With the Ravens wrapping their third full-squad practice of training camp on Friday, I’ve offered a dozen thoughts, each in 50 words or less:
1. The coordinators emphasized how early it is with players yet to suit up in pads and start hitting, which is why you take observations to this point with a grain of salt. The threat of contact will subdue some who’ve excelled so far and potentially catapult others who’ve been quiet.
2. Brandon Williams and Derek Wolfe were notable additions to the list of absent players for Friday’s session. John Harbaugh wasn’t available to reporters to address the reason why, but the age of the defensive line lends itself to some veteran days off for them and Calais Campbell during camp.
3. Trace McSorley rebounded from an underwhelming Thursday to shine during a 7-on-7 red-zone period in which he threw three touchdowns, one to rookie Rashod Bateman. McSorley’s passing has looked better than it did in the spring, and he and Tyler Huntley have both had encouraging moments.
4. Greg Roman said they have a “method of communication” with Lamar Jackson to keep him engaged mentally, but he didn’t make clear how. “It’s certainly not a positive, but we’ve got to create a positive out of this.” Roman added that they’re devising a plan to catch him up physically.
8
5. Time will tell whether Sammy Watkins experiences any kind of a meaningful career renaissance in Baltimore, but he’s practicing with more juice and urgency than the last notable veteran receiver to arrive from Kansas City. You can tell he’s made a favorable impression with teammates and coaches.
6. We noted this spring how detail-oriented and hands-on pass game specialist Keith Williams is during practices, but he said he wants each wide receiver to be “a fanatic about being a technician.” That he’s worked individually with Watkins in the past should make it easy for others to buy in.
7. Justin Madubuike was a problem for the interior offensive line, often creating pressure and batting down a McSorley pass at one point. We’ll see how that translates with full contact, but he’s seemingly picked up where he left off at the end of last season with his development.
8. Considering his superb chemistry with Jackson, Mark Andrews being quieter than usual to open camp probably shouldn’t be a shock, but he made a terrific touchdown catch over Patrick Queen on a seam pass from McSorley during a 7-on-7 red-zone period. I think he’ll be fine.
9. Andrews wasn’t the only tight end to stand out as Eli Wolf grabbed a touchdown from Kenji Bahar on a busted play and made a few other nice catches. Wolf has flashed occasionally, but more consistency is needed for a real shot to be the No. 3 tight end.
10. Regarded by many as Baltimore’s most notable undrafted rookie signing, Ar’Darius Washington hadn’t really stood out during open spring workouts or the first days of camp, but the undersized safety showed some downhill ability on several blitzes and made a stop on a short Watkins catch.
11. While rookie third-round pick Brandon Stephens transitions from cornerback to safety, the Ravens have played safety Nigel Warrior at cornerback this summer. A practice-squad member last season, the 6-foot-1, 197-pound Warrior picked off a deep ball from Bahar and can elevate his profile with that versatility.
12. COVID-19 protocols prohibit players from signing autographs at training camp, but that didn’t stop Marcus Peters from giving his cleats and gloves to a couple young fans. Awesome stuff from the veteran cornerback. Wink Martindale said, “I love the guy. … He’s a special person. Some people don’t understand him.”
