With the Ravens taking control in the second half for a 20-3 win over Carolina to improve to 2-0 in the preseason, I’ve offered a dozen thoughts, each in 50 words or less:
1. If you want to know how Baltimore has won a record-tying 19 straight preseason games, look no further than the second half when the defense didn’t allow a single first down and surrendered just 18 yards. The Ravens’ defensive reserves have thoroughly dominated opponents’ offensive reserves for years now.
2. Over the first two defensive drives, DeShon Elliott and Chuck Clark combined for a sack, a forced fumble, and seven tackles, two for a loss. Elliott starred on the goal-line stand, combining with Patrick Queen for the stop on third down and making the fourth-down stuff. That’s some playmaking ability.
3. Though Tyler Huntley completed 70 percent of his passes, many were of the check-down variety and the accuracy eyeball test still leaves something to desire. That said, a reasonable expectation is for Huntley to operate a run-heavy offense in a way similar to Lamar Jackson in 2018. He’s doing that.
4. Josh Oliver can’t have any more fumbles, but catching five passes for 42 yards in the first half was the kind of performance you wanted to see. Much still depends on Nick Boyle’s status, but Oliver is the clear choice for a No. 3 tight end with more receiving ability.
5. With Tyre Phillips sidelined with an ankle injury and Ben Cleveland sitting out a second straight game, the left guard competition remains as clear as mud. Ben Powers did rebound somewhat from his poor showing in the opener, but Phillips being out also clouds the swing tackle picture.
6. Despite a knee injury hurting his 53-man roster hopes, Nigel Warrior turned in a good game with a tackle for a loss, a pass breakup, and three other tackles. His transition to cornerback has shown some promise with the practice squad being the likely destination for that development to continue.
7. Warrior entering before Shaun Wade was interesting to see as the Ohio State product saw only nine defensive snaps in a second half the defense dominated. However, I still have a tough time envisioning a fifth-round corner from an elite program being cut and clearing waivers to the practice squad.
8. James Proche has been a great summer story and has done everything he can at practice to lock up a spot, but you’d still like to see that show up a little more during games. In 66 offensive snaps this preseason, he’s caught three passes for 14 yards.
9. You won’t find a better individual effort than the 20-yard touchdown run by Ty’Son Williams. The BYU product winning the No. 3 running back job feels more plausible every day, especially if Justice Hill (ankle) can’t get back on the field in time for the final preseason game.
10. Intentional or not, the field goal unit rushing onto the field for Justin Tucker to connect from 29 yards as the first-half clock expired was good experience for the season. And I’m sure it didn’t spark any flashbacks for Ravens fans such as THIS ONE. Viewer discretion is advised.
11. Tavon Young being the only healthy veteran on the defensive side of the ball not to play against the Panthers was somewhat surprising, but it’s worth noting Bank of America Stadium has artificial turf, which is the likely explanation. Rookie Brandon Stephens started at the nickel spot.
12. No, teams don’t put together specific game plans for opponents in the preseason, but Pro Football Focus offered a graphic suggesting Wink Martindale is in mid-season form. I suspect the Ravens defensive coordinator’s favorite ice cream flavor is not vanilla.
