Ravens Insider: Ravens observations on up-and-down offense, big plays from young players and good signs from secondary

ExtremeRavens · August 14

Before practice even began, Wednesday proved to be an eventful day for those inside the Ravens’ facility.

Just after noon, the team announced that tight end Mark Andrews was involved in a car accident while on his way to practice. Andrews was evaluated by team doctors, and coach John Harbaugh said after practice that the three-time Pro Bowl selection came out of the crash with “nothing at all, not a scrape.”

Shortly after that announcement came news that offensive line coach Joe D’Alessandris was hospitalized over the weekend with an “acute illness” that will keep the 70-year-old assistant out for an extended period.

The Ravens have since hired longtime offensive line coach George Warhop to step in. Warhop, 62, has 40 years of coaching experience, with 27 seasons of work with NFL offensive lines.

“[He’s] a guy that we’ve known for many years, and respected,” Harbaugh said. “[He’s] someone who [offensive coordinator] Todd [Monken] has worked with in the past, in Tampa Bay. Other coaches have known him and worked with him on our staff. He doesn’t know our system per se in terms of our terminology, but he can learn that very quickly.”

On the field Wednesday, it was an intense, full-padded practice featuring an inconsistent offense, an energetic and heat-seeking defense, and some young players taking advantage of valuable, but scarce reps as the second preseason game approaches.

Here are some observations from Wednesday’s practice:

Offense flashes potential despite sloppy, inconsistent day

Quarterback Lamar Jackson could be heard yelling in frustration several times after some miscommunications with his receivers. For example, he missed Rashod Bateman on a screen pass during the first drive of team drills.

Jackson then threw his hands in the air after failing to connect with newly signed target Anthony Miller.

But the two-time NFL Most Valuable Player’s worst throw might have been an off-target pass to Tylan Wallace, which landed in the hands of a waiting Kyle Hamilton for an interception.

Jackson quickly bounced back, though, shaking off some bad throws — and being stepped on by one of his linemen — to find tight end Isaiah Likely several times for big gains across the middle. Second-year receiver Zay Flowers also got involved, making some nice catches down the sideline.

When the offense stays on track and, most importantly, stays consistent, its big-play ability is clear. Jackson, however, will not play Saturday against the Atlanta Falcons, Harbaugh said.

Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson passes during training camp at the Ravens' training facility. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff)

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Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson passes during training camp at the Ravens' training facility. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff)

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Good signs from a banged-up secondary

Hamilton’s interception was a welcome sign as the All-Pro safety went through a full day of practice after limping off the field Sunday with an apparent left leg injury.

With no knee brace or extra padding, Hamilton looks to be back to his normal, play-making self.

The rookie defensive back duo of Nate Wiggins and T.J. Tampa also made an appearance.

Tampa, the fourth-round draft pick who has been working his way back from offseason sports hernia surgery, was fully dressed, participating in position drills and looking good before leaving practice during the team period.

Wiggins wasn’t in pads, but he worked off to the side with a trainer before also going inside the facility during team drills.

The first-round draft pick, who suffered a shoulder injury during his impressive preseason debut last week, was just as spry and active, with his signature speed still on display.

Let the kids play

Whenever Jackson takes a step back and quarterbacks Josh Johnson, Emory Jones and Devin Leary take the reins, the deep shots and sidearm throws across the middle take a backseat to coverage sacks and checkdowns.

But when the young players at the bottom of the depth chart are given a chance to make a play, they sure take advantage.

Undrafted rookie receiver Isaiah Washington might have had the play of the day, rising over Hamilton to make a catch on a deep pass from Johnson that got the crowd buzzing.

Rookie tight end Qadir Ismail also made a play when he was finally targeted down the field, securing a nice catch over the middle.

Even the young players on defense took advantage, with rookie safety Beau Brade picking off Jackson. The interception was the highlight of camp so far for the former Maryland and River Hill star, even though it was nullified by an offside penalty.

A big loss

For the foreseeable future, the Ravens will be without the man affectionately known as “Joe D.”

Under D’Alessandris, the Ravens have earned top-10 pass- and run-blocking rates in each of the past four seasons. The Ravens finished ninth in pass blocking and fifth in run blocking last season, according to ESPN.

Already tasked with replacing three starters on the offensive line, the architect behind one of the league’s more successful units is now out as well for what is expected to be a “significant amount of time.”

Translation: A tough task just got tougher for perhaps the team’s most important position group heading into the season opener Sept. 5 in Kansas City.

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Ravens Insider: Ravens observations on up-and-down offense, big plays from young players and good signs from secondary

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