ExtremeRavens Posted June 4 Posted June 4 Ravens star quarterback Lamar Jackson participated in voluntary organized team activities Tuesday and threw the ball extremely well. The seven-year veteran on several occasions showed a nice touch on long passes and hit receivers in stride, including a 30- to 40-yard touchdown pass to Zay Flowers in the right corner of the end zone before the wideout went out of bounds. Every time Jackson’s name is mentioned, there are questions about his playing weight and whether he should attend more OTAs ahead of the three-day mandatory minicamp next week. I never pay too much attention to any of this nonsense. The Ravens knew what they were getting with Jackson when they signed him to a five-year, $260 million contract in April 2023. They knew the two-time NFL Most Valuable Player wasn’t going to show up for many of these voluntary sessions because of his injury history. Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes has participated in several of their voluntary practices. That might be the kind of small detail that makes the difference and why Kansas City has won three of the past five Super Bowl titles while Jackson hasn’t played in one yet. It’s not just about on-the-field performance, but leadership as well. Regardless, it’s not as if Jackson hasn’t been working out. He trained with Flowers and fellow receiver Nelson Agholor in South Florida last week. Plus, according to Pro Football Talk, Jackson is missing out on a $750,000 offseason workout bonus by not participating, which isn’t a big deal when a player makes as much money as he does. Don’t buy into the hype. Let’s see what Jackson looks and performs like when the Ravens open training camp in late July. The bottom line is that the Ravens got what they paid for, and there is really no one to blame. In the words of former Ravens coach Brian Billick, it is what it is. Jackson is what he is. Flowers blooming Flowers looks more confident on the field in his second year and is usually one of the first two players in line for every drill. His body language shows some confidence that was lacking a year ago. He should have another monster season, especially since he’s another year into coordinator Todd Monken’s offense. More teams are featuring small receivers such as the 5-foot-9, 182-pound Flowers in the passing game because of their elusiveness, especially in the slot. “He is hungry,” Agholor said of Flowers. “He is hungry and wants to be a great player.” Malik Hamm, offensive linebacker, during Ravens organized team activities at the Under Armor Performance Center. (Amy Davis/Staff photo)With temperature in the 80s, Ravens defensive tackle Travis Jones stays hydrated during practice at the Under Armor Performance Center. (Amy Davis/Staff photo)Trenton Simpson, ILB, runs a. drill during Ravens organized team activities at the Under Armor Performance Center. (Amy Davis/Staff photo)Trenton Simpson, ILB, prepares to receive the ball during Ravens organized team activities at the Under Armor Performance Center. (Amy Davis/Staff photo)Deadrin Senat #93 and Josh Tupou #69 face off in a drill during Ravens organized team activities at the Under Armor Performance Center. (Amy Davis/Staff photo)Quarterback Lamar Jackson gives a thumbs up after Ravens practice at the Under Armor Performance Center. Tuesday was his second appearance at organized team activities in about two weeks. (Amy Davis/Staff photo)In front from left, Tre Swilling #33 CB, Marcus Williams #32 CB and Ar’Darius Washington #29 S, interact during Ravens practice at the Under Armor Performance Center. (Amy Davis/Staff photo)Defensive ends C.J. Ravenell #68 and Tramel Walthour #94 3atch drills during Ravens practice at the Under Armor Performance Center. (Amy Davis/Staff photo)Defensive end Brent Urban during Ravens practice at the Under Armor Performance Center. (Amy Davis/Staff photo)Defensive tackles Josh Tupou #69 and Travis Jones #98 fasce off in a drill during Ravens practice at the Under Armor Performance Center. (Amy Davis/Staff photo)Offensive linebacker Joe Evans during Ravens organized team activities at the Under Armor Performance Center. (Amy Davis/Staff photo)Quarterbacks coach Tee Martin with quarterback Devin Leary #13 after Ravens practice at the Under Armor Performance Center. (Amy Davis/Staff photo)Wide receiver Qadir Ismail during Ravens practice at the Under Armor Performance Center. (Amy Davis/Staff photo)Wide receiver Qadir Ismail #83 during Ravens practice at the Under Armor Performance Center. (Amy Davis/Staff photo)Wide receiver Nelson Agholor #15 speaks to the media after Ravens practice at the Under Armor Performance Center. (Amy Davis/Staff photo)Inside linebackers coach Mark DeLeone speaks to the media after Ravens practice at the Under Armor Performance Center. (Amy Davis/Staff photo)Defensive line coach Dennis Johnson speaks to the media after Ravens practice at the Under Armor Performance Center. (Amy Davis/Staff photo)Trenton Simpson, ILB, speaks to the media after Ravens practice at the Under Armor Performance Center. (Amy Davis/Staff photo)Quarterback Lamar Jackson after Ravens practice at the Under Armor Performance Center. Tuesday was his second appearance at organized team activities in about two weeks. (Amy Davis/Staff photo)Show Caption of Expand Standout linemen When watching the Ravens’ offensive line, the two players with the quickest jump off the snap are veteran left tackle Ronnie Stanley and second-year guard Andrew Vorhees. Stanley, though, has Jackson’s timing down to perfection and quickly gets into his pass set. He appears to have done extensive work during the offseason in reshaping his body. Stanley did have the play of the day. Jackson had a pass batted backward to Stanley, who caught the carom and then did a 360-degree spin move on a defensive lineman (possibly Brent Urban) near the line of scrimmage. A fit fullback This time last year, the Ravens were considering moving fullback Patrick Ricard to tight end or offensive line because offseason surgeries had put him behind his training. But the eighth-year player has looked good in practices so far. The Ravens were in shorts and jerseys (no helmets) on Tuesday, but Ricard looks fit and is moving well. He has shown good lateral movement and should be a major part of the offense, especially as a lead blocker in short-yardage situations. Where’s the muscle? Ravens rookie right tackle Roger Rosengarten, selected in the second round of the NFL draft out of Washington, might need a strong offseason in the weight room. The athleticism is evident, but he needs to add some muscle to his 6-5, 308-pound frame. The Ravens have been moving quite a few players around on the offensive line, including third-year tackle Daniel Faalele. He is a big guy at 6-8 and 380 pounds but might be better at guard than tackle. He doesn’t like to extend his arms and hands, and that could be a liability playing on the outside. The Ravens also have been shuffling fourth-year player Ben Cleveland at guard and tackle. Second-year player to watch It will be interesting to watch 2023 fourth-round pick Tavius Robinson at outside linebacker. He is a specimen at 6-6 and 258 pounds and has long arms and legs. He could bat down a lot of passes on the outside, and he could become an important part of various packages. Another UDFA running back? I don’t know much about free agent running back Chris Collier from Lock Haven, but the kid has some decent moves and acceleration. He has nice size at 5-11 and 203 pounds and had 1,393 rushing yards on 236 attempts with 12 touchdowns last season. He has stood out some during OTAs, enough to draw more interest. View the full article Quote
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