ExtremeRavens Posted August 2 Posted August 2 Ravens backup quarterback Cooper Rush might have had his best day of practice Saturday, while starter Lamar Jackson had an “off” performance. Rush, signed in the offseason from the Dallas Cowboys, hit on several long passes while showing good touch on most of them. In previous practices, he was consistent throwing short to intermediate passes, but was exceptional in the 2 1/2-hour practice Saturday. The 31-year-old veteran threw a perfectly timed 33-yard pass down the left side line to receiver Dayton Wade early in practice and then had a 35-yard completion to rookie LaJohntay Wester a few minutes later. During the one-on-one sessions, Rush dropped in quality long balls to rookie receiver Xavier Guillory, who beat cornerback Marquise Robinson, and then lofted another perfect toss down the right sideline to Wester for another long touchdown. Meanwhile, Jackson had at least three interceptions and all of those were either thrown late or behind the receiver. Cornerback Nate Wiggins intercepted a pass that was thrown about 5 yards behind a streaking Rashod Bateman. Two of Jackson’s other passes were intercepted by cornerback Jaire Alexander, Jackson’s former teammate at Louisville. In both cases, Jackson was slow delivering the ball when receivers came out of their breaks. Jackson also committed the cardinal sin of throwing to the sideline late. Alexander picked off both passes, one of which caused a big celebration among his teammates, and the second in which he appeared to sprint from the far field into the main building. Alexander, the former Green Bay Packers star, brings some much-needed excitement to this defense. Kicker move The Ravens cut undrafted rookie kicker John Hoyland on Saturday, but it was expected. Few teams select a kicker in the sixth round like the Ravens did with Arizona’s Tyler Loop, and the competition only had to be close for Loop to gain a roster spot and replace Justin Tucker. Throughout training camp, Loop converted 40 of 44 field goal attempts and Hoyland made 28 of 32. The ball exploded off Loop’s foot faster than Hoyland’s, but few general managers ever want to acknowledge that they might have made a mistake by signing an undrafted free agent over a draft pick. In addition, all the pressure now shifts to senior special teams coach Randy Brown, because he wanted Loop more than Hoyland. Injury updates Ravens wide receivers Zay Flowers and Bateman, who missed practice earlier this week, returned Saturday. Second-year wideout Devontez Walker was absent with what coach John Harbaugh described as a “soft tissue deal.” “We just wanted to make sure he’s OK. He’s put a lot of mileage in,” Harbaugh said of Walker, who has had a strong camp thus far. Running back Marcus Major Jr. is out with a concussion, which prompted the Ravens to sign veteran D’Ernest Johnson. Tavius Robinson on the rise Twice during Saturday’s practice, outside linebacker Tavius Robinson worked with the first unit instead of Odafe Oweh. It might not mean much, but it speaks about the Ravens’ plan to use Robinson, a third-year player out of Mississippi. Pass rush coach Chuck Smith has talked glowingly about the 6-foot-6, 262-pound Robinson entering the season after he played sparingly last year in finishing with 32 tackles. Robinson did have 3 1/2 sacks, though, and the Ravens hope to build on his natural pass-rushing ability, especially his long arms. Lamar Jackson highlights Jackson did have his moments Saturday. He rolled to his right and lofted what should have been a 33-yard touchdown pass to Justice Hill that the running back dropped going into the end zone. The best play of the day was Jackson drifting to his left and then throwing a 15-to-20-yard dart to wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins, who dove for the reception. It might be a vision of what might develop between Jackson and Hopkins. Ex-Raven makes appearance Former Ravens cornerback and kick returner Chris Carr attended practice Saturday with his two sons. Carr played eight seasons in the NFL with the Las Vegas Raiders, Tennessee Titans, Ravens, Minnesota Vikings, Los Angeles Chargers and New Orleans Saints. He will be one of many former Ravens to attend practices this season because this is the 25th anniversary of the Ravens winning their first Super Bowl title in 2000. Have a news tip? Contact Mike Preston at epreston@baltsun.com, 410-332-6467 and x.com/MikePrestonSun. View the full article Quote
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