ExtremeRavens Posted August 21 Posted August 21 Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson hasn’t taken a snap in a preseason game since 2021, and that’s not changing this year. “I’m very competitive, so sometimes I do [say], ‘I want to go play,’ but at the same time I know why our coaches [are] keeping us off the field,” he said this week. “I’d rather just play [the] regular season than going out there and things happen.” Jackson will, however, be on the field for the next closest thing Thursday in Green Bay, Wisconsin, where the Ravens and Packers will hold a joint practice two days ahead of their preseason finale at Lambeau Field. With nearly all of Baltimore’s expected starters not participating during the preseason — and in most cases their opponents doing largely the same — practicing against the Packers servers as the best competitive action Jackson, new running back Derrick Henry and the rest of the starters on offense and defense will have this summer before the Ravens kick off their season Sept. 5 against the Kansas City Chiefs. In matching up with Green Bay, the Ravens also face a team that made the playoffs a season ago and is expected to be contend with the Detroit Lions for the NFC North title this year, so it should be a good barometer. “You have a chance to go against a different style [of defense],” Ravens coach John Harbaugh said, noting the Packers’ defensive line’s upfield, penetrating style of play that is similar to Baltimore’s Week 3 opponent, the Dallas Cowboys. “Plus, the level of intensity getting guys locked in and focused at the end of a long camp, there’s a benefit to that.” The meeting will also serve as showcase of two of the game’s best and most dynamic quarterbacks. Jackson, 27, is a two-time and reigning NFL Most Valuable Player, while Jordan Love, 25, is coming off a season in which he threw for 4,159 yards with 32 touchdowns with 11 interceptions while completing 64.2% of his passes in his first year as Green Bay’s starter. The two have never met, on or off the field, and Jackson said he’s looking forward to the opportunity. The practice will take place at 10:30 a.m. CT and there will be just one — as opposed to what has often in the past been two — in an effort to cut down on the likelihood of scuffles breaking out. Players will once again carry out what’s been a tradition in Green Bay, too, with fans bringing bikes for them to ride to practice. Here’s what else to keep an eye on. Lamar Jackson against Packers defense In the early part of training camp, Jackson’s play was inconsistent. Timing with his receivers was sometimes off. His deep throws were often underthrown. Underneath passes were occasionally off the mark. That’s subsided for the most part in recent weeks, and the seventh-year quarterback has fallen into a nice rhythm with wide receivers Zay Flowers and Rashod Bateman as well as tight ends Mark Andrews and Isaiah Likely, among others. Now comes the opportunity to play against someone other than his own defense. The Packers were very much middle-of-the pack defensively last season, but they have a talented front with edge rushers Preston Smith (eight sacks in 2023) and Rashan Gary (nine sacks) and defensive tackle Kenny Clark (7 1/2 sacks). On the back end, they added veteran safety Xavier McKinney and feature rising young cornerbacks Jaire Alexander and Eric Stokes. “Some competitiveness — just not going against my guys each and every day,” Jackson said when asked what he’s looking forward to. “Finally get to go against someone else. Especially [since] I’m not playing preseason, [it’s] just great to see how we are against other opponents.” Practicing against the Packers will be the closest Ravens running back comes to live game action during the preseason. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff) Derrick Henry’s debut It’s been even longer — 2018 — since Henry has played in the preseason, and that’s not changing in Baltimore. Practicing against the Packers will likewise be the closest he comes to live game action, and it will be worth watching how he and Jackson operate in what is one of the NFL’s most dynamic backfields. Henry, who spent his first eight seasons with the Tennessee Titans before signing as a free agent, is likewise looking forward to the contact he’ll face in Green Bay. “I think it’s fun,” he said of the joint practice. “We’ve been going against one another for about a month. You get to practice against another team, see some different looks, and [it] kind of gives us a good look and see how far we are and things we need to work on as an offense.” The offensive line Harbaugh said at the start of training camp that he would like to have the offensive line figured out within the first two or three weeks. That time has come and gone, and the two guard spots and starting right tackle job remain open, though there are strong indications of what direction the Ravens are leaning. The joint practice along with possibly the preseason finale could help solidify it. So far, it seems apparent Baltimore is content with Andrew Vorhees at left guard, Daniel Faalele at right guard and Roger Rosengarten at right tackle. Patrick Mekari could perhaps end up starting over Rosengarten, especially early, but Baltimore prefers the 27-year-old veteran as a swing tackle. “I think we’re close,” Harbaugh said. “I think we have a pretty good idea and what way it’s trending in different areas. It’s not altogether solidified, but we’re in a good place right now.” Secondary matchups Once a question mark between roster turnover and potential injury concerns is now a strength of the Ravens, who have a deep and talented secondary. First-round draft pick Nate Wiggins shined in Baltimore’s preseason opener but suffered a shoulder injury in the process and only recently returned to practice. Getting him reps against the Packers’ top receivers of Christian Watson, Romeo Doubs and Jayden Reed should offer even more insight. It will also be interesting to see how the Ravens deploy some of their depth pieces against the Packers in practice, be it Eddie Jackson as the third man in a three-safety look or Ar’Darius Washington playing in the nickel role typically occupied by the injured Arthur Maulet. And it presents an opportunity for rookies T.J. Tampa and Sanoussi Kane to show what they can do. Running back and wide receiver depth There remains some mild intrigue when it comes to the back end of the running back and wide receiver rooms. Rookie back Rasheen Ali has looked largely unimpressive in preseason play, then suffered a stinger and only returned to practice on Tuesday. Second-year undrafted free agent Owen Wright, meanwhile, had a solid preseason opener, only to take a step back Saturday against the Atlanta Falcons. Ali figures to have the edge to be the third back behind Henry and Justice Hill after being drafted in the fifth round, but he might have to show something this week. Meanwhile, the sixth wide receiver spot — if the team carries that many on its 53-man roster — seems wholly up for grabs. Flowers, Bateman and Nelson Agholor occupy the first three spots on the depth chart. After that, in some order, are likely Deonte Harty and Tylan Wallace, given their special teams ability. That leaves fourth-round rookie Devontez Walker, recently signed veteran Anthony Miller and undrafted free agent Dayton Wade competing for a spot. View the full article Quote
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