OTL: Zay Flowers Has a Growth Spurt?

Ravens minicamp is now officially over, and just as there will be in Training Camp, there were both strong and poor performances.  Those impressions don’t always translate to success in the Regular Season, but particularly for young players, it’s an indication of the kind of show they’ll put on through the remainder of the preseason.

According to Clifton Brown, there are ten guys who stood out over the last few weeks:

So… according to Cliff Brown there are ten players that had a very positive impression into Ravens minicamp:

– Nelson Agholor
– Malaesala Aumavae-Laulu
– Justice Hill
– Lamar Jackson
– Charlie Kolar
– Isaiah Likely
– Ben Mason
– David Ojabo
– Odafe Oweh
– Michael Pierce

— Pedro H. Rhormes (@rhormes_) June 20, 2023

I’ve written about many of these names over the last few weeks, but one I hadn’t yet seen is Charlie Kolar. The former Iowa State TE had his rookie season marred by injuries, but fans forget he was selected before fan-favorite Isaiah Likely in the 2022 NFL Draft.

Baltimore’s offense is already going to be dynamic, but if Kolar becomes Nick Boyle with more pass-catching ability, look out.

Throw in a revamped passing scheme and Lamar Jackson is poised for another MVP-caliber season. Dev doesn’t explicitly say that in his Tweet below, but that’s how I see things unfolding:

Random #Ravens thoughts (haven’t had many lately):

– This is the best coaching staff Harbs has had in a long time, maybe even since 2008. That will help in the postseason.
– Lamar getting this time in w/ Monken = massive
– Love how the defensive leaders are speaking up (1/2)

— Dev Panchwagh (@devpanchwagh) June 20, 2023

By all accounts, Monken is bringing energy and excitement to the Ravens offense, and his focus areas aligns with the team’s previous weaknesses. Of course, the unit must improve all around and Monken shouldn’t ignore other areas, but speeding up the offense may simply help all around.

Greg Roman’s archaic style and slow pace sucked life out of his unit and gave Jackson minimal time to read defenses or adjust. Emmanuel Acho believes that, with more time and a more passer-friendly scheme, Jackson could overtake Mahomes as the league’s best:

Fox Sports One Analyst Emmanuel Acho:

“The only person who can take the throne from Patrick Mahomes is Lamar Jackson.” pic.twitter.com/5oKb4S7hl8

— Ravens Nation LIVE (@LIVERavenNation) June 20, 2023

Alongside Monken’s addition, it doesn’t hurt that rookie First-Round Draft Pick Zay Flowers seems to have hit a growth spurt. According to Jackson, the formerly 5’9” wideout now appears to be over 6-foot, a welcome surprise for Ravens fans.

Baltimore Ravens QB Lamar Jackson has confirmed a rumor that NFL rookie Zay Flowers went through a growth spurt this summer.

“He’s probably around 6’1”-6’2” right now, I’m not even lying” – Jackson said in a interview.

Zay was listed at 5’9” last season🤯 pic.twitter.com/jedDzPMlUt

— Lamar & Order: RPO (@moneymarlo44) June 19, 2023

(Ed Note: Yes, this tweet is satire, as many of you have pointed out.)

Flowers has always played bigger than his size, a bit like Steve Smith Sr. With a couple more inches, that mentality could make him truly dominant. It feels like a bit of hyperbole to me, but it would sure be awesome if it’s true.

And, if Flowers truly develops into WR1 in Baltimore, the team’s receiver room will be difficult to top.

Where does the Ravens WR trio rank? 👀 pic.twitter.com/jXbFs38JVc

— PFF Fantasy Football (@PFF_Fantasy) June 19, 2023

(Ed note: Even you, PFF?! WR CORPS. CORPS. C-O-R-P-S. For crying out loud…)

As of now, I would say they’re a bit above average, but so much rides on unknowns with the group. Time will tell.

On the other side of the ball, it’ll be important to play well consistently, throughout games. At a glance, the stat below is a promising one, as the Ravens frequently build commanding leads in 2022:

games holding a lead of over 7 points:

14 – PHI, BAL
13 – SF
12 – BUF, DAL
11 – CIN, KC
10 – LV
9 – CLE, JAX
8 – TEN, PIT, NO, LAC, DET, MIN
7 – MIA, CAR, NE, GB, WAS
6 – ATL, TB, CHI, SEA
5 – DEN, ARI
4 – IND, LAR, NYG, NYJ
3
2 – HOU

— Warren Sharp (@SharpFootball) June 20, 2023

The problem is, they weren’t able to hold those leads in many of them:

Ravens lost 5 games they led at by over a touchdown

tied for most in the NFL with the Raiders

led MIA 35-14 in the 4th, lost
led NYG 20-10 in the 4th, lost
led JAX 19-10 in the 4th, lost
led PIT 13-3 in the 3rd, lost
led BUF 20-3 in the 2nd, lost

brutalhttps://t.co/IR5xL52H7f

— Warren Sharp (@SharpFootball) June 20, 2023

When Roquan Smith was brought in from Chicago, much of that problem seemed to be solved. In the 2023 campaign, we’ll be able to see a full season of the All Pro caliber LB. Paired with Patrick Queen, Baltimore has a hungry duo:

Roquan: "We want all the smoke. … There's a lot of payback that we have out there, so we'll get to it when we get to it one week at a time." 👀

🎥 @Ravens pic.twitter.com/szkm4fuJDo

— Bobby Trosset (@bobbybaltimoree) June 20, 2023

Somehow, Smith doesn’t feel his performed at his best yet. Instead, he thinks it’ll come this season:

"I think it's probably going to be my best year yet." 😈

You don't want to miss Roquan Smith on The Lounge podcast.

📺 https://t.co/wQTymQTdaU
🎧 https://t.co/MKv5Tfz4XU pic.twitter.com/gN2C3bUIuz

— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) June 20, 2023

Queen, entering the final year of his rookie deal, also expresses interest in sticking with the Ravens:

Ravens LB Patrick Queen on his career:

“I would love to be a Baltimore Raven for the rest of my career. I love the city, I love the people. It feels like family here. It feels like home here. I hope that happens.” pic.twitter.com/N3MNhC7nT3

— Ravens Nation LIVE (@LIVERavenNation) June 20, 2023

Not only does Baltimore have the NFL’s best LB tandem this year, but they could have it for a long, long time.