ExtremeRavens Posted 23 hours ago Posted 23 hours ago Chuck Pagano and Jon Gruden, back on an NFL field. The former head coaches each have more than 20 years of experience in the league, posting a combined record of 170-155 in the regular season with eight postseason victories. Pagano reached the AFC championship game in January 2015 with the Indianapolis Colts, while Gruden won Super Bowl 37 with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in February 2003. On Thursday, they were in much different roles during the Ravens’ voluntary practice in Owings Mills. After a four-year break from coaching, Pagano joined Baltimore in the offseason as a senior secondary coach. The 64-year-old previously served as the Ravens’ secondary coach from 2008 to 2010 and as defensive coordinator in 2011. “I never really stopped thinking about coaching,” Pagano said. “This was probably the only opportunity that would get me off the couch.” Meanwhile, Gruden was invited to practice by Ravens coach John Harbaugh. The 61-year-old Gruden donned full Ravens gear, conversing with Harbaugh and players such as left tackle Ronnie Stanley and wide receiver Zay Flowers. He spoke to Baltimore’s defense Thursday and will talk to the team’s offense Friday, according to a team spokesperson. Gruden has not coached since resigning as coach of the Las Vegas Raiders after emails he sent before being hired in 2018 contained racist, homophobic and misogynistic comments. He currently works for Barstool Sports, but has previously expressed a desire to return to coaching. “I know I can help a team, I know I can help young players get better, and I know I can hire a good staff, and that’s the only thing I can guarantee,” he told CBS Sports in 2024. In 2023, Gruden also appeared at a training camp practice with the New Orleans Saints, where he talked with his former Raiders quarterback Derek Carr. Then-head coach Dennis Allen said the Saints “thought it was really beneficial for our football team.” Pagano and Gruden did not seem to cross paths Thursday. Pagano joked that he’s relieved when his access to the building is approved every day. That was the highlight of an otherwise slow day of practice, in which quarterback Lamar Jackson did not appear again but newly-extended wide receiver Rashod Bateman and Stanley returned to the field. Versatility in the secondary Pagano’s return to coaching coincides with a strong group of Ravens defensive backs. Kyle Hamilton, Marlon Humphrey, Malaki Starks and Nate Wiggins make up a solid quartet, and defensive coordinator Zach Orr called Jalyn Armour-Davis “the smartest” player in the defensive back room and said that the Alabama graduate is taking reps at safety. Orr said that Starks’ versatility at Georgia was a big reason the Ravens selected him in the first round. Hamilton is one of the biggest defensive weapons in the NFL. Humphrey can play all over the secondary. It’s a shift from the standard positions that players slotted into when Pagano previously coached, but he’s excited about the possibilities. “When you have a guy — I’m assuming you’re talking about Kyle — … Marlon Humphrey, veteran guy in the league … can play outside, can play nickel. Kyle can play deep, play deep in coverage, play man, blitz, all those kind of things,” Pagano said. “When you have chess pieces and you can move those things around, not only his football character, his skill set, his ability to do more things … You’re gonna have to have dudes like that.” Ravens wide receiver Rashod Bateman practices on Thursday in Owings Mills. The franchise signed Bateman to a new contract Thursday, which keeps him on the roster through 2029. (Stephanie Scarbrough/AP) Bateman, Stanley back in action After signing a three-year, $36 million contract extension, becoming the first wide receiver to secure three multi-year contracts with the Ravens, Bateman practiced on Thursday. The 25-year-old said the new deal was a validation of his ability and his breakout season in which he caught 45 passes for 756 yards and nine touchdowns. It’s a leap of faith from both the organization and player, especially after Bateman publicly complained about general manager Eric DeCosta in a since-deleted tweet in 2023. He struck a much different tone Thursday. “Whatever they want me to do, I’ll do it,” Bateman said. “I just like playing football, I’m grateful for it all. Throw me in the slot, tight end, chip block, whatever, I’ll do it. Especially now.” Kicker struggles After sixth-round rookie Tyler Loop made all six of his field goal attempts Tuesday, kicker John Hoyland missed several attempts on Thursday. Hoyland went 3-for-6, missing kicks from 56, 51 and 48 yards. He was successful from 39, 42 and 46 yards. The undrafted free agent from Wyoming seems to be behind Loop in the battle to replace former kicker Justin Tucker, who was released early last month. Fans return A swathe of Ravens season-ticket holders and nurses from Southern Maryland were in attendance at Thursday’s practice. They were able to watch the entire practice from the left side of the field, but were unable to take videos. Have a news tip? Contact Sam Jane at sjane@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/Sam_Jane230. View the full article Quote
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