ExtremeRavens Posted August 1 Posted August 1 Lamar Jackson, Zay Flowers and Rashod Bateman took a moment during Thursday’s practice in Owings Mills to reevaluate. Jackson and the rest of the Ravens quarterbacks had been inconsistent and off-target for much of the 11-on-11 and seven-on-seven periods, particularly on deep passes. Something needed to change. The trio sat on water coolers and discussed what they noticed. Flowers reenacted a route in which he believed he had his defender beat, but Jackson didn’t see him. They vowed to be better the rest of the afternoon, deliberated some more, then jogged back onto the field to try again. “[Jackson] and Zay have had it from the first day,” coach John Harbaugh said. “That tends to be the case with great players and great athletes. They figure each other out pretty quickly.” Jackson hasn’t had trouble connecting with Flowers throughout camp. He has been off with Bateman, however, and that continued Thursday. Jackson targeted him frequently with only a couple of catches to show for it. Thursday’s practice, still one of Jackson’s first after he missed several with an illness, was one of the most physical of training camp as the intensity rose to new levels. Working out those miscommunications is what days like these are for. Patrick Mekari is satisfied with any role The 26-year-old offensive lineman has been deployed at all five positions across his five seasons with the Ravens. His versatility has proved valuable for a group that’s dealt with endless turnover and injuries. But throughout camp, Mekari’s been almost exclusively at right tackle, rotating there with Roger Rosengarten. The rookie worked with the first-team offense for a stretch Thursday as the battle for that starting position has seemingly narrowed to those two. “Roger’s been great, he’s really immersed in the meetings, really locked in at practice,” Mekari said. “I like what I’m seeing.” Mekari said Thursday he’d be fine in either role — starting at right tackle or remaining the first man off the bench: “I just want to play and help the team. Whatever way that looks like.” he said. He added that he’d like to get work at other positions along the line before the season starts if that’s how the Ravens use him. But for now, he’s enjoying this run with the first team. “Pat’s greatest strength is his versatility,” Harbaugh said. “It’s also probably the thorn in his side a little bit. He doesn’t get a chance always to lock down at one position. That’s a good problem to have.” Mekari has also blossomed into a leader on the line. The unit is much younger this season after Kevin Zeitler, Morgan Moses and John Simpson’s departures. Mekari once leaned on those veterans for guidance and leadership. Now, Mekari’s taken on that job for Rosengarten and second-year lineman Andrew Vorhees. “As the years go on, I continue to be the older and older guy in the room,” Mekari said. “It’s good to be in a mentorship role and really guide these guys.” Aug 1, 2024: Zay Flowers, Baltimore Ravens WR, waves to fans watching the training camp at the Under Armour Performance Center on Thursday. (Kim Hairston/Staff)Nelson Agholor, Baltimore Ravens WR, during training camp at the Under Armour Performance Center on Thursday. (Kim Hairston/Staff)Nelson Agholor, Baltimore Ravens WR, during training camp at the Under Armour Performance Center on Thursday. (Kim Hairston/Staff)Aug 1, 2024: Nelson Agholor, Baltimore Ravens WR, during training camp at the Under Armour Performance Center on Thursday. (Kim Hairston/Staff)Rashod Bateman, Baltimore Ravens WR, during a training camp drill at the Under Armour Performance Center on Thursday. (Kim Hairston/Staff)Zay Flowers, Baltimore Ravens WR, during a training camp drill at the Under Armour Performance Center on Thursday. (Kim Hairston/Staff)Zay Flowers, Baltimore Ravens WR, during a training camp drill at the Under Armour Performance Center on Thursday. (Kim Hairston/Staff)Zay Flowers, Baltimore Ravens WR, during training camp at the Under Armour Performance Center on Thursday. (Kim Hairston/Staff)John Harbaugh, Baltimore Ravens head coach, meets with first responders who assisted after the the Key Bridge collapse following Baltimore Ravens training camp at the Under Armour Performance Center on Wednesday. (Kim Hairston/Staff)John Harbaugh, Baltimore Ravens head coach, meets with first responders who assisted after the the Key Bridge collapse following Baltimore Ravens training camp at the Under Armour Performance Center on Wednesday. (Kim Hairston/Staff)Andrew Vorhees, G, talks with Roger Rosengarten,TB, during the Baltimore Ravens training camp at the Under Armour Performance Center. (Kim Hairston/Staff)Ravens wide receiver Tylan Wallace was the star of Thursday’s practice. (Kim Hairston/Staff)Andrew Vorhees, G, talks to Malaesala Aumavae-Laulu, G/T, during Baltimore Ravens training camp at the Under Armour Performance Center. (Kim Hairston/Staff)Chris Collier, RB, drills during Baltimore Ravens training camp at the Under Armour Performance Center. (Kim Hairston/Staff)Show Caption1 of 14Aug 1, 2024: Zay Flowers, Baltimore Ravens WR, waves to fans watching the training camp at the Under Armour Performance Center on Thursday. (Kim Hairston/Staff)Expand Attendance and notes • Receiver Deonte Harty was absent again Thursday. Harbaugh said he’s dealing with a “minor soft tissue issue.” • The Ravens brought in referees this week to get approval for how they plan to approach the NFL’s new kickoff rules, Harbaugh said. He’ll be watching Thursday’s Pro Football Hall of Fame Game between the Chicago Bears and Houston Texans closely to see how others strategize kickoff and return coverage. • Ben Cleveland left practice early with a trainer. Harbaugh said the offensive lineman suffered a head injury and will be evaluated further. • Harbaugh said he thinks rookie linebacker Adisa Isaac will “be back soon.” The third-round pick has been sidelined since rookie minicamp with a hamstring injury. Ravens wide receiver Tylan Wallace was the star of Thursday’s practice. (Kim Hairston/Staff) Highlights • Tylan Wallace was the star of Thursday’s practice. He made a leaping one-handed grab along the sideline in individual work and caught a touchdown in a narrow window between Marcus Williams and Jalyn Armour-Davis in the full-team portion. The defenders collided and fell to the ground, while Wallace was the only one left standing with the football in the end zone. • Trenton Simpson slithered through blockers and blew up a screen pass from Leary to Justice Hill and wrapped up the running back for a significant loss, earning helmet slaps and high fives from fellow defenders. • Rookie running back Rasheen Ali fumbled during the seven-on-seven period. Second-year back Owen Wright (Georgetown Prep) received most of the work with the second team after Ali’s mistake. • Armour-Davis enjoyed another strong day. He was involved in several pass breakups and continues to rotate with the first-team defense. • Undrafted rookie Isaiah Washington hauled in the best grab of the day with a fingertip catch for a touchdown. He beat first-round pick Nate Wiggins down the sideline, and backup quarterback Josh Johnson delivered perhaps the best pass of the day to complete the highlight. • Kyle Hamilton was responsible for the defense’s most impressive play. He was draped over Mark Andrews as both went up for a Jackson deep ball. Andrews caught it initially, but Hamilton got a hand on it to pop it from the tight end’s grasp in mid-air to come down with an interception. • The Ravens spent about 15 minutes practicing with the field goal unit. Justin Tucker was a perfect 7-for-7 with a long of 47 yards. Afterward, Tucker teed up a ball from the left sideline — far from the hash marks where he typically kicks between — and split the uprights from 56 yards out. View the full article Quote
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