Ravens observations from ‘football school’ practice, including missing pieces on offense, rookie insight and more
In a busy Ravens offseason that included Lamar Jackson’ s trade request and eventual contract extension, the addition of wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. and the declining of linebacker Patrick Queen’ s fifth-year option, among other news, Wednesday marked the first time the team opened practiced to the media. Rookie minicamp ended over the weekend, so no...
In a busy Ravens offseason that included Lamar Jackson’s trade request and eventual contract extension, the addition of wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. and the declining of linebacker Patrick Queen’s fifth-year option, among other news, Wednesday marked the first time the team opened practiced to the media.
While several high-profile players weren’t in attendance at the voluntary “football school” — notably Jackson — it did provide an opportunity to see offensive, defensive and special teams players on the field for the first time since the offseason programs began. Rookie minicamp ended over the weekend, so no first-year players were present, but there was plenty of intrigue among the group that did arrive in Owings Mills. Here are a few observations:
Monken takes charge
The biggest change on the coaching staff was the addition of offensive coordinator Todd Monken. He replaced Greg Roman, who resigned in January amid frustration from players and criticism from fans over what had turned into a pedestrian offense.
The difference in approach between the two is obvious, with Monken, who was previously the offensive coordinator for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Cleveland Browns and the University of Georgia, taking a hands-on and vocal role with the receivers and the rest of the offense Wednesday.
“Just put in our system,” he said of the message he was trying to get across to players. “It’s always fun to get back out with the players. That’s what you do. As much as you enjoy meeting and putting the plan together and your playbook and what you want to do moving forward, there’s nothing like having the players around. … We’re excited about the guys who are here and the installation, and we’re working through it.”
One wonders whether that was a message to Jackson, who signed his five-year extension worth a reported $260 million with the Ravens six days ago but has yet to participate in any of the team’s voluntary offseason programs. Overall, though, Monken was pleased with what he saw and is looking forward to building what figures to be a dynamic and potentially explosive offense.
“I’m excited to get started, but there is only one ball,” he said.
Missing pieces on offense
That “one ball” was enough Wednesday with so many of the Ravens’ top offensive players absent. Among the team’s top three running backs, only Justice Hill was there, with J.K. Dobbins and Gus Edwards not in attendance. Neither was Beckham nor fellow wide receiver Rashod Bateman. Wideouts James Proche II and Shemar Bridges attended but did not participate, at least during media viewing.
With Jackson absent, backup quarterbacks Tyler Huntley and Anthony Brown handled passing duties. A few throws to Isaiah Likely weren’t exactly on the mark and the second-year tight end didn’t look thrilled, though Huntley did connect with third-string tight end Charlie Kolar on a 15-yard play-action pass down the middle.
It’s only May, though, and the Ravens’ first practice of organized team activities isn’t for another 12 days.
Evaluating the rookies
Speaking of receivers, special teams coordinator Chris Horton, provided some insight on rookie Zay Flowers, who could be used to return punts, something he practiced during rookie minicamp and did a little of at Boston College.
“I think a lot of the same things that you saw from him on offense — catching the football, with the ball in his hands, the after-the-catch running — all those abilities translate over to the punt return game,” Horton said Wednesday. “But more importantly, you guys hear me say it every year: It’s about catching the ball first. And so, he did have some returns in college; it was good to see those on tape. And we’re just going to hone in on our fundamentals and make sure that when we do put him out there, that — you know what — secure the football first. But he did a great job in the rookie minicamp with that. It was easy for him.”
Horton also praised rookie inside linebacker Trenton Simpson, a third-round pick who should also see time as part of the special teams unit.
“When I had the privilege to evaluate that guy as a special teamer, it was a no-brainer for me,” he said. “That guy has the traits — those Raven traits — that we look for; he was tough, he was fast, he was physical. He loved playing football, and his energy was just off the charts. That’s the kind of players we’ve had in this building, so I truly believe that guy’s going to do some good things for us this year.”
New coach on staff
On defense, outside linebackers coach Chuck Smith is also new to the staff. Smith, who played defensive end for the Atlanta Falcons from 1992 to 1999 and the Carolina Panthers in 2000, spent some of Wednesday’s practice working on drills with Odafe Oweh and David Ojabo, with Oweh at one point executing a nice spin move. This will be Ojabo’s first full offseason with the Ravens after he tore his Achilles tendon at his pro day last March and didn’t practice until October.
The Ravens hope that Smith, who had 58 1/2 sacks in his career and who has more than 20 years of coaching experience, including as the defensive line coach for the Tennessee Titans in 2010, can have a significant impact on the two young edge rushers, both of whom coach John Harbaugh called “critically important” earlier this offseason.
With Justin Houston (team-high 9 1/2 sacks last season) a free agent and Calais Campbell (5 1/2 sacks) now on the Falcons, the Ravens will need to replace nearly one-third of their 48 sacks last season. Both Oweh and Ojabo looked mostly smooth and quick Wednesday, including in their first step after the snap.
Other attendance notes
Several offensive linemen were on hand, including starting center Tyler Linderbaum and reserves Patrick Mekari, Ben Cleveland, John Simpson and Daniel Faalele, though starting tackles Ronnie Stanley and Morgan Moses did not appear to be in attendance.
On the defensive front, linebackers Jeremiah Moon, Josh Ross, Del’Shawn Phillips and Kristian Welch, and linemen Michael Pierce, Justin Madubuike, Broderick Washington and Brent Urban were among those spotted. Meanwhile, cornerbacks Marlon Humphrey and Jalyn Armour-Davis and safety Geno Stone, who was alongside Brandon Stephens in the deep safety spot during drills, were among the defensive backs in attendance.
()