ExtremeRavens Posted July 29 Posted July 29 It’s worth the price of admission to watch Ravens outside linebacker Kyle Van Noy go against left tackle Ronnie Stanley. It was like the old days when former Ravens defensive end Michael McCrary was matched up against left tackle Jonathan Ogden. Ogden always won, but it made both better as Ogden eventually went into the Pro Football Hall of Fame and both were inducted to the Ravens Ring of Honor. But this Van Noy and Stanley matchup is so, so good. Both are veterans, and both have that combination of speed and power. The key, though, is that neither of them stops working. If Van Noy hits a move and Stanley counters, then Van Noy quickly goes to a second or third move. Stanley has really strong hands and can knock down some of Van Noy’s best moves. It’s great for a film study, but after Day 2 in full pads, Stanley won the overall battle. It’s the feature attraction of pass protection when those two go head-to-head. Now, onto the events of Day 2 in pads: Rookie watch Rookie outside linebacker Mike Green might one day develop into a good pass rusher, but he still has a ways to go. The second-round draft pick out of Marshall has the motor and plays with good leverage, but he is pretty one-dimensional because he is only a speed rusher. Right now, he needs to develop more moves, much like fifth-year outside linebacker Odafe Oweh in his rookie season. Here is a suggestion: Go watch the Stanley versus Van Noy matchups. Tight end depth Tight end Isaiah Likely was carted off the field near the end of practice and coach John Harbaugh said that he will know more about the severity of the apparent leg injury after an MRI on Wednesday. Fortunately for the Ravens, they have two other strong tight ends in starter Mark Andrews and third-stringer Charlie Kolar, but Kolar is considered more of a blocker. When both Likely and Andrews are on the field at the same time, both can be moved to the outside as passing weapons. Ravens outside linebacker Odafe Oweh, right, battles tight end Charlie Kolar. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff) Kicking update Rookie free agent John Hoyland converted on field goal attempts of 27, 32, 37, 43 and 48 yards while missing a lone attempt of 51. Tyler Loop didn’t kick Tuesday, a scheduled off day for the sixth-round pick. Simpson looks strong Weakside linebacker Trenton Simpson had a strong day. The 2023 third-round pick got pressure on quarterback Lamar Jackson several times, something he couldn’t do last season. Then later in the practice, he ran stride-for-stride down the field with Andrews to knock down a pass, another major weakness in 2024. So far, the 24-year-old Simpson has been out there with middle linebacker Roquan Smith with the starting defensive unit. Raw talent If 6-foot-3, 360-pound nose tackle John Jenkins were three inches shorter, he’d have a body very similar to former Ravens tackle Michael Pierce, who retired at the end of last season. Their girth is amazing. Speaking of defensive tackles, C.J. Okoye (6-6, 370 pounds), who was born in Agbogugu, Nigeria, and didn’t play college football, has amazing strength. Once he becomes more of a technician, he might become quite a player. He gives new meaning to the term “raw talent.” Better blocking The tight ends were better in pass protection in the individual period compared with Monday’s practice. Zaire Mitchell-Paden was better as far as getting his body in position and not getting overextended, and fullback Lucas Scott, the rookie fullback from Army, performed well. In fact, Scott has held his own in most drills. Injury report The Ravens got most of their players back Tuesday, including receiver Rashod Bateman (illness) and cornerbacks Jaire Alexander (sprained knee) and Chidobe Awuzie (undisclosed). Harbaugh was pleased until Likely went down near the end of practice, but every team has these types of injuries during training camp. Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson gestures to young fans during practice. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff) Happy feet Jackson makes a lot of plays with his scrambling ability, but sometimes it would serve him well not to have “nervous feet” and start panicking in the pocket. There are times when he just needs to settle and make a strong throw, unlike the underhand flips he has made in the past two days. Those plays lead to turnovers, and they can be costly. Catch of the day The best catch of the day belonged to wide receiver Tylan Wallace on a 20-yard reception over the middle. The pass itself was excellent because it showed both touch and accuracy from backup quarterback Cooper Rush. Maybe he is starting to learn this offense. Also, still waiting for a receiver to run a deep comeback route in practice. The Ravens haven’t had anyone run it like quarterback Joe Flacco throwing to Derrick Mason, who earned the nickname “King of The Comeback.” Offensive line intrigue I’ve been impressed with starting right guard Daniel Faalele. The 6-8, 370-pound Faalele usually comes to training camp out of shape, but has played well so far. Also, center Tyler Linderbaum, in his fourth year out of Iowa, is handling power rushers at the nose tackle position better than he has in recent years, but I’d still put a big body over him. I’m not sure he could handle that intensity for a full game. One more thing about the offensive line: It wasn’t a good day for starting right tackle Roger Rosengarten. The second-year player whiffed trying to pass block Oweh and then got outmuscled by Van Noy in his next matchup. Big-time play Jackson had a long touchdown run during practice and celebrated with a flip into the end zone. It was well-earned and deserved. Have a news tip? Contact Mike Preston at epreston@baltsun.com, 410-332-6467 and x.com/MikePrestonSun. Baltimore Ravens safety Malaki Starks catches the ball over Beau Brade during training camp. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff)Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh speaks at a press conference after training camp at the team’s Under Armour Performance Center in Owings Mills, Md. (Nia Meyers/Staff)Baltimore Ravens wide receivers Rashod Bateman (7), left, and Jahmal Banks (86) run drills during training camp at the team’s Under Armour Performance Center in Owings Mills, Md. (Nia Meyers/Staff)Baltimore Ravens guard Darrian Dalcourt signs autographs for young fans after practice during training camp at the team’s Under Armour Performance Center in Owings Mills, Md. (Nia Meyers/Staff)Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Jahmal Banks (86) runs drills during training camp at the team’s Under Armour Performance Center in Owings Mills, Md. (Nia Meyers/Staff)Baltimore Ravens wide reciever Zay Flowers (4) runs drills during training camp at the team’s Under Armour Performance Center in Owings Mills, Md. (Nia Meyers/Staff)Young fans enjoy the bouncy house during Baltimore Ravens training camp at the team’s Under Armour Performance Center in Owings Mills, Md. (Nia Meyers/Staff)Baltimore Ravens new cornerback Jaire Alexander signs autographs for young fans after practice during training camp at the team’s Under Armour Performance Center in Owings Mills, Md. (Nia Meyers/Staff)Fans watch as the Baltimore Ravens conduct drills during training camp at the team’s Under Armour Performance Center in Owings Mills, Md. (Nia Meyers/Staff)Baltimore Ravens safety Kyle Hamilton signs autographs for young fans after practice during training camp at the team’s Under Armour Performance Center in Owings Mills, Md. (Nia Meyers/Staff)A young fan holds a sign and tries to get Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson’s attention on his 12th birthday during training camp at the team’s Under Armour Performance Center in Owings Mills, Md. (Nia Meyers/Staff)Baltimore Ravens running back Derrick Henry signs autographs for young fans after practice during training camp at the team’s Under Armour Performance Center in Owings Mills, Md. (Nia Meyers/Staff)Baltimore Ravens running back Derrick Henry signs autographs for young fans after practice during training camp at the team’s Under Armour Performance Center in Owings Mills, Md. (Nia Meyers/Staff)Baltimore Ravens running back Derrick Henry signs autographs for young fans after practice during training camp at the team’s Under Armour Performance Center in Owings Mills, Md. (Nia Meyers/Staff)Baltimore Ravens full back Patrick Ricard signs autographs for young fans after practice during training camp at the team’s Under Armour Performance Center in Owings Mills, Md. (Nia Meyers/Staff)Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Tylan Wallace signs autographs for young fans after practice during training camp at the team’s Under Armour Performance Center in Owings Mills, Md. (Nia Meyers/Staff)Baltimore Ravens running back Derrick Henry (22) tosses a football with young fans before practice at the team’s training camp in Owings Mills, Md. (Nia Meyers/Staff)Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson (8) thanks fans during training camp at the team’s Under Armour Performance Center in Owings Mills, Md. (Nia Meyers/Staff)Fans watch as the Baltimore Ravens conduct drills during training camp at the team’s Under Armour Performance Center in Owings Mills, Md. (Nia Meyers/Staff)Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson (8) practices throwing during training camp at the team’s Under Armour Performance Center in Owings Mills, Md. (Nia Meyers/Staff)Fans shout “Best QB in the NFL!” and “MVP!” as Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson takes the field during training camp at the team’s Under Armour Performance Center in Owings Mills, Md. (Nia Meyers/Staff)Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Anthony Miller (6) runs drills during training camp at the team’s Under Armour Performance Center in Owings Mills, Md. (Nia Meyers/Staff)Baltimore Ravens running back Derrick Henry (22) tosses a football with young fans before practice at the team’s training camp in Owings Mills, Md. (Nia Meyers/Staff)Baltimore Ravens pass rush coach Chuck Smith and outside linebacker Kyle Van Noy watch tight end Sam Pitz and outside linebacker Mike Green block during camp at the team’s training facility. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff)Baltimore Ravens outside linebacker Odafe Oweh adjusts his helmet during camp at the team’s training facility. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff)Baltimore Ravens outside linebackers Odafe Oweh #99 and Mike Green stand together during camp at the team’s training facility. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff)Ravens outside linebacker Odafe Oweh, right, battles tight end Charlie Kolar. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff)Baltimore Ravens pass rush coach Chuck Smith watches tackle Joseph Noteboom, left and outside linebacker Tavius Robinson collide during camp at the team’s training facility. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff)Ravens rookie outside linebacker Mike Green locks arms with tight end Zaire Mitchell-Paden during Tuesday's practice. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff)Baltimore Ravens outside linebacker Mike Green and tight end Zaire Mitchell-Paden practice blocking during camp at the team’s training facility. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff)Baltimore Ravens outside linebacker Kaimon Rucker and tight end Mark Andrews practice blocking during camp at the team’s training facility. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff)Baltimore Ravens outside linebacker Odafe Oweh drinks water during camp at the team’s training facility. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff)Baltimore Ravens outside linebacker Mike Green practices blocking during camp at the team’s training facility. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff)Baltimore Ravens outside linebacker Odafe Oweh walks during camp at the team’s training facility. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff)Baltimore Ravens tight end Zaire Mitchell-Paden tosses a towel during camp at the team’s training facility. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff)Baltimore Ravens outside linebacker Mike Green jogs during camp at the team’s training facility. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff)Baltimore Ravens safety Sanoussi Kane looks upfield during camp at the team’s training facility. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff)Baltimore Ravens outside linebacker Odafe Oweh jogs during camp at the team’s training facility. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff)Baltimore Ravens cornerback Reuben Lowery sprints during training camp. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff)Show Caption1 of 39Baltimore Ravens safety Malaki Starks catches the ball over Beau Brade during training camp. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff)Expand View the full article Quote
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