With the Ravens conducting the second workout of a three-day mandatory minicamp on Wednesday, I’ve offered a dozen thoughts, each in 50 words or less:
1. The heat likely played a part, but I can’t recall many minicamp practices being as chippy at the line of scrimmage with tempers occasionally flaring and that competitiveness leading to some pre-snap penalties. At one point, John Harbaugh all but asked the defensive front to turn it down a notch.
2. The play of the day — and the week thus far — was a gorgeous 60-yard touchdown pass from Lamar Jackson to Rashod Bateman. Backup cornerback Robert Jackson had rock-solid coverage on the play, but Jackson just dropped that one right in the bucket.
3. How different is it with Jackson back at practice? Wide receivers coach Tee Martin noted the distinct upgrade in arm strength and precision. “When he’s not here, you kind of forget what it feels likes, and then he shows up and you’re like, ‘Yo, that’s Lamar Jackson back out here!’”
4. Speaking of quarterbacks, Tyler Huntley was the only new absence from the first day. However, he observed much of practice from the sideline, leading you to believe he isn’t dealing with anything particularly concerning.
5. Marlon Humphrey offered the latest reminder that “everybody can look good in shorts and a t-shirt” this time of year, but Daelin Hayes continued a good spring with an interception of Jackson. He flashed promise at this time last year too, so we’ll see if he takes the next step.
6. It’ll be interesting to see how the Ravens distribute practice reps at left tackle until Ronnie Stanley returns. You’d like Ja’Wuan James and Morgan Moses to get some time there to see if either can be the primary backup in the regular season before looking further down the depth chart.
7. Jaylon Ferguson was a handful against James and others before tweaking his ankle. To his credit, the fourth-year outside linebacker had it taped up and returned to 11-on-11 drills. As noted in previous weeks, Ferguson is practicing like someone who knows this could be his last chance here.
8. Daniel Faalele is a work in progress and has had difficulty dealing with the heat the last couple weeks, but the 6-foot-8, 380-pound rookie makes other offensive linemen look like undersized tight ends and linebackers when standing next to them during drills. Training camp will be critical for his development.
9. Entering his third season and now projected to start, Devin Duvernay knows this is a pivotal time to prove he can be more than a return specialist and change-of-pace receiving option. “I feel like they kind of believe in the guys that they have. They drafted us for a reason.”
10. Secondary coach Chris Hewitt had much praise for Kyle Hamilton, saying he’s “extremely instinctive” and pointing out his “go-go gadget arms.” You have to like that description despite realizing most of today’s players probably have no idea who Inspector Gadget even is.
11. It was a mostly ragged practice for the passing offense, but rookie free agent Devon Williams and 2021 practice-squad member Binjimen Victor both made some plays to stand out. With the Ravens clearly in need of a wide receiver with size on the outside, Williams is 6-foot-5 and Victor 6-foot-4.
12. Though only a limited participant, Iman Marshall returning to practice after missing the last two seasons with a knee injury is good to see. Time will tell if the 2019 fourth-round pick puts himself in the roster conversation, but you feel for someone who hasn’t had the chance to develop.
