Week 2 of OTA

[tsylvester]

https://www.baltimoreravens.com/news/ravens-otas-kickers-go-perfect-tyler-loop-john-hoyland-lamar-jackson

The Ravens kicked off their second week of organized team activities without quarterback Lamar Jackson on the field, which left the start of the rookie kicker competition stealing the spotlight.

Rookie kickers Tyler Loop and John Hoyland went a combined 6 for 6 on live kicks during Tuesday's practice session. Loop hit from 28, 30, and 32 yards. Then Hoyland connected from 34, 36, and 42 yards.

Loop and Hoyland traded days kicking last week during OTAs, but that changed this week as the competition to replace Justin Tucker heats up.

With Jackson not present, new backup quarterback Cooper Rush took the action with the starters and continued his process of getting up to speed with the offense. He made some nice throws down the sideline.

Offensive Coordinator Todd Monken said he's not worried about Jackson's absence.

"I always feel good about Lamar. He always comes in ready," Monken said. "He loves to play football. He loves his teammates. He loves the Ravens. … He'll be ready to, and we'll be ready to go against Buffalo come Sunday night."

Here are other notes from Tuesday's OTAs practice:

Andrew Vorhees ran with the starting offense with Ben Cleveland not present. Left tackle Ronnie Stanley was also not in attendance, which meant new veteran offensive tackle Joe Noteboom stepped into his spot.
Outside linebacker Odafe Oweh showed that he's still moving well at his increased weight, sniffing out and stuffing a screen to running back Keaton Mitchell at the line of scrimmage.

Offensive lineman turned undrafted rookie fullback Lucas Scott caught a pass in the flat during 11-on-11 drills.
Undrafted inside linebacker Chandler Martin nearly came up with a pick for the second time during OTAs thus far.
Tight end Isaiah Likely made two long receptions down the sideline from Rush.
Cornerback Jalyn Armour-Davis made a nice play at the end zone pylon breaking up a pass intended for DeAndre Hopkins. Armour-Davis continued to see a lot of action with the starters with Chidobe Awuzie out again (he was sick last week).

 

 

[oldno82]

Good stuff so far.

[tsylvester]

Good to hear about Walker, I'm really pulling for this kid

 

https://www.baltimoreravens.com/news/ravens-otas-week-2-devontez-walker-nate-wiggins-tyler-loop-practice-report

The Ravens concluded their second week of organized team activities Friday, and while there were several starters not present, other players who stepped in made the most of the opportunity.

No one took advantage of the extra reps more than wide receiver Devontez Walker. The second-year pass-catcher made several impressive grabs as the Ravens worked in the red zone most of the afternoon. He beat a defender to the ball for a toe-dragging TD catch in 11-on-11 drills and later made an over-the-shoulder grab in the end zone.

Walker has continued to make plays throughout the first two weeks of OTAs and will look to compete for offensive snaps in a crowded wide receiver room led by Zay Flowers, Rashod Bateman, and DeAndre Hopkins.

The Ravens will have their final four OTAs practices Monday-Thursday next week.

Here are other notes from Friday's practice:

Defensive tackle Travis Jones made his best Michael Pierce impression on the first 11-on-11 play of the day, coming up with an interception after batting the ball up in the air near the line of scrimmage.

Malaki Starks nabbed an interception in the flat during 7-on-7 red zone drills.
Nate Wiggins joined in on the takeaway party with an interception of his own during the last period of the day.

Rookie kicker Tyler Loop was perfect on live kicks, converting on a 60-yard attempt and finishing 6 for 6 on field goal attempts.
Running back Keaton Mitchell showed off his receiver skills on an over-the-shoulder catch near the back of the end zone on a well-placed ball from Devin Leary.

Safety Beau Brade broke up a pass intended for Charlie Kolar near the goal line.
Undrafted rookie cornerback Reuben Lowery had an interception for the second day in a row

 

[oldno82]

Well, it's early days now but the initial reports are good. Good to hear about Loop too.

[tsylvester]

Yeah the biggest take away obviously is health. 

[tsylvester]

The Ravens kicked off their third week of organized team activities Monday afternoon with temperatures feeling closer to training camp.

Baltimore is scheduled for four straight days of practice during this final week of OTAs.

Lamar Jackson was one of about a dozen veterans who didn't practice Monday, including players who are currently dealing with injuries.

The Ravens' injury report may have grown, as safety Beau Brade left practice early after inadvertently colliding with a defensive teammate on a deep throw down the sideline. Brade slowly walked off the field with the help of a trainer.

Head Coach John Harbaugh was not scheduled to speak with reporters after practice, so there was no update on Brade's status. The Ravens are already without safety Ar'Darius Washington, who suffered a torn Achilles earlier this offseason.

Here are more notes from Monday's practice:

Cornerback T.J. Tampa made an impressive interception on a throw down the seam from Cooper Rush that was intended for tight end Charlie Kolar. The ball was a bit behind Tampa, but he reached back for the snag. Tampa also broke up an end zone pass later in practice. The 2024 fourth-round pick is looking to stand out after injuries limited his rookie season to just seven games.
Fresh off his contract extension, Rashod Bateman led the wide receivers with an active practice, making several nice grabs over the middle, including a big gain between the hashes on the first 11-on-11 play of practice.

Rookie wide receiver LaJohntay Wester made the best catch of practice, diving to haul in a pass over the middle with a defender on his back.

His interception was a bit of a gamble, but Rush had a particularly sharp practice leading up to that throw. He was dialed in and accurate.
Rookie safety Malaki Starks crashed down to break up a short pass intended for tight end Isaiah Likely, who Starks called the toughest offensive player to cover thus far during OTAs. Likely also caught a long touchdown pass despite a hold from a defender later in practice.
The Ravens worked on their screen game for a good chunk of the early portion of 11-on-11 work. Keaton Mitchell made a one-handed snag on one out of the backfield. Rookie outside linebacker Mike Green was in perfect position to blow up another intended for Rasheen Ali. Green also stopped Wester on a jet sweep.

https://www.baltimoreravens.com/news/beau-brade-injury-tj-tampa-interception-ravens-practice-report-otas-2025

[oldno82]

Good news on T.J. We need as many corners as we can get since they always seem to get hurt here. 

Interesting comment about Likely from Starks!

[tsylvester]

It may just be camp, but Starks is recognizing and making plays all over the field. Really nice to hear and cant wait for him to get game action.

Yes, Tampa has been hurt which slowed his chances of play. Now that he is healthy the big corner is flashing his talent.

[papasmurfbell]

No the kid is a football sponge.  Ed and Ray need to get with him.

[tsylvester]

Yes, yes, for sure. But having Pags as a teacher will help him tremendously as well

[papasmurfbell]

17 hours ago, tsylvester said:

Yes, yes, for sure. But having Pags as a teacher will help him tremendously as well

Sure.  But 2 of the best ever to teach the really subtle stuff that gives up what the play is at the line is more than pages can give.

[tsylvester]

Practice this week

https://www.baltimoreravens.com/news/lamar-jackson-ravens-practice-report-deandre-hopkins-mark-andrews-trenton-simpson

[tsylvester]

Quarterback Lamar Jackson and the Ravens took another step toward putting on the pads Tuesday with the first practice of their two-day mandatory minicamp.

Returning to the field for the first time since Week 1 of organized team activities, Jackson looked crisp from the jump. He connected with tight end Mark Andrews on several throws over the middle and further established chemistry with new wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins.

For Jackson, going to work is better than having time off. "You want to know the best thing I did [during the offseason]? I came here today," Jackson said. "I was out here training with my guys, working hard. I felt like we got better today."

Here are other notes from Tuesday's practice:
   Hopkins had a one-handed sliding catch on a short pass from Jackson in 11-on-11 drills. Jackson said, "He caught the ball so smooth. He got up. I don't even think he put his other hand on the ground to get up. … That's some super-vet stuff."

  Jackson connected with Andrews for a big completion on a seven-on-seven play, lofting a pass over Trenton Simpson's head and finding Andrews for roughly a 20-yard gain.

Simpson returned the favor later in seven-on-seven work, picking off Jackson on a pass over the middle. Fellow inside linebacker Jake Hummel also nearly had a pick during seven-on-seven work, as the inside linebackers showed off their pass coverage.

    Safety Beau Brade and cornerback Chidobe Awuzie both returned to practice after suffering what Head Coach John Harbaugh described as minor ankle injuries at organized team activities. Awuzie's ankle didn't seem to slow him down, as he participated in 11-on-11 work and had a diving pass breakup on a throw from Cooper Rush. The veteran free-agent addition also blew up a run play in the backfield.

T.J. Tampa had a leaping interception in the back of the end zone, bobbling and holding onto the ball while keeping his feet in bounds.

 After coming away with two interceptions in OTAs, undrafted rookie cornerback Reuben Lowery had another takeaway in seven-on-seven drills, ripping the ball away from wide receiver Dayton Wade on a pass down the left sideline.

    Undrafted safety Desmond Igbinosun also snagged an interception after a pass-catcher let the ball slip through his hands over the middle.

    Wade caught several passes throughout the day, including a sideline touchdown grab in 11-on-11 work.

    Rookie insider linebacker Teddye Buchanan broke up a pass over the middle in seven-on-seven drills.

    Malik Cunningham made a one-handed grab in the flat on a rollout pass from Rush.

 

 

 

[oldno82]

Not trying to start anything, but if Lamar likes practicing so much, why doesn't he show up for more of it?

[tsylvester]

Well this year he had custody issues with his child he was dealing with down in Florida.

[papasmurfbell]

Why show dedication?

[oldno82]

2 hours ago, tsylvester said:

Well this year he had custody issues with his child he was dealing with down in Florida.

Whoa...I had no idea. Hope he gets it worked out. Seems to really enjoy practice when he's there.

[oldno82]

48 minutes ago, papasmurfbell said:

Why show dedication?

To win that trophy.

[papasmurfbell]

Is that important to him or is it lip service?  I think every qb should look to get with his guys at every opportunity.  I look at Brady even breaking the law to do it.

[tsylvester]

Lamar has had work outs in the off season, including throwing, with Zay and several others, your point papa?

The OTAs recently?

As I said, he had a very continuous child custody case going on the past few months, in Florida and was excused from the OTAs, though he did give up some $700k in bonus money to do so; admirable 

[papasmurfbell]

I recall those that were the greatest at it showing up every single opportunity.  If nothing else be the example to others.

[tsylvester]

He is being an example, father's fight for their kids

[papasmurfbell]

I know nothing about his kids.  I don’t care to know anything about his or other players kids.  That is their personal business.  When it’s football be present whenever possible.

[oldno82]

Family always comes first for most people. If Brady had prioritized his family, well, he might have had one or two less Super Bowls but might still have his family.

[papasmurfbell]

He wanted rings.  So do I.