The defense set the tone early during 11-on-11 drills by repeatedly stuffing the run. In vintage fashion, Ray Lewis came swooping in through an open gap up the gut, and crunched the ball carrier. The offensive line, which worked with a patchwork group, was unable to get any movement in the running game and it struggled to handle the blitz. Meanwhile, the secondary took away the deep passes, forcing the Baltimore quarterbacks to dump the ball off underneath.
Here are other key observations and notes from today’s morning session:
· Formations and Fronts: During the team’s walkthroughs, the offense executed two different screen plays. The first play featured a pump to the right side before quarterback Joe Flacco dumped the ball off to a back on the strongside, moving behind blockers Matt Birk and Chris Chester, and tight end Todd Heap.
The second screen pass also went to the strongside, but this play featured a play-fake to the tailback before he had a chance to catch the ball. Birk and Chester also pulled on this play, while right tackle Marshall Yanda stayed in to slow down the rush end.
The focus for the defense was to test the overload blitz off the edges. When the unit was in its nickel and dime packages, the blitz was in play as either a complete sellout (with three defenders attacking at the same time) or a fake, in which one or two of the defenders took a step forward to show blitz, only to backpedal into coverage pockets.
This fake, overload look was tough for the offense to pick up.
· Who Stood Out?
– Domonique Foxworth: The former Terrapin had an active day in coverage. During one-on-one drills, Foxworth displayed outstanding short-area quickness in staying stride-for-stride with Derrick Mason to knock the ball away. Foxworth also intercepted a pass intended for receiver Marcus Smith. Even when the quarterbacks tried to bait the free agent corner by using the pump, Foxworth didn’t bite too hard to chase an underneath route, and he had the recovery speed to close on the ball in a hurry.
– Justin Harper: Harper has been impressive as a downfield target and he continued to make his mark. He used a slick push-off move to gain enough separation from corner Lardarius Webb on a go-route reception near the left sideline. He also made an impact in the short game. On an out pattern, Harper contorted his body to adjust to an overthrown ball. On a slant pattern, Harper caught the ball and ran through a tackle attempt by cornerback Frank Walker. Along with the good plays, there was one miscue. During 7-on-7 drills, Harper was chastised by one of the assistants for “getting held up” at the line against press coverage.
– Ray Rice: There were at least two instances in which Rice, off the left side, was able to cleanly pick up the blitzing linebacker. That was a good sight for the coaching staff to see, as his ability to recognize and pick up the blitz is questionable.
· Scouting the Rookies
o Will Johnson: The undrafted rookie from Michigan received some snaps during the morning session. Johnson is a true tweener who can handle playing at the defensive end position in a 3-4 scheme. He already possesses a wide lower-body and he has the frame to get bigger. Johnson got some work on the outside as a rush end but it is clear that he is more comfortable operating inside, right in-between the guard and the center. Johnson displayed a strong rip move and was able to dislodge the guard off of his spot on two different occasions. The issue for Johnson is being able to log as many quality repetitions as he did today.
· The UDFA Corner
o K.J. Gerard is a lean and tall body at the safety position. At 6-foot1, the rookie from Northern Arizona has a long wingspan, but needs to build his body. He appears to have the athleticism to be a center fielder but his technique needs work. Specifically his stance is too high coming out of his backpedal; he will need to stay more compact. Thus far, Gerard has yet to show that he can defend the run.
Other Rookie Notes
– Jason Phillips made one of the best plays of the day, when he stripped the football from Demetrius Williams’ grasp, thwarting the fourth-year receiver’s attempt to gain more yards after the catch.
– Michael Oher competently filled in for Jared Gaither at the left tackle spot. When picking up the blitz, the rookie understood that he was responsible for the outside rusher and when there was no one to block, he slid to his right and helped the guard handle the inside rusher.
Photo by Kevin Moore
