With the Ravens beginning on-field organized team activities in Owings Mills this week, I’ve offered a dozen thoughts, each in 50 words or less:
1. These three weeks of OTAs are voluntary and inconsequential to the season’s outcome in isolation, but they’re part of the long journey trying to exhaust every avenue to win a championship. If nothing else, it’s our first opportunity to get a look at newcomers in Ravens helmets and jerseys.
2. Though rules restrict the reporting of where players are lining up, the state of the offensive line will be a hot topic. How much does it matter? Sala Aumavae-Laulu was the starting left guard during spring workouts and to begin training camp last year. He ultimately played zero regular-season snaps.
3. Either because of injury or the discretion afforded non-quarterback veterans, Ronnie Stanley typically hasn’t taken part in OTAs over the years. But with the 30-year-old taking a pay cut and now entering a contract year, I’m curious to see whether he’ll be participating prior to the mandatory minicamp in mid-June.
4. Beyond Keaton Mitchell still rehabbing a torn ACL suffered last December and a few first-year players who were sidelined during rookie camp, this should be a pretty healthy roster for spring workouts. Of course, there’s always the possibility of a couple offseason surgeries that haven’t yet come to light.
5. Though the opener in Kansas City is still more than three months away, I’m somewhat surprised we haven’t seen a post-draft veteran signing since the compensatory pick formula no longer applies. A No. 3 safety to free up Kyle Hamilton remains a clear need, but options are still out there.
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6. We’re scheduled to hear from Zach Orr on Thursday, and I’m really looking forward to seeing him run the defensive show. You expect some early-season growing pains as there were during Mike Macdonald’s first season in charge, but the Ravens’ track record with defensive coordinators speaks for itself.
7. Baltimore signing undrafted rookie wide receiver Qadir Ismail — son of Super Bowl XXXV champion Qadry Ismail — to the 90-man roster is a fun story. Qadry is easily one of the most underrated players in franchise history with 1,000-yard receiving seasons in 1999 and 2001.
8. I don’t have many strong opinions regarding the unveiling of the 2024 schedule, but an edge in rest over opponents has long been regarded as a meaningful competitive advantage. The Week 14 bye could also pay dividends for January if the Ravens can make it that long staying relatively healthy.
9. Playing at Cleveland six days after a Monday game at Tampa Bay and hosting Philadelphia on a short week after a Monday night contest in Los Angeles are challenging sequences on the schedule. Coaches hate Monday night road games, especially ones requiring substantial travel.
10. Coaches and players are creatures of habit, making five prime-time contests and six non-Sunday games quite the departure from the default Sunday afternoon kickoffs. That’s just the cost of doing business when you posted the NFL’s best regular-season record last year and have the reigning MVP at quarterback.
11. Speaking of Lamar Jackson, his weight loss is unlikely to be a big deal by the time the season begins, but the year-to-year swings are interesting at the very least. Wanting to be faster makes sense, but he’ll also be playing behind a revamped — and largely unproven — offensive line.
12. Congratulations to director of college scouting David Blackburn, who will reportedly depart to become Washington’s director of player personnel. It’s a good opportunity for advancement, and the Ravens likely feel confident about giving others in their scouting pecking order more responsibility.
