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The Babe Ruth Birthplace and Museum is a short walk from Camden Yards along a path of baseballs painted on the sidewalk. The trail leads visitors from the gates of the Orioles’ ballpark to the doorstep of the institution, tucked away in the cobblestone streets of Pigtown and surrounded by lines of rowhouses. The quaint and historic building where perhaps the greatest baseball player ever was born has been a constant in the Baltimore sports ecosystem for a half-century. It’s served as home to some of the area’s most valuable sports artifacts, drawing out-of-town and local fans alike. Museum directors say they want it to be more. The Babe Ruth Birthplace and Museum will celebrate its 50th anniversary Friday, a chance to honor its past and look to the future. The nonprofit museum has faced challenges with expansion before, and Executive Director Shawn Herne and Director Emeritus Michael Gibbons say it faces new problems now. But with innovative plans on the horizon that won’t sacrifice its history, the Babe Ruth Birthplace and Museum aims to further cement itself as a Baltimore staple. “Most of us relied on that fifth grade field trip,” Herne said of cultural attractions. “They don’t happen anymore. Museums are going to have to adapt. They’re going to have to change or they’re going to go out of business.” The museum will unveil a new display at its Emory Street location for its anniversary. Among the artifacts that will be shown are the trophy Ruth received for his Player of the Century Award, a program from the game in which he hit his last home run, and a note from an opposing player who got a hit off Ruth as a rookie. The last two of those have never been on display. The museum will also host a lunch Sept. 12 featuring “VIP speakers,” Gibbons said. It plans to debut a film on Ruth’s 1914 rookie season later this year, among other celebrations that will extend into the fall and beyond. “We are scheduling events to run all the way through 2025,” said Gibbons, who’s worked for the museum since 1982. The 50th anniversary comes almost a decade after the closing of the Sports Legends Museum, an extension of the Babe Ruth museum that sat just outside Camden Yards in the former Camden Station. The museum closed the location in 2015 after it was unable to reach an agreement on a new lease with the Maryland Stadium Authority. The Babe Ruth Birthplace houses most of what was once at the Sports Legends site, and that space has been vacant since. But the museum is renewing efforts to expand. “Our mission now is to find a new location,” Gibbons said. Mike Gibbons shows off former Orioles manager Earl Weaver’s 1996 National Baseball Hall of Fame ring in the archives. (Kim Hairston/Staff) Ambitions for a new location are high. With it, Gibbons and Herne aim to make a space they hope will transform how people view museums. Among the plans are QR codes to show visitors video and audio to accompany displays. Holograms would talk to passersby. Indoor batting cages are being discussed, with an overall focus on immersion and interaction, rather than an expectation that visitors will continually stop to read display panels. Some of those improvements could be seen soon in the Babe Ruth museum, they said. “We would have artifacts and we would have displays in there, but there would be much more to do,” Herne said. “That means new technologies. That means looking at preservation in a different way, looking at education in a different way.” Related Articles Sports | UMBC baseball’s Luke Johnson aspiring to validate draft selection by Washington Nationals Sports | Festival with a ‘series of events’ to promote 150th Preakness Stakes Sports | 5 free agents Ravens could still target, including former Steelers pass rusher Sports | All-Star Game underscores importance for Orioles to keep their stars | ANALYSIS Sports | Severn, St. Mary’s hire new boys lacrosse coaches A new site would store most of the collection of memorabilia from the Ravens, the Orioles, the University of Maryland and other local teams, while the original location would retain mostly Ruth-centric exhibits. Other possible additions include featuring more stories of women in the local sports scene, like Orioles head groundskeeper Nicole Sherry, public address announcer Adrienne Roberson, broadcaster Melanie Newman and Camden Yards architect Janet Marie Smith. The museum won’t stray far from its roots — it’ll continue to be at the forefront of research on Ruth’s career. Said Herne: “We’re learning stuff about him to this day.” Those lofty aspirations aren’t without their challenges. The museum’s directors are only in the early stages of identifying a location and planning what the space will look like. And they say they face obstacles drawing visitors from the Greater Baltimore area because of news coverage about city crime. “The news is always bad about Baltimore. It’s all bad all the time,” Herne said. “I don’t have a problem attracting visitors from New Jersey or Virginia. I have problems attracting visitors from Towson, Bel Air and Westminster. For us, it’s finding ways to bring people back downtown and convince them it’s safe to come downtown.” Gibbons said “much of the planning and funding strategies will be tied to the location of the project.” “Once a location is determined, we can develop an exhibit design plan and operating budget,” he said. “We are confident that our vision to create an interactive, STEM [Science, Technology, Engineering and Math]-intensive attraction will draw good support from the community.” Gibbons and Herne combine for more than six decades of experience at the museum. They’ve watched it grow, struggle and overcome across its 50 years in Baltimore. A new site, one they say can be the future of museums, is now the focus. They know they must evolve. “We’re hesitant to call it a museum because we don’t want to create a traditional museum,” Herne said. “We want to create something that is experiential.” Mike Gibbons, director emeritus of the Babe Ruth Birthplace and Museum, looks over an exhibit of Orioles memorabilia. (Kim Hairston/Staff) Shawn Herne, executive director of the Babe Ruth Birthplace and Museum, near a model of Yankee Stadium. The museum is celebrating its 50-year anniversary beginning on July 29 and continuing until 2025. (Kim Hairston/Staff) Mark Belanger’s Gold Glove, and Al Bumbry’s Silver Glove awards in the Babe Ruth Birthplace and Museum archives. The museum will celebrate its 50-year anniversary starting July 29 and continuing 2025. (Kim Hairston/Staff) Mike Gibbons, director emeritus of the Babe Ruth Birthplace and Museum, near an exhibit of Babe Ruth’s records. Gibbons says changes to the exhibit will have to be made after Major League Baseball added the statistics of former Negro Leagues players into its historical record. The museum will celebrate its 50-year anniversary starting July 29 and continuing 2025. (Kim Hairston/Staff) Mike Gibbons, director emeritus of the Babe Ruth Birthplace and Museum, shows some of the archived items that will be put on display for the museum’s 50-year anniversary celebration on Friday. (Kim Hairston/Staff) Mike Gibbons, director emeritus of the Babe Ruth Birthplace and Museum, holds the Vince Lombardi Trophy won by the Baltimore Colts in 1971 in the archives. This is one of several items that will be put on display for the museum’s 50-year anniversary celebration on July 29. Events commemorating the anniversary will continue until 2025. (Kim Hairston/Staff) Show Caption of Expand View the full article

The Ravens don’t have much money to spend. Baltimore currently has just over $5.9 million in salary cap space, according to Over The Cap — only the Atlanta Falcons ($3.47 million) have less. That doesn’t give Baltimore room to sign more than two or three players, but one doesn’t have dig deep into the memory bank to recall the bargains they got last year in signing Jadeveon Clowney at the end of training camp and Kyle Van Noy in late September in the wake of injuries to young outside linebackers David Ojabo and Odafe Oweh. Clowney and Van Noy combined for 18 1/2 sacks and were key contributors to the first defense in the modern era to lead the NFL in sacks, takeaways and points allowed per game. Both were one-year deals, with Clowney getting $2.5 million and Van Noy $1.5 million — incredible bang for the Ravens’ buck. Likewise, Baltimore last summer signed cornerbacks Ronald Darby for $3.2 million and Arthur Maulet for just over $1 million and they, too, were significant contributors. Clowney, 31, parlayed his success into a two-year, $20 million deal with the Carolina Panthers earlier this year, while Van Noy, 33, returned to the Ravens on a two-year deal worth up to $9 million. Darby, meanwhile, went on to sign a two-year deal with the Jacksonville Jaguars worth up to $10 million, and Maulet returned to Baltimore on a two-year deal worth $4 million. Will Baltimore hit the jackpot again this offseason? It’s difficult to predict and even harder to replicate, but there are several veteran free agents still available, including some at positions of need for the Ravens, so expect general manager Eric DeCosta to be prudent. Here’s a look at five players the Ravens could still target. Adrian Amos, safety Amos visited Baltimore last offseason before signing with the New York Jets in the wake of a season-ending injury to former Ravens starter Chuck Clark. Released in December before being picked up by the Houston Texans, the Baltimore native is available again and, at age 31, would provide veteran depth behind starters Kyle Hamilton and Marcus Williams. Last year, the former Calvert Hall and Penn State standout played in 16 games (11 with the Jets, five with the Texans) and had 28 tackles while playing a role on special teams. He also signed for just over $1.1 million last season, so he would be affordable. Former Broncos safety Justin Simmons is a two-time Pro Bowl selection with 30 career interceptions. (David Zalubowski/AP) Justin Simmons, safety Simmons is a two-time Pro Bowl selection with 30 career interceptions who also shared the NFL lead in picks with six in 12 games in 2022. Put another way, that probably makes the former Denver Broncos star too expensive for Baltimore. His last deal in Denver in 2021 was for four years and $61 million, and while he won’t fetch anywhere near that number, a team such as the Philadelphia Eagles, which he has been linked to, has the money to land him with more than $25 million in cap space. Still, Simmons is probably the best free agent safety on the market and would be an enormous addition to a Ravens defensive backfield that likes to use a lot of three-safety looks and already includes what should be one of the best safety duos in the NFL in Hamilton and Williams. Markus Golden, outside linebacker Just three years ago, Golden had 11 sacks for the Arizona Cardinals. He spent last season with the Pittsburgh Steelers, where he played behind T.J. Watt and Alex Highsmith but still managed four sacks, six tackles for loss and 10 quarterback hits in 230 snaps. The nine-year veteran turned 33 in March, but he would give the Ravens another veteran presence alongside Van Noy and a solid edge setter against the run. He’s also cap friendly, with the expectation that he’ll sign a similar contract to the $1.3 million deal he received last season. The Ravens are also familiar with Golden, given that he played for Pittsburgh and recovered a fumble against Baltimore in the 2023 regular-season finale. Related Articles Baltimore Ravens | As Baltimore’s Babe Ruth Birthplace and Museum turns 50, it shifts focus to the future Baltimore Ravens | Ravens position group rankings: Questions surround offensive line, wide receivers Baltimore Ravens | Ravens rookies T.J. Tampa, Adisa Isaac could miss start of training camp Baltimore Ravens | The best of Jacoby Jones’ Ravens career, from the ‘Mile High Miracle’ to ‘Dancing with the Stars’ Baltimore Ravens | Mike Preston: Jacoby Jones is one of the best characters in Ravens history | COMMENTARY Zach Cunningham, inside linebacker Though the Ravens know what they have in All-Pro Roquan Smith and are confident in second-year inside linebacker Trenton Simpson, Cunningham, a seven-year veteran, would provide depth to a position that could use some, particularly with Simpson stepping in for the departed Patrick Queen. Cunningham, 29, spent last season with the Eagles, recording 85 tackles, four passes defended and a fumble recovery in 13 games, including 10 starts. Dalvin Cook, running back Speaking of familiarity, Cook spent the last couple of weeks with the Ravens last season after they signed him in mid-January. While Derrick Henry was Baltimore’s big free agent splash of the offseason, Gus Edwards and J.K. Dobbins signed with the Los Angels Chargers and Keaton Mitchell is still recovering from a torn ACL suffered in mid-December, opening the door for another running back to handle some carries. Entering his age 29 season, Cook is merely a spot contributor at best at this point, but he seemed to enjoy his brief stint in Baltimore and would provide some insurance behind Henry, Hill and possibly rookie Rasheen Ali. View the full article

It’s been an offseason of change for the Ravens. A free agent exodus. A coaching staff that was plundered. Those are the prices of success, with Baltimore coming off a year in which it boasted the NFL’s best regular-season record and got within a game of reaching the Super Bowl before falling flat against the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC championship game at M&T Bank Stadium. Gone are longtime running backs Gus Edwards and J.K. Dobbins. Three-fifths of the starting offensive line, including popular and reliable veteran Kevin Zeitler, are elsewhere. The defense, meanwhile, saw coordinator Mike Macdonald become the Seattle Seahawks’ coach, inside linebacker Patrick Queen sign with the rival Pittsburgh Steelers, outside linebacker Jadeveon Clowney land a huge deal with the Carolina Panthers and safety Geno Stone, who was second in the NFL with seven interceptions, depart for another division rival in the Cincinnati Bengals. Yet, there is plenty of familiarity and promise, namely quarterback Lamar Jackson and second-year wide receiver Zay Flowers, along with All-Pro caliber players at every level of the defense with tackle Justin Madubuike, inside linebacker Roquan Smith and safety Kyle Hamilton. There are still some questions that need to be answered in the weeks and months ahead, but the Ravens have one of the best rosters top to bottom in the NFL. Here’s how each position group stacks up, from weakest to strongest, as Baltimore gets set to kick off training camp this weekend. Offensive line Last season, the Ravens’ offensive line allowed just 160 total pressures, according to Pro Football Focus, the fifth-fewest in the NFL. Going into this season, PFF ranks the unit 25th. That’s what happens when three starters are elsewhere after guards Zeitler and John Simpson and signed with the Detroit Lions and New York Jets, respectively, and right tackle Morgan Moses was traded to the Jets in a draft pick swap. Pro Bowl center Tyler Linderbaum and former All-Pro left tackle Ronnie Stanley are back, but questions and unknowns abound up front. Can Stanley, who looked fit and energized in the spring after struggling with injuries again last year, stay healthy? Will any of Baltimore’s unproven young players, such as second-round rookie tackle Roger Rosengarten, or other backups who have at times flashed, become dependable, every down starters? Ben Cleveland and Daniel Faalele, while solid at times last season, have yet to show enough consistency. Andrew Vorhees is healthy after a knee injury that sidelined him all of last year, but has yet to put on pads for Baltimore. Malaesala Aumavae-Laulu was touted as a possible starter at left guard going into camp last year, then didn’t play a snap during his rookie season. Coach John Harbaugh said he’d like to have the offensive line settled within the first couple of weeks of training camp, but it’s reasonable to think that timetable could extend through at least the first preseason game or two. Ravens and Commanders joint practiceKevin RichardsonDavid Ojabo has missed essentially each of the past two seasons since Baltimore drafted him in the second round in 2022. (Kevin Richardson/Staff) Outside linebacker Promise is different from production. Odafe Oweh showed improvement last year but still finished with just five sacks and 15 pressures, though he did rank 14th in the NFL in pass rush win rate among edge rushers, per PFF. David Ojabo, meanwhile, has missed essentially each of the past two seasons since Baltimore drafted him in the second round in 2022 and is still working his way back from last year’s torn ACL. Veteran Kyle Van Noy is back following a career-high nine sacks in just 14 games last year after signing with the Ravens early in the season, but gone is Clowney, who not only had 9 1/2 sacks a year ago but was a valuable edge setter against the run, something that is not Van Noy’s forte. General manager Eric DeCosta likes the length, speed and tenaciousness of third-round rookie Adisa Isaac, who had 7 1/2 sacks last season at Penn State, but Isaac missed all of the spring because of a hamstring “tweak” suffered during rookie minicamp. Put another way, don’t be surprised if DeCosta adds another veteran edge rusher late in the summer once again. There are still notable free agents available, including Emmanuel Ogbah, Yannick Ngakoue and Shaq Lawson. The challenge will be hitting on one with the kind of success the Ravens had with Clowney and Van Noy last year. Wide receiver Flowers was one of the best rookie receivers in the NFL last season. His 396 yards yards after the catch ranked 15th among all receivers, per PFF, and his 19 missed tackles forced were the third-most among rookie receivers since 2006. His 77 catches and 858 receiving yards led the Ravens and his five touchdown catches were tops among the team’s receivers. Beyond Flowers, however, there are question marks. Rashod Bateman has occasionally flashed over his three seasons in Baltimore, but he has yet to deliver on his full potential either because of injuries his first two seasons or a lack of on-field chemistry with Jackson, something that was evident last year. The Ravens signed Bateman to a two-year extension — something the receiver said he was even surprised by — but his 56 targets in 2023 paled in comparison with the 108 Flowers got. Odell Beckham Jr. moving on to the Miami Dolphins should at least result in more targets for Bateman, among others. The Ravens also brought back dependable veteran Nelson Agholor, who had 35 catches, including four touchdowns, last season, but at this point the 31-year-old is a complementary piece. After those three, there’s uncertainty. Rookie Devontez Walker, Deonte Harty, Tylan Wallace, Keith Kirkwood, Sean Ryan and converted quarterback Malik Cunningham all battling for snaps and the remaining likely three spots on the final 53-man roster. Cornerback An area of concern heading into training camp last year looks to be a position of strength this year. Marlon Humphrey is expected to bounce back from an injury-marred 2023, while Brandon Stephens established himself on the outside last year. Add first-round pick Nate Wiggins, the return of Arthur Maulet and a healthy Jalyn Armour-Davis and Baltimore is suddenly flush with quality cornerbacks. There’s also Damarion “Pepe” Williams, fourth-round pick T.J. Tampa and others such as Ka’Dar Holman and Tre Swilling, who looked good in the spring, to provide further depth. If the group can stay largely healthy — a big if given the injury history of a few players — then the Ravens should have lots of options and depth in the defensive backfield. Inside linebacker Smith has emerged as not just the emotional heartbeat of the Ravens’ defense but as one of the best linebackers in the NFL, garnering All-Pro honors each of the past two seasons. Gone, however, is Queen, who left for the Steelers in free agency, and taking his place is second-year linebacker Trenton Simpson. While Simpson cuts a similar figure to Queen — speedy, athletic, high energy — he’s still young and therefore likely prone to some of the same kinds of mistakes Queen made early in his Baltimore career before blossoming into a highly talented player. But the Ravens will need Simpson, praised for his high football IQ among other attributes, to be ready to fill the void, with only Josh Ross and Chris Board behind him along with undrafted free agents Deion Jennings and Yvandy Rigby. Malik Harrison could also be an option, however, as he can play outside or inside. Safety All-Pro Hamilton is in the conversation for best defensive player in the NFL. Marcus Williams, when healthy, has long been a well-above average free safety. Together, they have the potential to be the best tandem in the league. Beyond health, though, depth could be something of a concern given Stone’s free agent departure. Ar’Darius Washington is the most obvious candidate to replace Stone, but has been injury prone. Stephens can play safety if needed, but he’s been valuable as a corner. The Ravens have versatility among some of their other defensive backs as well, and it’s possible they could add another veteran presence sometime during training camp with former Denver Broncos star Justin Simmons, among others, still available. Ravens defensive tackle Justin Madubuike, right, could be on the verge of becoming a superstar. (Barbara Haddock Taylor/Staff) Defensive line This is one group that returns pretty much as is from a year ago and again should be above average. Madubuike, whose 13 sacks last season led all interior linemen in the NFL, could be on the verge of becoming a superstar. Broderick Washington is looking to play more like he did in 2022 than 2023. Another healthy season for Michael Pierce would only bolster the group and veteran Brent Urban remains a reliable contributor. Travis Jones, who has shown steady improvement in each of his first two seasons in the league, appears poised to be the next player up front ready to break out. If there is a concern, it’s how the unit will fare given the departure of Clowney, whose presence on the outside made things easier on the inside, as well as defensive line coach Anthony Weaver, now the defensive coordinator for the Dolphins. Still, there’s no reason to think this shouldn’t be one of the Ravens’ most consistent and effective groups. Special teams Justin Tucker remains one of the best kickers in the history of the sport, punter Jordan Stout has been terrific on occasion but has lacked consistency, and long snapper Nick Moore missed all of last season with a torn Achilles tendon but was a second-team All-Pro in 2022. In short, special teams is not something the Ravens have to worry about, though they did give up some big returns last season, including a punt return for a touchdown against the Bengals and another against the Houston Texans in the divisional round of the playoffs. It will also be worth watching how they adapt to the new kickoff rules in place for this season. Running back Derrick Henry has twice led the NFL in rushing and rushing touchdowns. He’s a former All-Pro and four-time Pro Bowl selection. He is the best back, even at age 30, that Jackson has played with to date. In letting Dobbins and Edwards walk (both signed with the Los Angeles Chargers) and signing Henry, Baltimore instantly upgraded its backfield in a big way, literally and figuratively. At 6 feet 2 and 247 pounds, he’s bigger than Edwards yet faster than Dobbins. In the Tennessee Titans’ regular-season finale against the Jaguars last season, Henry hit a top speed of 21.68 mph on a 69-yard run, which tied for the seventh-fastest speed by a ball carrier all year. That’s only slightly slower than the career-best 21.8 mph he reached in Week 6 of the 2021 season. Behind him, Keaton Mitchell is still recovering from a torn ACL suffered in mid-December, but the expectation is that he’ll be back at some point during the season, likely in the second half at the earliest. Justice Hill, meanwhile, remains a dependable third-down back who is a good pass blocker and capable of the occasional big play. The Ravens also drafted Rasheen Ali out of Marshall. He’s a smooth, fast runner who is a capable pass catcher and led the FBS with seven plays of 50-plus yards last year, though he does have ball security concerns with 11 fumbles over the past three seasons. Isaiah Likely proved a more than capable fill-in for Mark Andrews last season. But how often will they be on the field together? (Jerry Jackson/Staff) Tight end/fullback Mark Andrews is one of the best tight ends in the NFL and should be 100% after recovering from an ankle injury that knocked him out of the final six games of the regular season before he returned for the AFC title game. Isaiah Likely proved a more than capable fill-in with 30 catches for 411 yards and five touchdowns, just one less than Andrews and as many as Flowers. Charlie Kolar is being developed into an in-line tight end but is still a capable pass catcher, and four-time Pro Bowl fullback Patrick Ricard is the ultimate utility knife. It’s no wonder the Ravens did little in the way of shaking up this group, only adding undrafted rookies Mike Rigerman and Riley Sharp. The only question remaining is whether Andrews and Likely will be on the field at the same time more often. Logic says they should be, given their exploits, but they rarely were last season. Related Articles Baltimore Ravens | Ravens rookies T.J. 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He also shed a few pounds in an effort to be even faster, which should make him and the Ravens’ offense that much more dangerous, especially with Henry in the fold. The biggest concern, of course, is who is behind Baltimore’s franchise player. Tyler Huntley, who had been Jackson’s backup, signed with the Cleveland Browns in the offseason. That they got him for the veteran league minimum salary tells you that the Ravens were ready to move on and are more comfortable with 38-year-old journeyman Josh Johnson, who spent last season primarily as Baltimore’s emergency third quarterback. The Ravens drafted Devin Leary out of Kentucky in the sixth round, but he’s a project at this point. Undrafted rookie Emory Jones would do well to make the roster. But in today’s NFL, few if any teams with a star as big as Jackson have a backup who can step in and produce similar numbers. View the full article

The Ravens placed second-year running back Keaton Mitchell and rookie cornerback T.J. Tampa on the physically unable to perform list Monday ahead of the start of training camp later this week. They also added rookie outside linebacker Adisa Isaac to the non-football injury list. Two of the moves were mildly surprising. Tampa, whom the Ravens drafted in the fourth round out of Iowa State, was a full participant in Baltimore’s offseason workouts this spring. His injury is not known, though he can be activated at any point. The Ravens have plenty of depth at cornerback, including Marlon Humphrey, Brandon Stephens and first-round pick Nate Wiggins, among others. Isaac, a third-round pick out of Penn State, suffered a hamstring “tweak” during rookie minicamp in May, according to coach John Harbaugh, and has not practiced since. His absence leaves Baltimore a little thin at the position with David Ojabo continuing to work his way back from a torn ACL that ended his season last year, though Isaac, likewise, can come off the NFI list at any point. Mitchell, meanwhile, is continuing his comeback from a torn ACL suffered last December against the Jacksonville Jaguars and is expected to be out all of training camp. If he is still on the PUP list once the 53-man roster is finalized, he’ll have to sit out at least the first four games of the season. Related Articles Baltimore Ravens | The best of Jacoby Jones’ Ravens career, from the ‘Mile High Miracle’ to ‘Dancing with the Stars’ Baltimore Ravens | Mike Preston: Jacoby Jones is one of the best characters in Ravens history | COMMENTARY Baltimore Ravens | Dan Rodricks: Jacoby Jones gave Ravens fans a golden memory | STAFF COMMENTARY Baltimore Ravens | Former Ravens star Jacoby Jones remembered by teammates: ‘You were 1 of 1!’ Baltimore Ravens | Jacoby Jones, former Ravens WR and star of Super Bowl 47, dies at age 40 Harbaugh said in May that Mitchell should be able to return “sometime during the season” and that he’s “on schedule, maybe ahead of schedule.” As an undrafted rookie out of East Carolina last season, the diminutive but speedy Mitchell provided an instant spark to the Ravens’ backfield. In eight games, he rushed for 396 yards on 47 carries with two touchdowns and had nine catches for 93 yards. Ravens rookies reported to Owings Mills for training camp on Saturday, while quarterbacks, including two-time NFL Most Valuable Player Lamar Jackson, and injured veterans did so Monday. Veterans are due to report Saturday. Baltimore’s first full-team practice will take place Sunday. View the full article

Jacoby Jones, the former Ravens All-Pro returner and star of their most recent Super Bowl victory, has died at age 40. The former wide receiver and special teams standout died “peacefully at his home in New Orleans,” according to a statement from the NFL Players Association on behalf of Jones’ family, though no official cause of death has been announced. “Jacoby had the unique ability to connect with everyone he encountered,” the Ravens said in a statement. “His charisma, joy and love created a one-of-a-kind presence that could light up any room or brighten a dark day.” The wide receiver and return specialist spent three seasons with Baltimore. He returned two kickoffs and one punt for touchdowns in 2012 and was named to the Pro Bowl and an All-Pro returner while adding 406 receiving yards. He was instrumental in both roles during the Ravens’ playoff run and second Super Bowl win. Jones remained intertwined with the Ravens long after he left the team. Just weeks ago, he attended Ravens minicamp alongside Ray Rice, Torrey Smith and other former players. Jones’ short but impactful tenure in Baltimore is marked by monumental highlights on and off the field. Here are some of his most memorable moments. ‘Mile High Miracle’ The Ravens trailed the Broncos by seven with less than 40 seconds to go in the 2013 AFC divisional round, 70 yards from the end zone and a chance to even the score. Joe Flacco stepped up in the pocket, reared back and unleashed a ball that soared through the thin Denver air. The third-and-3 pass sailed over an outstretched Broncos defender and into the arms of Jones, who scampered in for a touchdown. Justin Tucker went on to kick the game-winning field goal in double overtime over a 38-35 victory. “I eased up. I’m like, ‘he ain’t throwing it,’” Jones later said. “I looked up again and I said, ‘Damn, he threw it.’ I just went and got it. I looked around again like, ‘Is this for real?’” The win sent the Ravens to the AFC championship game, where they beat the New England Patriots, 28-13. That pushed Baltimore to its second Super Bowl appearance. Kenneth K. Lam, Baltimore Sun photoThe Ravens’ Jacoby Jones returns the opening kickoff of the second half of Super Bowl 47 against the 49ers 108 yards for a touchdown. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff) Super Bowl star A few weeks after completing the play that sparked the Ravens’ historic playoff run, Jones again rose to the occasion to secure Baltimore’s second Super Bowl championship. Jones caught a 56-yard pass from Flacco in the final minutes of the first half of Super Bowl 47 in his hometown of New Orleans to send the Ravens into halftime with a 21-6 lead. After a delay for a power outage at the Superdome, Jones then returned the second-half opening kickoff 108 yards for a score. Related Articles Baltimore Ravens | Mike Preston: Jacoby Jones is one of the best characters in Ravens history | COMMENTARY Baltimore Ravens | Dan Rodricks: Jacoby Jones gave Ravens fans a golden memory | STAFF COMMENTARY Baltimore Ravens | Former Ravens star Jacoby Jones remembered by teammates: ‘You were 1 of 1!’ Baltimore Ravens | Jacoby Jones, former Ravens WR and star of Super Bowl 47, dies at age 40 Baltimore Ravens | Become a Ravens Insider with our weekly newsletter It was the longest kickoff return touchdown in Super Bowl and postseason history. Jones’ 290 all-purpose yards remain a Super Bowl record. Tripped by Tomlin Defenders often struggled to tackle Jones in the open field. So Steelers coach Mike Tomlin resorted to a unique — and illegal — way to slow the electric returner. Late in the third quarter of Baltimore and Pittsburgh’s Thanksgiving game in 2013, Jones emerged through blockers and raced down the sideline. Tomlin stood with his back to the play and one foot on the field. It forced Jones inside, where he was tackled and kept from reaching the end zone. Tomlin was fined $100,000 for the penalty, the second largest fine given to a head coach in NFL history. “My heartfelt sympathy goes out to the family of Jacoby Jones during this difficult time. I enjoyed coaching him during his time with the Steelers,” Tomlin posted on X. Jacoby Jones’ 77-yard kickoff return for a score was one of seven fourth-quarter touchdowns in the Ravens’ 29-26 win over the Vikings on Dec. 8, 2013. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff) Snow game hero Jones scored one of seven fourth-quarter touchdowns in the Ravens’ wild 29-26 win over the Minnesota Vikings on Dec. 8, 2013, his lone kickoff return touchdown of the season. It put the Ravens ahead 21-19 with under two minutes to play, a lead the Vikings erased 26 seconds later. Flacco and the Ravens offense responded by driving down the field in five plays and capped the drive with a touchdown toss to Marlon Brown with four seconds left to win it. Jones added four catches for 37 yards in a game remembered for the wild finish and snowy conditions. Jacoby Jones tied an NFL record with a 108-yard kickoff return for a touchdown in the Ravens’ 31-29 win over the Cowboys on Oct. 14, 2012. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff) Record setter In Week 6 of the 2012 season, Jones tied an NFL record for the longest kick return with a 108-yard touchdown to help beat the Dallas Cowboys, 31-29, for the Ravens’ 14th consecutive regular-season home win. Four weeks later, he returned a kickoff 105 yards for another touchdown, becoming the first player to return two kicks for 105 yards or more in a season. Jones’ four kickoff return touchdowns in his three seasons in Baltimore are the most in team history. Of the four players to field at least 100 kicks, Jones has the highest average yards per return with 30.1. Jacoby Jones competed on Season 16 of “Dancing with the Stars” alongside Karina Smirnoff. (ABC/Adam Taylor) ‘Dancing with the Stars’ Jones’ signature dance was seen in end zones around the NFL. And his moves took him further than the football field. Jones appeared on “Dancing with the Stars” in 2013 and performed some of the moves that made him a fan favorite on the television show. In one episode, he performed alongside partner Karina Smirnoff to the tune of “Good Feeling” by Flo Rida. “All my training that I’ve had, I never had a woman push me like she did,” Jones said. The pair reached the final round of Season 16 of the show but came up just short and finished third. View the full article

If you hung around current Ravens vice president Ozzie Newsome during his 33 years as an NFL executive, he was always dropping some nuggets of wisdom. Back in the mid 1990’s, when the team was still at its old training facility in Owings Mills, Newsome once said, “Every team needs its share of knuckleheads, and you can’t win without them.” He was right. And then there are the eggheads, which described Jacoby Jones, but in every positive sense of the word. Jones, 40, died “peacefully at his home in New Orleans,” according to a statement from the NFL Players Association on behalf of Jones’ family. But long before his death, he had already left an indelible impression on football fans in Baltimore. His postseason success in 2012 led the franchise to its second Super Bowl title since arriving in the city in 1996. But sports is about so much more than just competition. It’s about relationships that endure for decades, which is why you still see those existing bonds between those great San Francisco 49ers and Dallas Cowboys teams of the late 1990’s or the Ravens of 2000 or 2012. Jones, a wide receiver and return specialist, had that endearing type of personality. He was charismatic, joyful, joked around a lot and was beloved by his teammates. He was a man of strong faith, which is why he once let middle linebacker Ray Lewis lay his hands on him in prayer before a game. And oh, could Jones dance. The one-time “Dancing with the Stars” contestant could bust as many moves on the field as he did at a nightclub, and regardless of the situation, Jones always found happiness. I didn’t know him well, not like some of the older Ravens such as Michael McCrary, Peter Boulware, Lewis and Jonathan Ogden, but he could always make you smile with a quick phrase or by saying something outrageous. “I loved Jacoby Jones,” Ravens coach John Harbaugh said in a statement. “We all did. His spirit, enthusiasm and love for people were powerful. He was a light. He was a man of faith.” There was more. “Jacoby was one of the most fun-loving teammates and people I’ve ever been around,” former Houston Texans defensive lineman J.J. Watt posted on X, formerly Twitter. “Always dancing and laughing with a permanent smile on his face.” Every team has its share of star players, and the Ravens had their own in 2012, even though Lewis and safety Ed Reed were on the downsides of their respective careers. But in the postseason, everyone has to turn up their game. Great players have to dominate, average players need to become good and some knuckleheads have to make major contributions. The 2012 season was Jones’ time to shine. The All-Pro kick returner had only 30 catches for 406 yards and one touchdown during the regular season, but he could have easily been the Most Valuable Player in the playoffs. He made the 70-yard, game-tying touchdown catch in the final seconds of regulation in the Ravens’ AFC divisional round playoff game against the Denver Broncos, which has been called the “Mile High Miracle” after Baltimore went on to win in double overtime. It was indeed a miracle. Quarterback Joe Flacco’s pass was so high and so far that the ball seemed to have dew on it when Jones made the catch. Then there was the 56-yard touchdown catch and the 108-yard kickoff return for a score against the 49ers after the lights had gone out at halftime in Super Bowl 47. The Ravens were able to hang on for a 34-31 victory. This all fits in with Jones’ fun-loving personality. He still holds Super Bowl records for the longest play and kickoff return at 108 yards and the most all-purpose yards in the game with 290. Related Articles Baltimore Ravens | Dan Rodricks: Jacoby Jones gave Ravens fans a golden memory | STAFF COMMENTARY Baltimore Ravens | Former Ravens star Jacoby Jones remembered by teammates: ‘You were 1 of 1!’ Baltimore Ravens | Jacoby Jones, former Ravens WR and star of Super Bowl 47, dies at age 40 Baltimore Ravens | Become a Ravens Insider with our weekly newsletter Baltimore Ravens | Lamar Jackson, Joe Flacco, Alyssa Thomas nominated for 2024 ESPYS Jones also holds the Ravens’ record for most career kickoff returns for touchdowns (four), most kickoff returns for touchdowns in a single season (two) and the longest kickoff return in team history, having returned two for 108 yards against the Cowboys and Pittsburgh Steelers. But there is more to Jones’ legacy than just having postseason success. He’ll go down as one of the top characters in team history. The late Tony Siragusa was amusing but could be vicious at times. Former tight end Shannon Sharpe was the mouthpiece of an offense that lacked identity in 2000. Lewis and Reed were two of the greatest players ever, but nobody made as big of an impact on the Ravens as Jones in such a short period of time. Only running back Jamal Lewis in his rookie season can compare. Jones had been in the NFL for five years with the Houston Texans before signing with the Ravens and becoming the perfect fit. His legacy will long be remembered in Baltimore. View the full article

On a freezing Saturday night in Denver in January 2013, Jacoby Jones sealed his legacy as the leading man in a golden Ravens memory. Most of us never knew him personally, of course, but Jones will be forever beloved for the large role he played in one of Baltimore’s greatest sports moments. With the ball on the Ravens’ 30-yard line, quarterback Joe Flacco took the snap, dropped back to pass, then stepped up and threw a mile-high pass in Mile High Stadium. It seemed like desperation at first, a pass that might end up being intercepted by the Broncos and ending the game. But, way downfield, waiting for the football to arrive behind two baffled Denver defenders, was Jacoby Jones. He cradled the ball in his arms and sprinted untouched for the touchdown. Sixteen hundred miles away, Ravens fans from Catonsville to Churchville let out a collective scream that could have awoken E.A. Poe from his grave in Westminster Burial Ground. When Jones crossed into the end zone, completing a 70-yard play that made the score 35-34 in Denver’s favor, there were only 31 seconds left in that crazy, back-and-forth playoff game. Rookie Justin Tucker kicked for the tie, then kicked a field goal for the win in double overtime. The Ravens went to the Super Bowl that year and won it. Jones was the star of that show, too. He ran the second-half kickoff back 108 yards for a touchdown against San Francisco, and the screams in Baltimore at that moment also could have stirred the author of “The Raven.” But some — I think most — Ravens fans go back to the 70-yard touchdown in Denver when they want to savor a golden memory of that championship season. It was just a few weeks ago, during the slow part of a daylong fishing trip, when I asked my son if he remembered that play. And, of course, he did. He knew exactly where he was, and who he was with, when Flacco’s pass reached Jones’ long arms. Jacoby Jones, whose death at 40 was first reported Sunday by The Baltimore Sun’s Brian Wacker, will forever be associated with that play. It happens in sports: Some athletes seal their legacy with one play, or a brief but brilliant period in their careers, and that’s how we remember them. Recall the unheralded defensive lineman, Keith Washington, who blocked a field goal attempt that a fellow Raven returned for a touchdown, a miraculous moment on the way to the team’s first Super Bowl. Recall the unlikely clutch hit from an unlikely hero, Delmon Young, who led the Orioles to a come-from-behind playoff win at home in 2014. There never seemed to be anything “unlikely” about Jacoby Jones, however. He was fast, exciting and daring. As a kickoff returner, he was willing to run out of the end zone with the ball and into the charging horde, and that alone deserved our praise and our awe. Professional sports franchises build a community conversation and enrich our shared memories. In the thick album of Baltimore sports, there’s a page devoted to Jacoby Jones and his miracles of the 2013 NFL playoffs. Tragically, he did not have the gift of a long life. But he’ll be appreciated, long and deep, by grateful Ravens fans, young and old, who remember exactly where they were when Jacoby Jones hauled in the mile-high miracle. View the full article

Jacoby Jones, a former Ravens wide receiver and the star of Super Bowl 47, has died, an NFL source with direct knowledge has confirmed to The Baltimore Sun. He was 40. Immediately after the news, former teammates and media members shared what Jones meant to them. Here’s what they wrote on X, formerly Twitter: Torrey Smith, former Ravens wide receiver “My brother! I thank God for the memories and your impact on this world. You were 1 of 1 ! Your play on the field and jokes will live on forever! We have Momma Jones a Lil Coby’s back for life! This one hurt me man! We are going to miss you! Love you bro!” Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson “na bra no way RIP LEGEND” Matt Leinart, former Heisman Trophy winner and NFL quarterback “My former teammate Jacoby Jones passed. Damn this hits hard. His laugh and just bigger than life personality will be something I’ll always remember. RIP brother” J.J. Watt, former Houston Texans defensive lineman “Jacoby was one of the most fun-loving teammates and people I’ve ever been around. Always dancing and laughing, with a permanent smile on his face. Gone far, far too soon. R.I.P Jacoby Jones.” Pat McAfee, ESPN host and former NFL punter “Jacoby Jones was an absolute legend.. he was beloved by literally everybody he met and lit up every room/field he walked into/onto. Rest easy my brother.. we will miss your presence.” Related Articles Baltimore Ravens | Jacoby Jones, former Ravens WR and star of Super Bowl 47, dies at age 40 Baltimore Ravens | Become a Ravens Insider with our weekly newsletter Baltimore Ravens | Lamar Jackson, Joe Flacco, Alyssa Thomas nominated for 2024 ESPYS Baltimore Ravens | Ravens fans give mixed reviews on new ‘Purple Rising’ helmet Baltimore Ravens | JT Taggart, Calvert Hall standout and son of Ravens coach, commits to Maryland Darius Butler, TV host and former NFL cornerback “This Jacoby Jones news hurts man! If you ever met him it’s a guarantee he made your day better. If you knew him, you LOVED him. Amazing man that always showed up w/ incredible energy and a smile! Gonna miss you 12!” Donté Stallworth, former NFL wide receiver “I’ll never forget training with Jacoby Jones in New Orleans. he was fresh outta St Aug when I was playing for the Saints and he made it clear his plans to not only play in the NFL but make an impact. he did exactly that. RIP brother” Sarah Spain, ESPN host “Jacoby Jones was such a fun, friendly, joyful guy. Gone way too soon.” This story might be updated. View the full article

Jacoby Jones, a former Ravens wide receiver and the star of Super Bowl 47, has died, the team said early Sunday. He was 40. A cause of death has not been announced. “We are completely heartbroken to learn about the passing of Jacoby Jones,” the Ravens said in a statement. “Jacoby had the unique ability to connect with everyone he encountered. His charisma, joy and love created a one-of-a-kind presence that could light up any room or brighten any dark day. “Jacoby will long be remembered not just for his success on the football field, but for the lasting personal connections he made with countless people in the Ravens organization, Baltimore community and every area he called home.” A native of Louisiana, Jones played the Ravens for just three seasons, from 2012 to 2014, but left an indelible mark on the franchise with his performance in the Super Bowl against the San Francisco 49ers. He had a 56-yard touchdown catch and a Super Bowl record 108-yard kickoff return for a score to open the second half that helped propel Baltimore to the 34-31 victory over the San Fransisco 49ers. He also had a 70-yard game-tying touchdown catch in the waning seconds of regulation in the Ravens’ AFC divisional round playoff game that season against the Denver Broncos, dubbed the “Mile High Miracle,” that Baltimore went on to win in double overtime. It was voted the greatest moment in team history for the NFL’s 100th anniversary in 2019. “I loved Jacoby Jones. We all did,” Ravens coach John Harbaugh said in a statement. “His spirit, enthusiasm and love for people were powerful. He was a light. He was the cherished son of his loving mom, Ms. Emily. They were so close. He was a man of faith. “My favorite football play was when Jacoby was talking to his mom in the end zone, just before a late-game kickoff return against the Vikings in a snowstorm shootout. Jacoby then raced to catch the ball and run it back for a touchdown. My favorite Jacoby personal moment was every time I saw his smiling face full of Joy. Rest in peace, Jacoby, in the arms of Jesus.” Jones, who played at Lane College and was a third-round draft pick of the Houston Texans in 2007, spent nine seasons in the NFL and also played for the Pittsburgh Steelers and then-San Diego Chargers following his time in Baltimore. In September 2017, Jones signed a one-day contract with the Ravens so he could retire as a member of the franchise. Jones holds the Ravems record for most career kickoff return touchdowns (four), most kickoff return touchdowns in a single season (two) and longest kickoff return in team history, having also returned two more for 108 yards against the Dallas Cowboys and Pittsburgh Steelers. An All-Pro returner and Pro Bowl selection in 2012, he finished his career with 203 catches, 2,733 yards and 125 touchdowns. He also had 4,940 yards and five touchdowns as a kick returner and 2,688 yards and four scores as a punt returner. This article will be updated. Kenneth K. Lam, Baltimore Sun photo In the Ravens' 34-31 win against the San Francisco 49ers in Super Bowl XLVII, Jacoby Jones opened the third quarter with an NFL-record 108-yard kick return for a touchdown. Baltimore Sun photo by Kenneth K. Lam In the Ravens' 34-31 win against the San Francisco 49ers in Super Bowl XLVII, Jacoby Jones opened the third quarter with an NFL-record 108-yard kick return for a touchdown. Karl Merton Ferron, Baltimore Sun Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco, left, and wide receiver Jacoby Jones celebrate after Flacco's rushing touchdown in the third quarter against the Cleveland Browns in 2012. Kenneth K. Lam / Baltimore Sun New Orleans, LA-- 2/3/13 -- Baltimore Ravens' Jacoby Jones (#12) heads for the end zone on a record setting 108-yd kickoff return for a touchdown to open the second half of the Baltimore Ravens vs. the San Francisco 49ers in Super Bowl XLVII. Baltimore Sun photo by Lloyd Fox Ed Reed and Jacoby Jones celebrate the Ravens' win over the Patriots. Joe Mahoney / AP Ravens wide receiver Jacoby Jones celebrates as he crosses the goal line for a touchdown against the Denver Broncos in the fourth quarter of an AFC divisional playoff NFL football game, Saturday, Jan. 12, 2013, in Denver. Mitchell Layton, Getty Images Ravens wide receiver (and former "Dancing with the Stars" contestant) Jacoby Jones threw out the first pitch before the Orioles faced the Red Sox on June 15, 2013. Christopher T. Assaf / Baltimore Sun Jacoby Jones catches a kickoff from Shane Lechler before running it 105 yards for a touchdown against the Raiders to close the scoring in the Ravens' 55-20 victory Nov. 11, 2012. Jones returned four kickoffs for TDs in the regular season during his three years with the team. Kim Hairston / Baltimore Sun Baltimore, Md--8/12/17--Former Ravens wide receiver/returner Jacoby Jones signs autographs during the team's last open practice at M&T Bank Stadium on Saturday. Kim Hairston/Baltimore Sun. Owings Mills, MD -- 08/03/2012 -- Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Jacoby Jones (12) calls back at a coach during training practice at the Ravens' athletic complex Friday, Aug 3, 2012. (Karl Merton Ferron/Baltimore Sun Staff) [FBN RAVENS TEAM PRACTICE (_D3S3400.JPG)] Denver-CO-1/12/13-sp-p16-ravens-broncos-sweeney---Ravens' Jacoby Jones runs off the field after the game winning field goal. Jones caught the game tying 70 yard touchdown pass from Joe Flacco. Baltimore Ravens take on the Denver Broncos in the AFC DIvisional game. Gene Sweeney Jr. Baltimore Sun Staff #7807 Owings MIlls,MD--8/11/12--Ravens' #12 Jacoby Jones. Baltimore Ravens football practice at their practice facility in Owings MIlls. Lloyd Fox-Sun Photographer-sp-ravens-camp-0812-p-fox-#133 1/12/13--Denver, CO-- sp-p-ravens-broncos-fox, -- Ravens' #12 Jacoby Jones and teammte #82 Torrey Smith celebrates Jones' fourth quarter touchdown to tie the game. Baltimore Ravens vs. Denver Broncos NFL football playoffs at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Lloyd Fox, Sun Photographer #3467 New Orleans, LA-- 2/3/13--sp-4313-super-bowl-fox, --Ravens' Jacoby Jones during pregame warm ups. Baltimore Ravens vs. San Francisco 49ers in the NFL Super Bowl XLVII at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Lloyd Fox/Baltimore Sun. #4313 DANCING WITH THE STARS - "Episode 1601" -- "Dancing with the Stars" was back with an all-new cast of fresh faces hitting the dance floor. The competition began with the two-hour Season 16 premiere, live, MONDAY, MARCH 18 (8:00-10:01 p.m., ET) on the ABC Television Network. (ABC/Adam Taylor) KARINA SMIRNOFF, JACOBY JONES Matthew Wilson of Pylesville, right, gives Baltimore Ravens player Jacoby Jones a fist bump after getting an autograph at Wednesday night's autograph signing at Buon Gusto in Whiteford. Jacoby Jones opened the second half of Super Bowl XLVII with a 108-yard touchdown return Sunday in New Orleans, tying a Super Bowl record. The score propelled the Ravens to a 28-6 lead over the San Francisco 49ers, who then staged a comeback that fell short after a dramatic defensive stand by Baltimore's secured the title. New Orleans, LA-- 2/3/13 -- Baltimore RavensÕ Jacoby Jones (#12) heads for the endzone on a record setting 108-yd kickoff return for a touchdown to open the second half of the Baltimore Ravens vs. the San Francisco 49ers in Super Bowl XLVII at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. -- Photo by: Kenneth K. Lam/Baltimore Sun DSC_3923 sp-3923-super-bowl-lam Show Caption of Expand View the full article

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Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson, former Baltimore signal-caller Joe Flacco and ex-Maryland women’s basketball star Alyssa Thomas are nominees for awards at the 2024 ESPYS, ESPN announced Wednesday. Jackson is a finalist for best NFL player and best play — his 13-yard completion to himself on a pass batted into the air at the line of scrimmage during Baltimore’s AFC championship game loss to the Chiefs. Kansas City quarterback Patrick Mahomes, Cleveland Browns defensive lineman Myles Garrett and San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey are also finalists for best NFL player. Flacco, a 16-year veteran who played in just six games over the previous two seasons before Cleveland signed him midseason, led a resurgent Browns team to the playoffs and is nominated for best comeback athlete. Thomas, who starred for the Terps from 2010 to 2014 and is currently a forward for the Connecticut Sun, is a finalist for best WNBA player. Jackson earned his second NFL Most Valuable Player Award this past season after leading the Ravens to the AFC’s No. 1 seed with a career-high 3,678 passing yards and 67.2% completion rate. He added 821 yards and five touchdowns on the ground. Related Articles Sports | Ask Amy: A reader ‘updates’ advice on her dilemma Sports | Severna Park three-sport star Ryn Feemster named 2023-24 Baltimore Sun high school girls Athlete of the Year Sports | October success remains Orioles’ ultimate goal as memories of ALDS sweep return | ANALYSIS Sports | Bowie State senior to be honored as Pride Night Orioles Birdland Community Hero for work within the LGBT community Sports | Howard Community College introduces girls flag football as a varsity sport Flacco, who was named the Associated Press NFL Comeback Player of the Year, took over as the Browns’ starting quarterback in December and started in five of Cleveland’s six final regular-season games. He led them to a 4-1 record in those contests, helping the Browns secure just their third playoff appearance this century. Flacco led the NFL with 1,616 passing yards in the month of December. Thomas was named the Atlantic Coast Conference Player of the Year in 2012 and 2013 and averaged 19 points and 10.9 rebounds per game as a senior. The 32-year-old is a four-time All-Star in 11 seasons with the Sun and was the runner-up for both MVP and Defensive Player of the Year last season. She recently made her first Olympics team and will compete with the U.S. in Paris this summer. The 2024 ESPYS will be broadcast on July 11 at 8 p.m. on ABC. Fan voting is open until 5 p.m. the night of the awards ceremony. View the full article

After months of speculation and waiting, Tuesday marked the reveal of the Ravens’ new “Purple Rising” alternate helmet. The third helmet design in team history features a metallic purple shell, a gold face mask and the team’s alternate front-facing bird logo — first introduced in 1999 — outlined in gold. The team announced that it will wear the helmets for one game this season paired with the all-purple uniform that features gold numbers outlined in white. It will be the first major change to the franchise’s uniform since it unveiled purple pants with a white-and-black stripe in 2018. The Ravens debuted an all-purple uniform in 2016 as part of the NFL’s “Color Rush” and infamously wore mustard gold pants for one game in 2015 to celebrate their 20th anniversary season. Leaguewide, several teams have introduced alternate helmets since the NFL eliminated its “one-shell rule.” In 2022, the league allowed teams to wear a second alternate helmet. Beginning in 2025, teams will be allowed to wear a third. While reactions to the Ravens’ new helmets have been largely positive from the players, with wide receiver Zay Flowers and tight end Mark Andrews sharing their approval in a video posted by the team, fan reactions have been mixed. While some are eager to see the team introduce something new, others plead for the Ravens to keep the uniforms “classy and simple.” “We don’t need all the bells and whistles, our focus needs to be on winning ball games,” Dustin Patrick from Frederick said. “How many uniforms and helmets do you see Kansas City wear?” Other fans chimed in with their thoughts on the new helmets and what they would like to see from the team’s uniforms in the future. Editor’s note: Some answers have been lightly edited for clarity. What is your reaction to the team’s new “Purple Rising” helmet? “I love it, I absolutely love it. The purple with the gold is a nice combo. I do like the older Ravens head logo.” — April R Smith, Owings Mills “I like the purple with the gold touch instead of black, it brings it out more and brightens it up.” — Desiré Ash, Baltimore “I like the old-school logo, but I’m not feeling all the gold. We need some black in there, the Raven is a dark bird.” — Tao Moore, Reisterstown “Oh I don’t like those at all. That bird is not the Ravens bird, they need to stick to the old helmet.” — April Giordano, Middle River The Ravens’ Tylan Wallace returns a punt for a touchdown to beat the Rams in overtime at M&T Bank Stadium on Dec. 10, 2023. (Jerry Jackson/Staff) How does this new all-purple look compare with your favorite uniform combination(s)? “I don’t like it, all I see is purple and gold. We are not the [Minnesota] Vikings. Our best uniform is when we are blacked out.” — Jaelyn Heyliger, Reisterstown “We’ve seen the ‘Color Rush’ before, but the purple helmets will really make it pop and stand out.” — Marquise Wells, Baltimore “I love the all-purple. Honestly, I like all the uniform combinations. Just keep away from those ugly mustard pants.” — Smith What game should the Ravens debut the “Purple Rising” helmets? “We can put them on against the [Las Vegas] Raiders. It’s the first home game and they [stink], so we can break out the new unis and get the ‘W’ all in the same day.” — Moore “We need to get them out of the way and wear them early and against a team we can beat. At least we can get a win in them ugly things.” — Patrick “It’s only right we debut them against Cincinnati [Nov. 7]. It’s a prime-time game and [the Bengals] can wear their all-white ones with the white helmet. I think it’d look good under the lights for that Lamar vs. Joe Burrow showdown.” — Wells “The first night game of the season [Sept. 29 vs. Buffalo Bills] would be perfect, get a lot of eyes on them during a big televised game.” — Smith Ravens inside linebacker Trenton Simpson celebrates his fumble recovery against the Dolphins with cornerback Ronald Darby, left, and outside linebacker Tavius Robinson on Dec. 31, 2023. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff) What would you like to see the Ravens do with their uniforms in the future? “Change the logo, go back to the old bird. The current one looks a little cartoony to me.” — Heyliger Related Articles Baltimore Ravens | JT Taggart, Calvert Hall standout and son of Ravens coach, commits to Maryland Baltimore Ravens | Ravens stock watch: Who stood out and who didn’t at OTAs and minicamp Baltimore Ravens | Ravens unveil new ‘Purple Rising’ alternate helmet Baltimore Ravens | Ravens returning to ‘Hard Knocks’ along with rest of AFC North Baltimore Ravens | Five things we learned from Ravens OTAs and minicamp, including the irrelevance of Lamar Jackson’s absences “Add some flavor, maybe some gray uniforms or something new with the pants. I know how we run our organization, but it’s OK to be different and outside the box sometimes.” — Wells “A gray uniform might work, but don’t change the bird. I think we do a really nice job with all our current uniforms.” — Giordano “Well first we should wear these helmets more than just one time. All that time, money and hype and you wearing them for only one game? That doesn’t make any sense to me.” — Ash “The thing that frustrates me about the Ravens is that the best jersey they have is a practice jersey. Bring out that black jersey with the purple number outlined in gold.” — Patrick “Our uniforms aren’t bad at all. As long as we keep the mustard pants gone forever.” — Smith View the full article

JT Taggart always wanted to play quarterback. He was his team’s signal caller from youth football until eighth grade. The only thing that pulled him away was a monstrous growth spurt he hit just before high school, sprouting up to a towering 6 feet 7. Taggart, a three-star tight end recruit from Calvert Hall who announced his commitment to Maryland earlier this month, blossomed into one of the state’s best players after moving to Baltimore when his father, Willie Taggart, became the Ravens’ running backs coach. As the son of a coach, JT Taggart moved frequently. His college decision was the first time in his life his future was in his own hands. With a chance to finally experience some continuity, he chose the Terps. “I wanted to be close to family,” he said. “Leaving them far away, it wouldn’t feel right.” Willie Taggart was a head coach at five NCAA Division I schools before joining the Ravens. The Taggarts bounced around the south for seven years between Western Kentucky and South Florida. A brief one-year stint at Oregon preceded a two-season stretch at Florida State, then three more seasons at Florida Atlantic. John Harbaugh hired him in February 2023. Each relocation brought disruptions and challenges for JT Taggart, who’s admittedly a man of few words. New schools meant new friends, teammates and coaches. For the first time in 2023, Willie, confident in the stability of his new role with the Ravens, told his son Baltimore would be a place they could finally settle as JT neared the end of his high school days. “It was really difficult trying to make friends and build relationships with people,” he said. “It was probably the most difficult aspect of my life.” JT Taggart lacked the connection to Maryland that born-and-raised in-state prospects hold. Calvert Hall supplemented that. Cardinals assistant coach Bernie Fiddler played for the Terps in the early 2000s when Mike Locksley served as running backs coach and recruiting coordinator. Willie Taggart and Kevin Sumlin, Maryland’s tight ends coach, overlapped as Power Five head coaches in the 2010s. The tight end is the 36th-best player in Maryland in the Class of 2025, according to the 247Sports Composite rankings. At 6-7 and 225 pounds, Taggart also plays defensive end and basketball for Calvert Hall. He chose the Terps over West Virginia, Miami, Colorado and others. Ravens running backs coach Willie Taggart was a Division I head coach before coming to Baltimore. (Kevin Richardson/Staff) “Maryland’s a great program,” Willie Taggart said at Ravens mandatory minicamp. “Coach Locksley’s done an awesome job down there. I want someone to finish what we started. I told Coach Locksley, ‘I’m handing him off to you. You gotta take him to the finish line now and help him continue to develop.’ We want Locksley to help him become a man.” Maryland reeling in JT Taggart bucks its trend of poor results with recruiting Baltimore. Only 11 members of its current roster are from the city. The Terps have brought in just two of the state’s top 20 recruits in the past two classes, including none in the top 10 in 2024. Of that group, six are headed to rival Big Ten programs. The university’s athletic department and Under Armour, founded by former Terps football player Kevin Plank, announced a new 12-year, $98 million partnership this week. It includes a name, image and likeness program that will allow players to earn money by promoting Under Armour products on their social media accounts. Despite the local corporation’s recent struggles — several Division I programs that once had similar agreements with Under Armour have split ties and turned to other equipment and apparel companies — Maryland surely hopes its partnership attracts more local talent. St. Frances four-star running back DeJuan Williams will play his freshman season with the Terps this fall. Highly coveted Spalding quarterback Malik Washington could be next. None of that mattered for Taggart, though. All he wanted was to finally stay in one spot, a place he could choose and that kept him close to family. “I’m not that much of a talkative person,” he said. “I don’t connect with somebody that fast. But when I talked with Coach Locksley, I felt connected immediately.” View the full article

The locker room is empty. The jerseys are put away. The grass is undisturbed. Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson is back home in South Florida. Linebacker Roquan Smith is globetrotting, with trips planned for Spain and France. Running back Derrick Henry is presumably working out at a gym somewhere. Safety Kyle Hamilton is likely on a golf course. Life in the NFL is quiet this time of year, and Baltimore’s players are off until the start of training camp — which this year comes early with rookies reporting July 13 and veterans July 20 — after wrapping up mandatory minicamp last week and 10 sessions of voluntary organized team activities before that. Still, there was plenty to be gleaned from the past month of practices. Here’s a look at who stood out, who didn’t and what questions the Ravens still face as they enter their final respite before renewing their pursuit of the franchise’s elusive third Super Bowl trophy. Who impressed Isaiah Likely Guess which team led the NFL in expected points added per play when passing from 12 personnel (one running back, two tight ends) last season? That could be a sign of things of what’s to come for Isaiah Likely. While there was a huge jump for Baltimore in its use of 11 personnel (one back, one tight end, three wide receivers) last season from 9.8% to 64%, it’s possible Baltimore could take a step back to feature two tight end sets more often. After career highs in receiving yards (411), touchdowns (five) and yards per target (10.3) last season, Likely is expected to be featured even more this year. He’s already looked the part over the past month, making a few leaping catches, including some with one hand. Given his abilities as someone who can go up to get the ball and stretch the field vertically, it would be logical for the Ravens to get Likely and fellow tight end and Jackson security blanket Mark Andrews on the field more often. Malik Cunningham and Sean Ryan Once dubbed a quarterback by coach John Harbaugh after the Ravens signed Cunningham off the New England Patriots’ practice squad late last season, the former Louisville star has made a mostly seamless transition to wide receiver. “He’s shown a lot of speed, a lot of quickness,” Harbaugh said. “[He’s] kind of a natural at the position, and I’ve seen that he understands the game from the perspective of the quarterback, so [his] routes and coverage and timing and things like that have been excellent.” Cunningham made a few nice catches in every practice and fit in with the group. Along with Ryan, a 2023 undrafted free agent out of Rutgers who has also stood out so far, the wide receiver group is one of the more intriguing ones to watch this summer. Beyond the top three spots that belong to Zay Flowers, Rashod Bateman and Nelson Agholor, there are jobs up for grabs. Ravens inside linebacker Trenton Simpson, right, has looked ready to step into a starting role this season. (Kim Hairston/Staff) Trenton Simpson Players weren’t in pads and there was no “live” contact over the past month, so it’s sometimes difficult to gauge progress for some players or positions. That wasn’t true of Simpson. He’s added a few pounds and physically looks the part of the prototypical inside linebacker — fast, strong and able to diagnose plays quickly. Simpson has also been lauded by coaches not just for his speed and quickness, but his football IQ. Add in the bond he has formed with All-Pro linebacker Smith — the two are visiting Spain together this summer — and it looks like the 2023 third-round draft pick will be able to slide right in without much competition to replace the departed Patrick Queen. Most of the offensive line The offensive line en masse had nearly perfect attendance through the offseason program — not surprising given that three starting jobs and several backup roles are up for grabs. The players also didn’t disappoint. Left tackle Ronnie Stanley looks trim, mobile and healthy. Center Tyler Linderbaum is expected to continue to perform at a Pro Bowl level. And while the rest of the group wasn’t able to separate much if at all from one another given the nature of the practices, they collectively, for the most part, drew praise from Harbaugh as well as veteran offensive line coach Joe D’Alessandris. “I’ve seen good competition,” said Alessandris, who has moved players all over the line. “Andrew [Vorhees] is doing a great job. ‘Sala’ [Malaesala Aumavae-Laulu] is doing a good job. Josh Jones is doing a good job. Ben [Cleveland] is doing a good job inside there, so you just keep seeing all these young men doing it, and the good news is, this is the time of year where you’re learning assignment, communication [and] playing fast. The contact is not there. That’s going to come. Training camp is what that’s built for along with games. Then, we’ll see how it plays out from there.” Jalyn Armour-Davis and Tre Swilling The Ravens like to keep a deep cornerback room, and that’ll be the case again this year. Two players, among others, who have looked good are the oft-injured Armour-Davis and Swilling, a member of the practice squad last season. Now in his third season, Armour-Davis has looked fast, didn’t see a lot of balls thrown his way because of tight coverage and had an interception. Swilling, meanwhile, took advantage of safety Marcus Williams’ absence during OTAs and Hamilton being sidelined in minicamp with an elbow injury and more than held his own. Who didn’t impress Marlon Humphrey Though Humphrey was on the field early during OTAs, he did not participate for the bulk of the offseason because of what Harbaugh called “nagging things.” “He should be ready for training camp,” Harbaugh said. “It shouldn’t be a problem.” Midway through last August, Humphrey underwent foot surgery and ended up missing the first four games of the season, and he was hampered by injury for much of the season. So while Humphrey’s health shouldn’t be a problem, as Harbaugh said, it’s probably something worth monitoring. Ben Cleveland Is this finally the year that Cleveland breaks out, or at least settles in, as the Ravens’ starting right guard? “When Ben’s had his opportunities to start, he’s produced and done well,” D’Alessandris said. “You’ve seen nice progression and improvement, and I’m anxious to see now, when you start training camp, you put the pads on, and we’re going to see if he’ll continue. It has to be earned, right? It’s earned based on play production.” That’s hardly a ringing endorsement for the 2021 third-round pick to be plugged in as an automatic starter. Perhaps more telling was that other players got more reps through OTAs and minicamp. While the offensive line battles won’t shake out until at least the first couple of weeks of training camp, it’s unclear where Cleveland fits in. To D’Alessandris’ point, Cleveland played well when he did get on the field last season, yet there’s been little indication he’s near the front of the line for a starting role in 2024. Adisa Isaac The third-round outside linebacker out of Penn State suffered a hamstring “tweak” during rookie minicamp the week after the draft and hasn’t practiced since. There’s no concern it was anything more than a short-term injury, and him being on an adjacent field working with trainers during minicamp was a good sign. Still, missing that many practices could slow the rookie’s chances of establishing himself. Given the questions about the group as a whole, the Ravens need as many healthy and able players as possible at the position. Already, Baltimore has seen the young careers of Odafe Oweh and David Ojabo affected by injuries. Veteran Kyle Van Noy is back, but Jadeveon Clowney moved on in free agency. Tavius Robinson and Malik Hamm figure to be competing for snaps, but are largely unproven. Isaac could have some catching up to do to make an impact, especially early on. The Ravens clearly believe in wide receiver Rashod Bateman’s ability to make a leap this season. (Kevin Richardson/Staff) Rashod Bateman On the last day of minicamp, Bateman caught everything that came his way, from plucking one underthrown ball off his shoe tops to a nice toe-tapping sideline grab. A day earlier, though, he only received a few targets and had even fewer catches. On a couple of occasions, he wandered off on his own seemingly upset with the day’s proceedings. Clearly, though, the Ravens believe in Bateman, signing him to a two-year extension that he was even surprised by. Jackson has also been proactive in his praise of the talented wide receiver. Yet questions remain about the chemistry between the two, especially after Bateman caught just 32 passes in what was his first fully healthy season. Harbaugh said he expects Bateman to take a big step forward this year, which would make the Ravens’ offense that much more explosive and dynamic. But even the players’ workout schedules didn’t align at times, with Jackson in South Florida and Bateman in Owings Mills during part of OTAs and vice versa. Of course, it’s only June. The start of training camp is still a month away. This summer, and the season, will provide even more answers. View the full article

Back in March, Ravens team president Sashi Brown hinted that something special was in the works for Baltimore’s uniforms this season. “We’re exploring some things with some of the alternative jerseys,” he said during the NFL owners’ meetings in Orlando, Florida. “We have some stuff that’s coming, but if I said too much, my team would shoot me before I got back to the building.” The reveal came Tuesday, with the Ravens unveiling a “Purple Rising” alternate helmet that features a gold face mask, gold striping on the top of the helmet and the team’s face-on bird logo, also outlined in gold and highlighted with red eyes. The alternate marks the third helmet design in team history. The first, which featured a flying “B” logo, was used from 1996 to 1998; the second, which uses a profile angle of the bird’s head, has been in use since 1999. Other combinations have also included an all-black alternate uniform that was introduced in 2004, gold pants used during the 2015 season and an all-purple “color rush” uniform with gold numbers. The Ravens will use the latest helmet for one game this season. As for the rest of the uniform, the jersey and pants will also be purple, with gold numbers and gold stripes down the side of the pants with both outlined in white. Player reaction to the look was overwhelmingly positive. “This the one,” wide receiver Zay Flowers said in a team video. “Bad a–, man,” tight end Mark Andrews added in the same piece. Though the Ravens have not revealed which game they will wear the uniforms in, they do have five prime-time games this season, including two at M&T Bank Stadium. The first of those home games under the lights is on Sept. 29 against the Buffalo Bills on “Sunday Night Football” and the second is Nov. 7 against the Cincinnati Bengals on “Thursday Night Football.” Baltimore RavensThe Ravens on Tuesday unveiled a “Purple Rising” alternate helmet that features a gold face mask, gold striping on the top of the helmet and the team’s face-on bird logo, also outlined in gold and highlighted with red eyes. (Baltimore Ravens) View the full article

The Ravens are returning to “Hard Knocks.” HBO and the NFL announced Monday that Baltimore will be one of four teams featured on “Hard Knocks: In Season with the AFC North.” The series will debut on Tuesday, Dec. 3 at 9 p.m., following the Ravens’ Week 13 game against the Philadelphia Eagles at M&T Bank Stadium and will be carried on HBO and streamed on Max. The “all-access coverage” will follow the AFC North — which had the best record in the league and three playoff teams last season in the Ravens, Cleveland Browns and Pittsburgh Steelers — with episodes airing every Tuesday over the final six weeks of the regular season and the playoffs. “Last season the AFC North became the first division ever to have all four teams finish with a winning record, making it the perfect place to launch this new approach to ‘Hard Knocks,’” Keith Cossrow, NFL Films vice president and head of content, said in a statement. “We thank the Bengals, Browns, Ravens and Steelers for the opportunity to showcase some of the greatest rivalries in football and present the intensity of a playoff chase from all four corners of this incredibly competitive division.” It will be the Steelers’ first time on “Hard Knocks” and marks a return to the 18-time Emmy-winning series for Baltimore, which was the first team featured on the original “Hard Knocks” training camp series in 2001 following its Super Bowl victory over the New York Giants in the 2000 season. Since then, the Cincinnati Bengals appeared in the series in 2009 and 2013 and the Cleveland Browns in 2018. The Ravens’ other opponents over the final six weeks of the regular season include the New York Giants, Steelers, Houston Texans — whom they will play on Christmas — and the Browns, with a bye week during that span in Week 14. Last season, Baltimore won the AFC North, finished with the NFL’s best regular season record (13-4) and reached the AFC championship game, losing to the Kansas City Chiefs, 17-10, at M&T Bank Stadium. Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson, meanwhile, won his second NFL Most Valuable Player Award. Related Articles Baltimore Ravens | Five things we learned from Ravens OTAs and minicamp, including the irrelevance of Lamar Jackson’s absences Baltimore Ravens | Former Ravens safety Tony Jefferson comes out of retirement to sign with Chargers Baltimore Ravens | Ravens safety Marcus Williams isn’t concerned with past injury struggles: ‘I think I’m the best’ Baltimore Ravens | Ravens observations on ‘pumped’ Kyle Van Noy, ‘nagging things’ for Marlon Humphrey and more Baltimore Ravens | Ravens QB Lamar Jackson’s chemistry with receivers, new cadence key for offense: ‘Next level’ One prominent Raven is not a “Hard Knocks” fan. “I never watch that show,” coach John Harbaugh said recently on former Orioles center fielder Adam Jones’ podcast. “It’s just not real. People think it’s real, it’s not real. “You put a microphone and a camera in your face, people aren’t the same. If they wanna bring ‘Hard Knocks’ in here, it wouldn’t bother me one bit just because I know what I’ll tell our guys is, ‘Here’s what were gonna do, we’re just gonna be us.’ … We’re not trying to put on a show or act for anybody. … But I do think it’s a distraction because you’ve got a camera in your face.” View the full article

The Ravens are done with their official offseason preparations. The next time we see them, they’ll be ramping up in earnest for the 2024 season. That will mean fierce, physical competition for a few open jobs. It will mean talk about the last steps that must be taken to reach an elusive Super Bowl. It will mean unrelenting scrutiny on the men — particularly quarterback Lamar Jackson and coach John Harbaugh — expected to get the Ravens there. All those stories were in the air during three weeks of organized team activities (OTAs) and the concluding week of mandatory minicamp. They just wren’t as pressing as they will be come late July. With that in mind, here are five things we learned from the last month of Ravens activity. We can always find reasons to get frustrated with Lamar Jackson. Most of them don’t mean a whole lot. The attendance hawks had their talons sharpened for Jackson’s absences from several OTA sessions. The loudest of those, Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio, reported that Jackson sacrificed a $750,000 bonus by failing to appear at 80% of voluntary workouts. Jackson brushed past a question about the bonus after the Ravens’ minicamp practice Wednesday, saying, “I never discuss my contract up here.” The real question is whether any of this will matter when Jackson leads the Ravens’ offense against the Kansas City Chiefs on Sept. 5 or, more importantly, when playoff time arrives in January? The answer is unknowable. Could a Jackson-led offense be 3% tighter if he attended every workout or gathered his receivers more religiously for informal pitch-and-catch sessions in South Florida? Maybe, but it’s such an easy point for his critics to harp on because the premise is impossible to measure. Harbaugh would prefer that Jackson show up for every OTA session. As he’s said many times, he’s a coach; his natural instinct will always be to want his players present and stacking reps. He’s not, however, going to scold his franchise quarterback for missing a few voluntary workouts. There’s no percentage in it. We would all do well to keep that same big-picture view of the situation. Jackson has a nonconformist streak. It’s part of the reason he became a unique, brilliant quarterback in the face of a doubting chorus that said he couldn’t throw precisely enough or that he’d get hurt dancing outside the pocket. His version of preparing for a season might not fit the standard (though Tom Brady skipped plenty of voluntary workouts in his later years with the Patriots, and Aaron Rodgers just blew off minicamp with the Jets). The bottom line is we can count on two hands the players who, when healthy, almost guarantee their teams will play in the postseason. Jackson is one of them. His teammates have never not rallied to him, even after he was injured for the 2022 playoffs and uncertain to sign an extension with the Ravens. Imperfect OTA attendance isn’t going to change any of that. Ravens offensive line coach Joe D’Alessandris gives instructions during mandatory minicamp in Owings Mills. (Kevin Richardson/Staff) The Ravens’ offensive line will remain a mystery until at least a few weeks into training camp Almost all of the Ravens’ unclaimed starting jobs are on the offensive line, with both guard spots and right tackle up for grabs. That was true coming out of free agency and the draft. It’s true after four weeks of offseason workouts. Minicamp and OTA alignments are often misleading. Recall that rookie Malaesala Aumavae-Laulu often lined up as the team’s starting left guard last summer only to lose that status quickly during training camp and become a guaranteed inactive for most of the regular season. Harbaugh said repeatedly that candidates would not separate themselves during these noncontact workouts, some of which did not even feature helmets. It was a time for teaching plays, honing basic techniques, experimenting and running laps as punishment for false starts. The Ravens seem to be considering many possibilities, with Ben Cleveland, Daniel Faalele, Aumavae-Laulu, Josh Jones, Andrew Vorhees and Roger Rosengarten competing for snaps, some of them candidates for all three open jobs. With Cleveland and Faalele still in states of developmental limbo in years four and three, respectively, coaches would probably love Vorhees to cement himself as a starting guard and Rosengarten to show he’s ready to handle right tackle. But we can’t make such pronouncements based on anything we saw over the last month. The number of variations the Ravens tried only added to the sense that we’re talking about an incomplete puzzle. So when will we know? “The earlier the better,” Harbaugh said. “It would be nice if we could kind of [know] by the first into the second week of training camp; [that] would be a goal to have a good idea. If it goes into the [preseason] games, it could go into the preseason games, but maybe just one spot up for grabs or something like that.” The guess here is Vorhees will seize one of the guard jobs and Jones, with 24 NFL starts under his belt, will factor, much as John Simpson did last year. But it really is a guess. On the plus side, left tackle Ronnie Stanley was an engaged participant in every voluntary workout, looking trim and healthy as he prepares for a pivotal season that could extend his career. Trenton Simpson is ready for his shot to fill Patrick Queen’s shoes Simpson pops the eyes as a physical specimen. This we’ve known since the Ravens drafted him in the second round out of Clemson. He somehow looked even bigger and faster over the last four weeks, lining up next to Roquan Smith in the spot vacated by Queen. It’s not difficult to picture him roaming sideline to sideline, blitzing and dropping back to make plays in coverage. Queen was on the field for almost every defensive snap, and the Ravens seem to have faith Simpson can handle a similar role, because they haven’t signed a veteran to compete with the second-year linebacker. Just as importantly, Smith, who leads the defense by words and example, has embraced the affable 23-year-old as a partner. “I think he’s going to surprise a lot of people,” Smith said. “He’s still learning for sure, but I think the way that he doesn’t make the same mistakes over and over every day — he learns from his mistakes, and I think that’s crucial when you’re young, being able to not make the same mistakes twice. I know he doesn’t understand how fast, how explosive and how powerful he is, but once he actually understands that, which I think will be very soon, watch out.” They’re building an off-field rapport as well, with plans to travel to Spain together. “Whenever I have a question, he’s there to answer it,” Simpson said. “Off the field, the relationship has grown a lot, also. Just every single day, [I’m] learning something from him and matching his energy.” Smith’s presence sets Simpson up for a gentler transition than the one Queen experienced when he was asked to be the team’s middle linebacker after he’d started just one full season at LSU. Simpson will make mistakes once the games begin, but his development could be one of the most entertaining subplots for first-year coordinator Zach Orr’s defense. Ravens wide receiver Malik Cunningham tosses to running back Justice Hill during organized team activities. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff) Lamar Jackson’s targets stack up about as we thought they would OTAs and minicamp are made for pass catchers, with no contact to dissuade them and reduced emphasis on the running game. The defense often seems more organized than the offense, but the most spectacular plays invariably belong to the receivers. We saw big, fast rookie Devontez Walker grab balls downfield as the Ravens hoped he would when they drafted him in the fourth round. We saw Malik Cunningham, a star quarterback at Louisville, take to wide receiver easily and earn attention from coaches who now seem intrigued by his potential. We saw steady production from 6-foot-3 Sean Ryan, who signed a futures deal with the team after he spent last season on the the practice squad. Did any of this change the pecking order we’ll see in September? Probably not. Tight end Mark Andrews, fit and intense as ever, remains Jackson’s first option when a play breaks down. Andrews’ running mate, Isaiah Likely, makes the most spectacular catches in the middle of the field. Zay Flowers is a threat at multiple levels and the most trusted wide receiver. Nelson Agholor is the wise veteran who communicates easily with his quarterback. And Rashod Bateman is the gifted wild card — solitary and hanging his head when he’s ignored, most dynamic playmaker on the field the next day. We’ve watched Jackson long enough to know Andrews and Flowers will see the ball plenty, as will Likely if coordinator Todd Monken cracks the code to using him and Andrews as complementary threats. Bateman will have his best chance to break out, but until we see Jackson look for No. 7 consistently, week after week, we’ll wonder if it’s ever going to happen for him in Baltimore. Injuries will undoubtedly shape the Ravens’ season, but so far, so good A few key players sat out minicamp or did not participate fully. Safety Kyle Hamilton had surgery to clean what Harbaugh described as “loose bodies” from his elbow. Cornerback Marlon Humphrey, coming off an injury marred 2023, is still dealing with nagging issues. Outside linebacker David Ojabo is building strength as he comes back from a partially torn ACL in hopes of finally getting his career on track. Hamilton and Humphrey are expected to be ready for the start of training camp. Ojabo might not be a full go right away. Running back Keaton Mitchell is the only Raven ruled out for the start of the season, though Harbaugh said he’s on track to come back in 2024. Bateman and Stanley, who had to worry about significant injuries as they prepared for recent seasons, seem to be feeling great. So do Andrews and safety Marcus Williams, who played through pain last season. All things considered, the Ravens will gladly accept this medical outlook. Injuries will arise when the pace and physicality of play pick up in training camp. They always do. The season will bring other unwanted surprises; see Andrews hobbling off after a hip-drop tackle last November. But they’re on track to go into training camp as the team Harbaugh and general manager Eric DeCosta designed, which is one mark of a successful offseason. View the full article

EL SEGUNDO, Calif. — Veteran safety Tony Jefferson has come out of retirement to sign with the Los Angeles Chargers, the team announced Friday. The 32-year-old Jefferson had a tryout during the Chargers’ minicamp, which concluded Thursday. The Chargers will be the fifth team for Jefferson. He made the Arizona Cardinals’ roster as an undrafted free agent in 2013 and has also played for the Ravens, San Francisco 49ers and New York Giants. He joined the Ravens’ front office last year as an intern as part of the NFL’s Nunn-Wooten Scouting Fellowship. It’s yet another Ravens connection for the Chargers, who are led by coach Jim Harbaugh, younger brother of Ravens coach John Harbaugh, and general manager Joe Hortiz, who previously served as Baltimore’s director of player personnel. Los Angeles signed former Ravens running backs J.K. Dobbins and Gus Edwards this offseason and hired former Ravens offensive coordinator Greg Roman to serve in the same role. Defensive coordinator Jesse Minter also coached four seasons in Baltimore. Jefferson has played in 113 regular-season games over his 10-year career and started 67 with 9 1/2 sacks, four interceptions, 24 passes defensed, eight forced fumbles and four fumble recoveries. He played with the Ravens from 2017 to 2019 after signing a four-year, $34 million deal to replace strong safety Lardarius Webb. Jefferson gives the Chargers depth and experience in the secondary. Derwin James and Alohi Gilman are expected to be the starting safeties. View the full article

Hope springs eternal this time of year in the NFL. The Ravens have good reason for it. After 10 practices during voluntary organized team activities and this week’s mandatory three-day minicamp, they enter the six-week summer break ahead of the start of training camp in late July largely healthy. Aside from second-year running back Keaton Mitchell, who suffered a torn ACL against the Jacksonville Jaguars in mid-December and won’t be back until sometime during the season at the earliest, there are no known long-term injury concerns. That includes what is perhaps the league’s best safety tandem, All-Pro Kyle Hamilton and Marcus Williams. While Hamilton has been sidelined through most of the offseason workout program with an elbow issue, coach John Harbaugh said it’s merely a “two-to-three-week deal” and that he expects the 2023 Pro Bowl selection to be back on the field for the start of training camp. Williams, meanwhile, appears to be fully healthy again after a pair of injuries limited him last season. “Injuries happen in the year, and you’ve just got to overcome those injuries and just push past them, which I think I’m pretty good at doing,” Williams said Thursday. “I’ve been myself. This has been me.” Staying on the field has been easier said than done for the 27-year-old Williams, however, since Baltimore signed him to a five-year, $70 million free agent deal in March 2022. Over the past two seasons, the 2017 second-round draft pick of the New Orleans Saints has appeared in just 21 of 34 regular-season games. Last year, he missed three straight games after suffering a pectoral injury in Week 1 against the Houston Texans and three more after injuring his hamstring in Week 6 against the Tennessee Titans in London. “I never worry about showing anybody what I can do. I just stay true to me and go out there, perform to the best of my ability no matter what’s going on,” Ravens safety Marcus Williams said. (Barbara Haddock Taylor/Staff) It could have been worse, but Williams, who led Baltimore with four interceptions in 2022, decided not to have surgery after his pectoral injury and instead opted for rehabilitation. Had he chosen the former, it would have cost him most of the season, if not all of it. Still, there were signs that something wasn’t quite right with his pectoral muscle once he returned, and it appeared to impede his ability to tackle. Williams played on, but some of his performances, along with the data, signaled trouble. His seven missed tackles, per Pro Football Focus, were up from two the previous season. The 76.7% completion rate he allowed when targeted was the worst of his career. And there were obvious struggles as well, including in Week 15 against the Jacksonville Jaguars when he winced in pain while tackling wide receiver Christian Kirk near the end of the first half and had to be helped to his feet by linebacker Patrick Queen to keep the clock running. The following week against the San Francisco 49ers, he whiffed on a tackle as tight end Georg Kittle rumbled for a 58-yard gain. In all, Williams’ 55 tackles were the fewest of his career, though he only appeared in 11 games and played the fewest defensive snaps (636) of his career as he and the Ravens tried to manage a long season that would stretch to the AFC championship game. Williams simply carried on, saying in November, “I feel good.” It was also a stark contrast with his career in New Orleans, where he missed just four games over his first five seasons. Despite Williams’ struggles at times, however, Baltimore still boasted one of the league’s best defensive backfields last season. The Ravens’ secondary ranked second in the NFL with a 93 grade from PFF and tied for the third-most interceptions in the league at 18. While safety Geno Stone — now with the Cincinnati Bengals — accounted for an AFC-leading seven of them, many were the product of right place, right time and thanks to a collaborative effort. Related Articles Baltimore Ravens | Ravens observations on ‘pumped’ Kyle Van Noy, ‘nagging things’ for Marlon Humphrey and more Baltimore Ravens | Ravens QB Lamar Jackson’s chemistry with receivers, new cadence key for offense: ‘Next level’ Baltimore Ravens | Mike Preston’s Ravens observations on Rashod Bateman frustration, belief in Jalyn Armour-Davis and more | COMMENTARY Baltimore Ravens | Ravens WR Rashod Bateman can’t find rhythm; Marlon Humphrey sidelined; offensive line taking shape | NOTES Baltimore Ravens | Rejuvenated Ravens LT Ronnie Stanley says poor play last season was ‘killing’ him: ‘Hard for me to live with’ Now healthy, Williams’ impact could be even greater and more important with Stone gone amid turnover in the secondary. “It’s not about showing anybody anything,” Williams said when asked if he’s out to prove what he can do when healthy. “It’s about showing myself what I can do. I never worry about showing anybody what I can do. I just stay true to me and go out there, perform to the best of my ability no matter what’s going on, and that’s just … as football players, you’ve got to overcome adversity and face that, look it in the eye and just never give up.” Unsurprisingly, he doesn’t much care for what rankings say about what the best safety tandem in the NFL is, either. In his mind, he’s already certain. “Rankings don’t mean anything,” Williams said. “Performance from last year is not performance from this year. We know what we could do. We know what type of players we are. We’re confident in ourselves. I think I’m the best. [Hamilton] thinks he’s the best. “Our expectation is to be our best, to excel past our best and go out there and perform and help us win some games.” View the full article

It remains to be seen how much will change for the Ravens’ defense this season after the departure of Mike Macdonald and the promotion of Zach Orr to defensive coordinator. Kyle Van Noy doesn’t expect it to be too different, but seeing what Orr brings to the role is part of why he returned to Baltimore. For Van Noy, the biggest difference from his first season with the team isn’t on the field. Everyone knows his name now, from his teammates to the club’s behind-the-scenes staff. Continuity has been hard to find for the veteran outside linebacker who’s played for four teams in the past four seasons. The 33-year-old kept an open mind when he hit free agency, but returning to Baltimore meant he wouldn’t have to start over again. Van Noy is back with the Ravens for his 11th season for myriad reasons. He’s eager to see what an Orr-led defense will look like. And, equipped with a full offseason with the team, he wants to prove he has more to give. “I want to continue to show myself and show people that I can still play at a high level,” said Van Noy, who skipped voluntary organized team activities but returned for mandatory minicamp this week. “I feel like I’ve been underappreciated in my career. I don’t think I’ve lost a step in my eyes.” Van Noy signed with Baltimore in the week leading up to its Week 4 matchup with the Cleveland Browns last season. That meant he had to quickly grasp the defense and get to know who he’d be playing beside. He won’t have to deal with that challenge this year. “The bullets aren’t flying yet,” Van Noy said. “Things are a little bit more calm, you can build relationships. You’re not popping in Week 3, action’s going on, ‘Hey, what’s your name?’ type of deal.” Despite those challenges, he thrived and finished with a career-high nine sacks. It was one of the first times in his career, Van Noy said Thursday, in which he felt truly comfortable in the role that was asked of him. He bounced around from playing on and off the ball throughout his previous stops, which prevented him from settling in at either spot. Van Noy echoed fellow players’ sentiments throughout minicamp that aggressiveness could be a staple of an Orr-led unit. The coordinator sent unique blitz packages at the offense throughout the week, in part to give them various looks but to also get his defenders ready for what Orr might expect. With Jadeveon Clowney now in Carolina, the veteran Van Noy would be a key cog in Orr’s potentially hyper-aggressive system. For someone who values continuity and has struggled to find it, Van Noy knows what he can do when able to be comfortable. “I feel great, excited to be here, pumped to be a Raven and pumped to be going into year 11,” Van Noy said. “It’s nice to say I beat [recently retired Los Angeles Rams superstar defensive tackle] Aaron Donald in one thing.” Lamar Jackson, left, talks with teammate Tyler Linderbaum, right, on the last day of Ravens mini-camp. (Barbara Haddock Taylor/Staff) Zay Flowers catches a ball during a drill on the last day of Ravens mini-camp. (Barbara Haddock Taylor/Staff) C.J. Ravenell, left, and Justin Madubuike, right during a drill on the last day of Ravens mini-camp. (Barbara Haddock Taylor/Staff) Brent Urban, left, and Broderick Washington, right, during a drill on the last day of Ravens mini-camp. (Barbara Haddock Taylor/Staff) Zay Flowers smiles during a drill on the last day of Ravens mini-camp. (Barbara Haddock Taylor/Staff) Deadrin Senat, left, and Travis Jones, right, during a drill on the last day of Ravens mini-camp. (Barbara Haddock Taylor/Staff) Derrick Henry throws on the last day of Ravens mini-camp. (Barbara Haddock Taylor/Staff) Lamar Jackson throws on the last day of Ravens mini-camp. (Barbara Haddock Taylor/Staff) Show Caption of Expand Highlights and notes • Cornerback Marlon Humphrey missed team practice Wednesday and Thursday with an undisclosed injury. The three-time Pro Bowl selection worked with a trainer Wednesday, then was present but kept off the field Thursday. Coach John Harbaugh called it “nagging things” and said the cornerback should be ready for training camp. Humphrey missed the first four games of last season after having foot surgery and was sidelined later in the season with a calf injury. • Offensive lineman Patrick Mekari, defensive lineman Michael Pierce and wide receiver Nelson Agholor were absent Thursday. Mekari and Pierce left the field midway through Wednesday’s practice. Related Articles Baltimore Ravens | Ravens QB Lamar Jackson’s chemistry with receivers, new cadence key for offense: ‘Next level’ Baltimore Ravens | Mike Preston’s Ravens observations on Rashod Bateman frustration, belief in Jalyn Armour-Davis and more | COMMENTARY Baltimore Ravens | Ravens WR Rashod Bateman can’t find rhythm; Marlon Humphrey sidelined; offensive line taking shape | NOTES Baltimore Ravens | Rejuvenated Ravens LT Ronnie Stanley says poor play last season was ‘killing’ him: ‘Hard for me to live with’ Baltimore Ravens | Mike Preston’s Ravens observations on wisdom from former players, early minicamp standouts and more | COMMENTARY • Wide receiver Rashod Bateman was heavily involved Thursday after quiet Tuesday and Wednesday afternoons. Quarterback Lamar Jackson looked for him often during the 11-on-11 period, including a toe-tapping grab about 20 yards down the left sideline. He then found Bateman again for a touchdown when the offense worked in the red zone. The first two days of minicamp dampened the fourth-year receiver’s mood — he was visibly displeased with his usage throughout the week — but Thursday might send Bateman off into the summer on a high note. • Tight ends Isaiah Likely and Charlie Kolar have been some of Jackson’s favorite targets throughout the week. On Thursday, undrafted second-year receiver Sean Ryan and fourth-round rookie Devontez Walker joined that group with a handful of impressive catches. Ryan leapt over Marcus Williams in the back corner of the end zone for a touchdown snag toward the end of practice, and Walker hauled in a score on a deep ball earlier in the day. • The Ravens’ defense shined in the red zone, albeit without helmets and most players not going at full speed. Middle linebacker Roquan Smith picked off Jackson in the end zone, cornerback Arthur Maulet jumped a pass from backu Josh Johnson but dropped a would-be interception and defensive tackle Justin Madubuike batted down a ball over the middle when he dropped into coverage. • The full team concluded Thursday with a ball security drill, in which everyone from Jackson to Smith and left tackle Ronnie Stanley took turns carrying the ball through defenders attempting to punch it loose. Baltimore lost two fumbles in last year’s AFC championship game defeat to the Kansas City Chiefs, a loss several players said stuck in their heads over the spring. View the full article

Just one more practice remains in the Ravens’ three-day mandatory minicamp in Owings Mills before players break for six weeks ahead of the start of of training camp in late July. What exactly that summer hiatus will look like for Lamar Jackson and his wide receivers and tight ends, however, remains to be seen. To wit, does Jackson plan to get his group of pass catchers together for extra work to build on that all-important chemistry away from the noise of coaches and full-team practices? “I would love to do that,” he said Wednesday. “But some guys don’t wanna leave their state. “They gonna have to come to South Florida. They gonna have to do it. We got to. We trying to get to that Super Bowl. For us to do that, we gotta grind, we gotta build chemistry.” In some ways, they have. Two weeks ago, while much of the rest of the team was participating in Baltimore’s voluntary organized team activities, receivers Zay Flowers and Nelson Agholor were working on routes and timing with Jackson at McNair Park in Pompano Beach, where Jackson played youth football. With all of them living in South Florida during the offseason, it was easy to put the session together. Of course, most of the Ravens’ receivers and tight ends live elsewhere, including Mark Andrews and Rashod Bateman, and it’s unclear how much time Jackson, Flowers and Agholor put in. Still, there’s been progress with Jackson and by extension his receivers and tight ends in the second year of offensive coordinator Todd Monken’s scheme. One of the more notable areas of focus is on Jackson’s cadence. Several times this week, he has either drawn the defense offsides or, worse yet, the offense has been flagged for a false start. “We’re doing a lot with cadence,” coach John Harbaugh said. “We’re doing a lot with at-the-line communication, and it’s challenging, so we understand there are going to be those moments, and you have a choice. You either always go on one, or you push through it [and] say, ‘We’re going to live with the mistakes, but we’re going to get good at it,’ so we want to get good at it, because we think cadence is a weapon.” Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson, left, talks with quarterbacks coach Tee Martin during practice in Owings Mills. (Kevin Richardson/Staff) It’s not a new one to Jackson or the Ravens, but one they’ve been focused on throughout the offseason so far — and for good reason. In last season’s AFC championship game loss to the Kansas City Chiefs at M&T Bank Stadium, defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo mostly baffled the two-time NFL Most Valuable Player with a mix of man and zone coverage, as well as blitzes. According to Next Gen Stats, Kansas City blitzed on 43.5% of Jackson’s dropbacks, including four all-out blitzes. Jackson was sacked four times — although three of them came against zone coverage — as well as intercepted once and fumbled once. He finished just 20-for-37 for 272 yards with one touchdown and Baltimore lost, 17-10. One way to help negate the blitz is to change protection and routes at the line of scrimmage, as well as altering the cadence. “From us watching film and getting into games and teams changing things up on us, we just want to add an extra layer to our calls,” Jackson said. One way to get better at it, Jackson said, is study and repetition. Being pushed by quarterbacks coach Tee Martin is another. That much was evident during Wednesday’s practice, which Martin said was Jackson’s best day “in a long time” in terms of having the freedom to do what he wanted to do. That included with his cadence, something that was added to last year’s offense and has since been tweaked and expanded upon. It helps to go against a defense in practice that last season led the NFL in sacks, takeaways and points allowed per game. Defensive coordinator Zach Orr has been dialing up exotic looks and bringing the pressure. “Now we’re just testing it out and seeing at how it goes against our defense,” Martin said. “It’s good for us, too, because it’s testing our rules and it’s testing the quarterback’s ability to change plays at the line of scrimmage.” There have been some growing pains, including several false starts, but coaches aren’t worried about that in June. Related Articles Baltimore Ravens | Mike Preston’s Ravens observations on Rashod Bateman frustration, belief in Jalyn Armour-Davis and more | COMMENTARY Baltimore Ravens | Ravens WR Rashod Bateman can’t find rhythm; Marlon Humphrey sidelined; offensive line taking shape | NOTES Baltimore Ravens | Rejuvenated Ravens LT Ronnie Stanley says poor play last season was ‘killing’ him: ‘Hard for me to live with’ Baltimore Ravens | Mike Preston’s Ravens observations on wisdom from former players, early minicamp standouts and more | COMMENTARY Baltimore Ravens | Ravens ready to give RB Derrick Henry a full workload: ‘A lot of tread left on that tire’ “With the amount of communication we’re doing up front and with the amount and play changing we’re doing up front, it’s gonna come with some of that,” Martin said. “But we have to have that in our division, especially for home games with the pass rushers that we’re facing not only in our division but throughout the AFC and the guys that we’re playing when you look at our schedule.” That includes a rematch against the defending Super Bowl champion Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium in Week 1. “It has been a tool in the past,” Martin said. “We’re just gonna continue to take it to the next level. Lamar is outstanding at it, whether we’re going non-verbal on the road, or whether we’re going verbal at home, we have a lot of different ones that gives us an advantage so people don’t know when we’re snapping the ball and slowing them down a little bit if we can. “I thought Kansas City did do a good job in the AFC championship game of challenging some of our protections and doing some things that did cause some issues. That was an area of growth. That was an area of us looking at tape and saying ‘how can we improve in those areas?’” Like everything the Ravens do on offense, it starts with Jackson. “My cadence has been pretty good, I believe,” he said. “I haven’t heard anything about it.” If Jackson’s cadence and chemistry with his receivers can continue to evolve, though, perhaps he also won’t hear anything about not having reached the Super Bowl, either. View the full article

Ravens coach John Harbaugh has said several times that he expects Rashod Bateman to have a breakout season, but the fourth-year wide receiver hasn’t shown that type of ability so far this offseason. In fact, during the second practice of a three-day mandatory minicamp Wednesday, Bateman and quarterback Lamar Jackson lacked timing on several passes, and there were times when Bateman seemed frustrated. Haven’t we seen this before? Look no further than at the beginning of last season, when Bateman’s body language told the story of how he seemed to be the forgotten receiver behind Odell Beckham Jr., Nelson Agholor and tight end Mark Andrews. He sulked through the early part of the season but still managed 36 receptions for 408 yards and a touchdown. It was good enough for the Ravens to sign the 2021 first-round draft pick to a three-year, $15 million contract extension April 24. But on Wednesday, Bateman seemed irritated when Jackson threw to the opposite side of the field when he was open and then showed frustration when he was part of a clearing route for another receiver. In the last three team periods of the practice, Bateman didn’t participate. Maybe it was because he was injured, but he stood alone for quite some time with a towel draped over his head. By the end of the practice, Bateman and Jackson were standing on the sideline joking with each other. With training camp set to open in about another six weeks, maybe Bateman will show more enthusiasm in practice and a willingness to do whatever it takes for the Ravens to win. Then again, who knows. But this has been far from having a breakout season at this point, especially for a receiver who has the size and speed to become one of the best in the AFC. Baltimore Ravens rookie running back Rasheem Ali carry out a drill at mandatory minicamp in Owings Mills, Md. (Kevin Richardson/Staff) Baltimore Ravens running back Justice Hill during a drill at mandatory minicamp in Owings Mills, Md. (Kevin Richardson/Staff) Baltimore Ravens running back Owen Wright during a drill at mandatory minicamp in Owings Mills, Md. (Kevin Richardson/Staff) Baltimore Ravens running back coach Willie Taggart talks with Justice Hill during a drill at mandatory minicamp in Owings Mills, Md. (Kevin Richardson/Staff) Baltimore Ravens offensive line coach Joe D'Alessandris, right, work with linemen at mandatory minicamp in Owings Mills, Md. (Kevin Richardson/Staff) Baltimore Ravens running back coach Willie Taggart demonstrate a drill at mandatory minicamp in Owings Mills, Md. (Kevin Richardson/Staff) Baltimore Ravens offensive line coach Joe D'Alessandris, right, talk with linemen at mandatory minicamp in Owings Mills, Md. (Kevin Richardson/Staff) Baltimore Ravens running back coach Willie Taggart, left, talks with wide receiver Zay Flowers at mandatory minicamp in Owings Mills, Md. (Kevin Richardson/Staff) Baltimore Ravens rookie running back Chris Collier carry out a drill at mandatory minicamp in Owings Mills, Md. (Kevin Richardson/Staff) Baltimore Ravens running back coach Willie Taggart, right, setting up a drill at mandatory minicamp in Owings Mills, Md. (Kevin Richardson/Staff) Show Caption of Expand Humphrey on hold? Starting cornerback Marlon Humphrey didn’t practice with the team Wednesday. That’s not surprising, especially with the star cornerback having missed so much time the past few seasons because of injuries, but he did practice Tuesday. Humphrey spent a lot of time stretching and working out on the far lower field during individual periods Wednesday, so the guess is that Harbaugh will address his absence, especially if Humphrey doesn’t practice Thursday. The speculation here is that if either of the team’s 2024 draft picks at cornerback — first-round pick Nate Wiggins or fourth-round selection T.J. Tampa — play well, then Humphrey will become a salary cap cut next season. Humphrey, a three-time Pro Bowl selection, is expected to make $14 million in base salary in the 2025 season. Take a lap I still like it when Harbaugh goes old school and makes players run a lap when they jump offsides or commit a false start. It’s like something you see in the Pee Wee League, but it’s still effective. Ask second-year guard Malaesala Aumavae-Laulu. He had a false start early in practice. Bye. Don’t stop believing Every year I get excited about cornerback Jalyn Armour-Davis. The 2022 fourth-round pick has good size at 6 feet 1 and 197 pounds and decent speed. He looks the part and has been impressive thus far in practice, but the former Alabama star can’t stay healthy. He has played in only 12 games the past two seasons. Since this is Year 3, the guess here is that his body has physically matured and he should be ready to handle an increased workload. Right? Pick play The worst interception of the day was thrown by rookie quarterback Devin Leary, who stared down tight end Riley Sharp and then had his late pass picked off by cornerback Bump Cooper Jr., who ran untouched for about 30 yards for a touchdown. And yes, his name is Bump Cooper. That doesn’t get any better for a cornerback. Bump & Run. Showing potential Fourth-year receiver Tylan Wallace had several outstanding catches across the middle in which he snagged balls with his hands outstretched instead of allowing the passes to get into his body. That wasn’t always the case with Wallace in the past. He also looks leaner and lighter and might contribute more than just on special teams. It’s great to see a receiver attack the ball. Where’s the beef? My apologies from the former Ravens defensive players who attended practice Tuesday and said the NFL no longer has “big butt” tackles such as former Ravens Tony Siragusa and Sam Adams. Both current nose tackles, Michael Pierce and Travis Jones, are some “thick” young men. Salute A tip of the cap goes to veteran cornerback Arthur Maulet. An errant pass on the sideline went over the head of a receiver and hit a young Ravens fan who was sitting in a chair watching practice. I thought Maulet would give the kid the ball, but he threw it back on the practice field. Bad move. Later in practice, Maulet was on the sideline talking with the kid and might have given him his practice gloves. Well done, Mr. Maulet. Nice catch Every practice, tight end Isaiah Likely has one of those magical moments in which he makes a one-handed catch over the middle. This time, it was about a 40-yard gain on a high pass thrown by Jackson that Likely snatched out of the sky with one hand. The only catch that was better came from undrafted rookie receiver Isaiah Washington, who hauled in a touchdown pass in the left corner of the end zone as he wrestled the ball away from cornerback Ka’dar Hollman. Related Articles Baltimore Ravens | Ravens QB Lamar Jackson’s chemistry with receivers, new cadence key for offense: ‘Next level’ Baltimore Ravens | Ravens WR Rashod Bateman can’t find rhythm; Marlon Humphrey sidelined; offensive line taking shape | NOTES Baltimore Ravens | Rejuvenated Ravens LT Ronnie Stanley says poor play last season was ‘killing’ him: ‘Hard for me to live with’ Baltimore Ravens | Mike Preston’s Ravens observations on wisdom from former players, early minicamp standouts and more | COMMENTARY Baltimore Ravens | Ravens ready to give RB Derrick Henry a full workload: ‘A lot of tread left on that tire’ Offensive line competition The competition for a starting spot on the offensive line has been tough this offseason, and offensive line coach Joe D’Alessandris expects it to get tougher in training camp. The Ravens are looking for two starters at guard and one a right offensive tackle. “You know what, I’ve seen good competition,” D’Alessandris said. “I’ve seen each guy working, and I move them around quite a bit — for their benefit and also for our benefit — because the more they can do, guess what, [they] get to stay in this league longer, because you can play multiple positions, and they’ve all accepted that role and that opportunity. “Andrew [Vorhees] is doing a great job. ‘Sala’ [Aumavae-Laulu] is doing a good job. Josh Jones is doing a good job. Ben [Cleveland] is doing a good job inside there, so you just keep seeing all these young men doing it, and the good news is, this is the time of year where you’re learning assignment, communication [and] playing fast. The contact is not there. That’s going to come. Training camp is what that’s built for along with games. Then, we’ll see how it plays out from there.” At one point in practice, though, Cleveland, a fourth-year guard, was off the main field practicing with what we call “the junior varsity.” That’s not a good sign. Earlier this season, Harbaugh had said Cleveland was expected to challenge for a starting job. Hmm… View the full article

Tylan Wallace and Charlie Kolar were popular targets for Ravens quarterbacks during the second day of mandatory minicamp Wednesday. Lamar Jackson found Wallace outside the numbers often, and the star quarterback lasered in on Kolar over the middle of the field throughout practice for most of his completions. Both pass catchers punctuated their days with several leaping grabs. Even with players in only helmets and defenders unable to hit ball carriers, Wallace and Kolar flashed their chemistry with Jackson in extended looks. “We’re taking a step in the right direction,” the quarterback said. “Guys are moving good, running great routes.” That hasn’t been true for Rashod Bateman, who has struggled to receive attention from any quarterback through two days of minicamp. The fourth-year receiver was targeted just twice during the 11-on-11 portion Wednesday. The first was an overthrow from Jackson that cornerback Trayvon Mullen broke up. The second was intercepted by cornerback Ka’dar Hollman on a pass to the end zone from backup Josh Johnson, a result that made Bateman visibly frustrated. After both failed attempts, and most pass plays in which the ball ended up in someone else’s hands, Bateman dragged back to the huddle with his helmet off and head hung low. The 2021 first-round draft pick hasn’t formed the connection with Jackson that the Ravens’ other veteran pass catchers have. Wednesday was no different. Coach John Harbaugh said in March that he expects Bateman to take a “big step” this season. Baltimore signed the 24-year-old recevier to a two-year extension this offseason in hopes that he does just that. It’s difficult to form strong takeaways from minicamp, when the route concepts are bland and the pads are off, but the first two days have done little to show Bateman’s role will drastically change in 2024. Offensive line competition taking shape The Ravens have three spots on the offensive line to fill after guards Kevin Zietler and John Simpson left in free agency and right tackle Morgan Moses was traded to the New York Jets. Wednesday offered a hint at who Baltimore is considering there. Andrew Vorhees and Daniel Faalele manned both guard spots for large portions of Wednesday’s practice. Offensive line coach Joe D’Alessandris said the team is working with Vorhees at left guard and center and training Faalele at right tackle and right guard, giving both of them looks at open positions. Josh Jones also got significant playing time. Second-round rookie Roger Rosengarten and Ben Cleveland rotated in frequently. “I move them around quite a bit, for their benefit,” D’Alessandris said. “The more they can do, you get to stay in this league longer because you can play multiple positions. They’ve all accepted that role.” Patrick Mekari is an option to start at any of the three openings, but D’Alessandris said his versatility is an attractive quality to have as a reserve, the role Mekari’s been in for much of his Ravens career. Harbaugh said Tuesday that he’d like the open competitions to be settled before the preseason, ideally within the first couple weeks of training camp. For now, the Ravens continue to tinker with and narrow down their options. “I’ve seen good competition,” D’Alessandris said. “The contact isn’t there. Training camp, that’s what that’s built for. We’ll see how it plays out from there.” Baltimore Ravens running back Justice Hill during a drill at mandatory minicamp in Owings Mills, Md. (Kevin Richardson/Staff) Baltimore Ravens running back Owen Wright during a drill at mandatory minicamp in Owings Mills, Md. (Kevin Richardson/Staff) Baltimore Ravens rookie running back Rasheem Ali carry out a drill at mandatory minicamp in Owings Mills, Md. (Kevin Richardson/Staff) Baltimore Ravens rookie running back Chris Collier carry out a drill at mandatory minicamp in Owings Mills, Md. (Kevin Richardson/Staff) Ravens offensive line coach Joe D’Alessandris, right, works with the linemen at mandatory minicamp practice Wednesday in Owings Mills. (Kevin Richardson/Staff) Baltimore Ravens offensive line coach Joe D'Alessandris, right, talk with linemen at mandatory minicamp in Owings Mills, Md. (Kevin Richardson/Staff) Baltimore Ravens running back coach Willie Taggart talks with Justice Hill during a drill at mandatory minicamp in Owings Mills, Md. (Kevin Richardson/Staff) Baltimore Ravens running back coach Willie Taggart demonstrate a drill at mandatory minicamp in Owings Mills, Md. (Kevin Richardson/Staff) Baltimore Ravens running back coach Willie Taggart, left, talks with wide receiver Zay Flowers at mandatory minicamp in Owings Mills, Md. (Kevin Richardson/Staff) Baltimore Ravens running back coach Willie Taggart, right, setting up a drill at mandatory minicamp in Owings Mills, Md. (Kevin Richardson/Staff) Show Caption of Expand Attendance report Marlon Humphrey was a new absence from team drills Wednesday. The three-time Pro Bowl cornerback participated Tuesday, but he only went through individual workouts with trainers on a back field for the penultimate day of minicamp. Jalyn Armour-Davis was used heavily opposite Brandon Stephens during full-team drills with Humphrey out. First-round pick Nate Wiggins also got time there. Kyle Hamilton was sidelined again Wednesday, sporting a compression sleeve on his right arm. The All-Pro safety underwent a procedure to remove “loose bodies” from his elbow, Harbaugh said Tuesday. The coach expects Hamilton to be ready for training camp in July. Related Articles Baltimore Ravens | Rejuvenated Ravens LT Ronnie Stanley says poor play last season was ‘killing’ him: ‘Hard for me to live with’ Baltimore Ravens | Mike Preston’s Ravens observations on wisdom from former players, early minicamp standouts and more | COMMENTARY Baltimore Ravens | Ravens ready to give RB Derrick Henry a full workload: ‘A lot of tread left on that tire’ Baltimore Ravens | Five things to watch at Ravens minicamp, including Lamar Jackson, Rashod Bateman and offensive line Baltimore Ravens | Ravens observations on Lamar Jackson and Ronnie Stanley in high spirits, rookies ahead of schedule and more “It’s a two-to-three week thing,” Harbaugh said Tuesday. Keaton Mitchell, who is still recovering from his December ACL tear and is months out from returning, did not participate again. Third-round pick Adisa Isaac worked individually with a trainer again Wednesday as the outside linebacker recovers from a hamstring injury suffered in rookie minicamp. Deonte Harty, a wide receiver and return specialist who Baltimore signed to a one-year deal in April, hasn’t been present. Harbaugh said Harty is tending to his 5-week-old daughter in the hospital. The former Archbishop Curley star also missed all of organized team activities for his daughter’s birth. “He felt like he couldn’t really leave his family, so we understood and we excused him for that,” Harbaugh said. Undrafted free agent and former Maryland standout Beau Brade returned Wednesday after being absent Tuesday. Offensive lineman and seventh-round selection Nick Samac was absent Wednesday. Cornerback Christian Matthew and defensive lineman Rayshod Nichols have missed both days. View the full article

Ravens left tackle Ronnie Stanley was once a force of nature. Part Baryshnikov, part bulldozer, the 6-foot-6, 315-pound dancing bear helped pave the way for the NFL’s best rushing attack in 2019 while also protecting the blind side of quarterback Lamar Jackson, the league’s unanimous Most Valuable Player that season. Stanley was subsequently richly rewarded in the form of a five-year, $112.8 million contract, a deal befitting an All-Pro and perhaps the best player at his position, which coincides with also being one of the most important in the game. But that was before the injuries and struggles set in. A season-ending ankle injury in 2020 just two days after he signed that massive deal, another season-ending ankle surgery in October 2021. The sixth overall draft pick out of Notre Dame in 2016, Stanley hasn’t played a full season since 2019, appearing in just 34 of a possible 71 games, including the playoffs. The 13 regular-season contests he played in last season were the most since his breakout year, but he still missed four games because of a knee injury. Even when he was on the field, he was — at times — a shell of his former self, ranking 38th in pass block win rate (87.2%) among tackles in 2023. It’s why coach John Harbaugh rotated Stanley with Patrick Mekari down the stretch of last season and why his contract was restructured this offseason. The latter was needed to lessen the load on Baltimore’s limited salary cap space, but the message was clear, too. How else to explain a reported $7.5 million pay cut, according to Over the Cap, and an incentive-laden deal? Worse yet in Stanley’s eyes, though, was how he performed in 2023, injuries aside. “It was killing me,” he said Tuesday in Owings Mills on the first day of mandatory minicamp. “We may have been playing well, but it was really killing me on the inside knowing that I wasn’t playing to my potential. That’s something that’s hard for me to live with.” Examples were aplenty for the proud but struggling offensive lineman. In his return from a knee injury in a Week 5 loss against the Steelers in Pittsburgh, he allowed a sack and seven hurries, per Pro Football Focus. Four games later, in a win over the Seattle Seahawks, he gave up a strip-sack to outside linebacker Boye Mafe, who blew past him on his way to Jackson. Two games after that, Stanley committed two penalties and struggled with Los Angeles Chargers star edge rusher Khalil Mack, who racked up two sacks, and allowed six quarterback pressures. That prompted Harbaugh to say the next day that Stanley’s performance had “not been great” and that “I think he’d be the first person to tell you that it’s not been great.” There were other games where Stanley struggled, too, including against the Jacksonville Jaguars and Cleveland Browns. But it wasn’t just that he was having a hard time dealing with some of the game’s best pass rushers. Stanley was flagged for 12 penalties in 13 games last season. Half of them were for false starts and three of them for holding; only Kansas City Chiefs tackle Jawaan Taylor was penalized more among offensive linemen. “We may have been playing well, but it was really killing me on the inside knowing that I wasn’t playing to my potential,” Ravens left tackle Ronnie Stanley said Tuesday of his performance last season. “That’s something that’s hard for me to live with.” (Kevin Richardson/Staff) Of course, the Chiefs won the Super Bowl — beating the Ravens in the AFC championship game to get there — so they could live with those penalties. The Ravens could not, which is why Stanley, 30, had to take a pay cut or face potentially being a salary cap cut. With both guard spots up for grabs as well as right tackle, the latter was unlikely to happen, but something had to give. Stanley also didn’t want his Ravens career to end on a such a sour note. “Baltimore is like a second home to me,” he said Tuesday. “Being here, going on my ninth year and missing a lot of time, if that was my last year it just wouldn’t really sit right with me. I would probably have some regret not leaving Baltimore on the note that I want to leave it on.” Which perhaps explains, at least in part, why the veteran was at each of the Ravens’ 10 voluntary organized team activities practices this offseason and why he has looked spry and spirited over the past month, even at one point catching a batted pass out of the air and spinning a few yards downfield past would-be tacklers. “Ronnie’s doing a good job,” Harbaugh said Tuesday. “He got in shape it looks like. He’s ready to go.” Baltimore will need him to be. After Jackson won his second NFL MVP Award last season and with the addition of two-time NFL rushing leader and four-time Pro Bowl running back Derrick Henry, the Ravens are again among the favorites to get to the Super Bowl. They also need Stanley’s experience, and talent, up front given the uncertainty surrounding much of the rest of the line. Related Articles Baltimore Ravens | Mike Preston’s Ravens observations on wisdom from former players, early minicamp standouts and more | COMMENTARY Baltimore Ravens | Ravens ready to give RB Derrick Henry a full workload: ‘A lot of tread left on that tire’ Baltimore Ravens | Five things to watch at Ravens minicamp, including Lamar Jackson, Rashod Bateman and offensive line Baltimore Ravens | Ravens observations on Lamar Jackson and Ronnie Stanley in high spirits, rookies ahead of schedule and more Baltimore Ravens | Is Ravens kicker Justin Tucker eager to kick off under new NFL rules? ‘Hell yeah!’ “I love Ronnie,” Harbaugh said. “I love who he is, his personality. I also love what he’s capable of doing on the football field. “You go by what you see as a coach, as Bill Parcells said, not what you remember. What I see from Ronnie is, he’s moving his feet, looks like he’s got a good anchor. Obviously having a talented left tackle playing at a high level would be really good for us.” And good for Stanley, who a few weeks before restructuring his contract unwound from a tough season with a trip to Machu Picchu with teammate Roquan Smith. “I feel good,” Stanley said. “I’m coming out of practice still having energy, still upbeat. “There’s zero doubt in my head if I’m playing the way I need to be playing, to my standard, I’m the best tackle — in my head.” All that’s left to do is show it on the field. View the full article

The Ravens had an old-timers’ convention on the first of three mandatory minicamp practices Tuesday in Owings Mills. It was great seeing some of the old guys again, including the old guard of offensive linemen Wally Williams, Ben Cavil, Jason Brown, Adam Terry, Herman Arive and Harry Swayne; defensive backs Kim Herring, Duane Starks, Donny Brady and DeRon Jenkins; wide receivers Torrey Smith and Calvin Williams; defensive end Trevor Pryce; outside linebackers Adalius Thomas and Jamie Sharper; and running back Tony Vinson, just to name a few. Overall, about 80 former players were there. Of course, Cavil set the tone. “Darn man, they still let you in the place?” he said, laughing and pointing at me. That might be the biggest thing I miss with the current team. Back then, former Ravens owner and the late Art Modell made the local media feel as though they were part of the team. So, it wasn’t unusual for the beat writers to spend an hour or possibly two in the locker room joking around with players. Sometimes, it was humorous and there were times when we crossed the line, but that was part of the locker room banter. The next day, we’d be at it again. I used to like sitting around with offensive linemen such as the late Jeff Blackshear, Tony Jones and Orlando Brown and defensive tackle Tony Siragusa, as well as former standouts such as defensive linemen Mike McCrary, Rob Burnett and Sam Adams. It was a different time, but there was mutual respect. That’s unlike today, when the media is allowed about 45 to 50 minutes per day in the locker room. Back then, it was about building relationships and developing trust. It was fun listening to some of the old players because they started out at the old facility on the other side of Owings Mills, which was the former Baltimore Colts training facility and Baltimore County police headquarters until the Ravens arrived in 1996. The older Ravens laughed and joked about the current facility and remarked how it looked like a castle. They commented on how soft these minicamp practices were and how the current Ravens spend more time in team sessions than individual breakdowns. They talked about how the game had changed, especially on defense, and how there were no longer any more “big butt” tackles such as Siragusa and Adams, and how offenses were more schemed toward individual matchups instead of overloads. But it was Wally Williams who had the best story. He recounted how the team moved from Cleveland to Baltimore and Modell still didn’t have a name for the team. So the Ravens came out wearing white pants with black jerseys with no names on the back. They looked like the old penitentiary team in the movie “The Longest Yard,” starring Burt Reynolds. The only thing missing was the chant of “Mean Machine, Mean Machine, Mean Machine.” Those were the good old days. Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson blocks a ball during a passing drill at mandatory minicamp at Ravens' training facility in Owings Mills. (Kevin Richardson/Staff) Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson, left, throws a pass during mandatory minicamp at Ravens' training facility in Owings Mills. (Kevin Richardson/Staff) Baltimore Ravens offensive lineman Daniel Faalele rehydra himself during mandatory minicamp at Ravens' training facility in Owings Mills. (Kevin Richardson/Staff) Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson throws a pass during Tuesday's mandatory minicamp practice in Owings Mills. (Kevin Richardson/Staff) Baltimore Ravens defensive back coach Chris Hewitt talks with secondary players during mandatory minicamp at Ravens' training facility in Owings Mills. (Kevin Richardson/Staff) Baltimore Ravens offensive line coach Joe D'Alessandris gives instructions during mandatory minicamp at Ravens' training facility in Owings Mills. (Kevin Richardson/Staff) Baltimore Ravens running back Justice Hill during a drill at mandatory minicamp at Ravens' training facility in Owings Mills. (Kevin Richardson/Staff) Baltimore Ravens running back coach Willie Taggart hands the football to Derrick Henry during mandatory minicamp at Ravens' training facility in Owings Mills. (Kevin Richardson/Staff) Baltimore Ravens running back Derrick Henry during a drill at mandatory minicamp at Ravens' training facility in Owings Mills. (Kevin Richardson/Staff) Baltimore Ravens tackle Ronnie Stanley working on blocking drills during mandatory minicamp at Ravens' training facility in Owings Mills. (Kevin Richardson/Staff) Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson, left, greets teammate Tyler Linderbaum during mandatory minicamp at Ravens' training facility in Owings Mills. (Kevin Richardson/Staff) Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson, left, walk on the field with quarterback coach Tee Martin during mandatory minicamp at Ravens' training facility in Owings Mills. (Kevin Richardson/Staff) Former St. Frances Academy and Baltimore Ravens rookie center Darrian Dalcourt, left, work on his blocking during mandatory minicamp at Ravens' training facility in Owings Mills. (Kevin Richardson/Staff) Baltimore Ravens linebacker Roquan Smith talks with teammates during mandatory minicamp at Ravens' training facility in Owings Mills. (Kevin Richardson/Staff) Baltimore Ravens tackle Ronnie Stanley working on blocking drills during mandatory minicamp at Ravens' training facility in Owings Mills. (Kevin Richardson/Staff) Baltimore Ravens tackle Ronnie Stanley watch his teammate getting instructions during mandatory minicamp at Ravens' training facility in Owings Mills. (Kevin Richardson/Staff) Former St. Frances Academy and Baltimore Ravens rookie center Darrian Dalcourt look on during mandatory minicamp at Ravens' training facility in Owings Mills. (Kevin Richardson/Staff) Baltimore Ravens safety Kyle Hamilton stands in street clothes while recovering from a elbow procedure. (Kevin Richardson/Staff) Show Caption of Expand Wide receiver turns heads Undrafted rookie wide receiver Isaiah Washington from Rutgers turned a few heads Tuesday with three over-the-shoulder catches down the left sideline, including two over the back shoulder. He once beat rookie cornerback T.J. Tampa, the fourth-round pick from Iowa State, and also wrestled a pass away from fourth-year cornerback Ka’dar Hollman. Of course, this is only practice and the cornerbacks don’t really want to contend for completions, but Washington’s concentration was impressive. Top tight ends It’s entertaining to watch Ravens tight ends Isaiah Likely and Mark Andrews. Both had great one-handed receptions on passes by quarterback Lamar Jackson that were either thrown too high or too far ahead. Andrews hasn’t slowed down one bit. He still practices as hard as former Ravens middle linebacker Ray Lewis, and Likely had a breakout season a year ago filling in for Andrews when he missed seven games with an ankle injury. Offensive coordinator Todd Monken has to find a way to get both of these guys on the field at the same time. They create too many mismatches. Lamar watch Jackson had a sporadic performance Tuesday. In a real game situation, he would have had two interceptions returned for a touchdown. On one, he threw extremely late into the end zone and cornerback Arthur Maulet read the pass and would have taken it 100 yards to the house. On another, he threw an errant pass to tight end Charlie Kolar, which middle linebacker Roquan Smith tipped and would have probably scored on as well. Jackson threw one other interception that would have been a touchdown for the defense, but it wasn’t his fault. Running back Derrick Henry bobbled a pass in the left flat, and cornerback Brandon Stephens intercepted and basically went 20 yards untouched for the score. Overall, it was not one of Jackson’s better days. Welcome back Outside linebacker Kyle Van Noy, an 11-year veteran, participated in his first practice of the offseason. I bet he had to use a GPS to find the practice fields. 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Eye on new coaches The Ravens have three new defensive assistants for the 2024 season, but the team won’t miss much as far as teaching technique. When you watch practice, the new coaches emphasize everything from hand placement to playing with power. The problem will be in building relationships. That takes time and it doesn’t always come in a season. Maybe by the middle of the year, the Ravens will have developed chemistry. He’s got potential Every time I watch outside linebacker Malik Hamm work on the sled, he plays with such power and controlled anger. Hopefully, the second-year player from Lafayette and City College will get more time on the field this season. View the full article