ExtremeRavens Posted July 23 Posted July 23 Last year at this time, many had reservations about a Ravens secondary that, while not lacking talent, certainly lacked healthy bodies. Through the first three days of training camp, the secondary looks to be the strongest unit on the team as coach John Harbaugh and new defensive coordinator Zach Orr mix and match a room full of versatility, intensity and playmaking ability. “We’re so deep in that room right now,” safety Kyle Hamilton said. “We can never get tired. We will never have someone on the field that’s a liability. It’s such a disadvantage for the offense.” Tuesday was another good day for the defensive backs with veteran cornerback Arthur Maulet taking his turn making the interception of the day, coming up with a nice grab over wideout Nelson Agholor. After that, the rest of the group pounced. Cornerback Brandon Stephens made two nice plays on the outside while being matched up with wide receivers Rashod Bateman and Zay Flowers throughout the day. Health matters Despite the lack of highlight-reel plays, Harbaugh was particularly impressed with a pair of 2022 draft picks, defensive backs Jalyn Armour-Davis and Damarion “Pepe” Williams. Just as important as making plays and knowing assignments, both are now healthy, according to Harbaugh, and are looking to add to the secondary’s strength. “Big year for both those guys,” Harbaugh said. “They’re both practicing so well right now, I’m excited. First three days in and they’ve both been excellent.” When it comes to health, it helps when two of the defense’s best players are back and ready to go, and that’s been the case this summer with All-Pro selections Marlon Humphrey and Hamilton. Hamilton missed mandatory minicamp with a minor elbow surgery but has been a full participant through three days of training camp. Humphrey, who provided the shock of camp last season when he underwent foot surgery, said a big part of his recovery was returning to his roots — and shedding some weight. “I slimmed down a little bit,” said Humphrey, who acknowledged dropping from around 200 pounds to 190. “I looked back at some of my better seasons and I was a little bit lighter. I’ve been moving pretty well.” Ravens offensive line coach Joe D’Alessandris, right, talks with the linemen during training camp Tuesday. (Kevin Richardson/Staff) Offensive line takes shape Harbaugh said at mandatory minicamp in June that he’d like the offensive line competitions to be settled within the first couple weeks of training camp. After just three days, some leaders are emerging for the spots up for grabs. Daniel Faalele has been used primarily at right guard. The third-year lineman started just one game through his first two seasons, but he’s in line for an expanded role if he continues his impressive camp. “We’re gonna give it a shot and see how it looks,” Harbaugh said. “Daniel’s got very good feet for his size. That’s a big man, but he can move his feet. He can also bend and create leverage. We feel like he’s got a chance with Tyler [Linderbaum] to move people in there. We’ll see how he adapts.” The 6-8, 380-pound Faalele moved defenders into the second level frequently Tuesday to carve running lanes for Derrick Henry. Harbaugh believes the lineman’s skills might be better used at guard rather than tackle, the position he played in college at Minnesota but never broke through at in Baltimore. Patrick Mekari is working mostly at right tackle, a spot vacated after the Ravens traded Morgan Moses. Mekari is also Linderbaum’s primary backup at center, Harbaugh said. Offensive line coach Joe D’Alessandris said last month that the team thinks it gains the most value from Mekari’s versatility with him as a reserve, but the veteran is in the mix for a starting role for now. “We’ve got certain guys that are moving at certain positions,” Harbaugh said. “They work their primary spot, their secondary spot. Some guys work both guards. Some guys stay on the left side. The more you can do, the better you are.” Ravens quarterbacks Josh Johnson, left, and Devin Leary throw passes during training camp. (Kevin Richardson/Staff) Jackson out again Lamar Jackson was absent again Tuesday with an undisclosed illness. Harbaugh said the star quarterback is closer to a return but had no update for when that could be. With Jackson out, the Ravens’ three other quarterbacks have gotten extended looks alongside the first and second teams. None have looked particularly sharp as they battle for the No. 2 spot. Josh Johnson, the most experienced of the group, has displayed the best chemistry with receivers through the first three days of camp. The 38-year-old veteran connected with Bateman three times in the 11-on-11 portion of Tuesday’s practice, highlighted by a contested deep ball down the right sideline that Bateman grabbed over Humphrey. Johnson also found Keith Kirkwood for a touchdown in perhaps the most impressive play from the offense all afternoon. But Johnson also showed lapses. He’s been slow to get rid of the ball throughout camp and has taken plenty of would-be sacks as a result. Tuesday, Maulet picked him off for the cornerback’s third interception in as many days. Rookie Nate Wiggins had one of his many pass breakups of camp on an off-target throw from Johnson. Rookies Devin Leary and Emory Jones have done little to show the Ravens should keep three quarterbacks. Both were inconsistent at all levels of the field and haven’t found a rhythm with any pass catchers. ‘Nasty Nate’ is born Last season, Jackson dubbed Flowers “joystick” after the first day of camp for the way the 2023 first-round pick quickly changed directions, as well as his smooth footwork and explosiveness. Tuesday, it was time for 2024 first-rounder Wiggins to reveal “Nasty Nate” to the world. Wiggins sheepishly revealed the new nickname, given to him by Humphrey. While Wiggins couldn’t confirm or deny if the name was going to stick, his comments on his play style could shed some insight into how Humphrey made his choice. “I’m trying to work at not using my catchup speed and being better at the line of scrimmage with my hands,” Wiggins said. “I talk a lot [of trash] to the receiver. It brings me more confidence, talking to the receiver and trying to get in their heads.” Regardless of whether “Nasty Nate” sticks or not, it’s clear the rookie has already made quite the impression on his teammates. View the full article Quote
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