With the Ravens holding their first full-squad practice of training camp on Wednesday afternoon, I’ve offered a dozen thoughts, each in 50 words or less:
1. A more deliberate ramp-up period made the first practice feel more like the team’s pre-game routine with only brief 11-on-11 and 7-on-7 work and most reps coming without opposition. The play of the day was a pretty Lamar Jackson back-shoulder sideline throw to Devin Duvernay for a long gain.
2. Acknowledging that, several veterans still on the physically unable to perform list, some unproven youngsters stepping into more prominent roles, and a new defensive coordinator, patience will be key. It’ll be a bit before we start getting an idea of just how good this team can be, and that’s OK.
3. The Ravens moving camp practices to the middle of the afternoon is an interesting choice with John Harbaugh saying the organization did its homework and felt the revamped schedule would “get our guys the most ready that they can be for practice.” He also noted it being subject to change.
4. Michael Pierce suited up and took part in practice, which was notable given his past conditioning history and absence from spring workouts because of a personal matter. The Ravens are really counting on him anchoring the run defense in the trenches along with Calais Campbell.
5. Nick Boyle was targeted over the middle more Wednesday than he was all last season, a good sign for someone who appeared in just five games and made only one catch in 2021. We’ll see how the knee holds up over time, but he’s definitely moving better.
6. Odafe Oweh participated in 11-on-11 drills after not taking part in those in the spring due to offseason shoulder surgery. Wednesday wasn’t a full-contact practice, but the 2021 first-round pick looked fast coming off the edge, giving offensive tackles difficulty a couple times.
7. Ben Cleveland was Wednesday’s only new addition to Baltimore’s non-football injury list while wide receiver Binjimen Victor was activated and took part in practice. Though it’s unknown why Cleveland landed on the list, that’s the designation used when a player fails the conditioning test.
8. After Ronnie Stanley observed practice, Harbaugh said the 28-year-old’s body composition is “really close to where he’s been in the past when he’s been at his best.” He looks to be in good shape, but the range of motion and strength of his left ankle will be the critical factor.
9. Until Stanley returns, Ja’Wuan James feels like the obvious pick to prove he can be a quality backup left tackle and solidify his roster standing. The Ravens figure to rotate other options, but James would be most valuable serving in that swing capacity with Morgan Moses manning right tackle spot.
10. Between his comments on social media and his animated demeanor on the sideline toward the end of practice, J.K. Dobbins appears hell-bent on getting back on the practice field. Harbaugh said Dobbins did an individual period with trainers after practice, but his return timetable remains up to team doctors.
11. It’s strange seeing offensive and defensive linemen, tight ends, and linebackers wear the Guardian Caps, which were mandated early in camp by the NFL to reduce head injuries. Veteran guard Kevin Zeitler quipped that it’s heavy and “could probably be used as a weapon” while acknowledging it’s worth it.
12. Wednesday opened my 14th training camp covering the Ravens, which is hard to believe. You learn not to make as much out of what you observe in summer practices after looking silly too many times, but it’s a blast. I’ll always miss the spontaneity of those Westminster trips though.
