With the Ravens conducting their second full-team workout of training camp on Monday afternoon, I’ve offered a dozen thoughts, each in 50 words or less:
1. While acknowledging the appeal of carrying the ball in a Lamar Jackson-led offense, Derrick Henry didn’t mince words when asked about his 2024 aspirations. “Super Bowl. That’s the goal.” The 30-year-old should thrive in this offense, but keeping him fresh for January matters much more than racking up regular-season numbers.
2. Henry’s NFL high for carries is 35. His high at Alabama was 46. High school? “I got 56 carries in a game, 57 the next week. … I really think it’s just your mindset and how you take care of your body.” The 6-foot-3, 247-pound back is a marvel and throwback.
3. Even before the rain made ball security challenging, the defense dominated with plenty of pressure and free blitzers. The team isn’t yet practicing in pads and Jackson was again absent due to illness, but the defense controlled the line of scrimmage throughout the workout.
4. The exception on offense was Rashod Bateman, who made several impressive catches. Building better on-field chemistry with Jackson is critical, but a healthy Bateman stacking good practices could go a long way. As John Harbaugh said, “Everyone was fired up about it, but that’s what we expect from Rashod Bateman.”
5. Aiming to be “that missing piece on that back end,” Eddie Jackson intercepted an Emory Jones pass and returned it for a touchdown, prompting Marlon Humphrey and Kyle Hamilton to sprint down the field in celebration. Between his Alabama and native Florida connections, the veteran safety should fit right in.
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6. That wasn’t the only interception of the day as Nate Wiggins shook off a penalty in pass coverage earlier in the workout to pick a Jones pass thrown behind Sean Ryan. Wiggins wasn’t tested much in the spring, so it was a positive seeing him rebound from the earlier flag.
7. Eddie Jackson on the field as a third safety? Arthur Maulet manning the nickel? Wiggins on the outside and Humphrey moving inside to the slot? More dime package? The secondary has a plethora of options for sub packages if — and that’s a big one — everyone stays healthy.
8. Of the three offensive line position battles, Andrew Vorhees’ grip on left guard seems to be the strongest for now, but how he handles physicality will be key. Michael Pierce manhandled him a couple times, but the veteran nose tackle has done that to plenty of guards over the years.
9. Odafe Oweh had a strong camp last year, so watching him give the Baltimore offensive tackles problems Monday wasn’t anything new. As Harbaugh noted, the next step for Oweh is to “go ahead and get the quarterback on the ground” after his improved pressure rate in 2023.
10. Eric DeCosta added more veteran depth at the safety position by re-signing Daryl Worley, who appeared in 20 games for Baltimore over the last two seasons. Though far from a sure thing to make the 53-man roster, Worley returning always felt like a logical move.
11. Henry being asked about his retort to Titans reporter Paul Kuharsky reminded how massive his defection to the Ravens would have been if divisional realignment hadn’t split up these onetime AFC Central rivals years ago. It’s a shame Henry won’t face his former team this season.
12. The biggest reaction of the day came when undrafted rookie defensive lineman Tramel Walthour intercepted a Devin Leary pass at the line of scrimmage and returned it all the way inside the red zone. The defensive sideline erupted over the big man flashing his athleticism. Fun stuff in the rain.
