ExtremeRavens Posted August 7 Posted August 7 Here’s what The Baltimore Sun sports staff had to say immediately after the Ravens’ 24-16 preseason win over the Indianapolis Colts on Thursday night at M&T Bank Stadium. Brian Wacker, reporter: The highlights of the night came from two of the Ravens’ fastest players, third-year running back Keaton Mitchell and rookie punt returner LaJohntay Wester. Both were promising signs for different reasons. Mitchell, nearly two years removed from a torn ACL, looked every bit as fast (if not faster) than before the injury on a couple of long runs, including one for a 22-yard touchdown that he bounced outside before racing into the end zone. Wester, meanwhile, looks terrific fielding punts. Not only was his technique good and comfort obvious, but he delivered the game’s signature moment with an electrifying 87-yard return for a touchdown. Not all was so pretty, especially when it came to the offensive line at times. In fairness, the group was without starting left tackle Ronnie Stanley and center Tyler Linderbaum, so there were bound to be some struggles, but Daniel Faalele and Ben Cleveland on the second unit had a couple of rough moments. The quarterback play of No. 2 Cooper Rush and No. 3 Devin Leary was likewise uninspiring, and in the case of Leary particularly poor. It doesn’t look like he’s made much progress from his rookie season last year. Defensively, there were some good moments, mostly from cornerback Jalyn Armour-Davis as well as occasional ones from pass rushers Adisa Isaac, Mike Green and Aeneas Peebles. Josh Tolentino, columnist: After an ACL injury interrupted his early trajectory, running back Keaton Mitchell appears to be fully healthy again. The 23-year-old kicked off the preseason with a bang, delivering 68 rushing yards across eight carries, including his 23-yard touchdown in which he sped past several defenders and up the right sideline. Consider that terrific news for reigning All-Pro Derrick Henry. The 31-year-old enjoyed a historic 2024 campaign, and the Ravens are hoping he can avoid regression. Ultimately, the Ravens need Henry and the rest of their key starters healthy come January. With Mitchell’s reemergence, Baltimore could have a true depth option in addition to reliable pass protector and fellow tailback Justice Hill. Sam Cohn, reporter: This preseason opener was far more eventful than expected. There was some juice, some yikes and a disheartening injury. Keaton Mitchell and LaJohntay Wester were the stars. Both those guys performed as advertised, two dynamos with the ball in their hands, responsible for a pair of touchdowns. Baltimore’s quarterback play was dismal (you don’t hear that often) — a good reminder of how lucky the Ravens are to have their two-time NFL Most Valuable Player under center. This was also the first obvious look at the delta in the guard battle, proving Andrew Vorhees does have a worthy step over Ben Cleveland. And Bilhal Kone’s knee injury was gutting to watch for a sixth-round pick who had a legitimate shot at making the roster. Sam Jane, reporter: I came away impressed with Baltimore’s rookie class. The prized picks of the group, safety Malaki Starks, edge rusher Mike Green and kicker Tyler Loop, all showed flashes, but it was the smallest player on the roster, LaJohntay Wester, who came away with the highlight of the night. His 87-yard touchdown return could secure his spot on the roster — a spot that Baltimore struggled with last season, no less. That’s exactly what the preseason is for. C.J. Doon, editor: We saw the best and worst of what preseason football has to offer. LaJohntay Wester went from a relative unknown to a borderline household name among Ravens fans looking to fill out the final spots on the 53-man roster. With his 87-yard punt return for a touchdown, he almost certainly solidified himself as a core member of the special teams unit while also flashing the potential to get some reps at wide receiver. Soon after Wester’s exciting play, most of the air was let out of M&T Bank Stadium when cornerback Bilhal Kone went down with a knee injury. The sixth-round draft pick was carted off the field in an air cast, likely ending his rookie season before it even started. It’s heartbreaking for any player, but especially so for someone who rose from community college obscurity to the cusp of an NFL roster. Cooper Rush and Devin Leary disappointed at quarterback, Keaton Mitchell showed his old burst knifing through the Colts’ defense and Rasheen Ali flashed some promise, but most of that was not out of the ordinary. Thursday night’s game will be remembered for the moment Wester burst onto the scene and how Kone went down. Time will tell how their respective stories unfold. Tim Schwartz, editor: My lasting image from this one will be Bilhal Kone’s gruesome knee injury. The rookie cornerback who has shown flashes will reportedly miss the season after tearing his ACL, a blow to the defensive back depth the Ravens will need if they are going to win a Super Bowl. The other will be Wester, whose punt return touchdown will be etched into meaningless preseason lore. But in all seriousness, the rookie wide receiver and returner looked like the type of playmaker Baltimore needs on special teams. Mitchell showed out, too, and probably played in this game too long considering the dazzling moves he displayed in the early parts of the first quarter. The Ravens would be wise to put him in bubble wrap until Week 1, because he can be a true difference-maker when the games matter. Baltimore’s backfield was already elite. With a healthy Mitchell, it’s probably the most dynamic in football. Bennett Conlin, editor: Count me among the group impressed by Keaton Mitchell’s performance. When healthy, he’s an ideal counterpart to the bruising Derrick Henry and the pass-catching Justice Hill. Rookie LaJohntay Wester affirmed himself — rather clearly, too — as the best option to start at punt returner. Tyler Loop seems like he’ll grow into the starting kicker role well — he looked more comfortable controlling his booming leg on kickoffs as the game progressed. Mike Green created some pressure off the edge, which is a good sign as the rookie adjusts to life in the NFL. There was a lot to like Thursday. I have lingering concerns about the pass protection, though. Right guard Daniel Faalele and right tackle Roger Rosengarten had a horrendous rep that led to an easy Colts sack in the first half. Lamar Jackson will bail them out during the regular season — Cooper Rush isn’t confusing anyone for No. 8 — but if there’s a question about Baltimore’s high-powered offense, it’s the guys up front. The major negative of the night was the leg injury suffered by Bilhal Kone. The sixth-round pick out of Western Michigan was an intriguing depth piece at defensive back, and it’s a bummer to see him carted off the field in the first few minutes of his professional career. Have a news tip? Contact sports editor C.J. Doon at cdoon@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/CJDoon. View the full article Quote
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