Two preseason games are in the books and the Baltimore Ravens are one step closer to playing football that counts against the Kansas City Chiefs. Following a low-scoring 13-12 win over Atlanta, Baltimore Beatdown’s Joshua Reed found some positives for the defense. In his article 7 Things We Learned from Ravens Win Over The Falcons he highlighted Trenton Simpson’s readiness to be a starter and the depth the Ravens have with their edge rushers. Let’s start with his comments on Simpson, the linebacker stepping into Patrick Queen’s role:
Simpson’s clutch pass breakup in tight one-on-one coverage with Falcons’ tight end John Fitzpatrick came on third and long thwarted a drive that eventually led to a missed field goal. Any questions or concerns fans and pundits had about whether or not Simpson is ready to seize this opportunity for an expanded role on defense should be quelled after his performance in the preseason and he shouldn’t be expected to play in the exhibition finale as his roster spot was never in question and now his role as a starter should be cemented.
Reed is on the money here. We don’t need to see any more from Simpson in exhibition games. The versatility that Simpson showed in all facets of the linebacker position is incredibly exciting. He was drafted because of his traits and is starting to build solid technique on those traits. The preseason snaps served as a chance to prove himself. He’s done that, treat him like any other major contributor to the defense moving forward.
On the edge rushers trying to prove themselves, he scribed this:
Fans and coaches alike should be very encouraged by what they saw from both third-year pro David Ojabo and second-round rookie Adisa Isaac who made their preseason debuts against the Falcons. Both players generated some good pressure with Ojabo in particular recording multiple pressure events including one where he executed a beautiful spin move to gain inside leverage on the right tackle to record a quarterback hit and force Heinicke to throw the ball away early for an incompletion… Second-year pro Tavius Robinson played well from start to finish including making the game-winning play to prevent the Falcons from successfully converting a two-point conversion that would’ve put them ahead 14-12 with 39 seconds left in the game. He came crashing down off the edge and stopped the running back short of the goal line and after the game received the highest form of praise from Harbaugh.
Reed accurately sums up what we saw from this position group. Isaac is a very exciting player because he’s scratching and clawing a way on to this roster. He is a player that is in a position Tavius Robinson was in not long ago. Robinson is one of the most physically imposing players and it wouldn’t surprise me if he had a breakout year. Robinson played well last season. He’s a contributor who could see an increase in what the Ravens ask him to bring to the table. As for Ojabo, health is the key. He’s got the skills to be something special, now he needs to stave off the injury bug long enough to do something in purple and black.
"@Taviusrobinson is the kind of guy you look for…. You want to talk about 'playing like a raven,' … tack it right next to his name." pic.twitter.com/QqqMl89yJN
— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) August 17, 2024
Coach Harbaugh pleased with what he saw from OLB David Ojabo: pic.twitter.com/LNaG4XJNJS
— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) August 17, 2024
It's likely that the 2024 Baltimore Ravens will have five starters (Hamilton, Linderbaum, Jones, Faalele, Stout) and two technically-not-starters-but-probably-play-500-or-so-snaps (Ojabo, Likely) from the 2022 draft class.
Impressive return. pic.twitter.com/A1NYsyEMD6
— Gordon McGuinness (@PFF_Gordon) August 18, 2024
Is the 2022 NFL Draft class secretly the Ravens’ best in recent memory? This tweet from PFF’s Gordon McGuinness points out that the Ravens could have five starters from this draft class in the 2024 season: Kyle Hamilton, Tyler Linderbaum, Travis Jones, Daniel Faalele, and Jordan Stout. What’s even more impressive about this list is that Hamilton has already become an All-Pro.
You can make the argument that the first round of the 2022 draft class was one of the key building blocks that got the Ravens to the AFC Championship game. Linderbaum brought stability and consistency to the offensive line, while Hamilton became the ultimate do-it-all-defensive back for the Ravens. Faalele becoming a starter would build upon the legacy of this class for Eric DeCosta. A healthy Ojabo reaching his potential would be the ultimate boost for that 2022 draft class.
One of the biggest plays in the battle with the Falcons was Emory Jones’s 56-yard touchdown pass to Dayton Wade. The route by Wade was a thing of beauty. His double move demonstrated the awesome start and stop ability and smoothness you’d expect from a seasoned veteran. Wade, who could make a huge impact on special teams, boosted his chance to make the roster. Jones tweeted out his appreciation for the big moment.
Thank you GOD 🙏🏾 First one to my brotha 🔥🔥🔥🤞🏾 @__vierr https://t.co/1Lugat2HWo
— Emory Jones (@eXjones6) August 17, 2024
Is backup quarterback as big of a concern as we thought it was in week one of the preseason? Josh Johnson went 11-for-11 passing and had a touchdown pass to Owen Wright. Johnson took a sack, but had a nearly perfect performance where he quickly got rid of the football to the right receiver. Whether or not Johnson is the right answer for the understudy to Lamar Jackson, the Ravens got a confidence boost in their number two. Johnson ranked first in PFF scores for the Ravens in their game against the Falcons.
Highest-graded Ravens vs the Falcons:
🥇 Josh Johnson – 90.6
🥈 David Ojabo – 89.5
🥉 Trayvon Mullen – 88.4
🏅 Tylan Wallace – 81.7
🏅 Keith Kirkwood – 79.2 pic.twitter.com/iknOwX3XwH— PFF BAL Ravens (@PFF_Ravens) August 18, 2024
You better know Beau
Led the Ravens in total tackles yesterday pic.twitter.com/tLCs7Co3ph
— Maryland Football (@TerpsFootball) August 18, 2024
Beau Brade led the Ravens in tackles and Maryland Football’s social media guy wants to make sure you know it. Brade of course, is an all Maryland-made product. He played for Riverside High School. Brade may be on the roster bubble though. Getting opportunities in the preseason is great, especially when you live up to the moment. The more chances you get means the more you have to prove with your snaps. In four seasons with the Terps, Brade had 177 tackles, three interceptions, and a sack. Special teams is his best path to a roster spot with a team with a heavy amount of defensive backs in front of him.
This was taken in the first quarter of the game today. This is every preseason game every year. Explain why #Ravens shouldn’t let a bus with 20 kids + chaperones from Greenmount West Community Center or other city rec centers squeeze in here. Yes, even if seats are sold. pic.twitter.com/vMI065axio
— Bo Smolka (@bsmolka) August 17, 2024
Bo Smolka, the Ravens beat writer for Pressbox, had an interesting idea he shared with the Tweet above. The preseason isn’t exactly the hottest selling event. Many see the existence of the preseason as an extra chance for the owners to make money as we wait for real games. If the empty seats are going to be there, I agree with Smolka, the Ravens should give kids groups chances to take in the preseason game. It would be a chance to bring some good will to the team and to the league. If you ever have been at training camp in Owings Mills you know the energy kids have to get any glimpse they can at their team. I have never seen a take I agree more with than the idea of shuttling kids into preseason games and giving them an experience they may not otherwise have to go to a Ravens game.
.@KingHenry_2 held a backpack and school supply giveaway just in time for school to start! All the kids got to pick their favorite color backpack! pic.twitter.com/ejXB8YAbyh
— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) August 18, 2024
Speaking of kids, Derrick Henry helped out by handing out bookbags and school supplies to young students. Giving back to the community in this manner should always be celebrated and is a good thing Henry and the Ravens do.
