Week 1 of the Ravens 2022 Training Camp is in the books. Yesterday the players had the day off after an exciting session down at M&T Bank Stadium before 24,000+ fans. Today the team gets set for their first practice in pads. And as they do, just 41 days removed from the start of the 2022 regular season, let’s take a look back at Week 1 on the practice field.
Offense
Quarterback
The big news – or should I say the cloud hanging over the Ravens this summer, one authored by a media that can’t seem to wrap its mind around the fact that both Lamar Jackson and the team have their contractual talks under control in private, is the lack of progress made in completing a new deal for the team’s franchise quarterback. But that hasn’t been a distraction for Lamar.
Jackson has seemingly taken the failures of the 2021 season and converted them into fuel to propel success in 2022. Lamar has thrown the ball with improved velocity, featuring tighter spirals and better accuracy. The offseason work he’s put in with his receivers shows. The success that he’s enjoyed on back-shoulder throws is evidence of the developing rapport. Lamar has also put in some work with his ball skills, demonstrating some post-snap sleight of hand to get defenders to pause momentarily. To round out his development, the Ravens QB also seems to be getting the ball out quicker. I don’t know that you can really ask for more from Lamar than what he’s delivered so far during training camp. The only remaining morsel of doubt that I have regarding his effectiveness this season is how he will handle the blitz. Improvements up front will help.
Beyond Lamar, Tyler Huntley hasn’t been very impressive nor have Anthony Brown and Brett Hundley. It is early, and Huntley has been battling tendonitis and consequently, he’s on a pitch count of sorts. Brown puts some zip on the ball but forces throws and his elongated windup tips off defenders.
Offensive Line
Ronnie Stanley remains out and that is unlikely to change anytime soon. That said, Stanley has been engaged during practices and that’s a good sign. He looks to be in fine shape and from most reports the trajectory of his recovery is on target for the start of the regular season. Occupying his spot at left tackle has been Ja’Wuan James who looks the part of an adequate backup. At left guard the battle is one between Ben Powers and Tyre Phillips with the former holding a slight edge for the moment. Tyler Linderbaum seems to be a given to get the nod at center. Kevin Zeitler is a staple at right guard while Morgan Moses represents a nice upgrade at right tackle. The team has quality depth to boot, led by the versatile Patrick Mekari. The biggest disappointment by far is Ben Cleveland who has yet to step foot on the practice field given his inability to pass the conditioning test. He’s flunked the test no less than four times and it’s hard not to question the commitment to his craft. Joe D’Alessandris’ unit seems to have some depth. The project named Daniel Faalele is promising. Trystan Colon, the undrafted center who once captured the attention of Ravens scouts, might have a tough time making the team because of his apparent lack of versatility. He isn’t getting much in the way of looks at guard but it’s something that we’ll keep an eye on.
With all this being said, it should be noted that one clear indicator of the unit’s progress, is the amount of time that the Ravens quarterbacks have had to set and throw during Week 1 of camp. Comparatively speaking, when looking back on last summer, the offensive line was in tatters, so much so that the offense struggled to get its work in because the pressure from the defensive front was overwhelming.
Wide Receiver
Wide receiver, as is always the case in Baltimore, is a big question mark. The unit lacks depth and experience, particularly with the departure of Marquise Brown, the team’s No. 1 receiver in 2021. But Brown’s departure leaves opportunity for others and Rashod Bateman has clearly embraced the challenge. He’s a smooth route runner with deceptive speed, excellent change of direction skills and the ability to win contested catches. Tylan Wallace looks like an ascending player with a comparable skill set to Bateman, albeit a bit less polished. James Proche has shown great hands combined with a knack for finding holes in the defense. He’s arguably the hardest worker on the field. Devin Duvernay has played well. He has good straight-line speed but lacks some polish in and out of breaks which makes it more challenging to gain separation.
Beyond what is now being labeled the “Big 4”, there’s a big drop off. So far, the best of the rest of the WR’s on the roster, which includes 7 UDFA’s and two 2021 practice squad players is
Shemar Bridges. Bridges has made some catches during full-team sessions and his size (6’4”, 207 pounds) represents something a bit different, more complementary to the Big 4. He’s one to keep an eye on. Given the current composition of the roster and the likelihood that any of the other young receivers could easily be parked on the practice squad, barring a trade or free agent signing, I doubt that the Ravens will keep more than five receivers.
Tight End
Mark Andrews continually works to refine his craft and that’s quite impressive given his 2021 campaign. You have to admire a player who despite being rewarded with a new contract, still grinds to improve. Nick Boyle had some issues securing passes early during camp but that has since been corrected. He’s in terrific shape. Isaiah Likely moves very well for a man his size (6’4”, 235) and he’s been making plays throughout the first week. He hardly seems intimidated by the professional ranks. He’s a bit of a matchup problem and it’s quite possible, even likely (pun intended) to see him flanked out. And given that aspect of his game, he could be used like a wide receiver at times. It would not be surprising to see some three tight end sets from OC Greg Roman this season. Charlie Kolar will probably miss all of training camp and could start the season on IR. Josh Oliver hasn’t done anything NOT to be on the roster but he could fall victim to a numbers game. Kolar’s situation bears watching and will probably impact Oliver’s future in Baltimore.
Running Back
Given the uncertainties of the respective returns of J.K. Dobbins and Gus Edwards, it’s tough to say how many backs the Ravens will carry. Tyler Badie’s style fits the Ravens to a tee. Mike Davis is a load – an experienced north-south runner. Corey Clement’s resume suggests he’s got a shot and Justice Hill has looked good as a pass catcher and protector of the QB. Nate McCrary is familiar with the system and has flashed in the past. Contributions to special teams could determine the future of these players in Baltimore. For now, the way the team is conducting camp, it’s really hard to say who has the edge but of all the aforementioned names not on PUP, Badie appears to be the only lock.
DEFENSE
IDL
The Ravens may have a tough time trimming their roster down to five, possibly six from the group of interior defenders. Michael Pierce, Justin Madubuike, Calais Campbell, Broderick Washington and Travis Jones look to be certainties for the Final 53. But players like Brent Urban, Isaiah Mack and Aaron Crawford are also in contention. Without the benefit of a padded practice, it’s tough to say which of the players on the bubble are playing the best but it would be surprising to see Urban not make the cut down. Alongside of Campbell, the pair represent twin towers which creates challenges for opposing quarterbacks.
Edge
Odafe Oweh looks even more impressive this season as a physical, gifted specimen of a player. His experiences from the 2021 rookie campaign are giving his career trajectory a lift. There’s no reason not to expect him to push towards a double-digit sack season. Daelin Hayes has picked up where he left off in last summer’s camp. A healthy Hayes lifts this group. Justin Houston is a known commodity. A player to hone in on is Vince Biegel. The 6-year vet has captured the attention of the coaching staff and he has some versatility to play inside or edge. Tyus Bowser is still rehabbing his Achilles injury along with David Ojabo. The latter isn’t expected to be available until sometime in November, assuming of course he can get past his holdout status, which is apparently a standoff at the moment between Ojabo’s agent and GM Eric DeCosta. So far we haven’t seen much from veteran Steven Means.
1/ This is a tough spot for the team & agent. Looking at the deals b4 & after Ojabo, there's a big gap in the overall gtd money % between picks 44 & 46. The g'tee %'s for picks further above and below increase ~1% from pick to pick, but gap from 44 to 46 is 7%. https://t.co/5eTEygqsoe
— Brian McFarland (@RavensSalaryCap) July 27, 2022
ILB
Patrick Queen looks explosive while Josh Bynes provides a steady, veteran presence and leadership. When the pads come on, the progress of the remaining players competing for roster spots at this position come more into focus. Malik Harrison has the physical tools and the hope is that he steps up in year 3. Positional coach Zach Orr should help in that regard. Harrison will be an interesting player to watch during the preseason. Kristian Welch is always a final roster candidate given his contributions on teams. A couple of undrafted rookies that we’ll be keeping an eye on include Diego Fagot and Zakoby McClain.
Defensive Backs
Marlon Humphrey is bringing it during camp and relishes the competition against Bateman. He’s played extremely well. Ditto for the versatile second-year defender Brandon Stephens who has played mostly corner during camp. Veteran Kyle Fuller has been productive as has promising rookie Jalyn Armour-Davis.
All of the safeties have shown well during camp, particularly Marcus Williams, Chuck Clark and Tony Jefferson. Geno Stone is progressing nicely as well. And while not a disappointment, there have been moments when Kyle Hamilton has been a little unsure. He’s a smart player with great range and once he fully embraces the defense schematically, the physical tools will take over. That said, his confidence and demeanor seem to be a bit shaken as evidenced by this effort during the team’s practice at The Bank on Saturday.
Kyle Hamilton is a smart player who can diagnose a play in front of him quickly and break on the ball. That said, he can be a bit stiff in the hips as evidenced in his coverage efforts here against Bailey Gaither. pic.twitter.com/wYvxbthp8a
— Tony Lombardi (@RSRLombardi) August 1, 2022
Special Teams
The biggest question heading into camp was “the operation”. How would the new Wolfpack of Justin Tucker, Nick Moore and Jordan Stout mesh? So far so good. Tucker regularly bangs through attempts from 50+ and Stout showed on Saturday that his part in the operation is coming along smoothly. Plus a few punts inside the 5 yard line only added to Stout’s already burgeoning self-confidence.
