Training Camp

[oldno82]

The commentary and coverage was good. We will start to really get a feel for the team when the pads come on Monday and when they have that first pre-season game against the Eagles.

[tsylvester]

Yep, cant wait, been a while since I was this excited for the season to start

[oldno82]

Same here. I think it's because of the new young coaching staff and the general enthusiasm they are bringing to the team. 

[tsylvester]

Cool note, remember Jason Brown? Ravens 4th round pick at guard for a few seasons, good guy, good player.

He bought a farm after he retired, now grows veggies and stuff for the homeless shelters and other under privileged. 

[oldno82]

Yes I remember him. He was a decent guard IIRC. And now he's a decent guy helping those in need.

[tsylvester]

Back to camp news, today's info co Espn 

On Monday, Ravens defensive end Calais Campbell practiced for the first time since his personal tragedy this offseason.

Last month, Campbell's brother was charged with murder after police found their 71-year-old mother dead at home in Atlanta during a welfare check. Campbell's family told police that his brother struggled with mental illness.

'We're excited to work him in, start to ramp him into getting ready," Ravens coach Jesse Minter said. "That'll be at a pace that's good for him."

Campbell was not made available to reporters after practice. Last month, the Campbell family issued a statement asking for privacy while they deal with "overwhelming grief."

Campbell's participation on Monday was limited to individual drills. The Ravens excused him from practicing for the first week of training camp.

Campbell, 39, is entering his 19th NFL season after signing a one-year, $5.5 million contract with Baltimore in April.

"He's a force multiplier of just how he operates and the wisdom that he brings," Minter said. "On top of, he's still a really high caliber player for his position."

Other observations:

    In the first padded practice of camp, first-round pick Olaivavega Ioane was looking to make a block downfield and he accidentally collided with running back Derrick Henry, which caused both of them to go to the ground. "Welcome to the league, huh," said Ioane, the Ravens' starting right guard. "Now I know to stay out of his way."

    Offensive line coach Dwayne Ledford said it's going to take all of training camp for the Ravens to make a decision at starting center. Danny Pinter, Ethan Pocic and Jovaughn Gwyn are competing for that spot. "We want to make sure that we're diligent in giving everybody the opportunity that's here," Ledford said, "and just make sure we get the right guy that we want in there with that first group."

    Pro Bowl defensive tackle Nnamdi Madubuike is sporting a new neck roll at practice. Madubuike, who is looking to come back from neck surgery, has suited up but has not participated in individual or team drills. Asked about the neck roll, Minter said, "Whatever makes the players feel their best and play with the most confidence -- it definitely looks like a little bit of a throwback."

    In one-on-one drills against cornerbacks, rookie third-round pick Ja'Kobi Lane flashed again, beating Chidobe Awuzie and catching a deep pass on a fly route. Lane is off to a fast start to the second week of training camp after a strong first week. He is competing for Baltimore's No. 3 wide receiver spot.

    Lamar Jackson and the Ravens offense had their most out of sync practice of camp. Jackson finished 6-of-14 passing (42.8%) after failing to complete his first five passes. He was trying to push the ball downfield more, so there wasn't as many high-percentage throws.

https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/49434567/baltimore-ravens-training-camp-2026-intel-updates

[oldno82]

Whew! I was afraid when I read about the Ioanne-Henry collision that somebody got hurt. Glad it was just a collision.

Lamar has been off his game so far but I'm not worried---yet. I'll say one thing: he's got a lot on his plate this camp.

I wonder how Rosengarten did in his first padded practice.

[tsylvester]

Well, we know that he is not great at down field passing outside the numbers, so since he is working on it, a big part of the Doyle's offense, it is expected that today, his completion % is low.

It's nice to hear Lane is standing out, I wonder if Tez is taking a step down.

But then, with these reports, they don't have the space to list how everyone did, just the players they think the fans want to hear about.

I remember doing camp reports many many moons ago, people thought I was nuts with what I was reporting, which often times was contrary to what the local sports writers were reporting.

Then I started shooting video and taking photos to go along with my reports and our fellow fans saw that I was actually being very accurate and the local paid sports reporters, were wrong most of the time. But that was a life time ago

[oldno82]

I think it's still true today.

By the way: here's an article I found interesting from The Athletic:

 

"Division Previews       Justin K. Aller, Greg Fiume, Andy Lyons, Nick Cammett / Getty Images   New-look AFC North   This division always seemed to have a familiar vibe. Mike Tomlin and John Harbaugh led gritty, defensive-minded teams. Myles Garrett anchored an imposing defense, opposite an offense that couldn't keep up. Joe Burrow had the inverse situation in Cincinnati.   Then everything changed. Pittsburgh and Baltimore now have very different leaders. The Browns have a new No. 1 pass rusher. Cincinnati might even have a defense.    The AFC North is where we begin our 2026 division previews, starting with the reigning division champs:   Pittsburgh Steelers (10-7, wild-card loss in 2025)     Big change: Mike McCarthy as HC. McCarthy isn't the most exciting hire, but offers what the Steelers need: offense. McCarthy's offenses ranked above average in yards and points scored in 14 of his 18 NFL seasons as a head coach. Pittsburgh hasn't had a top-16 offense since 2018. Here's what McCarthy's offense might look like.   Subtle change: Patrick Graham as DC. Graham spent nearly a decade under Bill Belichick and has worked with Steve Spagnuolo, Brian Flores and Pete Carroll. Graham knows his stuff. He is joined by multiple additions in the Pittsburgh secondary, which should improve the league's highest-paid defense; it ranked 26th in yards against in 2025, its worst finish since 1988. The scheme got stale. It won't be this year.    Lingering question: Who is the quarterback of the future?   Projection: 9-8. I liked the coaching hires. I doubt they are enough for a dramatic improvement. A tough schedule and improved division make for a difficult farewell season for Aaron Rodgers, who gave The Athletic an exclusive interview.   Baltimore Ravens (8-9 in 2025)     Big change: Jesse Minter as HC. The entire Chargers defense improved under Minter, who established himself as one of the league's top defensive minds after just two seasons as defensive coordinator. He was hired to improve a Ravens unit that allowed the third-most points in franchise history last season.    Subtle change: A pass rush. Baltimore failed to pressure opposing quarterbacks in 2025, ranking 28th in both pressure rate and sacks. Trey Hendrickson alone might solve that, as he ranks behind only Myles Garrett on a sacks-per-game basis since 2023. But the Ravens also might get back elite defensive tackle Nnamdi Madubuike, who missed all but two games in 2025.   Lingering question: Can they adequately replace Pro Bowl center Tyler Linderbaum?   Projection: 12-5. Thanks to a significantly improved pass rush and what should be a bounce-back year from Lamar Jackson, Baltimore has the talent and coaching to at least play in the AFC Championship Game.   Cincinnati Bengals (6-11 in 2025)     Big change: Dexter Lawrence. In 2025, the Bengals defense did what I considered impossible: got worse. Weakest against the run, Cincinnati's defense allowed opponents to drain the clock and keep Joe Burrow sidelined. That had to change. Enter Lawrence, a 6-foot-5, 350-pound defensive tackle who headlines a changed identity that's evident in camp.   Subtle change: Safety Bryan Cook. Cook might be the most underrated acquisition of an expensive offseason that also included Seahawks edge Boye Mafe. Paul Dehner Jr. reported Cook could be a team captain and has "changed the entire tenor of the secondary in these practices."    Lingering question: After a rough rookie season, are sophomore linebackers Demetrius Knight Jr. and Barrett Carter enough?   Projection: 10-7. It's easy to be optimistic: Cincinnati has an elite offense, improved defense and the league's third-easiest schedule. They should return to the playoffs for the first time in three seasons. Then again, these are the Bengals. Should doesn't mean very much.   Cleveland Browns (5-12 in 2025)     Big change: Garrett trade. Cleveland's lone bright spot was replaced by 25-year-old defensive end Jared Verse, who had the sixth-most pressures in 2025. He pairs with linebacker Carson Schwesinger to give Cleveland a strong young core on defense. The question becomes whether rookie defensive coordinator Mike Rutenberg can get as much out of this defense as Jim Schwartz did.    Subtle change: Rookie wide receivers. First-rounder KC Concepcion and second-rounder Denzel Boston are immediate upgrades to one of the league's worst receiver rooms, with Boston heralded as "the most impressive player on the field in many spring practices."    Lingering question: Starting quarterback? It'll be either Deshaun Watson or Shedeur Sanders, who are splitting reps in training camp. "No decision is coming anytime soon," explains Zac Jackson.    Projection: 5-12. Owner Jimmy Haslam is optimistic. I'm not. But with a bunch of young talent and two first-round picks in next year's draft, 2027 should be fun!

 

 

Extra Points     Ricky Pearsall done. The 49ers third-year receiver will miss the entire 2026 season due to a PCL injury. It's a brutal update for the injury-plagued 2024 first-rounder.   A man obsessed. Rookie tight end Kenyon Sadiq is different, having posted combine numbers that rival Vernon Davis'. His mental game is just as unique.    Aaron Rodgers exclusive. Linking Michael Silver's interview with Rodgers again here, as it's a rare look into the quarterback's thinking and personal life.    Matt Ryan's vision. The Falcons' longtime quarterback has a vision for his team, and Jeff Howe explores how that plan was built.   Most-clicked: Our pre-training camp Power Rankings.     How did we do today? Share your thoughts, and check out The Athletic's other sports newsletters. "

[tsylvester]

Ledford on Loan

 

[oldno82]

Corey Bullock joins the battle for Center;

https://www.baltimoreravens.com/news/corey-bullock-passes-physcal-joins-practice

 

[tsylvester]

Good see him back & healthy and to hear that the coaches are not chosing a center yet

[tsylvester]

Hi praise from Doyle, but I've seen and have vids of guys like Clarence Moore with the same skill set, go bonkers on practice with incredible catch after catch. Only to disappear in games and drop most.

Zay Flowers landed a big new contract in Baltimore this week, but he’s not the only wideout that the Ravens are excited about for the 2026 season.

Third-round pick Ja’Kobi Lane is off to a strong start at training camp and his playing style reminds offensive coordinator Declan Doyle of someone he worked with earlier in his career. Doyle was a Saints offensive assistant from 2019-2022 and Michael Thomas was in New Orleans at that time.

On Wednesday, Doyle invoked Thomas’s name while discussing Lane’s play this summer.

“He’s got this huge catch radius. He’s got great hands. He’s very sticky,” Doyle said, via the team’s website. “Mike Thomas had these strong hands where he could pull it down, in a way, if you threw it in the vicinity, you felt like he was going to go get it. He’s a very friendly guy to throw to.”

Thomas kicked off his career with a 92-catch season for the Saints in 2016. With Flowers, Rashod Bateman and others on hand in Baltimore, Lane may not approach that kind of volume but continuing to look like Thomas into the regular season should serve him well as he kicks off his NFL career. 

 

https://www.nbcsports.com/nfl/profootballtalk

[oldno82]

I'm feeling it: glass half full: Lane has done everything asked of him while practicing in shorts and shells to now standing out in padded practices.

Really can't wait for first preseason game against Philly to really see what we have here. But I'm excited.

[tsylvester]

Good, love the chippiness, one thing this team lost the past few years under Harbs was physicality.

 

"There was never a punch thrown or anything, so I do not think it got to that level,” Minter said. “It was just a reminder of the whole reason we are out here is to make each other better, help us get ready to play when we are playing against somebody else. You love the physicality. We wanted it to be a really physical day. We wanted it to be a long practice. We wanted them to kind of fight through some things — long drive drills, where it is intentionally an eight- or nine-play drive, regardless of the down and distance.

“You want to be able to do all that with a high, high level of physicality and also keep your wits about you. I know that in a game, people do things. People tug on your jersey after the play, try to get you to respond, chirp in your ear (to) try to get you to respond. We just have to be so dialed in on why we are out here — making each other better.”

What You Should Read Next
In Zay Flowers, the WR-starved Ravens found an ideal fit and paid him accordingly
In Zay Flowers, the WR-starved Ravens found an ideal fit and paid him accordingly
In three short years, Flowers has already made a compelling case that he’s the best homegrown wide receiver the team has ever produced.
Ethan Pocic will get shot
Minter has consistently said the Ravens will have a legitimate competition at center, yet veteran Danny Pinter continues to dominate the first-team reps. Minter, however, said he expects Pocic to get an opportunity with the starters later in training camp.

“It is all part of a plan,” Minter said. “Again, I think the other guys, from a knowledge and terminology standpoint, they’ve been here the whole time. (Pocic) gets here the first day of camp. He has really been in this system now for not even two full weeks. We are letting him catch up.”

Other camp notes
• The Ravens had five absences to start practice, and two other players left the workout early for heat/illness-related reasons. Wide receiver Dayton Wade, defensive lineman Aeneas Peebles and inside linebacker Carl Jones each missed their second consecutive practice. Inside linebacker Teddye Buchanan (knee) and nose tackle Travis Jones (pectoral) both remain on the physically unable to perform list. Veteran left tackle Ronnie Stanley and nose tackle C.J. Okoye also departed practice for precautionary reasons. Hendrickson missed a handful of reps to get his arm looked at by members of the athletic training staff.

• Andrews made several catches in Thursday’s practice, but he also had another routine drop during the seven-on-seven period. Andrews has had some issues with drops early in camp, and he also fumbled a ball in Wednesday’s rain-soaked practice. With rookies Matt Hibner and Josh Cuevas on the depth chart and veteran tight end Durham Smythe expected to be used in a blocking role, the Ravens badly need a bounce-back year from Andrews.

• Cornerback T.J. Tampa caused a turnover in the first full-team session, stripping running back Rasheen Ali, who had caught a screen pass and headed upfield. Undrafted rookie inside linebacker Dominic DeLuca pounced on the loose ball.

• Lamar Jackson showed some frustration Thursday, spiking his helmet to the ground after the game clock hit zero without the Ravens being able to get off another play in a two-minute drill. Jackson hit Smythe down the seam, but the veteran tight end was touched down just outside of the end zone with about six seconds left. Jackson and the rest of the offense hustled to the line of scrimmage, but the clock hit zero before they could snap the ball.

• Kicker Tyler Loop has bounced back well from an inconsistent performance at Saturday’s stadium practice at the University of Maryland, connecting on all seven of his field goal attempts Thursday. His longest was from 61 yards, which he made with plenty of room to spare. The Ravens continue to evaluate Loop and the potential need to bring in competition. However, they remain confident he’s the man for the job.

• The Ravens had a live tackling session in a goal-line period late in Thursday’s practice with many of the young players on the field. Undrafted rookie linebacker Reid Williford made the play of the session, spilling rookie back Adam Randall behind the line of scrimmage

https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7497424/2026/08/06/rashod-bateman-ravens-offense-training-camp/

[oldno82]

Overall, sounds good. Right now the Defense is ahead of the Offense but that's to be expected at this stage of camp. Looks like they're catching up though.

Andrews has had his share of drops...something he needs to work on. Not worried about Lamar or the receivers. The line seems to be holding up so far.

Still can't tell about this team until we can see them in competitive action but as I said before, I think the glass is half full not half empty.

[tsylvester]

Some great throws, outstanding catch by Bateman and others

 

[oldno82]

I gotta say, I've never seen so many drills I've never seen before.

Some of those coaches really took some hits.

And I was glad to see Sarratt make that catch.

[tsylvester]

Not an easy catch being able to see coming over to break it up at the same time. Granted he knew there would be no big hit because of practice. But the kid has great hands. 

[oldno82]

I am looking forward to seeing Lane and him in pre-season. Hopefullly Huntley has time to throw.

I also like what I'm hearing about the rookie RB.

[tsylvester]

Zay was hurt in practice, a quad contusion, Charlie horse for us old folks, day to day per CBS

[oldno82]

Doesn't sound serious but I'm getting superstitious about our guys getting injured right after signing long term deals. It's almost like we're jinxed or something.

[tsylvester]

Couple of minutes of Lane catches

 

 

[oldno82]

The kid's got talent catching the ball, no doubt.