Ravens Insider: Inside Ravens’ first stadium practice with preseason opener looming

[ExtremeRavens]

For the first time in more than 200 days, there was football on Sunday at a revamped M&T Bank Stadium.

“All the different amenities, the sight lines and just the way it looks. It’s gritty; it’s got the metal; it’s got the brick,” coach John Harbaugh said. “It’s like Camden Yards, it’s old school. And yet, it’s like a new iPhone, the way it plays.”

There were new faces for fans to see and cheer, too, including wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins, cornerback Jaire Alexander and rookie kicker Tyler Loop.

On a gorgeous, sun-splashed afternoon, there was plenty for the 26,052 in attendance to cheer for. The loudest ones were directed at Loop.

As the sixth-round draft pick out of Arizona settled in to attempt a 60-yard field goal, anticipation rose through the crowd. He obliged, easily knocking the ball through the uprights.

Loop knew it was good the moment it left his foot, he said, and seemed to soak in the crowd, even playing to it at times.

“It’s fun to see the fruits of your labor,” Loop, the Ravens’ lone kicker in camp and favorite to replace Justin Tucker, who was released earlier this offseason and subsequently suspended 10 games by the NFL over allegations of sexual misconduct from more than 15 massage therapists. “It’s a good feeling. It’s a cool thing to hit that field goal.”

In all, Loop made all 12 of his attempts, including another from 56 yards.

“That was really cool,” Harbaugh said of the longest try. “Put a little pressure on him.”

Being in the stadium upped the ante for everyone.

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“That was a good step for us,” Harbaugh said. “For the young guys, just to feel what it’s like to come in the locker room, park, walk in, get on that field, get in that environment, that’s a big deal.”

Harbaugh added that Loop passed his first test with “flying colors” and that his performance was “A+++.”

The rest of the team had their moments, too, though not without some hiccups. Most notably, right tackle Roger Rosengarten got flagged for a false start on the first play of the first 11-on-11 period.

False starts have been a persistently annoying problem through the first two weeks of training camp.

“Me false starting, that’s just being mentally weak,” the second-year tackle said. “You hear it in the huddle. You gotta process a lot of things. But that’s all about being a pro.”

Ravens fans cheer during practice at M&T Bank Stadium on Sunday. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff)

Rosengarten added that the false starts have been a combination of things.

“At the end of the day, you gotta make sure you get off [on time],” he said. “Cadence is the offense’s weapon, especially for offensive tackles when you’re dealing with elite edge rushers who’ve got speed to beat you off the edge.”

Plenty of those in the AFC North.

There were plenty of highlights, too.

A couple of throws from quarterback Lamar Jackson in particular stood out. In 11-on-11 play, he lofted a pretty pass to running back Derrick Henry for a long gain on a wheel route, with linebacker Trenton Simpson trailing in coverage. Later, he hit receiver Keith Kirkwood up the sideline for a 30-yard gain on Alexander on what was a well-thrown pass and equally good catch.

In one-on-one play, Jackson connected with Hopkins on a back shoulder throw to the sideline that the veteran snatched from cornerback Nate Wiggins in a contested catch situation. Jackson also dropped a beautiful deep ball into the lap of receiver Xavier Guillory, who had a step on undrafted rookie cornerback Reuben Lowery, for a long touchdown.

Baltimore Ravens wide receiver LaJohntay Wester looks up for a pass during camp at the stadium in Baltimore. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff)

From left, Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson, guard Daniel Faalele, offensive lineman Andrew Vorhees and running back Derrick Henry stand during camp at the stadium in Baltimore. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff)

Baltimore Ravens tackle Ronnie Stanley watches during camp at the stadium in Baltimore. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff)

Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Anthony Miller fights to separate from cornerback Marquise Robinson during camp at the stadium in Baltimore. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff)

Steve Bisciotti, majority owner of the Baltimore Ravens smiles with Eric DeCosta, executive vice president and general manager during camp at the stadium in Baltimore. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff)

Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Devontez Walker jogs during camp at the stadium in Baltimore. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff)

Baltimore Ravens running back Keaton Mitchell runs the ball in front of defensive lineman Adedayo Odeleye and cornerback Reuben Lowery during camp at the stadium in Baltimore. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff)

Baltimore Ravens running back Justice Hill holds the football during camp at the stadium in Baltimore. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff)

Baltimore Ravens cornerback Jaire Alexander throws during camp at the stadium in Baltimore. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff)

Baltimore Ravens running back Keaton Mitchell stands by during camp at the stadium in Baltimore. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff)

Baltimore Ravens tackle Ronnie Stanley tosses a water bottle during camp at the stadium in Baltimore. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff)

Baltimore Ravens wide receiver LaJohntay Wester runs a route during camp at the stadium in Baltimore. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff)

Ravens cornerback Marlon Humphrey defends during a play at the stadium practice. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff)

Baltimore Ravens wide receivers Rashod Bateman and Jahmal Banks watch a play during camp at the stadium in Baltimore. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff)

Baltimore Ravens wide receiver LaJohntay Wester watches for the snap during camp at the stadium in Baltimore. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff)

Baltimore Ravens’ Brent Urban during camp at the stadium in Baltimore. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff)

Quarterback Lamar Jackson and the Ravens practiced at M&T Bank Stadium on Sunday ahead of their preseason opener on Thursday night against the Colts. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff)

Baltimore Ravens wide receiver LaJohntay Wester smiles during camp at the stadium in Baltimore. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff)

Baltimore Ravens cornerback Nate Wiggins waits for the snap during camp at the stadium in Baltimore. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff)

Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Rashod Bateman runs during camp at the stadium in Baltimore. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff)

Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Xavier Guillory runs a route as cornerback Reuben Lowery defends during camp at the stadium in Baltimore. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff)

“That was a good step for us,” Ravens coach John Harbaugh said of the stadium practice on Sunday. “For the young guys, just to feel what it’s like to come in the locker room, park, walk in, get on that field, get in that environment, that’s a big deal.” (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff)

Baltimore Ravens cornerback Marlon Humphrey defends during camp at the stadium in Baltimore. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff)

Baltimore Ravens cornerback Nate Wiggins runs during camp at the stadium in Baltimore. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff)

Baltimore Ravens tight end Mark Andrews smiles during camp at the stadium in Baltimore. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff)

Baltimore Ravens tight end Zaire Mitchell-Paden stands during camp at the stadium in Baltimore. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff)

Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson passes during camp at the stadium in Baltimore. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff)

Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson fakes a handoff to running back Justice Hill during camp at the stadium in Baltimore. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff)

Steve Bisciotti, owner of the Baltimore Ravens watches camp at the stadium in Baltimore. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff)

Baltimore Ravens special teams consultant Sam Koch during camp at the stadium in Baltimore. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff)

Baltimore Ravens kicker Tyler Loop stands during camp at the stadium in Baltimore. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff)

Baltimore Ravens kicker Tyler Loop stands during camp at the stadium in Baltimore. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff)

Bentley Boisbert of Boothbay Harbor, Maine looks at eight-year-old daughter Raeghan Boisbert after making their 11-1/2 hour trip to watch the Baltimore Ravens during training camp at the stadium in Baltimore. Boisbert says that he makes it to every preseason and home game.(Karl Merton Ferron/Staff)

Bentley Boisbert of Boothbay Harbor, Maine and eight-year-old daughter Raeghan Boisbert watch the Baltimore Ravens after making their 11-1/2 hour trip to during training camp at the stadium in Baltimore. Boisbert says that he makes it to every preseason and home game.(Karl Merton Ferron/Staff)

Sara Hantgan of Pikesville stands to cheer the Baltimore Ravens during camp at the stadium in Baltimore. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff)

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Baltimore Ravens wide receiver LaJohntay Wester looks up for a pass during camp at the stadium in Baltimore. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff)

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Lowery, who has become a training camp darling, had some nice plays of his own, though, including a nice breakup on a pass intended for receiver Anthony Miller from Jackson.

Third-year running back Keaton Mitchell also looked like his old self — fast and elusive — just over 18 months removed from a torn ACL that ended his 2023 season.

On one play early in full-team play in the red zone, he caught a short pass from backup quarterback Cooper Rush and easily raced toward the end zone, no one getting a hand on him until the 1-yard line. Later, he juked a couple of defenders in the backfield and dashed into the second level of the defense before being corralled.

Some lineup decisions also perhaps revealed themselves.

Notably and unsurprisingly, the starting offensive line from left to right featured Ronnie Stanley, Andrew Vorhees, Tyler Linderbaum, Daniel Faalele and Rosengarten. Vorhees, Harbaugh said earlier in the week, is in the lead over Ben Cleveland for the left guard job.

On defense, Wiggins and Chidobe Awuzie lined up as the outside cornerbacks with the first team, with Marlon Humphrey in the slot.

Ravens cornerback Marlon Humphrey defends during a play at the stadium practice. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff)

Alexander also got plenty of reps, mostly with the second team and delivered some nice plays, including on coverage of Dayton Wade on a comeback and Miller on a fade.

But the former Packer was just excited to be on the field at the stadium in a new environment after an ugly exit from Green Bay.

“When I came out, they was screaming my name and happy for me to be here,” he said. “That’s a good feeling. To get that type of love, it feels good.”

Wide receiver Zay Flowers, who had a few catches on passes from Jackson, fed off that energy, too.

“It bring a different intensity,” he said. “It make you more alive. It make you wanna go harder.”

Which is what the Ravens will do later this week.

Baltimore will return to the practice field in Owings Mills on Monday afternoon before welcoming the Indianapolis Colts for a joint practice on Tuesday, followed by their first preseason game against the Colts on Thursday night.

None of the main starters are expected to play in the game, Harbaugh said.

“We’ve got quite a week,” Harbaugh said. “Boom, boom, boom.”

Have a news tip? Contact Brian Wacker at bwacker@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/brianwacker1.

“That was a good step for us,” Ravens coach John Harbaugh said of the stadium practice on Sunday. “For the young guys, just to feel what it’s like to come in the locker room, park, walk in, get on that field, get in that environment, that’s a big deal.” (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff)

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