Miles Boykin Puts on a Show

It was a wet Wednesday morning at 1 Winning Drive, but that didn’t stop the Ravens from taking the field for their 3rd padded practice of training camp. 

I know I promised to keep an eye on the offensive line play, notably 2nd year OG Ben Powers (I had previously promised a ‘Power Hour’ focused on the self proclaimed Big Ben); but unfortunately, the team practicing on the nearside fields kept the media pack isolated from truly getting in on viewing those reps, which were done on the far-side field. 

Is what it is. There’s always another day to focus on the O-Line drills. 

Instead, what we got to see was plenty of wideout-vs-defensive back drills, and the wideouts showed up with their game faces on. In the early drills, a few pass breakups by Tavon Young (on Miles Boykin) and Terrell Bonds (on Willie Snead) bracketed a handful of completions to the likes of Michael Dereus (DeShon Elliott in coverage), James Proche II (Earl Thomas twice), Devin Duvernay (Anthony Averett), and Miles Boykin (Khalil Dorsey). 

In case you didn’t catch it, rookie wideout James Proche is rocking the ‘PROCHE II’ on his jersey, which is a clean look against the number 11 below it. 

Focusing primarily on Boykin’s reception over Dorsey, I saw the improvements I’ve been hoping to see in Boykin in his second season: physicality off the line using his hands, what was essentially a swim move over the smaller Dorsey (5′ 9″), a break towards the corner of the end zone, clean hands on the ball, and a toe-tap to get two feet in bounds. 

While that was an absolute clinic of a rep by Boykin, his biggest play of the day (albeit, under the radar) came about halfway through practice against Marlon Humphrey. Boykin came out of the snap, used his inside hand to jam Hump, then cut inside on a slant which was wide open for Lamar Jackson to hit his second-year wide receiver. Those little moves were not a steady part of Boykin’s repertoire in 2019, but seeing him utilizing his size and length to create separation is a welcomed sight for the potential starting wideout.

Proche was another wideout that stood out on the day, making catch after catch after catch. In focusing on Proche, my colleague, Matt Wise pointed out that there was something missing from Proche’s catches today in camp…

Noise.

His hands are so soft catching the ball that even a Jackson pass with heavy zip on it hardly makes a sound when it hits his mitts (note: mitts, not his body, because he knows how to secure the rock!). There’s something very quiet, calm, and collected about Proche’s approach to camp in his rookie year. He’s just out there making catch after catch like a seasoned pro, and in turn, making a case to contribute when the games matter starting in September. 

A few other notes on receivers, tight ends and the backs today:

1. J.K. Dobbins could put ‘Rice’ on the back of his jersey and you wouldn’t know the difference. His decisiveness, quick burst, solid hands, and vision is eerily similar to the one time Ravens running back.
2. Proche’s catch of the day was a 40-yard layout in the middle of the field, drawing ‘ooohhs’ and ‘aaahhhs’ from the coaches, players and us folks on the sideline in ponchos and raincoats.
3. Eli Wolf had a series of three straight catches in 11-v-11, prior to his injury noted by John Harbaugh. The injury concern is still TBD, but hopefully it’s nothing that would knock Wolf out of contention for the coveted TE3 spot. 

Defensively, one guy who I constantly found myself drawn to this morning was Calais Campbell. I know he’s big. I know you know he’s big.

But sweet baby Jesus, that’s a big man. 

There was one point in 11-v-11 that I swear he swallowed three offensive linemen with his arms wide open like a group hug, allowing the edge rushers more freedom to take their one-on-one battles en route to the quarterback (something this Ravens defensive front direly needed last year, and surely welcomes this year). But aside from a big stature, his personality cannot be understated. He’s just… I guess jovial is the best word? Campbell is lighthearted and having fun like a kid playing the game, but at the same time, very serious about honing his craft and teaching others around him. Shades of Terrell Suggs.

I haven’t truly been this excited for a veteran in the front-seven since the days of Elvis Dumervil. 

A few other odds and ends:

— Trace McSorley had another inconsistent day. Check downs? He’ll nail every one. Throws beyond 10 yards? It’s a crap shoot. 

— Dobbins getting chippy with Nigel Warrior was exciting. Nothing crazy happening there, but I love the passion of the rookies!

— Tyus Bowser showed up today with some great work pressuring the quarterback from both sides of the line, which is great to see as I have high hopes for Bowser to take another jump in 2020. 

— Rookie Justin Madubuike versus 2nd year Ben Powers was a matchup in 11-v-11 I saw a few times, with Powers getting the best of each and every bout.

— In one-on-one drills, second year DE Aaron Adeoye made quick work of OT Will Holden with a speedy inside move to put Holden on his heels. Adeoye is another player showing quiet production when his number is called.

— Towards the end of practice, the Ravens came down to the 10-yard line nearest the Castle, and ran a one-play goal line scenario. A score-to-win sorta thing. Jackson found Nick Boyle inside the five-yard line, who rolled towards the pylon… and was stonewalled by Jimmy Smith at the half yard line. The entire defense immediately burst into celebration which poured onto the far field. Gotta feel good for the longtime Raven still making big plays, and drumming up that type of emotion from the unit. 

Random Thought Of The Day

I’ve already forgotten what Harbs’ hoodie read today (my notebook got wet and I can’t read it… Ferocious something…) but it got me to thinking… I firmly believe Harbs needs a clothes line – similar to Lamar’s clothing line – but, like, for dads in their mid-30’s and up. Harbs striking a shoe deal with New Balance, those leather strap-back hats that always fit slightly too small and only come in shades of khaki, and all of his hoodie and tee shirt collections with these great sayings… I’d be loading up my cart the minute his online store opened.