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Ravens Insider: Ravens observations on upcoming joint practice with Packers, another OL combination and more


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The Ravens have one more preseason game on Saturday in Green Bay, a final chance for the players on the fringe to prove they deserve a spot on the initial 53-man roster. But with a monumental opponent on the horizon in the regular-season opener, coach John Harbaugh said the Chiefs are starting to come into Baltimore’s focus.

“We’re pointing toward two things,” he said. “We’re pointing toward Green Bay. And we’re also pointing toward Kansas City.”

The Ravens will practice with the Packers on Thursday before their preseason finale. Joint practices have been commonplace under Harbaugh — Baltimore has done one eight of the past 10 years, but just once since 2021.

They offer a unique test for teams that have become accustomed to battling their teammates in practice. That can get mundane. Energy, at times, is low, and each side gets used to the other’s tendencies.

For the first time this summer, several starters will go against an opponent not wearing purple and black, the last time they’ll do so until they face the two-time defending Super Bowl champions to begin the NFL season on Sept. 5.

But for that same reason, joint practices also present unique challenges. Aggression that’s festered with no way to release it could surface. The Ravens hope to avoid that.

“If both teams come into it with the same idea, that they’re two good football teams trying to take advantage of the opportunity to practice against another good football team and get a good football practice in, that’s what you want,” Harbaugh said. “If the team’s coming in like, ‘We’re trying to prove something,’ some junior high thing, then it’s usually not good.”

Injury report

Mark Andrews didn’t practice Monday and hasn’t taken the field since his car accident on Wednesday. Harbaugh called the tight end’s situation “very minor” and said he “doesn’t want to mess with anything” by having Andrews practice. He’ll be with the team in Green Bay but might not see the field again until next week.

Tyler Linderbaum is “right on schedule” with his recovery from a neck injury, Harbaugh said, but the center won’t be cleared for contact this week. The team remains hopeful he’ll be ready for the regular-season opener.

Rookies Adisa Isaac, Devontez Walker and Rasheen Ali also did not practice on Monday. They all played sparingly in Saturday’s win over the Atlanta Falcons and are dealing with various ailments.

A sight to behold

There are few things more frightening than having 6-foot-3, 247-pound Derrick Henry turn the corner on a toss play. But it’s even worse when 6-3 and 300-pound Patrick Ricard is the lead blocker.

The Ravens ran counter several times Monday only to have Ricard pull. Other times, inside linebacker Deion Jennings and Yvandy Rigby took steps forward only to have Ricard block down on them.

If these were game situations, both Jennings and Rigby might still be searching for teeth.

More OL juggling

The Ravens had yet another offensive line combination, with Nick Samac, a 2023 seventh-round draft pick, starting at center. The Ravens have had Patrick Mekari and Ben Cleveland (and others) there, but all these guys are agile and can make blocks into the second level.

It’s still Linderbaum’s job, of course, but at least the Ravens have some solid backup candidates.

Now, while on the subject of the offensive line: End Justin Madubuike embarrassed guard Malaesala Aumavae-Laulu several times on Monday. Not only did he beat the second-year guard several times during seven-on-seven action, but he also left right guard Daniel Faalele scratching his head and looking for answers during one-on-one pass protection drills.

You can’t help but feel kind of bad for the Ravens’ offensive line at this point. They are going to miss line coach Joe D’Alessandris, who will be out for a significant time with an undisclosed illness.

D’Alessandris had a unique relationship with his players. He wasn’t afraid to get in their faces when they screwed up but was also able to get them to play hard because of his straightforward approach.

“I think we’re close,” Harbaugh said of finding the starting five offensive linemen. “I think we have a pretty good idea and what way it’s trending in different areas. It’s not all together solidified, but we’re in a good place right now.”

Baltimore Ravens running back Chris Collier runs with the handoff from quarterback Emory Jones during an NFL preseason game for the 2024-'25 season. Baltimore held on to edge thee Falcons, 13-12.(Karl Merton Ferron/Staff)
Undrafted rookie running back Chris Collier, right, continues to impress at Ravens training camp. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff)

Undrafted rookies making their mark

Two rookie sleepers who might make the roster one way or another are rookie running back Chris Collier, the 5-11 and 210-pound free agent out of Lock Haven, and safety Beau Brade, a former River Hill and Maryland standout.

Neither are expected to get much playing time in 2024, but Brade, at 6-foot and 209 pounds, has played well in training camp, and the Ravens have been impressed with his progress.

“Beau has dealt with a few injuries, but [he’s] quiet, until we got him in the rookie skit, [and] then he wasn’t quiet anymore; he’s funny,” Harbaugh said. “So, that was fun — to see his personality even more. But yes, he’s stepped up. He’s covered well, but he’s also made some hits — that’s what I’ve enjoyed seeing – both on defense and special teams.”

Moments to forget

Ugliest pass of the day belonged to rookie quarterback Devin Leary, who started down a tight end wearing a Travis Kelce jersey, and then had an interception returned for a touchdown by rookie cornerback Nate Wiggins.

Practice makes perfect

Harbaugh has heard the advantages and disadvantages of playing starters in the preseason, but with a bizarre second-half schedule, the Ravens have to get off to a strong start.

“We want to start the season off well. We want to put our best foot forward right out of the gates as much as we can,” he said. “It’s hard to do, there’s no guarantee you’re going to do that, and there’s a lot of question marks to that every year. We have done well over the years doing that because we practice well. It comes down to practice. Practice is what makes it; preseason games don’t make or break you that way, it’s the practices that make you because that’s what you stack.”

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