It’s early and the Ravens have solely had a couple of voluntary exercises, however rookie large receiver Zay Flowers seems to be explosive.
The first-round draft pick of Boston College has proven nice acceleration going out and in of his breaks and seems powerful for a 5-foot-9, 182-pound receiver. He can play inside within the slot or exterior as a vertical menace.
In his senior season in school, Flowers had 78 catches for 1,077 yards and 12 touchdowns. It’s simple to see why the Ravens put a lot religion within the Fort Lauderdale, Florida, native.
Veteran receiver Odell Beckham Jr. has but to follow with the staff, however Flowers and third-year wideout Rashod Bateman appeared good within the follow that was open to the media Wednesday.
After these two, there was a drop-off, together with free agent addition Nelson Agholor. Maybe he’ll present extra in coaching camp.
There’s just one ball
Now that the Ravens have weapons like Beckham, Flowers and Bateman, I’m wondering how tight finish Mark Andrews will react when he has to share the ball. Andrews, a three-time Pro Bowl choice coming into his sixth season, has been quarterback Lamar Jackson’s favourite goal the previous couple of years.
Andrews had 73 catches for 847 yards and 5 touchdowns final season, and he wasn’t proud of a diminished function within the passing offense. In 2021, he caught 107 passes for 1,361 yards and 9 touchdowns.
Greg Lewis and Keith Williams, the Ravens’ large receivers coaches, need to maintain concord amongst this group. Receivers have among the greatest egos within the NFL.
Jackson ramping up
Jackson was on the sphere Wednesday however solely participated in particular person drills a month after getting his five-year, reportedly $260 million extension. It’s obvious he isn’t conversant in the offense but and would have been harshly criticized for some premature selections when the offense went in opposition to the protection within the 11-on-11 interval.
Coach John Harbaugh stated the Ravens are attempting to ramp up Jackson and the 2019 NFL Most Valuable Player will likely be concerned extra in the course of the subsequent two days. It’s unattainable to get a learn on Jackson in sooner or later, however he didn’t present up too cumbersome or obese as he did eventually yr’s coaching camp.
Jackson appeared as massive as inside linebacker Patrick Queen however appeared to be slimmer and in a lot better situation.
Monken’s eye for particulars
New offensive coordinator Todd Monken is a stickler for particulars. When he needs a receiver to interrupt off a route at 20 yards, it higher be 20. It can’t be something much less.
If not, that receiver will get an earful. Just ask rookie Dontay Demus Jr., an undrafted free agent out of Maryland.
When Flowers broke off a route too early, Monken stated: “When I want you to go to the pylon, run to the pylon, not to the building.”
Taking attendance
Besides Beckham, among the most noticeable no-shows had been beginning left sort out Ronnie Stanley, proper guard Kevin Zeitler and working again J.Okay. Dobbins.
When Jackson didn’t present up for 2 earlier practices, it was no massive deal, though he must study Monken’s new offense. The three prima donnas — tight finish Shannon Sharpe, defensive sort out Tony Siragusa and security Rod Woodson — didn’t present up for minicamps after the Ravens gained the Super Bowl in 2000.
That’s life within the NFL.
That’s additionally Ronnie Stanley.
Moses means enterprise
I don’t know beginning proper sort out Morgan Moses personally, however the 10-year veteran appears to play onerous on a regular basis. He seems to be a type of “lunch pail” guys who’s going to offer you an excellent day of labor it doesn’t matter what.
Without query, he is among the most athletic proper tackles in Ravens historical past due to his potential to run and pull. He’ll wrestle in go safety, however you possibly can by no means query his effort.
His backup, Daniel Faalele, performed moderately properly final season as a rookie, however the 380-pound Minnesota product remains to be gradual getting off on the snap.
Sizing ’em up
I all the time have a look at physique sorts, particularly for gamers coming into their second and third years.
It appeared practically unattainable for second-year defensive sort out Travis Jones so as to add any thickness to his already 334-pound body, however he’s greater in each a part of his physique.
Don’t misread this as him being too massive. The former Connecticut star remains to be explosive and may deal with double groups.
Another participant who seems to be greater is second-year cornerback Jayln Armour-Davis. The Alabama product was small final season however has added some thickness in his chest and shoulders.
The Ravens want him to play properly and hopefully change into a starter, though he struggled early final season and was benched.
Don’t fear about Edwards
No. 2 working again Gus Edwards didn’t follow Wednesday however was on the sphere figuring out and studying the brand new offense. Edwards, who returned from a torn ACL final season, has a powerful work ethic and appears to be in good condition.
Harbaugh gained’t have to fret about him being prepared for coaching camp.
He’s human
Kicker Justin Tucker missed two area aim makes an attempt, certainly one of which hit the uprights. He additionally hit the submit with an almost 50-yard try, nevertheless it dropped by.
Tucker is a perfectionist, so it was enjoyable watching him tempo the sideline after he missed a second time. Even after one try that was good to shut out follow, Tucker slammed his helmet to the bottom in disgust.
He isn’t used to failure.
Plays of the day
Second-year exterior linebacker David Ojabo blitzed on one play to get the quarterback, then used a spin transfer to document what would have been two sacks in a row in a stay sport.
The catch of the day belonged to third-year large receiver Tylan Wallace, who went up and over rookie cornerback Kyu Blu Kelly for a protracted reception all the way down to the 2-yard line.
QB to look at
Keep a watch on reserve quarterback Anthony Brown, the 2022 undrafted free agent out of Oregon. I preferred him final yr. He isn’t a powerful runner like Jackson and even backup Tyler Huntley, however he throws a pleasant ball.
The 6-1, 228-pound Brown additionally has a powerful sufficient arm to roll out and ship passes again throughout his physique.
Quote of the day
From Harbaugh: “Tomorrow is a hope, yesterday was a memory.”
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Source: www.bostonherald.com