Camp Notes: Off-Field News & Offensive Miscues

Non-practice news dominated Ravens training camp today, with the team announcing that tight end Mark Andrews sustained no injuries in a morning car accident and offensive line coach Joe D’Alessandris would be away from the team due to an acute illness.

My biggest takeaways from today’s practice? Wear your seatbelt, and take care of your health. Here’s today’s @RussellStReport daily camp update c/o @LifeMedInst. pic.twitter.com/KSRzi8zqI5

— Nikhil Mehta (@nikknowsball) August 14, 2024

“It’s a blow; it’s a blow; because he’s a great football coach – he’s beloved by the players [and] by the coaches,” said John Harbaugh after practice. “He’s a top game planner, a top coach. He’s a huge part of our offense and he’s going to be missed very much –but we’re going to be much more concerned about his health, and his welfare and his wellbeing going forward.”

The Ravens hired George Warhop, former OL coach for eight different NFL teams, to take D’Alessandris’ place in the interim.

“I would just say, by the grace of God, George Warhop is available,” said Harbaugh of his new hire, “a guy that we’ve known for many years, and respected, someone who Todd [Monken] has worked with in the past, in Tampa Bay.” Monken and Warhop were on the same offensive coaching staff in Tampa Bay from 2016-2018.

Harbaugh also said that all was well with Andrews after his morning scare, reminding fans to wear their seatbelts.

“Mark wore his seatbelt, and that was an accident that happened, and it was pretty significant, I believe, and he came out of it with nothing – nothing at all – not a scrape,” said Harbaugh.

As expected, Isaiah Likely excelled in Andrews’ absence during practice, reeling in his usual smattering of targets including multiple catches up the seam and one notable drop. Qadir Ismail also made his daily downfield catch in addition to a few underneath.

Unlike his explosive Tuesday, Lamar Jackson was not aggressive pushing the ball downfield, completing approximately 80% of his passes during 11-on-11 work. His better passes included a corner route to Keith Kirkwood who completed the play with a nice toe tap and a downfield connection with Anthony Miller for the second straight day. Jackson also threw Rashod Bateman open on a fade route, giving his wideout time and space to separate from Brandon Stephens downfield.

However, drops and pre-snap penalties still plagued the offense, with Likely, Charlie Kolar and Dayton Wade all dropping easy catches and Kolar, Ismail, Tashawn Manning, and Josh Jones committing false starts. The offense struggled to even get the running game going, with Baltimore’s stout defensive front largely controlling the point of attack.

David Ojabo stacked a second consecutive practice with a forced fumble of Josh Johnson, and Broderick Washington had multiple run stops as part of a strong overall day from the defensive line.

Malik Harrison also had a strong day with a run stop and a sack; though Trenton Simpson, Odafe Oweh, and Ojabo have drawn more attention in training camp, Harrison has quietly excelled in his hybrid linebacker role.

The Ravens’ DBs continued their stellar training camp with several pass breakups, including multiple from Marlon Humphrey, Bump Cooper Jr. and Pepe Williams. Williams is thought to be on the roster bubble, but he’s performed well since Arthur Maulet went down with a knee injury.

Kyle Hamilton is showing no signs of Sunday’s injury scare, tipping a Lamar Jackson pass to himself and coming down with the interception. Jackson had another interception later on, overthrowing Likely right into the arms of Beau Brade, but the pick was called back for a defensive offsides penalty.

Several members of the Baltimore Orioles were present at Wednesday’s practice, including manager Brandon Hyde, shortstop Gunnar Henderson, centerfielder Cedric Mullins, and closer Craig Kimbrel. Former 49ers defensive coordinator and Cardinals head coach Steve Wilks also took in practice from the sidelines.

“Coaches like to get out and they like to learn – they like to research,” said Harbaugh. “Steve is another coach we have tremendous respect for. He’s been a guy that we’ve known for a long time, and having him here and picking his brain a little bit – that was really cool, too.”