re not going to be Lamar Jackson, he is special, but a lot of quarterbacks can come in here and do well.” Rush won’t compare Jackson and Prescott. On the field, they are similar in a lot of ways. In nine years in Dallas, Prescott, 32, has thrown for 31,437 yards with 213 touchdowns and 82 interceptions. Entering his eighth season in Baltimore at age 28, Jackson has thrown for 20,059 yards with 166 touchdowns and 49 interceptions. Jackson has a career passer rating of 102.0. There are other similarities that neither wants to talk about. Prescott is 2-5 in the postseason, while Jackson is 3-5. Regardless, both are extreme competitors. “Yeah, I was with Dak for a long time so obviously we were both comfortable there,” Rush said. “I studied Lamar from afar but now we’re in the same room. It’s pretty special to see what he does from day to day. They both have this competitiveness about them, the effort they put in practice, how much they care. “Getting to know Lamar, obviously, it’s been a short time. I look forward to getting to know Lamar throughout the season.” Related Articles ESPN cuts ties with Shannon Sharpe after settlement of sexual assault lawsuit Ravens observations: WR Zay Flowers absent from training camp practice Ravens TE Isaiah Likely will have surgery to repair broken bone in foot Ravens hire former NFL referee to help with persistent penalty problems Ravens rookie Mike Green starts to find his footing: ‘Going to be a baller’ Rush will go back to face the Cowboys on Aug. 16 in preseason game No. 2, but the expectations are different in each city. Dallas has a first-year coach in Brian Schottenheimer, and the Cowboys are coming off a 7-10 season, missing the playoffs for the first time since 2020. The Ravens are a preseason favorite to win a Super Bowl title. If Jackson goes down with a serious injury, it would be hard for Rush to duplicate Jackson’s past success. But if Jackson is injured and out only out for a few games, the Ravens think they have the answer in Rush, the perfect “stop gap” quarterback. Rush struggled in the spring but has looked better early in training camp. It’s all about learning a new coordinator, his system and receivers. “I think I adjusted pretty quickly in spring. I got a bunch of reps with the starters, which was huge for me to dive into and get a better understanding,” Rush said. “It takes a minute for sure, but the more you watch, even with Lamar working with them, you’re watching how those guys run, how they like to get open out of their breaks and you try to get as much information as you can when you’re out there with them. Overall, I’m in a good situation.” Apparently, the Ravens felt the same way. Have a news tip? Contact Mike Preston at epreston@baltsun.com, 410-332-6467 and x.com/MikePrestonSun. View the full article

Hall of Fame tight end-turned-broadcaster Shannon Sharpe will not return to ESPN, a person with knowledge of the decision told The Associated Press on Wednesday. The decision comes less than two weeks after Sharpe resolved a lawsuit that accused him of sexually assaulting a woman during their relationship. The person spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because the decision has not been announced. Sharpe’s last appearance on ESPN was in late April, when the lawsuit was filed in Nevada. No details of the settlement were released. The lawsuit had sought $50 million. The 57-year-old Sharpe called the accusations “false and disruptive” at the time they were levied and hoped to return in time for the NFL season. Instead, ESPN opted to move on from the brash four-time All-Pro tight end who won three Super Bowls during his 14-year career, including in 2000 with the Ravens. Sharpe retired as the NFL’s all-time leader among tight ends in receptions (815), yards receiving (10,060) and touchdowns (62). Those records have been broken. Sharpe has been a staple on TV and social media since retiring. He left FS1’s sports debate show “Undisputed” in 2023 and joined ESPN soon afterward. He served as a panelist on the network’s morning show “First Take.” View the full article

A pair of Ravens pass catchers have been sidelined in three days of padded training camp practices, a suboptimal start for what was the healthiest team in football last season. Wide receiver Zay Flowers did not practice Wednesday with a undisclosed injury. Coach John Harbaugh did not provide specifics. “He and a couple other guys that you didn’t see are all camp-type things that you really just need to not go out for a few days on,” Harbaugh said. “So he’ll be back in a few days.” With tight end Isaiah Likely expected to have surgery to repair a broken bone in his foot, which Harbaugh confirmed Wednesday, the Ravens were short several key pass catchers at practice. Flowers, a 2024 Pro Bowl receiver and 2023 first-round draft pick, appeared to tweak his leg near the end of Tuesday’s practice during an 11-on-11 drill. He was seen off to the sideline walking gingerly, seemingly testing out his pain tolerance. This was the second time the hard-cutting receiver had to exit practice with a leg tweak. He pulled himself out during one of the first days of training camp in Owings Mills, had a trainer look at his ankle, then retied his shoe and returned to the field, uninhibited. Health and availability have been key points of the early part of Flowers’ career. It wasn’t until Week 18 last season that a knee injury forced him to miss a game for the first time in his career, Baltimore’s playoff loss in Buffalo. Even then, Flowers said he was positive he would have been ready to play had they made the AFC conference championship. Sluggish day, defense dominates Whether it was the 102 degree heat index, a third straight day in pads or the absence of Likely and Flowers, Wednesday’s practice was disjointed. The defense dominated the offense, winning the practice 63-36, according to the Ravens’ scoring system. Several key offensive contributors were limited in practice: running back Derrick Henry, wide receiver Rashod Bateman and offensive tackle Ronnie Stanley spent most of practice on the sideline. Their absences had an obvious effect. There were four false start penalties, multiple drops and a handful of errant passes from quarterback Lamar Jackson. Safety Kyle Hamilton even dropped a potential interception from Jackson during an end-of-practice drill. Cornerbacks Chidobe Awuzie and TJ Tampa both had multiple pass breakups during team drills. Awuzie, who’s played well over the first week of training camp, looked good against the first-team offense. He nearly picked off a pass intended for wide receiver Devontez Walker and then broke up another end zone pass later in the period. Tampa secured an end zone interception off backup quarterback Cooper Rush. “The defense had a heck of a day today, as you saw,” Harbaugh said. “[Awuzie’s] really stepping up the last day or two.” With Jalyn Armour-Davis and Bilhal Kone both not practicing with injures, there’s a window for Tampa and Awuzie to establish themselves in the cornerback room. Baltimore Ravens wide receivers Jahmal Banks, left, and Rashod Bateman run routes during practice at the team’s Under Armour Performance Center in Owings Mills, Md. (Nia Meyers/Staff)Baltimore Ravens running back Derrick Henry high-fives young fans as he enters the field for practice during training camp at the team’s Under Armour Performance Center in Owings Mills, Md. (Nia Meyers/Staff)Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson throws during practice at the team’s Under Armour Performance Center in Owings Mills, Md. (Nia Meyers/Staff)Young fans react with excitement after high-fiving Baltimore Ravens running back Derrick Henry as he entered the field for practice during training camp at the team’s Under Armour Performance Center in Owings Mills, Md. One child exclaimed, “Holy moly, Derrick Henry just touched my hand!” (Nia Meyers/Staff)Baltimore Ravens running back Derrick Henry runs drills during practice at the team’s Under Armour Performance Center in Owings Mills, Md. (Nia Meyers/Staff)Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson throws during practice at the team’s Under Armour Performance Center in Owings Mills, Md. (Nia Meyers/Staff)Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Rashod Bateman runs drills during practice at the team’s Under Armour Performance Center in Owings Mills, Md. (Nia Meyers/Staff)Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Rashod Bateman runs drills during practice at the team’s Under Armour Performance Center in Owings Mills, Md. (Nia Meyers/Staff)Show Caption1 of 8Baltimore Ravens wide receivers Jahmal Banks, left, and Rashod Bateman run routes during practice at the team’s Under Armour Performance Center in Owings Mills, Md. (Nia Meyers/Staff)Expand One-on-ones With Flowers out and Bateman not participating, the one-on-one receiver vs. cornerback drills lacked their usual star power, though each side had a few strong moments. “Today was tough. We didn’t have all the receivers out there,” Harbaugh said. Wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins made an excellent catch on a fade route against cornerback Jaire Alexander, drawing a penalty flag while securing the catch. Alexander was also beat by receiver Anthony Miller on a deep ball later in the drill. Tampa had two pass breakups during the drill, knocking the ball away from Miller and then punching a would-be catch out of Walker’s hands. He even emulated Alexander’s seatbelt celebration after the play. First live period The Ravens have worn pads for three straight days, but had avoided tackling up until today. But at the end of practice, Harbaugh signaled to the team that the next period would be live. “We had it as an option in camp … We just decided to go ahead and do it,” Harbaugh said. Younger players and third-stringers were the only players involved in the drill, as the starters watched from the sideline. The defense stonewalled the offense for a majority of the period, but the day ended with a 45-yard touchdown pass up the seam from quarterback Devin Leary to rookie tight end Sam Pitz. Related Articles ESPN cuts ties with Shannon Sharpe after settlement of sexual assault lawsuit Ravens TE Isaiah Likely will have surgery to repair broken bone in foot Ravens hire former NFL referee to help with persistent penalty problems Ravens rookie Mike Green starts to find his footing: ‘Going to be a baller’ Ravens observations on juicy veteran matchup, rookie learning curve, improved LB Rising rookie A former quarterback, Teddye Buchanan’s football intelligence was praised during his one season at California. But he didn’t start playing linebacker full time until his freshman year at UC-Davis and played only one season of Power Four football after transferring to California for his senior season. But the fourth-round rookie is a good athlete who’s clearly becoming more comfortable as training camp wears on. Buchanan knocked away a low pass to running back Justice Hill during one-on-one drills and then made an excellent tackle in space against running back Keaton Mitchell during the live period. It was his best practice of the offseason and with a strong camp, he could become a solid depth option for the Ravens. Bounce-back day for Loop Kicker Tyler Loop missed three kicks during Monday’s practice after making every attempt throughout the rest of training camp. The sixth-round rookie rebounded Wednesday, making all nine of his attempts. Loop drilled kicks from 23, 32, 33, 35, 35, 38, 43, 45 and 53 yards, although one appeared to barely cross over the left goal post. The referees looked at each other in confusion, before signaling that the attempt was good. Injury updates Harbaugh said that the reported timeline for Likely — an absence of about six weeks — is accurate, as the tight end is expected to have surgery on his fractured foot soon. Armour-Davis underwent an MRI that revealed nothing serious, according to Harbaugh. Have a news tip? Contact Sam Jane at sjane@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/Sam_Jane230. Contact Sam Cohn at scohn@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/samdcohn. View the full article

Ravens tight end Isaiah Likely suffered a small fracture in his foot Tuesday, an NFL source with direct knowledge of the situation confirmed to The Baltimore Sun on Wednesday. He will have surgery this week. Likely is expected to be out about six weeks, though it’s possible he could return in time for Baltimore’s season opener against the Buffalo Bills on Sept. 7, depending on the outcome of the procedure and his recovery. He suffered the injury on the final play of a one-on-one red zone period against safety Sanoussi Kane near the end of Tuesday’s practice and was carted off the field. Coach John Harbaugh said that Likely “rolled” his ankle on the play before going down. Likely punched the ground in frustration before being helped onto the cart. The 25-year-old is entering the final year of his rookie contract, and the Ravens have expressed interest in signing him to an extension, but it’s unclear what impact the injury will have on those negotiations. A fourth-round pick out of Coastal Carolina in 2022, Likely posted career highs last season in catches (42), receiving yards (477) and touchdowns (six). Baltimore also has a deep tight end room, with Mark Andrews and Charlie Kolar to help fill the void. Last season, Andrews, who was an All-Pro in 2021 and a Pro Bowl selection in 2019, 2021 and 2022, had 55 catches for 673 yards and a team-high 11 receiving touchdowns. Kolar, who has primarily been used as a blocking tight end, had nine catches for 131 yards and a touchdown last season. Andrews and Kolar are also in the final year of their respective contracts. The Ravens return to practice Wednesday and Thursday before a day off on Friday. Have a news tip? Contact Brian Wacker at bwacker@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/brianwacker1. Related Articles Ravens hire former NFL referee to help with persistent penalty problems Ravens rookie Mike Green starts to find his footing: ‘Going to be a baller’ Ravens observations on juicy veteran matchup, rookie learning curve, improved LB Ravens TE Isaiah Likely carted off field, will be out ‘a few weeks’ How the Ravens can unlock Zay Flowers as a No. 1 wide receiver | ANALYSIS View the full article

Another day, more laundry. Last season, the Ravens had the undesirable distinction of racking up the second-most penalties and penalty yards in the NFL, behind only the lowly New York Jets. In all, Baltimore was flagged 132 times for 1,120 yards, per nflpenalties.com. Through the first half-dozen practices of training camp, the trend has continued. But even before all those yellow flags started flying in Owings Mills this summer, Baltimore took a step toward what it hopes will be a remedy, hiring former longtime NFL referee and umpire Tony Michalek, a source with direct knowledge of the agreement confirmed to The Baltimore Sun on Tuesday. Michalek has been with the team since the start of camp and his role will be to help with penalty explanations, rules interpretations and, of course, preventing penalties. He certainly brings plenty of experience. Michalek spent 23 years as an umpire before retiring in April and served on crews that were led by Gerry Austin, Gene Steratore and Jerome Boger, among many others. Michalek also worked a dozen playoff games, including two conference championship games and Super Bowl 42, per Football Zebras. The move, which The Athletic was first to report, is similar to one the Buffalo Bills made last year when they hired John Parry, who was an official from 2000 to 2018 and worked a pair of Super Bowls. The Bills, of course, beat the Ravens, 27-25, in the divisional round of the playoffs last season. In that game, Buffalo had one penalty and Baltimore committed five. Through the first handful of Ravens practices in training camp, the biggest problem has been false starts and other presnap penalties. That was also the case last season, when Baltimore drew 40 flags for various presnap offenses. That ranked middle of the pack compared with the rest of the league, but was no less frustrating. That annoyance has continued through the early days of preparation for this season, particularly when it comes to cadence. “You’ve got to keep pushing that,” coach John Harbaugh said of continuing to use a variety of cadences. “I’ve had coordinators like that here that didn’t really want to do cadence or didn’t really want to take a chance at having the issues — [they] will say, ‘Well, we’ll get into that later,’ but we want to get these plays off early. And what happens is, you never have cadence the whole season. “You can’t just bring it out two weeks from now, or three weeks from now or four weeks from now. It looks the same, it looks bad, and it always looks bad early.” Harbaugh then cited a Kansas City Chiefs practice earlier this week in which it was also a point of emphasis. “You have to do it from the get-go, you have to push through it, you have to practice it, and you’ve got to practice it under the toughest conditions — heat, pads, whatever it is, and try to get really good at it,” he said. Some penalties, the Ravens are more willing to live with. On Monday, wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins made a one-handed grab of a pass from quarterback Lamar Jackson in the back corner of the end zone for an apparent touchdown. However, he was flagged for offensive pass interference for using his other hand to grab cornerback Nate Wiggins’ helmet and face mask. But Hopkins is a future Hall of Famer and a contested catch artist, so coaches weren’t going to fret over the play. Some penalties are viewed as the cost of doing business. A false start at the beginning of practice earlier in the day, however, led to Harbaugh barking at the sideline. It was a microcosm of last season, when Baltimore was penalized for false starts 21 times, illegal formations on 10 occasions and delay of game a half-dozen times. Related Articles Ravens rookie Mike Green starts to find his footing: ‘Going to be a baller’ Ravens observations on juicy veteran matchup, rookie learning curve, improved LB Ravens TE Isaiah Likely carted off field, will be out ‘a few weeks’ How the Ravens can unlock Zay Flowers as a No. 1 wide receiver | ANALYSIS Do the Ravens have too many pass catchers? 2025 will test team’s balance. It’s also early in the process, and better now than later is the philosophy. “There really isn’t anything different other than we’re starting back up again, and it’s hot, and we have a number of guys going in the game,” offensive coordinator Todd Monken said. “Sometimes, it’s the quarterback that takes a little bit of time at the line of scrimmage, more than he should, and then all of a sudden you’re making calls at the line, and you may forget you’re on a different cadence. “All of those things are a part of it, but I’m not going to give in. We’re going to fight like heck to be good at it. Why can’t we be elite at cadence? Other teams can; we sure as heck can be and should be.” In hiring Michalek, that’s exactly what the Ravens are hoping for. Have a news tip? Contact Brian Wacker at bwacker@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/brianwacker1. View the full article

Mike Green hasn’t had a “welcome to training camp” moment, per se. But his “welcome to the NFL” moment — a jarring first look at life at the highest level of football — came during rookie minicamp. The 6-foot-3 edge rusher from Marshall who led the FBS in sacks last year stepped into his new defensive huddle. At every level of football, Green has been considered one of the heavyweights. Now, towering over him was C.J. Okoye, a 6-6, 370-pound defensive lineman. “Big C.J.,” as they call him. “Dude is huge,” Green said. “I was like, ‘Oh, I’m really here.’” Since then, Green sounds comfortable in his first preseason camp, even if the flashy dominance has been few and far between during live repetitions. Pass rush coach Chuck Smith said that he hasn’t noticed much of a learning curve beyond what’s normal for a rookie. But he noted that Green, who relishes the game’s physicality and was eager to finally put on pads Monday, looks comfortable. While players were still in helmets and shorts last week, defensive coordinator Zach Orr promised, “It’s going to crank up next week.” The first highly anticipated day came and one reporter caught him on film pancaking tight end Zaire Mitchell-Paden on Monday. “He’s taking his lumps,” Smith said. “But he’s also giving out his lumps.” Green was part of an offseason oddity. By mid-July, he was one of 30 second-round draft picks who hadn’t inked their rookie deals, all hung up on guaranteed money thanks to an unprecedented deal by the Houston Texans with wide receiver Jayden Higgins. Green signed his four-year, $7.4 million deal on July 17, when the dominoes started to fall. With that hurdle cleared, he’s lined up to be an important part of Baltimore’s long-term pass rush plans. There’s an expectation that 2025 will be the encore to Odafe Oweh’s double-digit sack season of 2024. Kyle Van Noy, at 34, is coming off the best season of his career. Anything close to his 12 1/2 sacks would be a win. Those two led the way for Baltimore’s 54-sack season, good for second most in the NFL. Tavius Robinson and Green are the two younger guys who could complement and eventually backfill those roles. Green said that he spent the whole predraft process trying to prove to teams that he’s a power rusher. That he can overpower a tight end or an offensive linemen, not just beat him with speed. Two days into pads, “I’ve been able to at least show what I’m capable of doing,” he said. Green wants to put on film that he’s not just a pass rusher either; he wants to use this time to let everyone know that he can set the edge and takes pride in his run defense. “When people think you have deficiencies,” Green said, “you’re gonna go out there and show them what you can do.” Ravens pass rush coach Chuck Smith and outside linebacker Kyle Van Noy watch tight end Sam Pitz and outside linebacker Mike Green, right, during camp at the team’s training facility. Green, a rookie from Marshall, led the Football Bowl Subdivision with 17 sacks in 2024. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff) If there’s one guy he’s trying to model himself after, it’s Robinson. Green didn’t know much of anything about the outside linebacker going on Year 3. Smith repeatedly sings Robinson’s praises, calling him a glass eater last summer and pointing out this offseason that Robinson has never missed a practice or a rep. “The way I see him work, he’s out here flying around. He’s being very disruptive,” Green said. “My time being here, that’s definitely [someone] that I can look up to and I can follow behind.” Pass rusher can be a tough position to determine success in training camp, particularly when the pads are off. For one, they can’t bring down the quarterback. Green might get by his man, but it’s not always obvious, on a given play, if he’s bringing the quarterback to the turf for the money stat. That, and certain individual drills have less-than-obvious objectives about engaging a blocker or trying out pass rush moves. Related Articles Ravens hire former NFL referee to help with persistent penalty problems Ravens observations on juicy veteran matchup, rookie learning curve, improved LB Ravens TE Isaiah Likely carted off field, will be out ‘a few weeks’ How the Ravens can unlock Zay Flowers as a No. 1 wide receiver | ANALYSIS Do the Ravens have too many pass catchers? 2025 will test team’s balance. What Green is capable of won’t be clear until at least the preseason. And, more definitively, when he’s thrown into the fire with games against three 2024 playoff teams in the first four weeks. Still, there’s been no shortage of praise for how Green has adjusted to NFL meetings, schemes and physicality. Orr said that he’s been sharp knowing his assignments. Smith called Green the best example “of this new generation that have learned from the pros, and he comes in already really highly skilled up.” Robinson said he’s “going to be a baller, for sure” and Oweh called him “twitchy,” finding success within the defense “doing what he’s told to do.” It’s Green’s first training camp, which means there’s a lot to learn and a lot thrown at him — more than just seeing how big his teammates are. But to every question about adjusting to new levels of coaching, physicality and responsibilities, Green’s answer circled home to the same spot: He’ll only get better with time. “Mike has earned his stripes,” Smith said. “Mike’s a rookie. And Mike has to play his position and get in line like any other rookie. … But when we talk about pass rush, Mike is all in. Mike is everything he was advertised to be.” Have a news tip? Contact Sam Cohn at scohn@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/samdcohn. View the full article

It’s worth the price of admission to watch Ravens outside linebacker Kyle Van Noy go against left tackle Ronnie Stanley. It was like the old days when former Ravens defensive end Michael McCrary was matched up against left tackle Jonathan Ogden. Ogden always won, but it made both better as Ogden eventually went into the Pro Football Hall of Fame and both were inducted to the Ravens Ring of Honor. But this Van Noy and Stanley matchup is so, so good. Both are veterans, and both have that combination of speed and power. The key, though, is that neither of them stops working. If Van Noy hits a move and Stanley counters, then Van Noy quickly goes to a second or third move. Stanley has really strong hands and can knock down some of Van Noy’s best moves. It’s great for a film study, but after Day 2 in full pads, Stanley won the overall battle. It’s the feature attraction of pass protection when those two go head-to-head. Now, onto the events of Day 2 in pads: Rookie watch Rookie outside linebacker Mike Green might one day develop into a good pass rusher, but he still has a ways to go. The second-round draft pick out of Marshall has the motor and plays with good leverage, but he is pretty one-dimensional because he is only a speed rusher. Right now, he needs to develop more moves, much like fifth-year outside linebacker Odafe Oweh in his rookie season. Here is a suggestion: Go watch the Stanley versus Van Noy matchups. Tight end depth Tight end Isaiah Likely was carted off the field near the end of practice and coach John Harbaugh said that he will know more about the severity of the apparent leg injury after an MRI on Wednesday. Fortunately for the Ravens, they have two other strong tight ends in starter Mark Andrews and third-stringer Charlie Kolar, but Kolar is considered more of a blocker. When both Likely and Andrews are on the field at the same time, both can be moved to the outside as passing weapons. Ravens outside linebacker Odafe Oweh, right, battles tight end Charlie Kolar. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff) Kicking update Rookie free agent John Hoyland converted on field goal attempts of 27, 32, 37, 43 and 48 yards while missing a lone attempt of 51. Tyler Loop didn’t kick Tuesday, a scheduled off day for the sixth-round pick. Simpson looks strong Weakside linebacker Trenton Simpson had a strong day. The 2023 third-round pick got pressure on quarterback Lamar Jackson several times, something he couldn’t do last season. Then later in the practice, he ran stride-for-stride down the field with Andrews to knock down a pass, another major weakness in 2024. So far, the 24-year-old Simpson has been out there with middle linebacker Roquan Smith with the starting defensive unit. Raw talent If 6-foot-3, 360-pound nose tackle John Jenkins were three inches shorter, he’d have a body very similar to former Ravens tackle Michael Pierce, who retired at the end of last season. Their girth is amazing. Speaking of defensive tackles, C.J. Okoye (6-6, 370 pounds), who was born in Agbogugu, Nigeria, and didn’t play college football, has amazing strength. Once he becomes more of a technician, he might become quite a player. He gives new meaning to the term “raw talent.” Better blocking The tight ends were better in pass protection in the individual period compared with Monday’s practice. Zaire Mitchell-Paden was better as far as getting his body in position and not getting overextended, and fullback Lucas Scott, the rookie fullback from Army, performed well. In fact, Scott has held his own in most drills. Injury report The Ravens got most of their players back Tuesday, including receiver Rashod Bateman (illness) and cornerbacks Jaire Alexander (sprained knee) and Chidobe Awuzie (undisclosed). Harbaugh was pleased until Likely went down near the end of practice, but every team has these types of injuries during training camp. Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson gestures to young fans during practice. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff) Happy feet Jackson makes a lot of plays with his scrambling ability, but sometimes it would serve him well not to have “nervous feet” and start panicking in the pocket. There are times when he just needs to settle and make a strong throw, unlike the underhand flips he has made in the past two days. Those plays lead to turnovers, and they can be costly. Catch of the day The best catch of the day belonged to wide receiver Tylan Wallace on a 20-yard reception over the middle. The pass itself was excellent because it showed both touch and accuracy from backup quarterback Cooper Rush. Maybe he is starting to learn this offense. Also, still waiting for a receiver to run a deep comeback route in practice. The Ravens haven’t had anyone run it like quarterback Joe Flacco throwing to Derrick Mason, who earned the nickname “King of The Comeback.” Related Articles Ravens hire former NFL referee to help with persistent penalty problems Ravens rookie Mike Green starts to find his footing: ‘Going to be a baller’ Ravens TE Isaiah Likely carted off field, will be out ‘a few weeks’ How the Ravens can unlock Zay Flowers as a No. 1 wide receiver | ANALYSIS Do the Ravens have too many pass catchers? 2025 will test team’s balance. Offensive line intrigue I’ve been impressed with starting right guard Daniel Faalele. The 6-8, 370-pound Faalele usually comes to training camp out of shape, but has played well so far. Also, center Tyler Linderbaum, in his fourth year out of Iowa, is handling power rushers at the nose tackle position better than he has in recent years, but I’d still put a big body over him. I’m not sure he could handle that intensity for a full game. One more thing about the offensive line: It wasn’t a good day for starting right tackle Roger Rosengarten. The second-year player whiffed trying to pass block Oweh and then got outmuscled by Van Noy in his next matchup. Big-time play Jackson had a long touchdown run during practice and celebrated with a flip into the end zone. It was well-earned and deserved. Have a news tip? Contact Mike Preston at epreston@baltsun.com, 410-332-6467 and x.com/MikePrestonSun. Baltimore Ravens safety Malaki Starks catches the ball over Beau Brade during training camp. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff)Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh speaks at a press conference after training camp at the team’s Under Armour Performance Center in Owings Mills, Md. (Nia Meyers/Staff)Baltimore Ravens wide receivers Rashod Bateman (7), left, and Jahmal Banks (86) run drills during training camp at the team’s Under Armour Performance Center in Owings Mills, Md. (Nia Meyers/Staff)Baltimore Ravens guard Darrian Dalcourt signs autographs for young fans after practice during training camp at the team’s Under Armour Performance Center in Owings Mills, Md. (Nia Meyers/Staff)Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Jahmal Banks (86) runs drills during training camp at the team’s Under Armour Performance Center in Owings Mills, Md. (Nia Meyers/Staff)Baltimore Ravens wide reciever Zay Flowers (4) runs drills during training camp at the team’s Under Armour Performance Center in Owings Mills, Md. (Nia Meyers/Staff)Young fans enjoy the bouncy house during Baltimore Ravens training camp at the team’s Under Armour Performance Center in Owings Mills, Md. (Nia Meyers/Staff)Baltimore Ravens new cornerback Jaire Alexander signs autographs for young fans after practice during training camp at the team’s Under Armour Performance Center in Owings Mills, Md. (Nia Meyers/Staff)Fans watch as the Baltimore Ravens conduct drills during training camp at the team’s Under Armour Performance Center in Owings Mills, Md. (Nia Meyers/Staff)Baltimore Ravens safety Kyle Hamilton signs autographs for young fans after practice during training camp at the team’s Under Armour Performance Center in Owings Mills, Md. (Nia Meyers/Staff)A young fan holds a sign and tries to get Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson’s attention on his 12th birthday during training camp at the team’s Under Armour Performance Center in Owings Mills, Md. (Nia Meyers/Staff)Baltimore Ravens running back Derrick Henry signs autographs for young fans after practice during training camp at the team’s Under Armour Performance Center in Owings Mills, Md. (Nia Meyers/Staff)Baltimore Ravens running back Derrick Henry signs autographs for young fans after practice during training camp at the team’s Under Armour Performance Center in Owings Mills, Md. (Nia Meyers/Staff)Baltimore Ravens running back Derrick Henry signs autographs for young fans after practice during training camp at the team’s Under Armour Performance Center in Owings Mills, Md. (Nia Meyers/Staff)Baltimore Ravens full back Patrick Ricard signs autographs for young fans after practice during training camp at the team’s Under Armour Performance Center in Owings Mills, Md. (Nia Meyers/Staff)Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Tylan Wallace signs autographs for young fans after practice during training camp at the team’s Under Armour Performance Center in Owings Mills, Md. (Nia Meyers/Staff)Baltimore Ravens running back Derrick Henry (22) tosses a football with young fans before practice at the team’s training camp in Owings Mills, Md. (Nia Meyers/Staff)Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson (8) thanks fans during training camp at the team’s Under Armour Performance Center in Owings Mills, Md. (Nia Meyers/Staff)Fans watch as the Baltimore Ravens conduct drills during training camp at the team’s Under Armour Performance Center in Owings Mills, Md. (Nia Meyers/Staff)Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson (8) practices throwing during training camp at the team’s Under Armour Performance Center in Owings Mills, Md. (Nia Meyers/Staff)Fans shout “Best QB in the NFL!” and “MVP!” as Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson takes the field during training camp at the team’s Under Armour Performance Center in Owings Mills, Md. (Nia Meyers/Staff)Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Anthony Miller (6) runs drills during training camp at the team’s Under Armour Performance Center in Owings Mills, Md. (Nia Meyers/Staff)Baltimore Ravens running back Derrick Henry (22) tosses a football with young fans before practice at the team’s training camp in Owings Mills, Md. (Nia Meyers/Staff)Baltimore Ravens pass rush coach Chuck Smith and outside linebacker Kyle Van Noy watch tight end Sam Pitz and outside linebacker Mike Green block during camp at the team’s training facility. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff)Baltimore Ravens outside linebacker Odafe Oweh adjusts his helmet during camp at the team’s training facility. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff)Baltimore Ravens outside linebackers Odafe Oweh #99 and Mike Green stand together during camp at the team’s training facility. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff)Ravens outside linebacker Odafe Oweh, right, battles tight end Charlie Kolar. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff)Baltimore Ravens pass rush coach Chuck Smith watches tackle Joseph Noteboom, left and outside linebacker Tavius Robinson collide during camp at the team’s training facility. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff)Ravens rookie outside linebacker Mike Green locks arms with tight end Zaire Mitchell-Paden during Tuesday's practice. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff)Baltimore Ravens outside linebacker Mike Green and tight end Zaire Mitchell-Paden practice blocking during camp at the team’s training facility. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff)Baltimore Ravens outside linebacker Kaimon Rucker and tight end Mark Andrews practice blocking during camp at the team’s training facility. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff)Baltimore Ravens outside linebacker Odafe Oweh drinks water during camp at the team’s training facility. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff)Baltimore Ravens outside linebacker Mike Green practices blocking during camp at the team’s training facility. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff)Baltimore Ravens outside linebacker Odafe Oweh walks during camp at the team’s training facility. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff)Baltimore Ravens tight end Zaire Mitchell-Paden tosses a towel during camp at the team’s training facility. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff)Baltimore Ravens outside linebacker Mike Green jogs during camp at the team’s training facility. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff)Baltimore Ravens safety Sanoussi Kane looks upfield during camp at the team’s training facility. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff)Baltimore Ravens outside linebacker Odafe Oweh jogs during camp at the team’s training facility. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff)Baltimore Ravens cornerback Reuben Lowery sprints during training camp. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff)Show Caption1 of 39Baltimore Ravens safety Malaki Starks catches the ball over Beau Brade during training camp. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff)Expand View the full article

Ravens tight end Isaiah Likely suffered an apparent leg injury toward the end of training camp practice Tuesday and was carted off the field. Coach John Harbaugh said that Likely rolled his ankle and will be out “a few weeks.” Harbaugh said the fourth-year player will undergo an MRI on Wednesday to determine the severity of the injury, which happened during one-on-one drills against safety Sanoussi Kane. Likely punched the ground in frustration after going down. The 25-year-old Likely is in the final year of his rookie contract and is a candidate for an extension. He recorded a career-high 42 catches for 477 yards and six touchdowns last season. This article will be updated. Have a news tip? Contact Brian Wacker at bwacker@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/brianwacker1. View the full article

Zay Flowers’ second season was everything the Ravens could have hoped. The former first-round pick became Baltimore’s first Pro Bowl wide receiver, had over 1,000 yards and emerged as a quality No. 1 wideout. But if Flowers is going to evolve into an elite NFL receiver, it’ll require continued development and a more intentional effort from the Ravens to feature him like a top-tier wideout. The team seems to be using him as such early in training camp. By increasing Flowers’ usage in the slot, the Ravens could unlock another element in their offense and the wideout’s game. He’s been more effective from that position in his brief NFL career and would allow for offensive coordinator Todd Monken to move Flowers around the field and use his top wideout as a matchup playmaker. “I just know how to create separation going across the field … I’m explosive out of breaks,” Flowers said Monday. “I feel like I can run every route in the route tree.” Baltimore moved on from wide receiver Nelson Agholor in the offseason, who was the team’s primary inside option the past two seasons. But Flowers played over 40% of his snaps from the slot last season, a 7% increase from his rookie year, according to Pro Football Focus. He had 26 catches for 374 yards from that position. Flowers’ 14.4 yards per catch from the slot were the seventh-highest in the NFL last season (among players with a minimum of 75 total targets). That mark was ahead of star wideouts Justin Jefferson, Amon-Ra St. Brown and Puka Nacua. The wide receiver’s 2.10 yards per route run out of the slot was better than his 1.85 yards per route run when he was lined up out wide, according to PFF. His game fits well inside, as his shiftiness and run-after-the-catch ability are among the best in the league. At Monday’s practice, Flowers repped more inside than outside during team drills. He’s been the beneficiary of several explosive plays in practice. Flowers said he’s gotten even faster after running on hills during the offseason. “Zay is a matchup problem anywhere on the field. If you can get him the ball, something special is going to happen,” wide receivers coach Greg Lewis said. NFL offenses are increasingly moving their top wide receivers around formations to find stronger matchups. Seven of the NFL’s top 10 receivers last season spent over 30% of their snaps in the slot. In the nine games in which Flowers lined up in the slot on more than 40% of his snaps, he totaled 689 yards on 66 targets and 44 catches. In the other games — when his slot usage dipped below 40% — he managed just 370 yards on 46 targets and 30 receptions. “We just gotta get him the ball more,” Monken said in June. “He’s not only an outside receiver that has elite route running skills, but he’s unbelievable with the ball in his hands, so you have a guy who fits two positions, plays two positions. “You can use him in a variety of roles to get him the ball, which allows your volume to go up. … I expect him to take another leap in terms of his consistency.” Part of the numbers disparity stems from the Ravens’ personnel packages. When they throw more, Flowers naturally sees more snaps in the slot. But in heavier formations, he often shifts outside or comes off the field entirely. The Ravens also have a dearth of options to play inside. Tight end Mark Andrews has been one of the NFL’s best slot options over his career, as he played nearly half of his snaps from that spot last season. Tight end Isaiah Likely is a mismatch problem across the field. Tylan Wallace and sixth-round draft pick LaJohntay Wester also have experience inside. But DeAndre Hopkins, who’s spent a majority of his career on the outside, joined the team this offseason, and Rashod Bateman has rarely shifted from his role as the X receiver. “I believe our offense has no limits because we got guys that can play any position,” quarterback Lamar Jackson said. “Like [Flowers] going inside, got [Hopkins] on the outside, [Bateman] outside, it’s no roof.” Related Articles Do the Ravens have too many pass catchers? 2025 will test team’s balance. Meet the mechanical engineering major turned Ravens training camp darling Ravens observations on 1st padded practice, a skirmish, rookies and kicker battle Ravens QB Lamar Jackson lands in Madden 99 club with 6 other NFL stars Ravens secondary among best in NFL but already dealing with injuries If coach John Harbaugh wants Flowers to take the next step toward becoming “the best,” using the third-year player in several ways is the next step for him to become a premier No. 1 wide receiver. The fans are certainly treating him that way. The calls for “Zay” at training camp are more than almost any other Raven. He rewarded a young boy with a high-five during Monday’s practice, and the kid walked away with a proud smile on his face. If Flowers can take another leap, he’ll become even more of a household name. Have a news tip? Contact Sam Jane at sjane@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/Sam_Jane230. View the full article

Zay Flowers is coming off his first 1,000-yard season and an accompanying Pro Bowl nod. Rashod Bateman scored nine touchdowns last season, this after managing four his first three years in the NFL. DeAndre Hopkins is one of the league’s most revered veteran receivers. Mark Andrews is Lamar Jackson’s longest-tenured option, still considered his safety blanket. And Isaiah Likely has improved each of his first three seasons. That’s a lot of pass catching mouths to feed in Baltimore. “You’d rather have too many players that want the ball than not enough or that [don’t] deserve it,” Ravens offensive coordinator Todd Monken said. Three receivers and two tight ends, all proven commodities, can make for an egotistical nightmare or yield an historically productive offense. The challenge for Monken will be how he can spread the ball around with the luxury of keeping his guys fresh by way of variance in personnel groupings. “To me, that’s balance,” Monken said. “Balance is having enough players that it’s not just run and pass, it’s touches. That they’re not just defending one player, that you’re defending modes, you’re defending formations, you’re defending players, you’re defending concepts, all the above. And we’re very fortunate to have that, and we’ll see because we have to do it this year.” Of the 1,055 plays the Ravens offense ran in 2024, 31% were in 12 personnel (one running back and two tight ends), 27.8% were 11 personnel (three receivers with one running back and one tight end), 18.8% were 21 personnel (two running backs, two receivers and a tight end) and 12.6% were 22 personnel (two running backs, two tight ends and one receiver). That’s all according to sports data platform SumerSports. For comparison, 47.7% of the Ravens plays in 2023 were 11 personnel. Monken let loose last year, his second at the helm, with more two tight end sets while mixing and matching receiver and running back combos on the heels of adding running back Derrick Henry. It produced the league’s best offense by DVOA, each play a concert of skill position play makers. Then the Ravens went out and signed Hopkins. They also should get a healthy Keaton Mitchell returning to the backfield, joining Henry and Justice Hill. Monken and quarterback Lamar Jackson are working with a full house that will need to set egos aside to reach their potential. “It’s an unselfish group,” Andrews said. “And that’s not to say that guys aren’t going to want the rock and to have their yards, have their carries or have their catches, and I think that’s a great thing. I think Coach ‘Monk’ talks about that a lot. And for us, it’s being unselfish, trusting the process and trusting No. 8 [Lamar Jackson].” As far as pass catchers go, there’s a diverse skillset in the room. Wide receivers coach Greg Lewis said they try to hone in on each’s niche and put them in those situations. Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson passes during Monday's practice. The Ravens have no shortage of weapons heading into the 2025 season. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff) Flowers is the shifty one of the group, a whirling dervish digging into sharp cuts to find separation over the middle. He said he’s even faster than he was last year. Bateman, who signed a three-year, $36.75 million extension in the offseason, is more of a long ball threat. He’s 6-1, lanky and has become more reliable on go routes. And Hopkins figures to be an outlet for Jackson to throw the ball to past the first down line knowing he’ll go up and get it. A few of those instances have already manifested in training camp. Andrews is a similar 50-50 ball threat. And Likely thrives in scramble situations when Jackson uses his feet to extend a play. Flowers said Monday that he anticipates the offense taking more deep shots. It’s something they’ve been working on and “it’ll show throughout the season.” Are there conversations about sharing the wealth in the offense? Is that something that gets ironed out in August? “It’s been that way since I’ve been here, so we’ll figure it out,” Flowers said, matter of factly. Related Articles Meet the mechanical engineering major turned Ravens training camp darling Ravens observations on 1st padded practice, a skirmish, rookies and kicker battle Ravens QB Lamar Jackson lands in Madden 99 club with 6 other NFL stars Ravens secondary among best in NFL but already dealing with injuries READER POLL: Should the Orioles trade Cedric Mullins? On paper, it’s true because Hopkins is the only addition to the quintet since Flowers’ rookie season. But Andrews was the only established threat in 2023. All of them have made significant strides since. Whether there’s a harmonious union will determine their success. Coach John Harbaugh made the odd analogy to warfare, “like maybe the Civil War,” he said. “You’ve got all these lines of battle. Maybe we can attack them where their defense isn’t displayed quite as strongly, personnel being one of those things,” Harbaugh continued. “If you’ve got guys all across the front that can attack effectively, that’s a good thing.” Is this the best offense of Jackson’s eight-year career? “Yes, absolutely,” he said with conviction, before admitting he says that around this time every year. “We never know until we’re out there,” Jackson said. “I believe we’ll be a lot better this year as well.” Have a news tip? Contact Sam Cohn at scohn@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/samdcohn. View the full article

The first thing to know about Ravens rookie defensive back Reuben Lowery — other than his ascendance to training camp darling for three interceptions during the spring and another one last week — is that coach John Harbaugh knows his name. Most times, a number will suffice. “Reuben is all ball,” Harbaugh said of the undrafted free agent out of Tennessee-Chattanooga. “He’s all ball every day. All he thinks about, all he talks about, eats it, sleeps it. He comes out here and flies around. He’s a very smart player. He is doing a nice job.” Perhaps the most revealing thing to know about the Powder Springs, Georgia, native, however, is that he majored in mechanical engineering, graduated with Latin honors and a 4.0 GPA, and was a member of the “Rocket Mocs,” a student group that earned NASA recognition as one of the best in the country for five years running. For good measure, Lowery, the youngest of three with two older sisters, was also a prominent member of the school’s Fellowship for Christian Athletes Group and nominated as a junior in 2023 for the American Football Coaches Association Good Works Team, an annual award given to players who “demonstrate exceptional community service and volunteerism.” “He’s like the perfect human,” Tennessee-Chattanooga defensive coordinator Mike Yeager told The Baltimore Sun. “He’s the nicest person alive. He’s the hardest worker. He’s the smartest kid.” It has apparently been that way for a while. “He’s the kid you want to date your daughter, marry your daughter,” Lowery’s former high school coach, Phillip Ironside, told The Sun. “He checks all the boxes. “He’s not gonna be in trouble, you’re not gonna read about him doing something stupid, he’s gonna know his playbook. He’s prepared.” For five years, he also prepared to be an engineer — his father Reuben II, a former pastor, is an engineer and IT professional, his mother Tisha a math teacher. Given his small size (5-foot-9, 204 pounds) it was, like an aerospace or energy project, a plan rooted in logic. But it will have to wait — Lowery has a history of playing bigger than he is. In 46 career games at Tennessee-Chattanooga, he had 166 tackles, including 19 for loss and two sacks, 15 passes defended with three interceptions, two of which he returned for touchdowns. As a senior, he was second on the team in both tackles (62) and tackles for loss (7.5), had six pass breakups and two interceptions and was a first-team All-Southern Conference selection. At Hillgrove High School — where he was teammates with Cincinnati Bengals defensive end Myles Murphy, Los Angeles Rams safety Jaylen “Tank” McCollough and Tennessee Titans tight end Chig Okonkwo — he was at or near the top of the team’s weight room rankings for squats and power clean. He also played all over the field at cornerback and safety for Phillips’ 4-2-5 scheme. Ravens defensive coordinator Zach Orr speaks with media after a training camp practice. Orr is one of the Ravens coaches impressed by rookie defensive back Reuben Lowery. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff) “He was a coach’s dream in the secondary,” said Phillips, adding that Lowery is cerebral, intelligent, quick to process information and always got the defense in the right call. Still, playing in the NFL always seemed more like fantasy than possibility for much of Lowery’s childhood given a diminutive stature. “It was, ‘What’s your reality?’” his father said. “He always said his goals were to make sure to go to school, no student loans and a good career.” But when Lowery was able to hold his own against varsity players at a strong high school as a freshman, that reality began to shift. Then at Tennessee-Chattanooga’s camp for high school players, he caught head coach Rusty Wright’s attention, was offered a scholarship and quickly proved a worthy investment off the field and on it. After appearing in all five games as a freshman during the COVID-shortened 2020 season, the next season he helped spearhead a defense that gave up its fewest passing yards (153.5) per game in seven years. And as a third-year sophomore, he returned his first career interception 45 yards for a touchdown. By his junior season, he was named team captain and started at slot safety and outside corner. “He was the best blitzer we had, one of the best man coverage guys we had, one of the best zone coverage guys we had, one of the smartest guys in terms of fits, had great hands getting off blocks,” Yeager said. “He’s a technician. Whatever the coaches told him to do technically, he worked at it every single day so it’s a natural reflex.” All the while, he maintained a spot on the dean’s list and honor roll. “We’d have a team meeting and Reuben would be sitting in there with a laptop doing homework,” Tennessee-Chattanooga coach Rusty Wright told The Sun. “As soon as we started meeting, it went off and it was time to go play football. “He’s very compartmentalized. He knows how to handle his business.” Making the Ravens’ roster, however, could be Lowery’s most challenging math problem yet. Related Articles Ravens observations on 1st padded practice, a skirmish, rookies and kicker battle Ravens QB Lamar Jackson lands in Madden 99 club with 6 other NFL stars Ravens secondary among best in NFL but already dealing with injuries READER POLL: Should the Orioles trade Cedric Mullins? The best Ravens defenses were feared. Will this year’s unit be? Baltimore already has a deep and talented secondary, led by safeties Kyle Hamilton, first-round rookie Malaki Starks, and second-year safeties Sanoussi Kane and Beau Brade, along with cornerbacks Marlon Humphrey, Nate Wiggins, Jaire Alexander, Chidobe Awuzie, Jalyn Armour-Davis and T.J. Tampa, among others. But the Ravens also like versatility and keeping a lot defensive backs, for their prevalence of nickel and dime looks and to account for injuries. Already, they lost safety Ar’Darius Washington for what is expected to be at least most of the season with a torn Achilles suffered during offseason workouts. On Monday, Armour-Davis also suffered an undisclosed injury that required an MRI, while Alexander was out because of swelling in his knee. Barring any significant long-term injuries, there don’t figure to be a lot of open jobs, but that could of course change. And at the least Lowery has an excellent shot at the practice squad. “This is one of the most competitive rosters that we’ve had since I’ve been here,” defensive coordinator Zach Orr said. “But, Reuben has made plays since he’s been here. We’re upfront with our guys in the meeting rooms. We tell them, ‘Hey, block out distractions. Don’t count numbers, don’t worry about who’s in the room. All you do is show up, work hard, make plays and be consistent. That will lead to productivity. Now you put yourself in a great situation to do great things,’ and so far, Reuben has done that, so he’s playing all over the secondary for us.” That bodes well. “He’s been really impressive,” Orr said. That much, at least, has never been in doubt. Have a news tip? Contact Brian Wacker at bwacker@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/brianwacker1. View the full article

The Ravens had their full padded practice of the season Monday, but there wasn’t a lot of thumping during the two-hour session. It was basically an upscale OTA, with a few more bruises. There was limited hitting. The entire team went through one session without helmets. Afterward, coach John Harbaugh said he wanted to avoid any unnecessary injuries and stressed players staying off the ground and on their feet. Mission accomplished. This wasn’t a full hit practice from the 1970s or 1980s, or even when the late Ted Marchibroda was coaching the Ravens in their first season in Baltimore in 1996. Back then, they hit every day for two straight weeks. But there were some moments: Another first The first fight of training camp was between fifth-year outside linebacker Odafe Oweh and rookie offensive tackle Carson Vinson, the fifth-round pick out of Alabama. It was basically a lovefest between the two before the scuffle was broken up almost immediately by teammates. It was a rough day for Vinson. Not only did he get in a fight with Oweh, but he was beaten several times during one-on-one sessions and got in a brief altercation with outside linebacker Tavius Robinson. But there is some good news for Vinson. He isn’t expected to play much in 2025 and is considered a developmental player. Based on his playing too high and not using the proper leverage, the Ravens made the proper evaluation. Vorhees needs work Another player who had trouble being too upright in pass protection was left guard Andrew Vorhees, who might be their starter. Nnamdi Madubuike worked under Vorhees’ pads several times and once pushed him back into what would have been the quarterback’s lap. Related Articles Ravens QB Lamar Jackson lands in Madden 99 club with 6 other NFL stars Ravens secondary among best in NFL but already dealing with injuries READER POLL: Should the Orioles trade Cedric Mullins? The best Ravens defenses were feared. Will this year’s unit be? Mike Preston: Best Ravens team ever? Let’s compare them. | COMMENTARY Vorhees runs well when pulling around the corner and blocks well on running plays, but he stands too high. That’s a big mistake because of Madubuike’s power and speed. Some good and bad for a tight end Zaire Mitchell-Paden had a nice catch in the middle of the field and then strode down the middle for what would have been a touchdown. He took a high-five from Harbaugh going back to the huddle, but the coach won’t be so impressed when he watches Mitchell-Paden’s pass blocking on video. First, he got driven into the ground by rookie outside linebacker and second-round pick Mike Green, then he got blown up by outside linebacker Diwun Black on his next repetition. It was downright ugly. Green, Ojabo stand out While talking about Green, he got some pressure on the quarterbacks Monday, which might have been his best day of training camp. He worked the spin move inside a couple of times and got pressure on both Lamar Jackson and Cooper Rush, forcing them to either step up in the pocket or throw check-downs to the running backs. In the first four practices, Green showed athleticism, but he wasn’t much of a factor. He had a presence Monday. Another outside linebacker who played well was fourth-year player David Ojabo. A year ago, he looked stiff but is now showing more bend and flexibility. Ojabo and cornerback Jalyn Armour-Davis were both on the hot seat entering training camp. Armour-Davis didn’t practice Monday and Harbaugh said he had to get an MRI, but would not specify on what part of the body. Starting wide receiver Rashod Bateman also didn’t practice; Harbaugh said he was sent home early because of an illness. Cornerback Jaire Alexander had his knee drained Monday but is expected back Tuesday, and cornerback Bilhal Kone was out after hitting his shoulder Saturday. Ravens running back Derrick Henry showed off his burst on Monday. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff) Check mate Few fans in attendance would agree, but the best play of the day was a short swing pass to running back Derrick Henry, who ran down the left sideline untouched for a 65-yard touchdown. It’s still unbelievable that a running back at 6 feet, 3 inches and 252 pounds can run that fast. Nobody wanted to touch him or get in his way. Making magic Regardless of how much this offense changes, the Ravens’ best play is still Jackson either scrambling around or throwing to tight end Mark Andrews. It was on display several times Monday. As for Andrews, he still struggles to block, but so did fourth-year tight end Charlie Kolar. It’s good that they probably won’t be called on to do much pass blocking. To be honest, backup tight end Isaiah Likely doesn’t like to block either. Meanwhile, fullback Patrick Ricard, all 6-3 and 300 pounds of him, was extremely successful going one-on-one with the outside linebackers. Ravens rookie Tyler Loop missed a field goal on Monday for the first time this training camp. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff) Kicking update In case you are keeping count, undrafted rookie free agent kicker John Hoyland was 4 of 4 on field goals Monday, converting on kicks from 33, 38, 45 and 47 yards. His counterpart, Tyler Loop, drafted in the sixth round out of Arizona, was 5 of 8 after he made every kick during his first week of camp. He made field goals of 33, 33, 47, 41 and 44 yards but missed on kicks of 43, 38 and 35 yards. Have a news tip? Contact Mike Preston at epreston@baltsun.com, 410-332-6467 and x.com/MikePrestonSun. View the full article

It’s not even August, but Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson is already being honored for his play. The two-time NFL Most Valuable Player is one of seven NFL players to earn a 99 rating in Madden 26. “This is crazy,” an excited Jackson said in a social media video. Wide receivers Zay Flowers and Rashod Bateman broke the news to the quarterback, even giving him a necklace with 99 on it. “I might practice with this thing,” Jackson joked. Joining Jackson in the 99 club are Eagles running back Saquon Barkley, Eagles offensive lineman Lane Johnson, Bills quarterback Josh Allen, Bengals wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase, Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson and Browns defensive end Myles Garrett. Three of the seven players to earn a 99 rating play in the AFC North. Notably, quarterbacks Patrick Mahomes and Joe Burrow didn’t make the 99 club. Several offseason quarterback rankings, including one from The Associated Press, have Burrow and Mahomes above Jackson. Jackson threw 41 touchdown passes and just four interceptions in 2024, eclipsing 5,000 total yards in the process. While he had the best statistical season of his career, Jackson and the Ravens fell short in the postseason with a 27-25 loss to the Bills in the AFC divisional round, while Allen was named NFL MVP. Madden’s ratings don’t seem to care about Jackson’s postseason shortcomings, instead focusing on his all-world skills. Jackson’s passing ability, coupled with elite rushing skills, makes him one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL, and it’s part of why fans and experts alike have such lofty expectations for the franchise in 2025. “Shoutout Madden for putting me in the 99 club,” Jackson said. “Let’s get ready for this season.” Madden will release its full 2026 player rankings by the end of the week. Have a news tip? Contact sports editor Bennett Conlin at bconlin@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/BennettConlin. View the full article

On paper, the Ravens might have the best secondary in the NFL. It’s a defensive backfield loaded with Swiss Army knives, chess pieces and all the other clichés about versatile pass disruptors that help explain five first-round picks in the same secondary: Marlon Humphrey, Kyle Hamilton, Jaire Alexander, Nate Wiggins and Malaki Starks. After a tumultuous start to last season, defensive coordinator Zach Orr said, “We’re light-years ahead of where we were at.” As fortified as Baltimore’s secondary appears, it’s also one injury away from having to trot out an unproven backup. The injuries — although minor — are already piling up one week into training camp and a day into padded practices. Alexander missed Monday’s practice, needing to get some swelling drained from his knee, according to coach John Harbaugh. The two-time Pro Bowl selection should be back to practice on Tuesday. Jalyn Armour-Davis, who would have been one of the first cornerbacks off the bench, missed Monday’s practice with a lower-body injury. He’s scheduled to get an MRI, Harbaugh said, but the hope is it’s “nothing too serious.” Rookie cornerback Bilhal Kone left practice early on Saturday with a shoulder injury. Harbaugh believes it’s a minor setback, but his return will be based on pain tolerance. And veteran Chidobe Awuzie appeared to not take live reps on Friday or Saturday before returning to practice Monday. “I think it might’ve been Ozzie [Newsome], I think he said, ‘You can never have too many DBs.’ I feel like for every team at some point in the year, it seems like everybody’s thin at DB,” Hamilton said this offseason. The Ravens are starting to feel it in July. But at full strength, they should boast among the best groups in the league. Hamilton returns as one of the top safeties in the league, and Humphrey is coming off arguably the best season of his eight-year career at cornerback. Those two have four combined All-Pro selections. They’re complemented by Wiggins, the rising sophomore cornerback poised for a breakout year, and Starks, a 2025 first-round draft pick with the maturity and tools to be an immediate starter at safety. Baltimore will be without safety Ar’Darius Washington (Achilles) until at least November. Training camp will shed some clarity on — if there are setbacks during the season — who might get the call. Related Articles Ravens observations on 1st padded practice, a skirmish, rookies and kicker battle Ravens QB Lamar Jackson lands in Madden 99 club with 6 other NFL stars READER POLL: Should the Orioles trade Cedric Mullins? The best Ravens defenses were feared. Will this year’s unit be? Mike Preston: Best Ravens team ever? Let’s compare them. | COMMENTARY The safety battle should draw more eyes because of how quickly either Beau Brade or Sanoussi Kane might have to fill in, each vying for the No. 3 spot behind Hamilton and Starks with Washington still on the shelf. Last season, the Ravens cycled through Marcus Williams and Eddie Jackson before landing on Washington. So nothing is guaranteed in center field. The cornerback depth chart is a bit more crowded — all floating on the same life raft, trying to make the 53-man roster. Armour-Davis is the senior-most option. He had a nice pass breakup and an interception during the first week of camp before the pads came on. Armour-Davis is going into Year 4, coming off a season in which he appeared in seven games with two starts. Injuries have hindered his development, but there have been flashes if he can get healthy. August is a big month for TJ Tampa Jr., too. The 2024 fourth-round pick missed the majority of his rookie season with an ankle injury. Like the failed Williams and Jackson experiments, the Ravens never got consistent play from Tre’Davious White or Brandon Stephens last year. Tampa made financial investments in his own health this offseason. He told The Baltimore Sun that, in addition to extra post-practice yoga and tub recovery, he bought a sauna and Normatec boots to have at home. “This year is definitely gonna be different with my preparation,” he said. Ravens secondary coach Chuck Pagano, right, has a deep but relatively inexperienced unit to work with. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff) When the Ravens hired secondary coach Chuck Pagano, Tampa and Brade were two of the first young guys to blow up his phone seeking advice. Orr said Pagano gave those guys “a deep, detailed summary.” Reuben Lowery could prove to be the training camp surprise. He’s on the fringe to make the final 53-man roster, likely closer to the outside than the inside. But the undrafted rookie profiles as another versatile back, having played corner, nickel and safety at University of Tennessee-Chattanooga. Harbaugh noticed Lowery flying around, too. “He’s ‘all ball’ every day,” Harbaugh said. “He’s a very smart player. He is doing a nice job.” Thus, this secondary becomes a quasi-positional battle to follow through the preseason. Not for who might start, but for who might be forced to fill in to a defense with lofty expectations. “We didn’t like what we did last year, especially the first half of the season,” Orr said. “And we made a vow that we wouldn’t do that again. So, we know that’s just words. We have to put action behind it. But so far, throughout the spring and this first week of training camp, the action’s been real good, so I’m happy with the group.” Hamilton thinks Starks is further along now than he was as a rookie. The group is feeding off Alexander’s confident vibes and “weird” energy. Wiggins has had a productive start to camp. And Humphrey, the spokesman of the defensive turnaround, said teammates are “really running to the ball like it means something.” Much of Orr’s plans for this season hinge on the flexibility of a dynamic secondary — guys who can play all over the field to mess with a quarterback’s reads. That approach might shift should there be an injury. Ravens general manager Eric DeCosta took two more cornerbacks in the draft. It was the one position the reticent DeCosta admitted he’d be prioritizing. “Corner is a critical, important position,” he said back in March. “They break down. They’re like Bugattis.” Enter, sixth-round picks Kone and Robert Longerbeam. Both entered training camp as bubble guys who will spend every day fighting to stick around. Neither will be guaranteed a roster spot but could stay in Baltimore with a practice squad invitation. In a matter of a year, the discourse flipped from a secondary in the basement of the league to Alexander saying after a few practices, “Defenses win championships, so I’m in the right place to do that.” It will just be a matter of staying healthy. Have a news tip? Contact Sam Cohn at scohn@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/samdcohn. View the full article

The trade deadline is near. The Orioles and the rest of MLB have until 6 p.m. Thursday to make moves. Baltimore, almost certainly one of the most aggressive sellers this year, has several trade chips. Cedric Mullins, a fan favorite, is among them. The center fielder has been one of the Orioles’ best players and one of the few remaining who survived the rebuild and multiple 100-loss seasons. But with the 30-year-old set to become a free agent after the season, the Orioles are likely going to listen to any offers for Mullins. Should Baltimore trade him? We want to hear from you. 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

Ravens safety Kyle Hamilton peeled off his jersey after a long, hot day of work last week in Owings Mills, revealing a T-shirt emblazoned with a simple but paramount message: “Life Is Too Short, Run To The Ball.” Even at the highest level, football is often not about subtlety. Earlier this month, Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase was a guest on “The Sitdown w/ Malik Wright” podcast, and when the conversation turned to the toughest cornerbacks he has faced, the All-Pro rattled off a handful of names. None of them play in Baltimore. Even a neophyte would not confuse the 2024 Ravens defense with the 2000 edition. “I know when I first got here, obviously the Ravens defense, I felt like teams feared what we did,” Ravens veteran cornerback Marlon Humphrey said. “Now, we are trying to get that back. But I mean, I don’t think the Bengals fear our defense. I don’t think the Steelers fear our defense. “So those expectations, when it’s in your own division, people kind of like, ‘Sweet, we play the Ravens.’” That was especially true for Chase, who broke an NFL record that had stood since 1963 with a staggering 21 catches for 457 yards and five touchdowns in a pair of shootouts against Baltimore last season. The Ravens won both, but the performances were emblematic of a deep and concerning problem that had lingered from the summer through much of last season. Though Baltimore’s defense featured a dramatic turnaround down the stretch, it still ranked 31st in passing yards allowed per game (275.7). Many of those yards also came in chunks, especially early, with Baltimore allowing 58 passing plays of at least 20 yards, which was 18th-most in the league. Whether that trend continues this season remains to be seen, but the early returns after the first week of training camp point toward a paradigm shift, if not a potential about-face. First, the Ravens made significant personnel changes. They waived obstreperous safety Eddie Jackson in November and released malcontent safety Marcus Williams after the season. They also added veteran cornerbacks Jaire Alexander, a two-time Pro Bowl selection, and Chidobe Awuzie in free agency to a group that already includes Humphrey, an All-Pro in the slot last season, and rising second-year corner Nate Wiggins. Related Articles Mike Preston: Best Ravens team ever? Let’s compare them. | COMMENTARY Ravens observations: False starts continue to be a problem early in camp Ravens special teams coordinator explains thinking behind kicker battle Ravens observations: New-look secondary strapping in, standing out 43 thoughts on every Ravens defensive player in early days of training camp And though they lost defensive back Ar’Darius Washington for most if not all of the season because of a torn Achilles he suffered during offseason workouts, rookie first-round safety Malaki Starks has already drawn high praise from teammates and coaches for his ability, football IQ and maturity. “He’s miles ahead of where I was at that point in his NFL career,” Hamilton said. “He’s just so instinctual, and he has that little bit holding him back, just because he hasn’t been in [the NFL for] a long time. So, once that clicks, then he’ll be a great player. “I think he knows the playbook more than I did. He’s confident out there. He’s talking, and he’s just so willing to learn and be a sponge, and it’s very admirable for somebody his age.” Alexander, meanwhile, in addition to talent when healthy, has brought a “swag,” Humphrey said, to a defensive backfield that has largely been devoid of it since the days of Marcus Peters. “I think confidence is the biggest key you can have at cornerback,” Humphrey said. “So, I think he’s a perfect fit for our secondary.” Cornerback Jaire Alexander, pictured, has brought a “swag,” Marlon Humphrey said, to a defensive backfield that has largely been devoid of it since the days of Marcus Peters. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff) Coach John Harbaugh also made changes to his staff, notably firing assistant head coach/pass game coordinator Chris Hewitt as well as inside linebackers coach Mark DeLone, who lasted just one season. Harbaugh also did not bring back Dean Pees in a full-time role after he hired the former Ravens defensive coordinator as a senior adviser five games into last season. Though they were part of the defensive turnaround later in the year, it was not difficult to read between the lines that the system was not being taught effectively, a point that crystallized in the form of communication issues that multiple players spoke about over the course of 2024. Defensive coordinator Zach Orr, in his first year calling plays at any level, also initially entrusted his assistants perhaps a little too much, further exacerbating the issues. Replacing them are senior secondary coach Chuck Pagano and inside linebackers coach Tyler Santucci. Pagano, a longtime NFL assistant who was part of Harbaugh’s first staff in Baltimore and later the coach of the Indianapolis Colts from 2012 to 2017, brings familiarity and experience. In 2011, his lone season as the Ravens’ defensive coordinator, Baltimore ranked third in yards allowed per game (288.9) and points per game (16.6). Santucci, 37, is making his NFL coaching debut this season, but was considered one of college football’s top defensive coordinators. He helped turn around a struggling Georgia Tech defense last year, and before that led Duke and Texas A&M to top 25 defenses in scoring. In the weight room and on the field, the Ravens have also been intentional about their goals. Reviving the breakfast club workouts that took root with former Ravens safety Eric Weddle, Humphrey and a handful of others on offense and defense gather each morning for workouts at the team’s facility at 6 a.m., even though practice doesn’t begin until the afternoon. If a player shows up at 6:01, he has to wait until later. In a tweak to the team’s grading system of every player on each play of every practice, coaches have honed in on a handful or so of specifics on both sides of the ball and especially on defense, including pursuit to the ball, blowing up blocks and forcing turnovers. After ranking 13th in turnover margin, which included forcing the seventh-fewest turnovers in the NFL last season with 17 — and none in two playoff games — the latter has been a particular point of emphasis and has borne fruit with a few interceptions and several impressive pass breakups so far this summer. Ravens defensive coordinator Zach Orr said, “When we take the ball away, we'll win. When we don't, we’ve got a good chance of winning, but why put ourselves in that position?” (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff) “We’re getting better at teaching it, teaching in the classroom, showing opportunities on film, showing how to get the football out and understanding how important it is,” Orr said. “When we take the ball away, we’ll win. When we don’t, we’ve got a good chance of winning, but why put ourselves in that position?” The new faces, in addition to the returning ones, should help. Alexander has 12 career interceptions over seven injury-interrupted seasons, which included a career-high five for the Green Bay Packers in 2022. Awuzie, meanwhile, has seven in eight seasons. Humphrey is coming off a career-high six to lead the Ravens last year. And Starks had six in three seasons for Georgia. All of which has the Ravens positioned to be one of the best defenses in the league again after just two years ago becoming the first team to lead the NFL in takeaways, sacks and fewest points allowed per game in the same season. “Based off what we’re seeing defensively, guys are really running to the ball like it means something,” Humphrey said. “I think if we can get nine guys doing that, I think we’ll be a good defense. But if we can get 11 guys doing that to where it could be a cliff behind you, you just turn around, and we all go into the cliff together. … I think that’s something that I’ve seen early on that I think if we can keep building on, that we’ll be a great defense.” Have a news tip? Contact Brian Wacker at bwacker@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/brianwacker1. View the full article

While celebrating their 30th year in the NFL, the Ravens have pieced together their most complete and balanced roster. But with the return to football comes lofty expectations. It’s Super Bowl or bust. There can be no other outcome. In the past two seasons, the Ravens have had one of the best rosters in the league but came up short both times, losing 17-10 to the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC championship game in Baltimore two years ago and getting upset by the host Buffalo Bills, 27-25, in the divisional round in January. But this year’s version is the best since Baltimore’s return to the NFL in 1996. The franchise has won two Super Bowl titles, which is remarkable considering there are 12 teams that haven’t won any. Yet those championship teams were composed of strong defenses that featured Hall of Fame players such as Ray Lewis, Rod Woodson, Ed Reed and a potential selection named Terrell Suggs. In retrospect, those offenses were basically required not to implode. The 2025 Ravens are different, but not perfect. They still need to upgrade their special teams with a kicker and a punt returner, and it remains to be seen whether the secondary can improve after making significant offseason additions. But this offense, oh my. It’s almost flawless. The Ravens have a two-time Most Valuable Player in quarterback Lamar Jackson, who passed for 4,172 yards and 41 touchdowns last season and also rushed for another 915 yards and four more scores. They have one of the best big, multi-purpose backs in league history in Derrick Henry, who rushed for 1,921 yards last season, second in the NFL behind the Philadelphia Eagles’ Saquon Barkley. Even the receivers are good despite the team’s previous failures to find one in the draft. The Ravens have “super vet” DeAndre Hopkins, Rashod Bateman and Zay Flowers as well as tight ends Mark Andrews, Isaiah Likely and Charlie Kolar. Whom does Jackson throw to? Anybody he wants. The only problem for offensive coordinator Todd Monken is finding enough touches for so many playmakers. The offensive line isn’t great, but there aren’t many that are in the NFL. This group struggles with pass blocking, but that’s where Jackson provides the added dimension with his scrambling. This offense is loaded, pure and simple, equipped with a tempo-changing running back in Keaton Mitchell as well as a third-down specialist in Justice Hill. The scenario on the other side of the ball is different, but the possibilities are endless. Saving a wide pass from quarterback Lamar Jackson with a flick of his fingertips, Ravens wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins makes an incredible catch on the first day of training camp. Hopkins is one of the many stars on the Ravens' offense. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff) The secondary should be improved from a year ago when the group was ranked 31st out of 32 teams. The Ravens made significant improvement in the second half of the season but also faced some bad quarterbacks such as the Pittsburgh Steelers’ Russell Wilson (twice), the New York Giants’ Tommy DeVito and the Cleveland Browns’ Bailey Zappe. To increase the talent level, the Ravens drafted Georgia safety Malaki Starks in the first round and signed free agent cornerback Jaire Alexander in June. Alexander was a Pro Bowl selection in 2020 and 2022 with the Green Bay Packers, but injuries have forced him to miss 20 games during the past two seasons. If Alexander returns to form, defensive coordinator Zach Orr has a lot of combinations he can play on the backend with safety Kyle Hamilton near the line of scrimmage, rising cornerback Nate Wiggins on the outside opposite Chidobe Awuzie or Alexander and veteran Marlon Humphrey manning the slot. With Chuck Pagano helping coach the secondary, this group should be better complementing a run defense that was ranked No. 1 in the league a year ago. Nose tackle Michael Pierce retired, but the team has an ample supply of bulk up front with linemen John Jenkins, Nnamdi Madubuike, Broderick Washington, Travis Jones and rookie Aeneas Peebles. What’s missing? They don’t have a proven kicker. Justin Tucker, perhaps the best in league history, was released in early May and later suspended for the first 10 games of the season for violating the league’s personal conduct policy after more than a dozen female massage therapists accused Tucker of inappropriate sexual behavior at several Baltimore-area spas and wellness centers. Sixth-round pick Tyler Loop and undrafted rookie John Hoyland are competing for the job now. Tucker and Matt Stover made major contributions in both of the Ravens’ championship seasons. Tucker converted 30 of 33 field goal attempts in 2012, and Stover was 35 of 39 in 2000 when Baltimore went five games without scoring an offensive touchdown. Another missing ingredient is the return game. In 2000, the Ravens had Jermaine Lewis, who averaged 16.1 yards per punt returns. Lewis also had an 84-yard kickoff return for a touchdown in the second half of the Ravens’ 34-7 win against the Giants in the Super Bowl. In 2012, Jacoby Jones led the NFL with 1,167 kickoff return yards and scored two touchdowns. There are other intangibles. In 2000, quarterback Trent Dilfer was conservative but was a great game manager. In 2012, quarterback Joe Flacco had one of the greatest postseasons ever, tying Joe Montana’s record with 11 touchdown passes without an interception. The Ravens need to get hot. In 2000, then-coach Brian Billick went with running back Jamal Lewis down the stretch as Lewis finished with 1,364 yards to complement the record-setting defense. Flacco was exceptional in 2012. Jackson needs to get hot in the postseason, where he is 3-5 during his eight years in Baltimore. In those eight games, he’s passed for 1,753 yards and 10 touchdowns but has thrown seven interceptions and lost three fumbles. There is also the Ray Lewis factor. Not only was he the best player in the NFL in 2000, but his personality energized the Ravens, especially the younger players in 2012. Without Lewis, the Ravens don’t win either of their two titles. Related Articles Ravens observations: False starts continue to be a problem early in camp Ravens special teams coordinator explains thinking behind kicker battle Ravens observations: New-look secondary strapping in, standing out 43 thoughts on every Ravens defensive player in early days of training camp Ravens’ Jaire Alexander leaves Packers in the past: ‘I got good vibes here’ The Hall of Fame linebacker’s absence has been hard to fill. After the 2012 season, Ravens coach John Harbaugh got rid of the alpha males such as Lewis, Reed, safety Bernard Pollard and receiver Anquan Boldin, which forced the team into mediocrity for the next five seasons. Those years coincided with the early seasons in Baltimore when the Ravens didn’t have enough cash flow to compete on both sides of the ball until Steve Bisciotti became a minority owner in 2000. But now they are back on pace again. Only one team has more overall talent than the Ravens, and that’s Philadelphia. The defending champion Eagles can dominate with both interior lines, but they play in the NFC, so the AFC is a wide-open race. The expectations in Baltimore are justified, even though that might serve as both motivation and a distraction. But there are no more excuses for the Ravens to miss the Super Bowl, because this team is loaded. It’s easily the most balanced in franchise history. It’s time for them to play in a third Super Bowl. Have a news tip? Contact Mike Preston at epreston@baltsun.com, 410-332-6467 and x.com/MikePrestonSun. View the full article

A point of emphasis for the Ravens this summer has been cleaning up the presnap penalties that plagued them last season. In 2024, 32% of Baltimore’s 132 penalties came before the ball was snapped, according to Sharp Football Analysis, thus setting the offense behind schedule. Through the first week of training camp, not much has changed. On Saturday, the offense was flagged for five false starts in the 11-on-11 and 7-on-7 periods, including once from its own 1-yard line. A timeout also needed to be called at one point over apparent confusion on the play call. Of course, now is the time of year to work out such kinks. Still, it doesn’t make it any less annoying, especially when it’s a consistent problem. “It’s real easy to get frustrated, which I do,” offensive coordinator Todd Monken said. “I’m the king of overreacting. But if you do that, then you’ll just go on one [with the snap] all the time and that doesn’t help you either. “So where is that sweet spot? Now is the time to do that. We’re practicing some other things in the throw game and the run game to try like heck to be on point when we play the first game. But obviously we’ve got a lot of work to do.” Last season, left tackle Ronnie Stanley led the team with 13 penalties, per nflpenalties.com, with left guard Patrick Mekari with 11. Of those 24 flags, nearly half (11) came before the ball was snapped. With Mekari now with the Jacksonville Jaguars, one would expect those numbers to be down this season, but that hasn’t been the trend through the first handful of practices. Monken also said that there hasn’t been more variance in the cadences of snap counts this week, either. “There really isn’t anything different other than were starting back up again and it’s hot and we have a number of guys going in the game,” he said. “Sometimes it’s the quarterback that takes a little bit of time at the line of scrimmage, more than he should, then all off a sudden you’re making calls at the line and you forget a different cadence. All those things are a part of it.” He added that there’s no reason that Baltimore can’t be “elite” with its cadence. Ravens cornerback Marlon Humphrey has enjoyed having Jaire Alexander on the team so far. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff) 1-on-1 highlights Training camp isn’t just about conditioning and running plays. The roughly two-hour long practices are broken down into different periods, focusing on specific areas of the game. Perhaps the most glamorous and entertaining of them is when players go one-on-one, with receivers and tight ends matching up against cornerbacks and safeties mano a mano. Saturday was no exception, as the session delivered a few fun plays. Unsurprisingly, two-time Pro Bowl safety Kyle Hamilton shut down a pair of throws from backup Cooper Rush, first to Isaiah Likely, whom he was running stride-for-stride with, then Mark Andrews, whom he undercut to break up the pass after the tight end tried to juke him to the outside. Second-year wide receiver Devontez Walker, meanwhile, made a nice catch against cornerback Jaire Alexander on a comeback route, while receiver Rashod Bateman plucked one off the turf on a similar route with Marlon Humphrey on him in tight coverage. The referee called the play incomplete, though, and Bateman flung the ball away in disgust after an obvious catch, while Humphrey sarcastically dapped up the official for the call. Kicking update The kicking job is still to be determined between sixth-round draft pick Tyler Loop and undrafted free agent John Hoyland, but one thing that’s not debatable is that the ball comes off Loop’s foot with an authoritative thump. That was evident again Saturday. A day after only Loop kicked during practice, both men were in action, and Loop had the better day. Hoyland converted on kicks from 26, 34 and 36 yards but was wide right from 42. Loop, on the other hand, drilled all six attempts from 33, 33, 26, 34, 36 and 40 yards. How long will it be until a winner is decided? “You just let the guys go out and compete,” special teams coordinator Chris Horton Jr. said. “What [senior special teams coach] Randy [Brown] has these guys doing is gonna prepare for them. When the winner shows, it’s gonna show. How soon is that gonna be? I don’t know.” One possible timeline would be sometime between the Ravens’ first preseason game against the Indianapolis Colts in just under two weeks and the second against the Washington Commanders nine days after that. More praise for the new guy Alexander has a reputation of being a bit brash. He described himself as a bit “weird” and knows that he brings a certain energy to the defense. So far, that’s been a welcome addition in Baltimore. “He’s everything we thought he would be and more,” defensive coordinator Zach Orr said. Kyle Hamilton said that his energy was something the defense needed. Humphrey added that he’s been fun to practice with. During Saturday’s practice, Alexander had a pass breakup on a throw to Tylan Wallace up the sideline. A bit of sticky defense (with help from a less-than-perfect throw) forced the ball incomplete and Alexander wagged his finger like Dikembe Mutombo. Teammates have started doing his patented seatbelt celebration too. “He brings energy, confidence, hard work and playmaking ability,” Orr said. “We go against our offense every day and they challenge our corners, especially on the outside. He’s done a great job. So we’ve been happy, pleased with him. He’s a great student of the game. I’m pleased with how fast he’s picked up the system. … He can still play at a top level.” Related Articles Mike Preston: Best Ravens team ever? Let’s compare them. | COMMENTARY Ravens special teams coordinator explains thinking behind kicker battle Ravens observations: New-look secondary strapping in, standing out 43 thoughts on every Ravens defensive player in early days of training camp Ravens’ Jaire Alexander leaves Packers in the past: ‘I got good vibes here’ Attendance and injuries For the second consecutive day, the Ravens had perfect attendance outside of wide receiver Keith Kirkwood and the trio of expected absences: Safety Ar’Darius Washington (Achilles tendon), on the physically unable to perform list, as well as linebacker Jake Hummel and rookie offensive lineman Emery Jones Jr., both on the non-football injury list. There were two notable cornerbacks on Saturday who did not fully participate. Chide Awuzie, who has a long injury history, spent most of Friday on the sideline. Harbaugh said that the 30-year-old is “fine” and that “he’ll be OK.” Awuzie did not participate in live scrimmage situations. He was seen running on the far field by himself. Ravens rookie Bilhal Kone also appeared to leave practice and did not return. Have a news tip? Contact Brian Wacker at bwacker@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/brianwacker1. Contact Sam Cohn at scohn@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/samdcohn. Ravens’ Lamar Jackson takes selfies with fans after training camp work out at Under Armour Performance Center. (Kenneth K. Lam/staff)Ravens’ Lamar Jackson signs autographs for fans after training camp work out at Under Armour Performance Center. (Kenneth K. Lam/staff)Ravens’ Lamar Jackson signs autographs for fans after training camp work out at Under Armour Performance Center. (Kenneth K. Lam/staff)Ravens cornerback Chidobe Awuzie works out during training camp at Under Armour Performance Center. (Kenneth K. Lam/staff)Ravens cornerback Nate Wiggins has been an early standout in camp for his sticky coverage. (Kenneth K. Lam/staff)Ravens cornerback Marlon Humphrey has enjoyed having Jaire Alexander on the team so far. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff)Ravens wide-receiver Anthony Miller works out during training camp at Under Armour Performance Center. (Kenneth K. Lam/staff)Ravens offensive coordinator Todd Monken, right, speaks with wide-receiver Anthony Miller, left, during training camp at Under Armour Performance Center. (Kenneth K. Lam/staff)Ravens wide-receiver Malik Cunningham makes a catch during training camp at Under Armour Performance Center. (Kenneth K. Lam/staff)Ravens defensive coordinator Zach Orr speaks with media after training camp work out at Under Armour Performance Center. (Kenneth K. Lam/staff)Ravens special team coordinator Chris Horton speaks with media after training camp work out at Under Armour Performance Center. (Kenneth K. Lam/staff)Ravens offensive coordinator Todd Monken speaks with media after training camp work out at Under Armour Performance Center. (Kenneth K. Lam/staff)Ravens’ Mark Andrews signs autographs for military fans after training camp work out at Under Armour Performance Center. (Kenneth K. Lam/staff)Ravens running back Derrick Henry works out during training camp at Under Armour Performance Center. (Kenneth K. Lam/staff)Ravens running back Justice Hill works out during training camp at Under Armour Performance Center. (Kenneth K. Lam/staff)Ravens running back Derrick Henry works out during training camp at Under Armour Performance Center. (Kenneth K. Lam/staff)Ravens coach Tee Martin, second left, walks with his quarterbacks, from left, Lamar Jackson, Devin Leary and Cooper Rush during training camp at Under Armour Performance Center. (Kenneth K. Lam/staff)Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson, right, throws as backup Devin Leary, left, looks on during training camp at Under Armour Performance Center. (Kenneth K. Lam/staff)Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson, left, works out in front of quarterback coach Tee Martin during training camp at Under Armour Performance Center. (Kenneth K. Lam/staff)Ravens quarterbacks from right, Lamar Jackson, Devin Leary and Cooper Rush work out during training camp at Under Armour Performance Center. (Kenneth K. Lam/staff)Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson works out during training camp at Under Armour Performance Center. (Kenneth K. Lam/staff)Show Caption1 of 21Ravens’ Lamar Jackson takes selfies with fans after training camp work out at Under Armour Performance Center. (Kenneth K. Lam/staff)Expand View the full article

Ravens decision-makers won’t figure out who their next kicker is based solely on which one drives the ball through the uprights more often during training camp over the next few weeks. There’s a tad more nuance than that, according to special teams coordinator Chris Horton. If it were so simple, Tyler Loop would be leading in the polls. The first kicker drafted in Ravens history made all 23 of his field goal attempts during the first week of training camp in Owings Mills. His challenger, undrafted rookie John Hoyland, has converted 16 of 18 attempts, including a 42-yard miss on Saturday. “When the winner shows,” Horton said, “it’s gonna show.” Horton didn’t reveal any specific timeline for when he hopes that might happen. They’ll both get valuable work, he said, in practice and in preseason games — which implies that Baltimore might go into the preseason opener against the Indianapolis Colts on Aug. 7 with two options. What goes into one player emerging from the two-man pack? “It’s all about consistency in everything that we do,” Horton said. “Especially at that position. We want to see kicks made, right? We want to see good foot-to-ball contact. There’s a process about how these guys are going about it and where they’re kicking from and where they’re kicking in practice and the things that [senior special teams coach] Randy [Brown] is talking to these guys about every day. “One might look more powerful than the other,” Horton added, “but the kicks are there.” Fans making the trip to the Under Armour Performance Center have been treated to something they haven’t seen since 2012. Even with Loop as the front-runner, it’s the first kicking competition since the now-embroiled Justin Tucker’s rookie year. In May, the Ravens released Tucker for in what they called a “football decision,” a reference to the down year the NFL’s most accurate kicker endured in 2024. The release, and complementary decision to draft Loop in the sixth round in April, came on the heels of a months-long league investigation into several sexual misconduct allegations brought against Tucker earlier this year. In late June, the 35-year-old kicker was suspended by the NFL for the first 10 weeks of the regular season. He can serve the suspension despite not being on a roster. If a team so chooses, he would be allowed to participate in training camp and preseason games. The suspension takes effect on Aug. 26, and Tucker can be reinstated on Nov. 11. The Ravens are rightfully more concerned with the kicking competition brewing in Owings Mills. Through four days of practice, each kicker has taken one day off. “It’s all about consistency in everything that we do,” Ravens special teams coordinator Chris Horton said. (Kenneth K. Lam/staff) Loop entered training camp as the odds-on favorite. His workload reflects that. Despite an imperfect performance at rookie minicamp and organized team activities, he has been sharp the first week of full-team practice. Loop hasn’t missed a kick in three days of situational attempts. His best was a 63-yard make to end his practice on Friday and a 68-yarder without a defense that the team caught on camera. “It was a good test day,” Harbaugh said after Friday’s practice. “He had kicks kind of situationally all week, and then to come out here and take it deep like that is a good day.” Added Horton: “With Tyler, the thing we understand is when we brought him in and we looked at him, the dude has a strong leg. Technically, he’s sound. He kicks the ball the way we want to kick the ball. He’s been consistent. And that’s what we’re looking for.” Hoyland, the kicker vying to knock off Loop, hasn’t been a slouch either. He’s just slightly off perfection, which can be troubling for a positional battle with razor-thin margins. Related Articles Ravens observations: New-look secondary strapping in, standing out 43 thoughts on every Ravens defensive player in early days of training camp Ravens’ Jaire Alexander leaves Packers in the past: ‘I got good vibes here’ Ravens observations: Too many tight ends? Not on this team. Ravens’ Kyle Van Noy knows clock is ticking, but doesn’t plan to slow down Hoyland made all nine attempts during his first full kicking day Thursday. Two of them were from 40-plus. Putting his cleats back on Saturday, he made three of four. His last attempt was a 42-yarder that sailed wide right. But Horton noted how consistent Hoyland was in college and how he has fit the mold of someone who can compete with Loop. “It’s all about foot the ball, kicking a straight ball,” Horton said. “And the axis of the ball — the ball is turning. We want the ball to be straight every time. That’s what we’re working for. That’s been a big improvement since the spring, and I think both guys have gotten a lot better at doing that.” The two kickers have been seen wearing a GoPro atop their helmets this week. Harbaugh said it’s “a little bit new.” The point-of-view camera offers additional insight with a direct angle to study foot placement, swing plane, hold patterns and other positional minutiae. So each practice means tracking kicks and placement and body language. All of that has made for an interesting bit of training camp theater. Have a news tip? Contact Sam Cohn at scohn@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/samdcohn. View the full article

Ravens coach John Harbaugh isn’t looking ahead just three days into training camp. “It’s not too big picture right now,” he said Friday. “It’s a lot of little things.” But on a day when the temperature soared near triple digits in Owings Mills, Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson’s accuracy was a tad cold on some of those little things. To borrow from A.I., the great philosopher and former NBA star Allen Iverson, it’s just practice. If there’s a player coaches and teammates aren’t worried about, it’s the two-time NFL Most Valuable Player, who is coming off career highs in touchdown passes and passing yards. Jackson also, of course, did make some nice throws, connecting with Rashod Bateman on a couple of passes over the middle in 11-on-11 play. New receiver DeAndre Hopkins also bailed him out twice, pulling in one crossing throw that was slightly behind him as he had a step on cornerback Jaire Alexander and then making a sliding grab on an off-the-mark throw during 7-on-7 work with cornerback T.J. Tampa trailing. The only player to throw for at least 4,000 yards and rush for at least 900 in the same season, Jackson also had a nifty run in which he faked the toss one way then broke the other, leaving the edge defender in his wake. Unlike earlier in the week, when Jackson was able to connect with Bateman on a 60-yard touchdown with the receiver getting behind Nate Wiggins, the two were unable to link up on a similar play this time. Bateman had a step on Wiggins again, but with the ball underthrown, the speedy corner was able to close the gap and swat it away. As Bateman came to a jog, he extended his arms, a signal for Jackson to get the ball deeper as he had earlier in the week. Where’s Mike Green? A year ago, Mike Green led college football with 17 sacks. Through the first few days of camp, the controversial edge rusher out of Marshall who fell to the second round because of a pair of sexual assault allegations is still looking for his first. It’s early, but he hasn’t been close to getting to the quarterback, no matter who has been in. On one play Friday, Green raced into the backfield only to get gobbled up by undrafted rookie fullback Lucas Scott. On another, he got off the line quickly and sped by rookie fifth-round tackle Carson Vinson, but the former Alabama A&M standout still kept him away from the quarterback on what should have been a pressure, if not a sack. Ravens linebackers Mike Green, left, and Chandler Martin run a drill Friday. Green has struggled to make an impact thus far at practice. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough) Green’s speed and quickness are obvious, but so far he hasn’t registered more than maybe a single pressure. On Monday, players will be in pads for the first time. Green, who is expected to be a significant contributor in Baltimore’s pass rush this season, will be worth watching to see if he’s able to dial it up. Tyler Loop’s best day Tyler Loop has kicked at two of three training camp practices, sandwiching a scheduled day off Thursday, and has been perfect both days. But Friday’s session featured the first real look at the rookie’s boot, as he connected from 60-plus yards out. Loop first took four attempts in red zone situations. The offense would run a play, then trot out the field goal unit. Those were all inside 25-yard attempts. After that, Loop ripped one kick after another. He nailed five tries between 30 and 45 yards, inching back with each effortless make. Then came the real test. Loop fired a kick from 63 yards away off the right hash. It split the uprights with a few extra yards to spare, much to the delight of his teammates, coaches and the onlooking fans suffering through the July heat. The Ravens also said on their team website that Loop converted a 68-yard attempt on the opposite field on a non-team drill. After a solid, but not overly impressive minicamp and OTAs, which included one 60-plus-yard miss, Friday was Loop’s best kicking day of the offseason’s open practice portion. Ravens rookie kicker Tyler Loop has been perfect so far in training camp, including a 63-yard field goal Friday. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough) Strap in Whether Jaire Alexander invented it is up for debate. But during the veteran cornerback’s time in Green Bay, he certainly popularized what is known colloquially as the seatbelt celebration. The hand-across-the-chest move that mimics strapping in a seatbelt — a reference to strapping down a receiver — is popping up in the early days of Ravens camp. Alexander debuted it Wednesday after breaking up a pass from backup Cooper Rush. On Friday, Marlon Humphrey whacked the ball out of tight end Isaiah Likely’s hands, stood up and promptly clipped the imaginary seatbelt to his waist. Then Wiggins, on his second pass breakup of a productive practice, did the signature celebration alongside Alexander. Safety Kyle Hamilton was asked if he might get in on the big play fête. He thought about it for a second and decided maybe if it was a crazy play. Either way, the All-Pro safety has enjoyed the extra juice. “We probably needed some of that,” Hamilton said. “Guys can be a little eccentric at times. I’m more even keeled so I need that brought out of me a little bit. Jaire does that for us. Everybody follows his lead when it comes to the energy. He’s only been here three practice days but everybody can feel the difference with him here.” ‘Miles ahead of where I was’ Hamilton was the 14th overall draft pick in 2022 and finished his rookie year with the highest Pro Football Focus grade by a first-year Ravens defender in the previous 16 years. He ascended to All-Pro status by his sophomore season and has been awarded two Pro Bowl bids in three seasons. Hamilton believes that first-round pick Malaki Starks is “miles ahead of where I was at that point.” “One, he’s just uber-talented,” Hamilton said of the former Georgia star. “He does amazing stuff without even trying and probably doesn’t even know that he’s doing it. He’s just so instinctual. And he’s that little holding him back but that’s just cause he hasn’t been in it a long time. Once that clicks, he’ll be a great player.” Hamilton said that his rookie counterpart knows the playbook better than he did at that time, he’s confidently talking through plays and he’s a sponge in meeting rooms. “He’s generous,” Starks said with a smile. Starks hauled in his first interception of training camp Thursday, his first time picking off Jackson. Beyond the one highlight, he’s looked comfortable in live situations. Starks said that he often goes right to Hamilton trying to make sense of different scenarios. “He’s so smart,” said Starks, who himself was lauded for his football IQ throughout the draft process. “You think you know football until you get around people who know football and you realize you don’t know that much about football.” Wiggins stands out If there was a player the day belonged to, it was Wiggins. In the first 11-on-11 period, he broke in on a short pass to Anthony Miller and nearly intercepted Jackson. A moment later, he crashed in to blow up a sweep play. Later, he tracked down Bateman on Jackson’s deep ball and easily poked it away. Even with adding a few pounds, the listed 182-pound Wiggins is still rail thin, but he has been sticky in coverage and can fly. “I think he’s gonna be one of the best in the league,” Hamilton said. “He’s one of those guys that’s not afraid to line up against whoever. “Today especially, he’s competing at a high level. He’s done that the past three days. … I think he’s probably gonna have one of the bigger jumps from last year to this year than anybody on the team.” Related Articles 43 thoughts on every Ravens defensive player in early days of training camp Ravens’ Jaire Alexander leaves Packers in the past: ‘I got good vibes here’ Ravens observations: Too many tight ends? Not on this team. Ravens’ Kyle Van Noy knows clock is ticking, but doesn’t plan to slow down READERS RESPOND: Fans think the Ravens are the best team in the NFL Injuries and attendance Last season, the Ravens were comfortably the healthiest team in the NFL with an adjusted games lost of just 16.3, per FTN Fantasy. That’s mostly been the case through the first week of training camp, too. Hopkins, who missed Thursday’s session after landing awkwardly on his knee, was back on the field Friday and made a couple of nice grabs. Meanwhile, cornerback Chidobe Awuzie spent most of the day on the sideline during team play, but Harbaugh said that the 30-year-old veteran, has a long injury history, is “fine” and that “he’ll be OK.” The only new absence, meanwhile, was fellow receiver Keith Kirkwood. Have a news tip? Contact Brian Wacker at bwacker@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/brianwacker1. Contact Sam Cohn at scohn@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/samdcohn. View the full article