The Ravens’ historic preseason successful streak has at all times mattered to teach John Harbaugh — “Winning is always good,” he stated after the workforce wrapped up its fifth straight unbeaten preseason final August — however it appeared to matter much less coming into Thursday evening.
The Ravens had simply three projected starters accessible for his or her opener in opposition to the Tennessee Titans. The greatest amongst them, outdoors linebacker Odafe Oweh, performed only one snap earlier than his pads got here off alongside the M&T Bank Stadium sideline. A debilitating 2021 had made well being much more of a precedence for the Ravens, who modified up their medical employees and coaching camp schedule this offseason to raised defend their gamers.
What hasn’t modified, a minimum of not but, is their preseason dominance. The Ravens’ 23-10 win over the Titans prolonged their streak to 21 video games, the longest by any workforce confirmed by the Elias Sports Bureau since 1995. The Ravens’ final preseason loss got here Sept. 3, 2015, when rookie security Kyle Hamilton was solely a freshman — in highschool.
“It means a lot to the culture, just to show that we’re a winning team,” quarterback Tyler Huntley stated. “And we don’t care what kind of game it is, the Ravens are going to fight to get a win. So we’ve just got to keep going and just keep grinding and making ourselves better.”
With each beginning quarterbacks, Lamar Jackson and Ryan Tannehill, wanting on from the sideline, the Ravens outgained the Titans 389-299 and compelled three turnovers. And relying on the well being of large receiver Tylan Wallace, who left within the first half with a knee harm, they may have prevented critical harm, too.
A month out from their season opener, the Ravens had been removed from good. They missed blocks, whiffed on tackles and struggled with penalties. But their preseason streak? That stays unblemished.
“It’s always a good time to be back in ‘The Bank’ and playing football,” security Tony Jefferson stated. “There were a couple plays here and there that we wish we could have back, but overall, I feel like everybody is playing fast. There are a couple things we can clean up, but it’s the first game, and like I said, it’s just exciting to be back out there.”
Here’s a have a look at the risers and fallers from Thursday’s recreation.
Risers
QB Tyler Huntley
Huntley’s first half received’t change the notion of anybody who watched him exchange Lamar Jackson final season. He was correct (16-for-18), cautious (6.1 yards per try) and efficient on the bottom (three carries for 14 yards). His 14-yard landing cross to large receiver Shemar Bridges capped a well-run four-minute drill. Huntley’s efficiency did mark a highwater mark for his first half of the camp and preseason, although. In Tuesday’s closing workforce drill for the offense, he missed two receivers operating their routes in opposition to air. He missed simply two passes in opposition to an precise protection Thursday.
WR Shemar Bridges
If he hadn’t already, Bridges separated himself from the Ravens’ pack of undrafted rookies at large receiver. He had 4 catches for a game-high 62 yards, linking up with Huntley for a 14-yard rating on an end-zone fade, then with Anthony Brown for a 38-yard bomb. Bridges arrived in Baltimore with little fanfare; he performed in simply six video games over his closing two seasons at Division II Fort Valley State, recording 41 catches for 693 yards and three touchdowns. But along with his measurement (6 ft 4, 207 kilos) and laborious work, he’s rapidly endeared himself to quarterbacks and coaches alike.
CB Kyle Fuller
Until discovering his footing just lately, the Baltimore native had struggled over the primary 10 days of camp. With the Ravens’ veteran depth and rookie funding on the place, it was honest to wonder if Fuller may must shore up his roster spot over the subsequent three weeks. His $1.2 million wage makes him considerably expendable. But when the Ravens took the sphere for warmups, Fuller was among the many group of defensive backs out of pads. That’s signal for his job safety.
Fallers
TE Isaiah Likely
Defenses perceive what gamers do greatest. As offensive coordinator Greg Roman stated final week, “You’ve got to try to make the players as well-rounded as possible, so you can kind of mask any tendencies.” And for as a lot as Likely affords as a receiver (4 catches for 40 yards), there’s nonetheless a whole lot of room for enchancment as a blocker. In the primary half, he didn’t get any push on an end-around for Wallace. On one other carry by operating again Justice Hill, he appeared to depart his defender after a fast engagement. Likely was additionally twice flagged for holding penalties that nullified first downs. (On the second, Hill appeared to bounce outdoors unexpectedly, leaving Likely’s place considerably compromised.)
WR Tylan Wallace
Wallace, quiet for a lot of coaching camp, acquired two early touches with the beginning offense: a 3-yard catch and the reverse stopped within the backfield for a 4-yard loss. But the 2021 fourth-round decide left the sport within the first quarter with a knee harm and didn’t return. A critical harm could be a giant setback for Wallace, who handled knee accidents at Oklahoma State, and damage the Ravens’ particular groups.
Running again readability
Mike Davis (5 carries for 22 yards) opened the Ravens’ scoring with a snug goal-line run however didn’t actually transfer the pile between the tackles. Rookie Tyler Badie acquired essentially the most motion (six carries for 19 yards and two kick returns for 46 yards), however his cross safety stays a query mark. Hill appeared like he’s regained his burst, however his motion was restricted (three carries for 11 yards). Nate McCrary had the Ravens’ longest carry (21 yards) however stays an extended shot to make the roster. Thursday was by no means going to settle the competitors, particularly with J.Ok. Dobbins nonetheless rehabilitating his knee harm, however the evening additionally revealed no apparent winner.
Preseason, Week 2
RAVENS@CARDINALS
Sunday, Aug. 21, 8 p.m.
TV: Ch. 45
Radio: 97.9 FM, 101.5 FM, 1090 AM
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Source: www.bostonherald.com