With the Ravens conducting their annual rookie camp in Owings Mills this past weekend, I’ve offered a dozen thoughts, each in 50 words or less:
1. Watching undrafted hopefuls and tryout players always reinforces just how special the best of the best really are. You want your top draft picks to stand out — and they did — with the slow pace of rookie camp, but business will pick up with organized team activities beginning later this month.
2. Kyle Hamilton was one of those individuals moving differently than the rest with Baltimore never having any concerns about his speed when evaluating his play at Notre Dame. I’m fascinated to see what his role looks like, but learning he was born after Super Bowl XXXV might ruin your day.
3. Asked about Chuck Clark and his status, John Harbaugh said he’s “a big part of this team, and I’m planning on Chuck being here.” Clark is a good player and leader, and I certainly could understand some disenchantment seeing the writing on the wall after playing on a team-friendly deal.
4. Tyler Linderbaum is noticeably smaller than the typical Ravens center we’re used to watching, which is why his wrestling background is so critical for him to win from a leverage standpoint. In contrast, Daniel Faalele is every bit the monster of a man he appeared to be at Minnesota.
Ravens first-round rookie center Tyler Linderbaum on playing a position that requires leadership in an offensive line group of veterans… pic.twitter.com/8WQs5hKW9r
5. Harbaugh said it “wasn’t by chance” that five of the six wide receivers signed as undrafted free agents are 6-foot-2 or taller. The 6-foot-5 Devon Williams out of Oregon flashed the most during rookie camp, but it probably helped to have college teammate Anthony Brown throwing to him.
6. Rookie tight ends Charlie Kolar and Isaiah Likely showed their skills as popular targets despite dropping some passes over the course of Saturday’s session. Likely has a unique build with a lower body resembling a tight end and his upper body looking much more like a wide receiver.
7. While it’s unclear why fourth-round pick Jalyn Armour-Davis exited Saturday’s workout early, the undrafted David Vereen played well in coverage, registering a pass breakup and an interception off a deflection. The 5-foot-9, 188-pound cornerback played his college ball at Division II Newberry.
8. Reporters didn’t get to see Jordan Stout do much Saturday — there was an unconfirmed rumor that his punts kept hitting the rafters of the indoor field the previous day — but Joe Hortiz noted that his ability to kick off could occasionally spell Justin Tucker, who turns 33 in November.
9. Former Navy linebacker Diego Fagot took part in rookie camp on a tryout basis after an initial announcement that he’d signed a contract. I’d like to see the young man Ken Niumatalolo has called the best defensive player he’s coached at Navy get a shot despite underwhelming physical traits.
10. Speaking of tryouts, I was surprised to see former third overall pick Marcell Dareus and 28-year-old wide receiver Geronimo Allison participating in rookie camp. The 32-year-old Dareus hasn’t played since 2019 while Allison appeared in three games with Detroit last season.
11. One of the highlights of rookie camp was watching former Army defensive tackle Nolan Cockrill play the part of Pro Bowl fullback Patrick Ricard in the Ravens offense. Going in motion and running routes had to be quite the experience for the 290-pound tryout defensive lineman.
12. Their seats were much better than mine, but it was fun seeing Harbaugh, Marlon Humphrey, Tyre Phillips, and Ben Cleveland at the All Elite Wrestling show at UMBC last week. Pro wrestler Brian Pillman Jr. even made mention of his friendship with Harbaugh during his in-ring promo.
Coach Harbs on going to @AEW and seeing @FlyinBrianJr : pic.twitter.com/xVa4LzSVHZ— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) May 7, 2022
