Could Training Camp Bring About Some Surprises?
So, we think we know. We all like to think we know. As the Ravens begin to descend on Owings Mills for this season’s training camp, there appears to be more answers than questions.
Having a coaching staff that provides an advantage nearly every game, a top-tier defense, elite cornerbacks, a franchise quarterback and the expected return to health by an elite left tackle provides a certain level of comfort that not many franchises get to enjoy.
Obviously, a huge chunk of any season’s fortunes is reliant on health, but that’s something you just can’t always control. All you can do is try to build your roster, attempt to surround your starters with as much depth as you can fit under the salary cap and get ready to roll into the coming season. On this front, the Ravens appear to be in solid position heading into the 2021 campaign, with just a few questions that are expected to be ironed out in camp:
- Who emerges from a hotly-contested scrum to start at left guard?
- Does Bradley Bozeman seamlessly make the move to center?
- What will the defensive line rotation look like this season, with Justin Madubuike widely expected to find more time?
- Is Tavon Young capable of holding up in the slot, and are the Ravens better prepared to cover his absence with new additions?
- How many fullbacks are too many fullbacks, and is that even a thing with this offense?
- Is Ronnie Stanley going to be ready from the jump? Or Nick Boyle?
- How will Don Martindale deploy his varied (and often criticized) array of edge players?
These are all pretty big questions in the grand scheme of things, and training camp should (hopefully) provide some clarity, at least with the team’s initial plans for the season. These are all also pretty obvious questions that the fanbase and analysts have been juggling and contemplating all offseason.
But there’s always a training camp surprise, right?
There seems to be one surprise starter who emerges, or an expected contributor who doesn’t make the final roster, or an undrafted rookie who changes the dynamic of an entire position group.
Let’s take a look at three potential somewhat-off-the-radar developments that could qualify as “surprises” during training camp, and what those unexpected gems could mean to the Ravens for 2021 and beyond.
1) Tyre Phillips: Come on down!
Scenario: Phillips shows tremendous growth from last season and emerges from camp as the starter at right tackle. Veteran Alejandro Villanueva becomes the “swing tackle” and offers a veteran presence at left tackle if Stanley is not ready to go at the start of the season. This would be a pretty dramatic surprise, as Villanueva was seemingly signed specifically to man this role. But Phillips showed significant untapped potential last year, and a full offseason could propel him to new heights.
Probability: Oh, I’d go with 7.4 percent, but I can be talked into 7.6.
2) The hype is real!
Scenario: Rookie receiver Rashod Bateman shows to be everything the Ravens — and their receiver-hungry fans — hoped, right from the start. He offers Lamar Jackson a reliable and explosive target at all levels of the field, and challenges the Ravens’ aforementioned cornerbacks each and every day, and emerges as Jackson’s number one target. This would afford the Ravens the opportunity to trot out Bateman and Sammy Watkins outside, with Marquise Brown and Mark Andrews on the inside on passing downs — providing Jackson more options than he has had previously, and potentially opening up even more running lanes for the quarterback, giving opposing safeties even more to worry about.
Probability: 51 percent. I’m a Bateman believer, but also have been around long enough to not just assume anything with rookies. Particularly rookie receivers. Particularly rookie receivers for the Baltimore Ravens. Bateman being a success doesn’t really seem to qualify as a surprise, but have you watched Ravens draft picks at receiver over the years?
3) Undrafted Gamechanger?
Scenario: Ar’Darius Washington is kind of the great unknown here. Truly one of the best safeties in college football the past two seasons, the diminutive playmaker saw his stock drop after his measurables failed to impress the scouts. We see it all the time, right? Guy who is an electric weapon in college just can’t make the transition because he can’t physically hold up against the elite athletes scattered across the league.
But what if Washington outplays his size and speed? What if his instincts, athletic ability, courage and decision-making more than make up for some other — pardon the pun — shortcomings? The Ravens could have a gem on their hands, and Martindale could add another club to his bag in his game-planning.
Probability: 10 percent. I do believe Washington will make some splashes during training camp and the preseason, but he will truly have to shine to get on the field a lot with this defensive backfield. Clark and Elliott are trustworthy performers, even if they haven’t created a ton of turnovers to this point, and it’s hard to move trustworthy players off the field for a competitive team.
But I get the feeling Washington has been doubted a lot. And here he is.
Neglect him at your own peril.
