ExtremeRavens Posted August 22 Posted August 22 The Ravens need fresh meat. After weeks of competing against themselves during training camp, which often gets boring, they are finally getting some Thursday morning in Green Bay at a joint practice with the Packers in advance of Saturday’s preseason finale. It’s easy to determine who would win individual matchups when players go after each other for a month straight. Players have certain nuances and teams have certain styles. Then there is the “brother-in-law” factor, when players just go through the motions, but that can’t happen Thursday morning. Both the Packers and Ravens are playoff contenders. Both teams won a postseason game a year ago, with Baltimore, which had the NFL’s best regular-season record, beating the Houston Texans and the Packers stunning the Dallas Cowboys. Both teams lost to their respective conference champions. “I think you’re talking about some competitive human beings, and everybody wants to win all the time,” Ravens coach John Harbaugh said of the decision to practice only one day against the Packers. “So, that practice intensity gets to a level sometimes where on the second day, where it’s not as productive as it was on the first day.” The Ravens’ offensive line is worth watching. The season opener is two weeks away and the unit is still a work in progress with a cast of players going through as fast as a revolving door. In Green Bay, the Ravens will face quarterback Jordan Love, one of the NFL’s bright young stars after he threw for 4,159 yards and 32 touchdowns last season in his first year as the starter. He has a talented group of young receivers led by Jayden Reed and Romeo Doubs. Even though Love won’t get hit in practice, it will be interesting to see whether the Ravens can pressure him, or if their front seven can stuff the Packers’ running game. The Ravens allowed 146 yards on 38 carries in a 16-13 loss to Philadelphia in the preseason opener and then gave up 151 yards on 31 carries in a 13-12 win over Atlanta a week later. Yes, the Ravens were without their star defenders such as middle linebacker Roquan Smith and end/tackle Justin Madubuike, but some of their regulars — tackles Broderick Washington, Travis Jones and Brent Urban and linebackers David Ojabo and Trenton Simpson — did suit up. Ever since defensive coordinator Marvin Lewis produced that record-setting defense in 2000, the Ravens have usually been able to cut off the run first and then shut down the passing game. Thursday will be a good test of that philosophy, as Green Bay signed former Las Vegas Raiders running back Josh Jacobs in the offseason to pair with bruiser AJ Dillon. Ravens defensive ends Brent Urban, left, and C.J. Ravenell block defensive tackle Broderick Washington during practice on Monday. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff) “The mindset of the two teams is the most important thing,” Harbaugh said. “If both teams come in with the same idea, that they’re two good football teams that are trying to take advantage of an opportunity to practice against another good football team and get a good football practice in, that’s what you want. We’re excited to go against Green Bay. We think they’re that kind of a group. [They’re] a good football team. [They’re] right there; [they were] almost in the NFC championship game, [and they’re] a proven team.” The Ravens have had some busted coverages throughout training camp. Perhaps that’s to be expected with so much transition among coaches, including having Zach Orr take over as defensive coordinator. It could take this group some time to reach last year’s level. But Baltimore needs to improve in other areas, too. Starting center Tyler Linderbaum hasn’t practiced this month because of a soft-tissue injury in his neck, and the Ravens have used at least four centers in his place. The revolving door on the offensive line seems to have slowed with Baltimore appearing to settle on Daniel Faalele at right guard and Andrew Vorhees at left guard. Ronnie Stanley will start at left tackle, but the right side position is a battle between Patrick Mekari and rookie Roger Rosengarten, who appears to be the long-term answer. Rhythm and familiarity are what make the offensive line work well together. Against Green Bay, the Ravens will face a group that likes to get up field and penetrate. The Packers have several explosive players on the defensive front in edge rushers Preston Smith and Rashan Gary and tackle Kenny Clark, all of whom had more than seven sacks last season. “There’s an opportunity to see a different style that we haven’t seen before, plus just the level of intensity,” Harbaugh said. “Getting guys locked in and focused at the end of a long camp, there’s a benefit in that.” Regardless of changes in the game, it always comes down to the interior lines. The Packers will see some of quarterback Lamar Jackson with running back Derrick Henry, a combination Ravens fans haven’t seen yet, but Baltimore isn’t going to show too many of its cards. Some basic plays and schemes are revealed, but others remain a secret. Defensively, the Ravens still need to show that they can provide a consistent pass rush after leading the NFL with 60 sacks a year ago and that their cornerbacks — Marlon Humphrey, Brandon Stephens and rookie Nate Wiggins — are up to the task. The other attraction will be receivers Zay Flowers, Nelson Agholor and Rashod Bateman playing against Packers safety Xavier McKinney and cornerbacks Jaire Alexander and Eric Stokes. But the Ravens need to be ready to win the battle of the interior lines. It’s good for the psyche of this team and could be the key to another deep postseason run. View the full article Quote
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