Ravens defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald wasn’t studying from a script. It solely sounded prefer it when he opened his session with the media Wednesday noting that “the guys who are here” for the workforce’s voluntary “football school” have been doing an awesome job. Offensive coordinator Todd Monken used the identical phrasing final week.
Quarterback Lamar Jackson, who formally signed his five-year extension price a reported $260 million two weeks in the past, was once more probably the most notable absence, however he wasn’t alone.
While All-Pro cornerback Marlon Humphrey and All-Pro linebacker Roquan Smith have been on the sector throughout Wednesday’s portion of apply that was open to the media, linebacker Patrick Queen, whose fifth-year choice was not picked up by the Ravens earlier this month, was amongst these not in attendance. Neither was security Marcus Williams.
Here are 5 takeaways from the day, which included interviews with Macdonald and two of the Ravens’ younger defensive gamers who will play pivotal roles this season:
Marlon Humphrey, Roquan Smith set tone
The periods are voluntary, with the primary of 10 offseason coaching actions not till Monday and necessary minicamp (June 13-15) nonetheless virtually a month away, so some gamers not being readily available isn’t a shock. But Macdonald, who’s been with the Ravens since 2014 however is in his second 12 months as defensive coordinator after a 12 months away in the identical position at Michigan, was happy to see Humphrey and Smith. The two vocal leaders have been a daily presence by way of many of the voluntary exercises.
“It’s huge for us,” Macdonald mentioned. “Those are conversations we’ve had with Marlon and gamers like Roquan, to encourage them to take the workforce by the horns and make it their workforce.
“Some of the conversations we had last year [were] it was great we hit our stride at some point in the season, but why don’t we do that earlier? Having the guys around, building the camaraderie and building team chemistry is a great byproduct of this whole process, as well as improving your individual skills and understanding the scheme and all that stuff.”
David Ojabo progress
Two of the gamers the Ravens expect these enhancements and important contributions from are exterior linebackers David Ojabo and Odafe Oweh.
Last season, Ojabo, whom the Ravens chosen within the second spherical of the 2022 draft, performed in simply two video games late within the 12 months after recovering from a torn Achilles tendon he suffered throughout his professional day. Oweh, a first-round choose in 2021, had simply three sacks after recording 5 his rookie 12 months and hasn’t taken the step ahead the Ravens had anticipated.
Coach John Harbaugh mentioned in March that it’s “critically important” for each gamers to “step up,” and whereas it’s early within the offseason program, Macdonald likes what he has seen to date.
“He looks great,” Macdonald mentioned of Ojabo, who has added about 10 kilos. “He’s put on some good weight, looks stronger, looks fast right now. More than anything, mentally he’s in a great spot.”
Macdonald added that the Ravens will doubtless begin Ojabo on the surface, just like what they did with Oweh final season, and “see where it goes from there.”
Odafe Oweh expectations
As for Oweh, who additionally battled a shoulder damage final season, Macdonald likewise mentioned his perspective has been nice.
“The things we encouraged him to do are the things he’s doing every day,” he mentioned. “He’s right here, he’s working onerous and that’s all we’re asking him to do proper now’s simply give attention to the method and let the outcomes occur with the work [he’s] placing in.
“But I look back at last year, we’re putting together teach dates and stuff [outside linebackers coach Chuck Smith’s] watching, we were saying this guy’s doing a lot of good stuff for us. Does that show up on the stat sheet? Maybe not. But the guy rushed outside, rushed inside and I thought he really caught his stride at the end of the year. The sacks — I really believe they’ll come. I’m not worried about what sack number he’s at.”
Replacing Calais Campbell
The Ravens must fear about changing the 5 1/2 sacks they received from veteran defensive finish Calais Campbell, who was launched in a cost-saving transfer March 13 and has since signed with the Atlanta Falcons. Campbell was additionally a revered veteran voice for a younger defensive entrance.
Macdonald mentioned the Ravens aren’t seeking to change him as a lot as they’re counting on a gaggle effort from defensive tackles Justin Madubuike, Broderick Washington and Travis Jones — all 26 or youthful — amongst others.
“There’s things he does that not a lot of people can do,” Macdonald mentioned of Campbell. “We have the guys to [replace him], we have a great young core of D-linemen. … We’re flexible with personnel groups, we can sub out and put another outside linebacker in there, a [defensive back] body on the inside.”
Three-safety look
Defensive again was additionally a subject of dialog Wednesday, particularly the Ravens’ outstanding use of three safeties (Chuck Clark, Marcus Williams and Kyle Hamilton) final season and whether or not the development will proceed this 12 months.
Much of that call final 12 months, Macdonald mentioned, was primarily based on the personnel they’d, and whereas Clark has since been traded to the New York Jets, Baltimore will once more typically deploy three safeties this season. That group contains Williams, Hamilton, Brandon Stephens, Geno Stone, Damarius “Pepe” Williams and Ar’Darius Washington.
“That’s what this process is all about, figuring out who has earned a job and who has earned a right to be out there,” Macdonald mentioned. “How many safeties we have out there, that’ll depend on the situation. Could we do three safeties again? Absolutely. You could have more of a nickel body in there, depending on who ends up earning that spot.”
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Source: www.bostonherald.com