There are certain sights and sounds of training camp that are forever etched into the minds of anybody who has been at Ravens training camp over the years.
There are whistles bursting out to signal the next drill or sessions. Random “oohs” and “aahs” from the crowd, and often the press collective, when there is a big play. And, during position-group drills, there was one phrase I recall hearing time and time again.
“Try it again,” would say offensive line coach Joe D’Alessandris. Then, a few moments later, after a lineman would take the coach’s advice and give it another shot, you’d hear, “That’s it. Nice job.”
Demanding, but supportive. That’s how I’d describe what I’ve watched over the years while observing “Joe D.”
And the results have shown on the field, right? Year after year, pundits bemoan the state of the Ravens’ offensive line in the summer, and at the end of the year, pundits bemoan the state of the Ravens’ offensive line because another mid-round pick or aging vet left to sign a huge contract elsewhere.
And that’s the mark of a great coach: Take what you have, and make it better. While many have been suffering in personal angst over the prospects of this season’s line, I’ve been pretty confident that it will all work out.
Until yesterday. Then I got a little shook.
Ravens offensive line coach Joe D’Alessandris hospitalized, to miss ‘significant amount of time’
“Longtime Ravens offensive line coach Joe D’Alessandris will be absent from the team for a ‘significant amount of time’ after being hospitalized over the weekend for what the team said is an acute illness,” wrote the Sun’s Brian Wacker.
“We love Joe D,” Harbaugh said following practice in Owings Mills, per Wacker. “It’s a blow, because he’s a great football coach. He’s beloved by the players, by the coaches. He’s a top game planner. He’s a top coach. He’s a huge part of our offense.
“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 well-being going forward.”
In his place, the Ravens brought in veteran offensive line coach George Warhop, a veteran coach who was once on the staff with Offensive Coordinator Todd Monken in Tampa Bay, according to Wacker’s reporting.
The Ravens were wise to pivot quickly and secure a veteran coach for such an important position group, but he has big shoes to fill.
“Under D’Alessandris, the Ravens have had top-10 pass-blocking and run-blocking win rates each of the past four years, per ESPN, and last season allowed the fifth-fewest total pressures (160), according to Pro Football Focus,” according to Wacker.
D’Alessandris went through a difficult time when he lost his wife, Toni, a little over two years ago, and he certainly appears to be facing another rough battle now.
Let’s all keep Joe D and his family and supporters in our thoughts as he fights to regain his health.
Blair Young of WBAL wrote an interesting piece looking at which undrafted rookies have a chance at sticking with the Ravens this year when they make final roster cuts.
Joe Evans, a linebacker from Iowa who had 9.5 sacks last season, has caught the eye of observers, said Young.
“He may be a longshot to make the roster, but one factor that is working in his favor is the health of Adisa Isaac, who has not participated in training camp and may start the season on the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list,” wrote Young. “Evans will most likely end up as a practice squad player, if he is cut.”
Young also mentioned receiver Dayton Wade and former Maryland safety Beau Brade as possibilities. But he caught my attention with the inclusion of one player who I believe could make the team, as well — running back Owen Wright, who was on the Ravens’ practice squad last season, but landed there as an undrafted free agent.
“He has outplayed 2024 fifth-round pick Rasheen Ali so far and could be an option at the No. 3 running back as fellow undrafted running back (Keaton) Mitchell recovers from his knee injury. Wright has a full season in the Ravens offense and seems to be a complete back with his ability to make catches out of the backfield,” wrote Young. “The Ravens have not been connected to any free agent running backs, so they will have to decide between Wright and Ali.”
Also of note:
Nate Wiggins Excited to Play in an Experienced Secondary | Yahoo Sports
What if we switched sports with the @Orioles?? 🏈⚾@dunkindonuts pic.twitter.com/Y0iyibjz9b
— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) August 14, 2024
Baltimore’s Birds‼️@Orioles pic.twitter.com/yly0GBg9DZ
— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) August 14, 2024
One Response
Every word you said about Coach Joe D was spot on. I would only this; you don’t set the league rushing record without Coach Joe D. You don’t set the record for most 100 yard rushing games without Joe D either. The loss of Joe D will be felt similar to when we lost Yanda to retirement. Yes, Coach Joe D is that good. I’m with Darin on the issue of the OL being ready in that as long as Coach Joe D was on the case we were going to be fine. I just don’t believe there is anybody that is more capable of getting these guys ready to go, period. I wish Coach Warhop much success. He has gigantic shoes to try and fill.