Losing is hard. Losing represents failure. Losing keeps score and reminds you that you weren’t good enough.
Losing sits in your craw gnawing away at your gut, and the only cure, the only way to exorcise this demon is to win. But then there’s the waiting in between seasons and throughout the days that span from the last losing effort to the next chance at redemption. That last loss is a reminder. And for the best of us, losing is a motivator.
To a man, the Ravens know that they are better than the (8-9) record that defines their 2021 season. And since the final whistle of their Week 18 (16-13) loss to the Steelers ,the team’s collective focus has been the 2022 season. On September 11, 2022, the anticipation ends. The slate will be clean. History begins again.
Most analysts see the Ravens as a competitive team but few if any, have them as favorites to win the AFC North much less Super Bowl LVII. But ESPN analyst Ryan Clark, once a very involved combatant and instigator in the Ravens v. Steelers rivalry, has long been a vocal supporter of the Ravens, the organization and Lamar Jackson.
This dude @Realrclark25 has been ALL IN on the 2022 #Ravens all offseason long.
via @GetUpESPN pic.twitter.com/ThWOYTNd87
— Bobby Trosset (@bobbytrosset) August 8, 2022
The Ravens open the season at MetLife Stadium against the Jets who just took a hit this past week with a PCL injury sustained by starting quarterback Zach Wilson. It appears likely, at least for the moment, that Wilson will miss the game. Most expect head coach Robert Saleh to hand the ball to former Raven Joe Flacco. The interest level in this game immediately skyrocketed and the implications haven’t escaped the Super Bowl XLVII MVP.
Joe Flacco knows he’s going to pretend playing the Ravens wouldn’t be a big deal. He also knows he’d probably be lying to himself.
“I’ve seen guys go through it. It’s a different thing.”pic.twitter.com/xTBTnfGMQb
— Jonas Shaffer (@jonas_shaffer) August 14, 2022
I’ve been asked if Wilson’s injury is a good or bad thing for the Ravens, now that it appears Flacco will get the start. From the jump I thought Zach Wilson was completely over-drafted, on par with the Ravens reach for Kyle Boller in 2003. If I’m defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald, I’d rather face Wilson. He’s more likely to be confused by the Ravens multiple looks. But Joe isn’t 2012 Joe anymore. Everyone knows where Joe will be – in the pocket and that makes game planning a bit less cumbersome. I’m not worried either way. And apparently Vegas thinks that Flacco hurts the Jets chances.
The Ravens have moved from 6-point road favorites to 7-point ones for their Week 1 game at the Jets following Zach Wilson’s injury, per @ESPNStatsInfo
— Jamison Hensley (@jamisonhensley) August 14, 2022
8 to 7
We’ve seen the rapport develop between Lamar Jackson and Mark Andrews over the years. Now, seemingly right before our eyes we are witnessing a similar journey shared by Lamar and Rashod Bateman. The work that the pair put in on their own away from the Ravens facility prior to camp, shows up each and every day. Lamar is delivering the ball with more authority and that combined with Bateman’s skillset has the potential to deliver many explosive plays in 2022.
Bateman combines top end speed, with suddenness, great body control and exemplary footwork. His hands, while not flawless, have been impressive and more than any other Raven who has ever played the position, Bateman looks like a true No. 1.
8️⃣ to 7️⃣ rinse and repeat 🔥@Lj_era8 @R_bateman2 | @oakley pic.twitter.com/5h4nZe9HQ0
— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) August 13, 2022
Tackling
The Ravens have yet to introduce a full contact practice. The only real tackling they’ve done took place in their preseason contest against the Titans. The results were mixed. If the Ravens continue down this path with limited contact during practice sessions, it will be interesting to see how the team looks early during the season as compared to say the Steelers who have engaged in several full-contact practices.
Something else to keep in mind as it relates to tackling. Most of the Ravens defensive starters sat out against the Titans. If that continues and John Harbaugh opts to keep contact light during practices, the opener against the Jets might be the first time the starters attempt to tackle.
J.K. OK?
Baltimore Positive’s Luke Jones made this observation regarding the Ravens top RB, J.K. Dobbins:
“John Harbaugh said J.K. Dobbins sitting out the weekend was planned as an “evaluation” after his first week back. Much of Dobbins’ work has been of an individual nature anyway, but the two-day absence felt a little unusual after he participated in only two open practices before the preseason opener.”
Dobbins has looked a bit stiff during practice. He seems anxious to get into the flow but he’s a critical piece to the Ravens offensive success and the Ravens are smart to take it slow with the 3rd-year tailback. That said, the opener is just 27 days away and from this observer’s perspective, J.K. will need every hour during those days to get ready for the Jets. I would not be surprised to see his attempts be limited early on given the conservatively methodical approach the team has taken with Dobbins so far.
Odds & Ends
ESPN’s Jamison Hensley provides a video snapshot of individual drills from the defense.
A look at the Ravens defense in Sunday’s practice… pic.twitter.com/MedWo6Sjn2
— Jamison Hensley (@jamisonhensley) August 14, 2022
Ben Cleveland’s training camp got off to an inauspicious start after flunking the conditioning test on four consecutive days. And the first day he took to the field he looked rather stiff – perhaps the collateral damage of taking four swings and misses on the grueling test. But since then, he’s made up some ground and is beginning to shape into the player the Ravens hoped he would be when they made him the 94th pick of the 2021 NFL Draft.
RG #66 Ben Cleveland. Finish. pic.twitter.com/MQDzsdll1H
— Josh Cohen (@JCohen_NFL) August 12, 2022
Great job by Cleveland getting out on the LB but check out Justice Hill’s ability to absorb the contact from the DE & S 📈 pic.twitter.com/PVTvcUwC68
— Chris (@ChrisJustJoking) August 14, 2022
Justin Tucker recently signed a four-year extension which will keep him in Baltimore through the 2027 season and perhaps a Raven for his entire career. Tucker shared this after signing his deal.
“And for all intents and purposes, this is the type of deal that will more than ensure that I will be a Raven for life. And for that alone, I couldn’t be more happy.”
Tucker will be 38 upon the conclusion of the 2027 campaign.
Few kickers have ever made the Top 100 Players list, but Justin Tucker is worthy. He’s been worthy. About time pic.twitter.com/tupy1IPWyV
— Sarah Ellison (@sgellison) August 15, 2022
Given the opportunity, 32 out of 32 #NFL GMs would pick Tucker to be their kicker.
I don't know that I can say that about any other player at any other position in the league today.
#94 is too low 🤷♂️#RavensFlock #Ravens#NFLTop100 https://t.co/mT0mCShpq5
— Matt Wise (@TheMattWise) August 15, 2022
