After much made of QB Lamar Jackson’s absence from voluntary OTAs over the last week, Baltimore’s signal-caller was back on the field Tuesday:
QBs‼️ pic.twitter.com/q4OqUmpAQN
— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) June 4, 2024
While Jackson may have sacrificed some cash by sitting things out, the backlash seemed unwarranted given the voluntary nature of the practices. Cole Jackson highlighted how the media is driving that narrative, as well:
I really try not to turn all conversations into a Ravens-centric one.
But it's just really something that national media folks talk about Lamar Jackson's OTA participation, but not any other QBs.
Really something, eh
— Cole Jackson (@ColeJacksonFB) June 4, 2024
Each year, numerous QBs skip OTAs, with little heard about it. I think Jackson has earned the respect for the same treatment, but that’s just me.
One of Jackson’s targets, WR Nelson Agholor, spoke to the QB’s attention to detail and cerebral ability at the podium Tuesday:
Ravens WR Nelson Agholor with amazing insight and a story on Lamar Jackson
“People don’t realize how cerebral Lamar
Jackson is. The conversations he has with you one-on-one about what he sees and what you may see…That’s what makes a special QB special” pic.twitter.com/ef23ZGCmKy— Kevin Oestreicher (@koestreicher34) June 4, 2024
With Agholor now being a veteran in the league, his word means something. Having played with a number of good-but-not-great QBs across his career, he’s able to recognize what sets Jackson apart from the rest.
It’s hard to argue given Jackson’s MVP season, not to mention the number of top plays involving him from last season:
Looking back at the @Ravens' top 🔟 plays from 2023 😮💨 pic.twitter.com/CyhknJshq1
— NFL (@NFL) June 4, 2024
Side note: How can you not be pumped about Keaton Mitchell’s eventual return?
Jackson’s return to OTAs on Tuesday naturally led to more crazy plays. Jamison Hensley notes two, one good and one wild, that involved Jackson here:
For Ravens OTA on Tuesday, the best play was Lamar Jackson throwing in a very tight window to hit Zay Flowers in the right corner of the end zone.
Favorite play: Ronnie Stanley catching a batted pass and running upfield, which included a nice spin move by the left tackle.
— Jamison Hensley (@jamisonhensley) June 4, 2024
I’m not sure that Stanley will ever catch a tipped pass again, but he sure did his best Jackson impression there. It’d be interesting to hear who Zay Flowers beat, as well, especially given the investment at CB in this year’s NFL Draft.
Agholor, who would’ve also been facing the rookie corners in practice, speaks to his impression of them here:
“They will make us a better football team.” Nelly on the additions of Nate Wiggins and T.J. Tampa pic.twitter.com/ugEOLnM90y
— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) June 4, 2024
Wiggins was captured running drills and putting the work in, and it seems he’s certainly impressed early on.
Here is Ravens first-round pick Nate Wiggins running a drill.
Ravens players are not wearing helmets at today’s OTA. This is the final week of voluntary workouts. pic.twitter.com/bASgOrmSdR
— Jamison Hensley (@jamisonhensley) June 4, 2024
The speed Wiggins exhibits has me thinking of another former Raven. While he’s not really known for being in Baltimore, Deion Sanders had the showtime speed, and it paid dividends:
When Deion Sanders had a two interceptions game for the Ravens in 2004 👀pic.twitter.com/M6IyhO4T44
— Football’s Greatest Moments (@FBGreatMoments) June 4, 2024
T.J. Tampa, meanwhile, had some interesting face-offs with fellow rookie Devontez Walker on Tuesday, with mixed results:
Key matchup of the day at Ravens OTAs: rookie WR Devontez Walker and rookie CB T.J. Tampa Jr.
Walker beat Tampa twice deep down the sideline and once on an excellent back shoulder connection in the red zone.
Later in practice, Tampa deflected a similar back shoulder attempt.— Nikhil Mehta (@nmehtaUR2022) June 4, 2024
Tampa really intrigues me as a project. His press style feels like a great fit in Zach Orr’s physical defense, but he will need to use his IQ to succeed in the complex the scheme. It seems he was able to do that with the last rep.
I’ll close with a former member of Baltimore’s secondary: Chuck Clark. After a year out with injury, Clark is ready to hit the ground running this season:
Jets S Chuck Clark on how his Ravens tenure ended and coming back from injury
“I ain’t forgot about that. I’ve still got that chip on my shoulder”
“People like ‘Oh he missed the year, he lost a step’…Yeah alright. Watch”pic.twitter.com/OOvPIFaik9
— Kevin Oestreicher (@koestreicher34) June 4, 2024
I’ve always been a fan of Clark’s, so I’m excited to see how he performs with real motivation in 2024. With Baltimore looking for safeties, they might wish they still had him.
