Ravens Insider: Mike Preston’s Ravens observations on Russell Gage signing, offensive line rookies and more | COMMENTARY

ExtremeRavens · August 6, 2024

The Ravens signed veteran receiver Russell Gage on Tuesday, and it’s a good move to add depth and get Gage adjusted if top wide receiver Rashod Bateman misses extensive time.

Bateman did not practice Tuesday after making a strong catch going up against two defenders in the latter part of practice Monday. He was eventually helped off the field by a trainer, but he walked under his own power.

“Yes, not serious,” coach John Harbaugh said Tuesday of Bateman’s injury. “You saw him land on it after he made that catch, [and he] kind of hit the ground hard. [It’s] nothing long term.”

It’s not unusual for a team to make this kind of move, and most teams are aware of unsigned free agents. Gage, 28, has spent the past two years with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers but missed all of last season with a torn patellar tendon.

Before Tampa Bay, he spent four season with the Atlanta Falcons. He has 2,491 receiving yards with 14 touchdowns in 74 career games. If Bateman is out for some time, at least Gage will have familiarity with the Ravens’ offense under second-year coordinator Todd Monken.

Three other noteworthy players who didn’t participate Tuesday were center Tyler Linderbaum for the fourth straight practice as well as outside linebacker Odafe Oweh and cornerback Arthur Maulet.

“Arthur has been dealing with a knee issue. We’ll see. It’s not going to be anything season-ending, but we’re looking at it right now – we have to figure out what it is,” Harbaugh said. “Odafe [Oweh] sprained his ankle a little bit — he should be fine.”

Moving pieces up front

Ben Cleveland, the fourth-year offensive lineman out of Georgia, took most of the repetitions with the first-team offense Tuesday at center but the Ravens also allowed Darrian Dalcourt, a rookie free agent out of Alabama and a Havre de Grace native, to get a lot of work at the position.

At 6 feet 3 and 320 pounds, Dalcourt moves reasonably well and has enough quickness to make blocks into the second level. The St. Frances graduate also knows how to position himself well and cut off pursuit from the backside.

In addition to Dalcourt, another rookie starting to make a favorable impression is right tackle Roger Rosengarten, the second-round pick out of Washington.

He has good explosiveness off the ball and seems more comfortable with the offense. Several times on Tuesday, he held up in pass protection against Justin Madubuike, who was one of the best defensive linemen in the league last season.

Baltimore Ravens quarterback Devin Leary hands off to running back Chris Collier during training camp at the Ravens' training facility. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff)

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Baltimore Ravens quarterback Devin Leary hands off to running back Chris Collier during training camp at the Ravens' training facility. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff)

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Where’s the syrup?

Did anyone get the license plate of that truck?

During individual pass protection Tuesday, one member of the defensive line tossed rookie guard Andrew Vorhees around in a move that was straight out of professional wrestling.

It was brutal.

In fact, I haven’t seen a pancake like that since my last visit to the International House of Pancakes.

The ups and downs

For the second straight day, safety Ar’Darius Washington came up with a big interception, this time late in practice when he read the eyes of quarterback Lamar Jackson and jumped in front of the intended receiver to make the catch.

There were some questions about Washington making the team, especially with so much talent in the secondary, but he just keeps finding ways to make plays.

Speaking of Jackson, if he had a little more discipline, that might be the difference in him winning a Super Bowl title. Jackson’s technique or mechanics get sloppy at times, even when he is playing well.

Sometimes it costs him. Unfortunately, it has happened in big games. Jackson is 2-4 in the postseason.

Backup looks better

Backup quarterback Josh Johnson, a 10-year veteran, struggled early in training camp when Jackson missed time because of an illness.

But as the backup, the 38-year-old Johnson has played well and showed some really good touch on passes down the field. Maybe it’s because the pressure is off with Jackson back working with the first team.

Best on best

There was a nice battle down the right sideline for a 40-yard pass midway through practice with slot receiver Zay Flowers going against cornerback Brandon Stephens.

Flowers had a step or two on Stephens and had to wait a second for the ball, but it was a catch he should have made. He dropped the pass while going out of bounds.

Stephens, though, did make a good play and I liked his celebration dance. Those are the things that can make training camp practices fun, even though Flowers wasn’t laughing.

A wrinkle or two?

I can’t go into detail here, but I like some of the stuff the Ravens are doing offensively inside the red zone. They will catch some teams that won’t be prepared.

It’s both fun and entertaining.

Back in top form

A year ago, there were a lot of fans demanding the Ravens should trade cornerback Marlon Humphrey because he was getting toasted downfield by speedy receivers.

I never thought it was entirely Humphrey’s fault, but also good coaching by the other team. Humphrey was missing extensive time because of injuries, so it was a great strategy for opposing teams to challenge him down the field with the long ball.

Now that his body has had time to heal and he has lost some weight, Humphrey has been one of the best defensive backs in camp.

That’ll work

I saw running back Derrick Henry dart into the right side of the line of scrimmage and then bounce outside as he outran middle linebacker Roquan Smith around the edge.

I don’t know Smith’s pursuit angle, but if you can beat the All-Pro defender off the edge, I’ll take it.

Getting the full picture

Safety Kyle Hamilton spends a lot of time looking over the computer tablet during practice. It’s all part of the NFL’s new generation, but that usually doesn’t happen in practice.

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Ravens Insider: Mike Preston’s Ravens observations on Russell Gage signing, offensive line rookies and more | COMMENTARY

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