We’re getting close to Training Camp now, and while things have been a bit slower in Ravens news of late, the team’s players have been up to a ton this offseason:
It's been a busy offseason for the guys, here's what they've been up to… 🌊🏀💍 pic.twitter.com/cGNNkRNiyc
— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) July 2, 2024
First and foremost, congratulations to Punter Jordan Stout and his fiancee’! The beach seemed to be a common theme, but I’d say his trip was the most successful.
Meanwhile, a few Ravens receivers have turned the page to work ahead of the 2024 season, starting with this insane workout by Zay Flowers:
Year 2 Zay Flowers coming way different 👀 pic.twitter.com/dyoRFT9xvs
— The Ravens Realm (@RealmRavens) July 2, 2024
Running up a hill that steep is difficult enough on its own, but having the wherewithal to look up, track the ball, and catch it at the same time is unreal. Big things seems to be coming in year two for Flowers.
His new teammate Devontez Walker was getting his own training in with veteran target Nelson Agholor, as well. For Walker, building quick chemistry with new QB Lamar Jackson is paramount, and he and Agholor were teaming up with their signal caller:
#Ravens rookie WR Devontez Walker was in Florida getting reps in with QB Lamar Jackson & Nelson Agholor. Love to see this from a young player trying to find a role in the offense & gain chemistry with QB1.💯 pic.twitter.com/Fd7aLtQAbF
— hezzo🏁 (@hezzosmith) July 2, 2024
Regardless of how they’re going about it, the Ravens’ receivers are all-in even ahead of camp.
I’m curious how Mark Schlereth would view Jackson’s leadership and approach toward WR development after seeing that.
Mark Schlereth RIPS Ravens fans for saying Lamar Jackson hasn’t had weapons
“I don’t want to hear from all of you that are telling me ‘Well they don’t get him weapons’. How many 1st-round WRs do you need to draft…I don’t want to hear that bulls***” pic.twitter.com/xeBVLtkZOC
— Kevin Oestreicher (@koestreicher34) July 2, 2024
He may be right that Baltimore’s receivers are strong enough to win with now, but that hasn’t always been the case:
Can someone get this guy back on his meds? Why is it always people from Fox? Lol https://t.co/ZoI9yyjwBk pic.twitter.com/tAog8QlfWR
— Cole Jackson (@ColeJacksonFB) July 2, 2024
Similarly, a few NFL writers have highlighted that there are no more excuses for the Ravens – a “successful” season needs to end with a Super Bowl.
NFL writer Adam Rank writes that the Ravens have “no other boxes to check” and that “Baltimore has to win the Super Bowl or this season can’t be considered a success.” pic.twitter.com/m5tVXWVlVM
— 𝗥𝗮𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘀 𝗡𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝙇𝙄𝙑𝙀 (@LIVERavenNation) July 1, 2024
Sport Illustrated on the Ravens:
“This team undoubtedly has the talent to go to the Super Bowl. It’s just a matter of putting all the pieces together.” pic.twitter.com/v1llpmXqEg
— 𝗥𝗮𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘀 𝗡𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝙇𝙄𝙑𝙀 (@LIVERavenNation) July 2, 2024
In all actuality, I don’t disagree. Baltimore has been right at the top for a few years now, with one of the deepest, most star-studded rosters in the league. If they’re going to make it happen, it has to be now.
At the same time, Jackson can only do so much, and the biggest question going into this season may be the Offensive Line. As of Tuesday, PFF doesn’t list the Ravens’ unit in their Top-10:
The Top-10 AFC Offensive Lines, per @PFF_Zoltan pic.twitter.com/QwI7XmqEN9
— PFF (@PFF) July 2, 2024
With a healthy Ronnie Stanley and a proven Tyler Linderbaum, there are three spots of question along the line (and you could add Stanley to that list). Finding the two best Guards out of the group will be key, while Roger Rosengarten’s transition to the NFL may be even bigger.
I have faith that both will go smoothly, but that seems to be the only potential fault in the offense.
Defensively, the questions are somewhat bigger. In my eyes, personnel is not the issue, but that again may not be the case for PFF:
The undisputed best defense going into next season ✈️ pic.twitter.com/jNW3zg2FER
— PFF (@PFF) July 2, 2024
It’s hard to argue with the Jets, but the Ravens could easily overtake New York if new Defensive Coordinator Zach Orr finds success in the lead role.
LB Kyle Van Noy, an experienced player who’s been around some of the best defensive minds in the league, feels Orr has the right mindset:
Ravens LB Kyle Van-Noy on DC Zach Orr:
“He eats, breathes, sleeps football. That’s what you want, playing for a coach like that, who has literally dedicated I believe it’s 32 years now. Just straight football.” pic.twitter.com/TZ3a2McG04
— 𝗥𝗮𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘀 𝗡𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝙇𝙄𝙑𝙀 (@LIVERavenNation) July 2, 2024
We’re not too far away from finding out if Van Noy is right!
