What a distinction a number of months makes.
In March, the state of the Ravens was precarious. Uncertainty and acrimony swirled round franchise quarterback Lamar Jackson. There was a critical dearth of expertise at large receiver with a gaggle that completed final within the NFL in yards. There had been questions on who would plug holes at edge rusher and cornerback. There was a failing grade for the energy and conditioning program.
Now, as Baltimore transitions from the voluntary portion of offseason exercises to the three-day obligatory minicamp that begins Tuesday in Owings Mills, a lot of these issues have been addressed. As a consequence, the Ravens have gone from a ship with an uncharted course to 1 on the precipice of potential Super Bowl rivalry.
Still, there’s a good distance between now and subsequent February, and questions nonetheless loom. Here are the largest subjects heading into the ultimate “live contact” portion of the offseason earlier than the Ravens take a six-week break forward of the beginning of coaching camp in late July.
Lamar Jackson’s development in Todd Monken’s offense
In the three practices throughout voluntary organized crew actions which were open to the media, two issues have stood out: New offensive coordinator Todd Monken has been way more lively and vocal than predecessor Greg Roman, and Jackson has a extra dynamic system at his disposal.
The execution of Monken’s scheme — which thus far has featured a mixture of screens, brief throws, and extra pictures to the sideline and downfield — has been combined, however that’s to be anticipated at this level. But there was progress, too. Last week, for instance, Jackson confirmed good chemistry with veteran Nelson Agholor, notably on back-shoulder throws. There’s additionally been an emphasis on Jackson’s footwork within the pocket below new quarterbacks coach Tee Martin and extra management given to the quarterback on the line of scrimmage.
“We’ve been in that world before, but not to this degree,” coach John Harbaugh mentioned final week. “Obviously, Todd is right in there with Tee coaching the offense to the quarterbacks; that’s been really good. We’ve had a lot of one-on-one sessions, in terms of just how we’re going to operate and how the quarterbacks need to operate. I think you saw today [that] the communication is probably better than what you saw last week, so we’ve just got to keep building on that.”
This week, Jackson ought to have probably the most full assortment of expertise round him so far this offseason. Harbaugh mentioned he expects all people on the 90-man roster to report for the obligatory practices.
Will Odell Beckham Jr. and J.Okay. Dobbins take part?
It’s a query price asking, contemplating neither took the sector throughout voluntary organized crew actions.
Beckham, who signed his one-year, reported $15 million contract in April, has been understanding on his personal and is predicted to be available. Players who skip the obligatory practices incur a hefty effective and normally accomplish that over contract points (see: New York Giants working again Saquon Barkley), however that’s not the priority right here. How a lot Beckham — who hasn’t performed in a sport since tearing his ACL in Super Bowl 56 in February 2022 — does, although, might be a degree of intrigue.
The identical could be mentioned of working again J.Okay. Dobbins, who likewise didn’t take part in any of the voluntary practices however for various causes. He has stayed away since voicing his displeasure over his function within the Ravens’ wild-card loss to the Cincinnati Bengals. Dobbins, who’s within the last yr of his rookie deal, was on the town Monday, although, and it’ll be essential to say himself after having missed 27 of fifty regular-season video games because the Ravens drafted him within the second spherical in 2020.
Receiver Rashod Bateman additionally hasn’t spoken to the media since his since-deleted tweet in March in response to common supervisor Eric DeCosta’s characterization of the crew’s receivers, although he was at two of the three voluntary practices that had been open to the media. Bateman solely did drills in these classes however his restoration from season-ending foot surgical procedure has gone nicely, the crew has mentioned. Meanwhile, working again Gus Edwards may see restricted motion this week; Harbaugh mentioned final week that Edwards received’t be “fully ready” till coaching camp.
Which rookies will stand out?
The Ravens’ first-year gamers had been “drinking from the fire hose,” as defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald put it final month, as they obtained acclimated to life within the NFL. But that was then. The group has progressed since, notably receiver Zay Flowers, inside linebacker Trenton Simpson and offensive deal with Sala Aumavae-Laulu, all of whom determine to be contributors this fall.
Harbaugh mentioned final week that he was searching for what he noticed on tape of the rookie class to hold over to the sector and that they’ve exceeded that.
“In this environment, they look smooth, they’re moving well, they’re learning,” he mentioned. “All the guys are learning well. So, we’re happy with those guys. All the rookies are doing a good job. Now, it’s rehearsal right now; it’s not really competitive, so we’ll see. Once the pads come on and once it gets competitive, we’ll know more.”
That received’t come till coaching camp.
Wide receiver group is all of the sudden deep
A as soon as weak place has became one thing significantly better, assuming everyone seems to be wholesome.
In addition to Beckham, Bateman, Flowers, Agholor and Devin Duvernay spherical out the crew’s prime 5 receivers. After which might be third-year wideout James Proche, newly signed veteran Laquon Treadwell and 2021 fourth-round choose Tylan Wallace.
Another participant that might be price watching is former Maryland standout and undrafted free agent Dontay Demus Jr. Though there are questions on his knee after a devastating damage in 2021, the 6-foot-3, 212-pound receiver was a stud earlier than he obtained damage.
In all, the Ravens have 5 former first-round picks at receiver (Beckham, Bateman, Flowers, Agholor, Treadwell), and there are nonetheless some questions on them, starting from well being to manufacturing. But how the group at massive shakes out might be price watching.
Defensive backs are price watching, too
Cornerback was one other concern going into this yr’s draft with Marcus Peters hitting free company, however the Ravens discovered a starter reverse Marlon Humphrey with the signing of Rock Ya-Sin. But it stays to be seen the place the remainder of the crew’s cornerbacks match.
Jalyn Armour-Davis and Damarion “Pepe” Williams each struggled final season as rookies, whereas Brandon Stephens has moved to security.
Armour-Davis can also be recovering from a hip damage he suffered in November and so far has seen restricted motion in observe. Daryl Worley is again after re-signing earlier this yr, however he performed sparingly throughout eight video games final season. Trayvon Mullen, a former second-round choose who joined the Ravens late final season and re-signed in March, brings the expertise of getting began 31 video games, although most of these got here in his first two seasons. And there’s rookie Kyu Blu Kelly, whom the Ravens drafted within the fifth spherical out of Stanford.
As for security, Kyle Hamilton figures to start out alongside Marcus Williams after Chuck Clark was traded to the New York Jets. But Hamilton might additionally see motion within the nickel once more.
Stephens, as talked about, is predicted to return to security, the place he began 11 video games as a rookie in 2021 after 4 begins at cornerback final yr. Geno Stone, now in his fourth yr in Baltimore, may also be a contributor after beginning seven video games final season.
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Source: www.bostonherald.com