Camp Notes

[vmax]

There are 587 local reporters covering Ravens training camp. They are our eyes and ears, for better or for worse, for richer or for poorer, in sickness and in health...

 

 

Player of the practice: CB Marlon Humphrey

I often watch second- and third- string during the first few days of camp, that way I can tell who is flashing and making the immediate push for a roster spot, but Humphrey’s lock-down performance this morning drew my attention away. On one particular set of red-zone drills, Humphrey faced off against Willie Snead IV who couldn’t corral the football. On the next play, tight end Mark Andrews was drawn out wide where Humphrey battled step-for-step as both were hand-fighting to gain an advantage over one another as Lamar Jackson scanned his progressions. In the end, Jackson threw to the opposite side of the field. To go back-to-back against two highly talented players of such different roles and blank them is rare.
Stock Up

Mark Andrews — I’m confident the sophomore tight end is leading the team in training camp receptions after two days. He’s hauling in catches everywhere on the field and I don’t see him stopping when the regular season begins.

Anthony Averett — Humphrey wasn’t the only Alabama cornerback to look good in the red zone drills as Averett accepted the challenge against Jaleel Scott, forcing Trace McSorley to look elsewhere. Shortly thereafter, Averett stuck to Seth Roberts stride-for-stride and broke up the pass with a leaping swipe.

Chris Board — This is the second-straight practice with Board playing beside Patrick Onwuasor and the starters. Could he be yet another in a long list of UDFA linebackers to pan out in Charm City?

Jaleel Scott — Not much will bring more attention to the coaching staff than two high-pointed endzone grabs. If Scott keeps it up, I don’t see the Ravens letting him go.......https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/nfl/ravens-training-camp-stock-report-7-26/ar-AAEUmaj?ocid=U508DHP

 

Hell Yea! It's the Ravens Revolution!

 

 

The Ravens offense is in the midst of what Harbaugh has told Jackson is a “revolution,” and the second-year quarterback is at the vanguard. Only those in the franchise’s inner circle know what the offense will look like after Jackson’s first preseason as their starting quarterback..https://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/ravens/bs-sp-ravens-training-camp-quarterback-preview-20190715-wvkvqo6sabc7bisytbymo2lgve-story.html

 

The whole Ravens organization is all in on "changing the game." This is no "on the fly" haphazard" plan. It's too well thought out. Look at the coaches Harbaugh has,. Look and the personnel Eric brought in.

 

 

“I expect to change the way offensive football is played in the National Football League,” Head Coach John Harbaugh told The Athletic’s Dan Pompei. “Not that everybody is going to take on this style. But I expect us to create something that hasn’t been seen before. It’s elements and concepts that aren’t new to football. But the way we apply them and put them together and decide how much we use in the course of a game or a season — five step, three step, seven step, play action, RPOs, double options, triple options, downhill runs, all the audibles you can run, directional runs — all of that is part of it. I think we’re going to be in more elements than any team has ever been.”............https://www.baltimoreravens.com/news/late-for-work-7-26-ravens-have-afc-s-most-difficult-offense-to-prepare-for

 

The Ravens have streamlined the offense and built it around Jackson’s strengths, and the changes have been well received by the quarterback.

“I’m very comfortable,” Jackson said. “I had months to prepare with it. There has been a lot of studying going on. I’m getting my chemistry down with my guys. I love it. I love the offense.”...https://www.baltimoreravens.com/news/lamar-jackson-feels-very-comfortable-in-ravens-offense

 

And Just Remember; The Greatest Show on Turf came out of nowhere...and...Oh! "And last time I looked the Ravens were the AFC North Champs."

Edited July 27, 2019 by vmax

[vmax]

 

In a receiver competition that figures to be stiff for a final roster spot on the Ravens, Jaleel Scott and undrafted rookie Antoine Wesley are making a good early impression. Willie Snead, Chris Moore, Marquise Brown and Miles Boykin figure to be roster locks, and Seth Roberts has made a strong push for a spot as well. That might leave just one or two other roster spots for the other seven receivers in camp.

Scott, a 6-foot-6 fourth-round pick a year ago who spent the season on injured reserve, had several contested catches during the July 26 workout.

"He made a lot of plays over the middle, catch-and-run plays," Harbaugh said. "I think he's right in the mix. He's really worked hard. He's fast, he's big, he's tough. Let's see if he can do it."

Wesley, meanwhile, is a 6-foot-4 rookie who had 88 catches for 1,410 yards and nine touchdowns at Texas Tech last season. He has demonstrated strong hands and a good catch radius with his 6-foot-4 frame, and Harbaugh said the defensive backs who have faced him have been impressed thus far.

"They always mention Wesley," Harbaugh said. "This guy makes plays on the ball. That's what he did in college, too."...........https://www.pressboxonline.com/2019/07/26/ravens-training-camp-notebook-young-receivers-impressing

[vmax]

 

Are Ravens Toughest Offense in AFC to Prepare For?

When Ravens Offensive Coordinator Greg Roman was asked last month what to expect from the team’s reimagined offense in 2019, he basically said to expect the unexpected.

Apparently, opposing teams are expecting to have some sleepless nights trying to game plan for the Lamar Jackson-led offense. At least that’s what an informal survey of NFL folks, conducted recently by NFL Network analytics expert Cynthia Frelund, indicated.

The question she posed was about which team people were least excited to prepare for.

“Among AFC teams, the Ravens were by far the No. 1 answer,” Frelund wrote.

Frelund used that bit of information to illustrate her larger point that the “the ground game’s demise” is a misconception, and analytics should not be regarded in absolutes.

“Obviously, Baltimore's style of play, with Lamar Jackson as the triggerman, runs counter to all pass-happy league averages,” Frelund wrote.....https://www.baltimoreravens.com/news/late-for-work-7-26-ravens-have-afc-s-most-difficult-offense-to-prepare-for

 

Take That MoFo's!

[papasmurfbell]

I am having a feeling Humphrey is going to be pushing to that lockdown corner status this yr. Avoid his side of the field.

 

I think Andrews leads in receptions this yr.

[oldno82]

There are no weaknesses in the secondary.

 

The offense sounds super exciting.

 

Time will tell.

[papasmurfbell]

Jefferson is a weakness. Earl has ti prove he can stay healthy.

[vmax]

I'm worried about Thomas too. I saw Lamar throw a TD pass and it went over Thomas's head as he was trailing the receiver into the end zone. And remeber....the only offer from the league before the Ravens jumped in was a one year deal by the Chiefs. So we should be concerned although the Ravens are not.

Let's give Earl some breathing space and" the benefit of the doubt."...Then conditioning test is brutal, he passed that and then had to practice....

 

 

For Thomas, the transition to playing in Baltimore isn’t just about learning a new defense. It’s about bouncing back from a broken leg that ended his 2018 season.

So far, Thomas seems pleased with his progress. There’s been a lot of running for him during the past week, including the effort it took to pass the conditioning test. It was eye-opening experience. Thomas passed, but he admitted it wasn’t easy.

“This organization has put my body through a lot,” Thomas said. “Even with the run test – in Seattle, we didn’t have a run test – you can’t even practice if you don’t pass the run test. And that run test is no punk. Everybody on the team passed it, and it’s a feeling of great accomplishment. I feel like I trained pretty well in the offseason, but I thought I was going to throw up at the end.”....https://www.baltimoreravens.com/news/earl-thomas-wants-secondary-to-prove-it-s-the-best-before-saying-it

 

 

 

 

"What do you think Mike?"

 

 

Thomas’ leg

After conferring with several others, we all came to the conclusion that new Ravens safety Earl Thomas III is still either struggling from a broken leg he suffered last season or maybe he just walks funny.

He appeared to be limping at the end of practice Friday and it was noticeable near the end of several plays when he was pursuing a ball carrier or just jogging back to the huddle. It hasn’t been a full year since Thomas broke his leg, but we’ll keep an eye on how he continues to practice.......https://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/analysis/preston/bs-sp-ravens-training-camp-preston-observations-20190727-saklgx3n3nh7bm3ts2mzjevcia-story.html

Edited July 27, 2019 by vmax

[JPPT1974]

587 Has to be large. But think Patriots, Steelers, Seahawks, etc have a lot more. No offense!

[vmax]

Broken thumb..

 

 

Griffin suffered a fractured thumb during a practice game at M&T Bank Stadium on Saturday night. His right hand hit the helmet of Tim Williams as he was finishing his throwing motion on a pass attempt:

[vmax]

Good night for Lamar and Boykin.....

 

 

If Lamar Jackson’s first evening with Miles Boykin at M&T Bank Stadium was a preview of their partnership in Baltimore, the Ravens’ young tandem has a bright future together.

In the opening 11-on-11 and seven-on-seven periods of their open practice Saturday night, held before an announced 28,312, the second-year quarterback and rookie wide receiver connected on four passes, including three for big gains...Boykin, a third-round draft pick out of Notre Dame, first got in front of cornerback Anthony Averett for a solid gain on a crossing pattern. Then he beat cornerback Jimmy Smith down the sideline. Boykin’s first big play set up Jackson’s first touchdown, on a slant by new receiver Seth Roberts close to the goal line.

“He’s nice,” Jackson said of Boykin. “He’s amazing right now. He’s a rookie. He just came in. The guy’s pretty fast. He runs his routes crisp. He’s got for-sure hands. He’s amazing right now.”..........In seven-on-seven action, Jackson found Boykin down the left sideline again on a perfectly placed, no-wobble touch pass. The throw split the zone seam between the nearest cornerback and safety, and Boykin all but walked in for a score. Not long after, Boykin beat Smith again for a big gain on yet another deep route.......https://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/ravens/bs-sp-ravens-training-camp-highlights-20190728-vvzirfsg6veotnroe7e2db5eaq-story.html

[papasmurfbell]

I was hesitant on the Thomas signing bc of injury.

Maybe the Ravens have finally found the first really good WR they developed.

[vmax]

This is only the 3rd day of practice. The first in pads so take that into consideration.

 

Right now Boykin seems like the new guy developing chemistry with Lamar. He's showing signs of being a play maker.

 

It looks like Boykin, Hurst, Andrews and Scott are emerging as the sure handed receivers. Something good is beginning to develop.

I think the WR position, which will basically be all new guys, will benefit from all the other weapons that Lamar has in Ingram, Hurst, Andrews and Snead. Let teams sleep on them. They have size and speed....and....hands.

 

I hear Board was good in coverage and McPhee had a good night.

Edited July 28, 2019 by vmax

[oldno82]

Crap...shame about RGIII. He's the perfect backup for this team. I'm surprised a hairline fracture will sideline him for 8 weeks but I'm no doctor and grasping the ball obviously means using your thumb. Maybe he'll heal faster?

 

Great night for the rest of the Ravens. Can't wait for the first preseason game.

[varaven45]

Hairline fracture ? Normal timeline is 8-12 at least it was for my second toe that Im still nursing. Slow healer ...

 

I wouldnt expect him to be ready until October.

Sounds like McSorley gets lots of snaps now.

[vmax]

Today was another good day for Lamar........

 

 

One of Lamar Jackson’s prettiest throws is his deep ball, and he had it working in Sunday’s practice.

Jackson connected with wide receivers Willie Snead IV and Jaleel Scott on perfect long touchdown passes that dropped right over their shoulders. It’s just Day 4, but they were two of Jackson’s best throws of training camp so far.

In a separate red-zone drill, Jackson adeptly moved away from pressure from his right to hit Snead for a good-looking touchdown toss on the move. After a false start created a third-and-goal from the 7-yard line, Jackson made a nice throw over the middle for a touchdown to tight end Mark Andrews, who snuck by Tony Jefferson and spun the ball in celebration.

Overall, Jackson displayed his wide repertoire of throws.

In one 11-on-11 session in which the offense started backed up against its own goal line, Jackson drilled a throw to Seth Roberts on the far sideline to move the chains........https://www.baltimoreravens.com/news/practice-report-7-28-lamar-jackson-shows-off-his-deep-ball

 

This is encouraging. Some consistency is developing.

[varaven45]

Encouraging news on LJ and his receivers. Thanks for sharing Max

[oldno82]

If this positive vibe carries over to the time when games actually count, the sky will be the limit for this team.

 

Of course we were hearing much the same about Joe last year at this time. Difference now may be the quality of the talent around the QB.

[varaven45]

Yep, positive vibe is good and time will tell. Just so long as no one makes the claim that our offense is scary good

[vmax]

Today.

 

 

Rookie receiver Miles Boykin provided the play of the day when he beat Marlon Humphrey’s press coverage from the slot and caught a perfectly placed back shoulder throw from Lamar Jackson deep downfield. Boykin also caught an intermediate crossing route in stride that he could have taken to the house and corralled another pass that Jimmy Smith tipped in the back on the end zone, but could not quite stay in bounds.....https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/nfl/ravens-training-camp-observations-7-29/ar-AAF1P6z?ocid=U508DHP

 

 

Lamar Jackson's string of three strong practices ended Monday. He was intercepted twice and had three passes tipped. Still, it was Jackson's first interception thrown since the first day of camp.... ....https://www.espn.com/nfl/team/_/name/bal/baltimore-ravens

 

I'm sure everybody's heard how undisciplined the offense and defense have been with jumping off sides. Too many days of this.

[oldno82]

I think illegal procedure penalties are usually plentiful in the first days of camp.

 

If I still see them at the third preseason game, then I'll worry.

[vmax]

 

"The numerous looks, different entries out of the looks, it's an amazing thing to see as a running back, from my perspective, just how many different runs you can get to and make them look different out of the formations, or how you enter and have the footwork with the quarterback and running back. It's special," Ingram said last week. "The different looks he can give you -- you think something's coming, but something totally different is coming."

The Ravens' approach this season is going to look different than nearly every other team, making it a fun weekly watch for the O-line/run-game nerds among us.....http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000001037736/article/nfl-training-camp-winnerslosers-seven-rookies-creating-a-buzz

The defense is the same way too. Maybe this is part of the reason for so many guys to be jumping off sides. Everybody is baiting everybody.

[vmax]

Most terrifying is the fact that the Ravens are down to 1 QB.

 

Tim Williams did not pull up quick enough and RG3 broke his thumb on his helmet.

It could have been Lamar.

I think we will see Lamar sparingly this pre season. They will probably only have him throwing with instructions to not run. Yes...he will still hand the ball off.

I don't expect any pre season wins. McSorely just doesn't cut it. He can't get the ball out past the D line.

[oldno82]

Well, they've got two again...https://www.baltimoreravens.com/news/ravens-sign-free-agent-quarterback-joe-callahan

 

Anybody know this guy?

[oldno82]

More good news:

 

https://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/ravens/

 

Brown is in the building.

[vmax]

If Brown starts practicing today or tomorrow this would be so great. That will give him plenty of time to work with Lamar and this offense. With him and Boykin stretching defenses and with the running game....how can defenses defend?

 

 

If Brown returns to practice this week, it will put him on track to play in all four of the Ravens' preseason games. They open Aug. 8 vs. Jacksonville.........https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/27288731/ravens-brown-clears-final-hurdle-set-practice

 

Here's some info on Callahan..........

 

 

1. He played under first-year Ravens offensive coordinator Greg Roman during high school.

Callahan's time spent within the NJAC proved to be extremely fruitful, passing for a total of 12,878 yards and 130 touchdowns.

In 2015, he passed for 5,063 yards and 55 touchdowns, and he also helped take down Johns Hopkins, 42-37, in the second round of the NCAA playoffs for Hopkins' only loss of the year.

In addition to the Packers, Callahan has also spent time with the New Orleans Saints, Cleveland Browns, Philadelphia Eagles, and Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

5. Callahan has had some pretty impressive mentors.

Despite bouncing around from team to team, Callahan has had the chance to watch some of the league's greatest quarterbacks ply their trade in his short-stints with organizations such as the Packers, Saints, and Eagles.

From Drew Brees to Aaron Rodgers to Carson Wentz, Callahan should be able to bring some valuable experience from his past ventures to the Ravens' young quarterbacking core.

And, as the saying goes, "competition breeds excellence.".....https://www.pressboxonline.com/2019/07/30/five-things-to-know-about-ravens-quarterback-joe-callahan

Edited July 31, 2019 by vmax