With the Ravens concluding mandatory minicamp on Wednesday to complete the offseason program in Owings Mills this week, I’ve offered a dozen thoughts, each in 50 words or less:
1. Tyler Loop made a 40-yard field goal to end practice and excuse players from meetings. It’s about the best Jesse Minter could do to create some pressure in June. “We want to create opportunities for him to have these moments in front of people, in front of the team.”
2. That doesn’t compare to his next game-deciding kick, but credit Loop for answering every question about the heartbreak in Pittsburgh with grace. “You have to be ready for the next kick, and you have to be able to put it behind you. I’m confident in the process that I’ve developed.”
3. Only time will tell whether that’s the case, which is why it’s surprising that Baltimore hasn’t yet added anyone to compete. If you’re worried that’ll mess with his confidence, he’s probably not your guy anyway. Minter did leave open the possibility of bringing in another kicker if it’s deemed necessary.
4. A fair question about hiring the 30-year-old Declan Doyle as offensive coordinator was his ability to hold players accountable. That’s why it was a good thing that Lamar Jackson revealed Doyle “cursed” him out for messing up a bootleg play. “I love that coaching. I’m a coachable player.”
5. The defense got the best of the offense Wednesday, which made sense when the top veteran wide receivers practicing were Devontez Walker, LaJohntay Wester, and Dayton Wade. It’s difficult to make much of line play this time of year, of course, but the defense was collapsing the pocket regularly.
6. “I don’t want to be a jack of all trades, master of none.” Those were Kyle Hamilton’s words when asked about his versatility. It’s fair to hope Minter can unlock an even more dynamic version of Hamilton as he’s expected to continue playing closer to the line of scrimmage.
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7. Wednesday’s practice participation remained unchanged with the exception of rookie wide receiver Elijah Sarratt sitting out and observing from the sideline with a long sleeve on his left leg. Ja’Kobi Lane has received more social media attention, but I thought Sarratt flashed more this spring.
8. Speaking of the rookie wide receivers, Minter anticipates “major opportunities for at least one of them” based on the current numbers at the position. That also sounds like a reasonable argument for adding another veteran, especially with Rashod Bateman not inspiring great confidence as the No. 2 wideout.
9. Marlon Humphrey was present and taking part in minicamp, but he didn’t take many reps and wasn’t as engaged this spring as one would have expected after a bad season and questions about a bloated cap number. The Ravens need the best possible version of a 30-year-old Humphrey this season.
10. Emery Jones Jr. took extensive spring reps at right tackle, so it’ll be interesting to see whether he or Carson Vinson wins the reserve swing tackle job behind starters Ronnie Stanley and Roger Rosengarten. Stanley has stayed healthy the last two years, but he’s also entering his age-32 season.
11. The announced Patrick Mahomes extension provides the latest data point to consider for Jackson’s own contract situation. I stopped making predictions about that long ago, but one would think the next six weeks would be a real opportunity for getting something done if it’s to happen before next offseason.
12. Jackson said he had no plans to throw with receivers between now and training camp. I respect the honesty, and he regularly attended spring workouts in Owings Mills, which were far more important anyway. The two-time NFL MVP seems to be in a good place with his new coaching staff.
