One of the things I’ve always loved about football is the environment. You pack into the stands on a crisp fall afternoon, usually just as the sun is giving some warmth in relief of a cold morning. If you’re like me, you make your way in early to watch the graceful stride of players showcasing their athleticism unimpeded during the warm-ups. Soon, you’re elbow to elbow with other fans donning black and purple, and the slow, anticipatory feeling gives way to an electric atmosphere.
The stands swell with sound. The unpredictable nature of the game means that the ever-present buzz of the crowd can raise to a roar at any given moment. There’s an energy unlike pretty much any other sporting environment, and the faithful at The Bank brings that energy better than pretty much any other crowd out there.
Even in an offseason practice, you guys brought the noise, and The Bank had that same electricity that we all know and love.
Ravens say attendance for tonight's open practice is 26,417
— Jeff Zrebiec (@jeffzrebiec) July 31, 2022
It’s lit pic.twitter.com/2hAKwlbMxE
— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) July 31, 2022
Lamar-mania💜 pic.twitter.com/FsMwbIoV11
— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) August 1, 2022
This week, we get to reintroduce one of the key elements that makes a football environment so exciting. The high-flying athleticism of practice is fun to watch, of course, but the Ravens approach live game action with that single element in mind.
To borrow the words from Calais Campbell, “Physical, physical, physical.”
The Ravens resumed practice in full pads yesterday, and it didn’t take long to see that excitement from the guys who enjoy laying the lumber.
How do you feel about the pads going on, @PRic508 ⁉️ pic.twitter.com/g8cFWCmlcX
— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) August 1, 2022
Among those donning the full shells at practice was a big body finally making his first appearance. He was certainly hard to miss as he made his way back onto the field.
Looks like Ben Cleveland is practicing so he must have passed conditioning test.
— Jeff Zrebiec (@jeffzrebiec) August 1, 2022
He’s back! pic.twitter.com/TIadZYTb0i
— Tony Lombardi (@RSRLombardi) August 1, 2022
Ben Cleveland passed his conditioning test today, then did a leg lift, then did a padded practice, per John Harbaugh.
“He’ll sleep well tonight.” pic.twitter.com/F86hKmgyTk
— Jonas Shaffer (@jonas_shaffer) August 1, 2022
Despite the offense sputtering a bit…
This picture tells a story. pic.twitter.com/spH85Z4Y5P
— Tony Lombardi (@RSRLombardi) August 1, 2022
The defense embraced the opportunity for physicality and set the tone for the day.
It was a rough day for Ravens offense. Lamar Jackson was not at his sharpest, and receivers had drops.
On first day of pads, offensive line allowed too much pressure. Odafe Oweh was a terror coming off the edge.
— Jamison Hensley (@jamisonhensley) August 1, 2022
Day 5 just wrapped. Defense was the big winner. Ravens racked up sacks from the outside, the inside and with good coverage.
Lamar Jackson was 10-for-15 in 11-on-11 work, but he had to settle for a lot of check-downs. WR Jaylon Moore shined with the second-string offense again.
— Jonas Shaffer (@jonas_shaffer) August 1, 2022
Practice has ended in Owings Mills.
The demise of Kyle Hamilton is greatly exaggerated. Jammed Isaiah Likely at the line and broke up the pass. Later on in 11s, covered Mark Andrews 1-on-1 and added another pass breakup.
— Kyle Phoenix Barber (@KylePBarber) August 1, 2022
Under normal circumstances, the reintroduction of the physical element on a practice day in August might not mean a whole lot, but yesterday was anything but normal around the NFL as major news broke regarding a division opponent.
Former federal judge Sue L. Robinson has found that Deshaun Watson violated the personal conduct policy and has suspended him six games, per source.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) August 1, 2022
If you’re like me, you’re not the only one who felt like that suspension is woefully inadequate, given the circumstances. Coach Harbaugh let his feelings be known following practice, allowing us to read between the lines.
Ravens coach John Harbaugh said he has a lot of opinions regarding Deshaun Watson situation but isn’t at liberty to share them.
Harbaugh added that he’s proud of Ravens’ “zero tolerance” policy when it comes to players involved in mistreatment of women since Ray Rice incident.
— Jamison Hensley (@jamisonhensley) August 1, 2022
I feel like the decision, if it stands, was a mistake, for more reasons than one. Bear with me, because this might seem like a non-sequitur, but I promise I’ll bring it back around. In hockey, there are occasions when a player will be handed a game misconduct for a penalty after tempers flare, but it might represent a culmination of events rather than that single play. This usually happens when the officials are trying to maintain control of the game to prevent the players from taking matters into their own hands.
I’m not necessarily saying that’s going to happen in this situation, but as it stands, Watson would be scheduled to return in Week 7… on the road at M&T Bank Stadium, against a division opponent known for physicality.
Deshaun Watson's Browns debut is now set for Week 7 at the Ravens on October 23rd at 1 PM ET.
— Field Yates (@FieldYates) August 1, 2022
I’ve been in the stadium for a heated rivalry game before, and that electric environment I talked about earlier got to be downright inhospitable. Following his first appearance at M&T, Kyler Murray called the stadium “loud as hell” and acknowledged that it was one of the contributing factors to the Ravens being able to capture the win. I truly cannot imagine what it’s going to be like for Watson to walk out of that tunnel on Week 7. One thing I know is that the players are going to bring the physicality and a whole lot of it.
I’m counting on you all the bring the noise. Let’s give him the welcome wagon that he deserves.
