With the Ravens canceling Thursday’s final voluntary practice to conclude organized team activities before next week’s mandatory minicamp in Owings Mills, I’ve offered a dozen thoughts, each in 50 words or less:
1. Chuck Smith emphatically dismissed outside perceptions that Dean Pees “saved” the defense upon returning to Baltimore last October. “Zach Orr truly led the charge. I’m a witness to it, and I’ve been wanting to say this because the dude is the truth.” Others with Ravens ties have shared similar thoughts.
2. Offensive line coach George Warhop wants a definitive winner in the left guard competition rather than entertaining any possibility of a rotation between Andrew Vorhees and Ben Cleveland, the top two candidates. Given the latter’s history in past competitions, legal status, and one-year contract status, Vorhees is the obvious favorite.
3. Tyler Loop has been mostly excellent, but I’ve abstained from making much of what we’ve witnessed at this early stage. However, Wednesday brought the heightened pressure of Steve Bisciotti’s presence at practice. Surely interested in watching the projected successor to Justin Tucker, the owner saw Loop go a disappointing 5-for-9.
4. Green Bay’s release of cornerback Jaire Alexander brought predictable clamoring from fans and pundits for Eric DeCosta to sign the two-time Pro Bowl talent. On the cheap, it makes sense, but Alexander has played more than seven games in a season once in the last four years. Availability is paramount.
5. Speaking of injuries, John Harbaugh confirmed Chidobe Awuzie and Beau Brade suffered “minor” ankle injuries that forced them out of Monday’s practice. Of the two, Brade’s appeared to be more serious, so we’ll see if the second-year safety is able to take part in next week’s mandatory minicamp.
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6. Kyle Hamilton participated Wednesday for the first time since the opening OTA week. One always wonders if the absence of a player of his stature stems from his contract status, but it’s led to more reps to evaluate No. 3 safety options. Harbaugh was very complimentary of Sanoussi Kane’s improvement.
7. Though Mike Green wasn’t on the field Wednesday, Smith praised his effort, football smarts, and advanced pass-rush skills a day after the rookie outside linebacker intercepted a pass dropping in coverage. No one ever doubted his football potential, of course, but expectations are high for the rookie edge defender.
8. Lamar Jackson’s absence for all but one OTA has predictably led to choppy offensive showings overall, but undrafted rookie wide receiver Jahmal Banks made multiple catches that drew enthusiasm from teammates Wednesday. The former Nebraska and Wake Forest product has good size at 6-foot-3 and 218 pounds.
9. Coaches loved the progress made by Tavius Robinson in the edge rotation last season with Smith going as far as calling him a “centerpiece” player for the defensive front moving forward. Spring is optimism season, of course, but I’m curious to see how Robinson’s role evolves in his third year.
10. With David Ojabo entering a contract year, it’s no secret this summer’s critical, but Odafe Oweh, Kyle Van Noy, and Robinson were ahead of him on the depth chart even before Green’s arrival and Adisa Isaac carries more contractual control. Short of a sensational preseason, is there room for Ojabo?
11. Given the learning curve for offensive tackles going from college to the NFL, Roger Rosengarten didn’t draw enough credit for how he played as a second-round rookie. With Ronnie Stanley re-signing, Baltimore’s tackle situation hasn’t looked this good since Stanlely and Orlando Brown Jr. were the starters early in 2020.
812. Malaki Starks has looked the part on the practice field, but his leadership qualities really stand out at age 21. Whether it was organizing walk-throughs at the team hotel during rookie camp or comments on what it takes to become a leader, Starks has shown why Baltimore coveted him.
