Subtle Observations Flying Under the Radar

During Tuesday’s practice, I walked towards the field on the far end of the facility and strolled past the uprights that represented the target for Justin Tucker. The thunderous boom of his cleat against pigskin’s leather served as a signal that football was in the air, both literally and figuratively.

I watched as the ball tumbled through the sky, splitting the posts perfectly. And then another and another. ESPN’s Jameson Hensley walked by the goalposts just ahead of me as Tucker exclaimed, “Watch out Dr. Jamison!”, mimicking Lamar Jackson’s presser from the day before.

Reporter: "Lamar, over the years, it seems that illnesses have kinda kept you out of some practices over the years. Have you kinda thought, why have these –"

Lamar Jackson: "Yeah man, I be thinking that sometimes because in Louisville I never got sick. I never was sick. But, it… pic.twitter.com/7860Poc8Dy

— Sarah Ellison (@sgellison) July 29, 2024

I continued to watch Tucker go through his warmups, crushing one ball after the next. 45 yards; 50 yards; 55 yards; 60 yards; 65 yards; 68 yards; 70 yards. I couldn’t help but to think of a golf tee shot. Everyone has their little idiosyncrasies as they prepare for their shot. Tucker’s approach isn’t far removed from that. I also considered the potential leg fatigue that would certainly affect most kickers. But to the naked eye, it doesn’t affect Tucker. He seemingly creates a game within a game – constantly competing against himself, another parallel to golf.

Death, taxes and the excellence of Justin Tucker.

[More Camp Notes From Tuesday]

Rookie Swag

I mentioned in my previous report that Nate Wiggins looks like the real deal. But I also wondered, despite his success and uncommon moxie for a rookie, if he would be named the starter for the season opener. Wiggins is one of five cornerbacks selected by the Ravens with their first overall pick. The others were Duane Starks, Chris McAlister, Jimmy Smith and Marlon Humphrey. Not one of those players started during their first professional game. Eventually, each would start during their rookie campaigns.

Will Wiggins be any different?

Given the way that Humphrey has played so far during camp and the steady progress of Arthur Maulet as a nickel corner, there isn’t any reason to rush him. After all, Wiggins isn’t even of drinking age yet but having said that, despite a youthfulness that suggests otherwise, the lights aren’t too bright for the 20-year-old CB and his devotion to his craft suggests greatness. There’s reason to be excited about Wiggins who could eventually be the best of those Ravens first-round corners. And that’s saying a lot.

Life Without the Queen

There’s no denying that Patrick Queen had a quality season for the Ravens in 2023. Replacing 133 tackles isn’t going to be easy. Queen elevated his game from the moment Roquan Smith joined the Ravens. He no longer had to be the alpha backer. Queen didn’t have to think as much pre-snap as he did during the games without Smith. Roquan took responsibilities off Queen’s plate and in doing so, PQ was able to unleash his high-end physical skills and it resulted in second-team All Pro honors and a Pro Bowl nomination.

Enter Trenton Simpson.

Simpson possesses many of the physical attributes that Queen has. And as PQ’s successor, he gets to line up beside Smith and fill some ample shoes. Much like Queen, Simpson has attached himself to Roquan and the talk around camp is that we’ll see little drop off if any from the interior weakside linebacker spot.

Kick Returns

As you all know, kick returns in the NFL have changed – dramatically. Watching special teams practice returns is interesting in part because it’s different and in part because the changes add a level of intrigue missing from the return game.

One of the first things that became apparent, the pooch kick – that high arcing gap wedge-like kick intended to pin the receiving team deep in their own territory, will no longer be in play. Opposing players assembled at the 40 and 35-yard line of the receiving team remain still until the ball is touched by the receiving team. So the height of the kick is irrelevant.

After the catch is made, the ensuing attempt to advance the ball resembles a running play more than your traditional return, and I have to wonder if that changes the dynamics of an ideal return man. The Ravens signed Deonte Harty to be the return specialist but it’s not hard to envision that a running back, trained to sift his way through in-line traffic, is better equipped for the job. Justice Hill could still eventually be the guy on kickoffs.

Perhaps the Steelers recognized this. Not long after the league approved the rule change, they signed Cordarrelle Patterson. Patterson, during his 11-year career has averaged 29.3 yards per return. He also has a 4.9 yard average on 514 rushing attempts.

Other Observations

I watched “the operation” a bit during practice. The effortless way in which Nick Moore, Jordan Stout and Justin Tucker flawlessly execute field goal attempts. But this summer, there’s another player in the mix, another contributor to the operation. That’s undrafted free agent Randen Plattner from Kansas State.

Plattner, No. 47 on your scorecard, was rather stealth. In other words, the change up in the operation from Moore to Plattner wasn’t even noticeable. Other than the numbers (Moore wears No. 46), nothing seemed different. At some point, as Moore’s salary climbs and his weight upon the salary cap elevates, less expensive options are preferred. But for now, transitioning to Plattner may be premature given the minimal savings the Ravens might realize. That said, Moore turns 32 in December and missed the entire season in 2023 with an Achilles injury.

When Things Break Down

Yesterday during practice, I was reminded of Ben Roethlisberger to Antonio Brown – the pitch and catch duo that could do so much damage when a play broke down only to see Roethlisberger break containment and have his star receiver work back towards him or find a hole in the defense to complete a big splash play.

Lamar Jackson and Zay Flowers are developing that kind of rapport. It was on full display during Tuesday’s practice. All of us witnessed it during the AFC Championship Game. These are in part, the results of those off campus sessions in Florida, the kind of sessions that unfortunately Rashod Bateman has missed.

No Hamm in 2024

Malik Hamm flashed during training camp in 2023 but he lost his rookie season to an ankle injury. This year, he impressed again during OTA’s and minicamp. Unfortunately, he’ll lose another season to injury, this time a knee.

On IR, Hamm will receive a reduced ("Split") salary of $470K (down from $795K). Contrary to some reports, Hamm is not eligible to return from IR. His season is over. Two players can return from IR who are placed on IR on cutdown day (ie don't have to be on initial 53), but not b4 https://t.co/KMNtzxkTi3

— Brian McFarland (@RavensSalaryCap) July 31, 2024

It’s a disappointing development for Hamm and the club. How his natural get-off combined with the tutelage of OLB coach Chuck Smith might mesh this season could have triggered the shine of a diamond in the rough. Maybe in 2025. We can only hope.

A Friend to Many

On Monday morning I was made aware of the passing of someone special. Michael was a friend to many. He was a pilar in his Canton community, much like the late Scunny McCusker, guiding the ship called Claddagh Pub for 25 years while leading the charge of growth and prosperity for businesses in “The Square”.

Michael was also a wonderful host, providing a home to soccer aficionados throughout the State of Maryland. His establishment is the birthplace of incredible memories, new friendships and many of life’s red-letter moments. He was the maestro behind it all – the straw who stirred the drink for friends and friends you hadn’t yet met.

During my days in Canton as a single guy, I would regularly venture to Claddagh’s alone for some dinner and a chat with the friendly bartenders. Oftentimes, Michael would be there. He’d introduce me to friends of his who became friends of mine. What I thought might be a one-hour dinner adventure regularly turned into a four-hour party. Michael aimed to make your visit enjoyable. And he batted 1.000 trying to do so.

When I launched this site, formerly known as Ravens247.com, Michael invited me to place a banner on the side of his highly visible establishment that would be seen by many – those driving by and of course the foot traffic in Canton Square. He was just looking to help a friend, starting a business. Just like he did a quarter century ago.

Michael Clarke leaves behind a legacy most aspire to achieve. His passing weighs heavy on the hearts of many. To his friends, wonderful family and even his acquaintances, all of us at RSR extend our heartfelt condolences. May your memories of Michael, memories of the establishment that will always have his fingerprints throughout, provide some comfort during a difficult time.