With the Ravens holding their eighth full-squad practice of training camp on Friday morning, I’ve offered a dozen thoughts, each in 50 words or less:
1. The Ravens practiced for what they expect will be the final time without Lamar Jackson, who is back in the building and activated from the COVID-19 list. Now we’ll see how much catching up the quarterback has to do both physically and working within the summer installation of the offense.
2. We got our first glance at Justin Houston, who looked good working through individual and position drills before leaving the field and later coming back outside to watch the remainder of practice. John Harbaugh said that was part of the plan to gradually ramp up the 32-year-old’s activity level.
.@JHouston50 working
pic.twitter.com/6JkUvPyXJ0— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) August 6, 2021
3. Jackson wasn’t on the field, but Gus Edwards wasted no time jumping back into practice. An early blow from veteran L.J. Fort likely shook loose any cobwebs before the bruising back ran over third-year linebacker Otaro Alaka on a run later in practice. Edwards looked to be in mid-camp form.
4. Mark Andrews had his busiest practice to date as both Trace McSorley and Tyler Huntley targeted him repeatedly during seven-on-seven and 11-on-11 periods. He had a couple drops mixed in, but the workload served as a good tune-up for Andrews ahead of Jackson’s anticipated return to practice.
5. One of those drops came with Jimmy Smith in coverage as the 11th-year cornerback turned his right ankle in the entanglement and was carted off the field. Early reports indicate a minor sprain, but an extended absence would be unfortunate with Wink Martindale trying to get creative with Smith’s usage.
6. Acknowledging Smith’s age and unfortunate injury history, Chris Westry continues to look like an outside corner the Ravens would be wise to try to keep in the organization. The 24-year-old is 6-foot-4 and continues to have a rock-solid camp with a couple more pass breakups during Friday’s workout.
7. A couple years removed from being a big part of Baltimore’s dime package, Anthony Levine intercepted a Huntley pass intended for Eli Wolf down the seam during a seven-on-seven period. The 34-year-old is still valued on special teams, but making a play in coverage had to feel good.
That's Co Cap to you.
Play of the Day by the one and only @ALevine41pic.twitter.com/STagNvS9gI— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) August 6, 2021
8. Odafe Oweh continues to be a problem for the offensive line with Tyre Phillips having issues on Friday. After the rookie beat the second-year lineman for what would have been an easy sack in a previous 11-on-11 period, Phillips committed a false start with Oweh lined up across from him.
9. There’s been plenty of praise for Justin Madubuike with Derek Wolfe saying he’s going to be “dangerous” once he understands how good he really is. “If you were going to draw up who you wanted in a 3-technique, that’s how you’d draw them up.”
10. With DeShon Elliott sitting out with an illness unrelated to COVID-19, Harbaugh said Brandon Stephens looked “good” in extensive reps with the starting defense and is “pretty savvy” while acknowledging the third-round rookie still has much to learn. Stephens should be interesting to watch in preseason games.
11. Geno Stone hadn’t stood out much early in camp, but the 2020 seventh-round safety stuffed Justice Hill on an outside run and delivered a hit to J.K. Dobbins that resulted in the latter falling to the ground. The two exchanged words about the collision in what was a “thud” period.
12. Anthony Weaver had his first podium session with the media as defensive line coach and described being back with the Ravens as “a destination” and not a “pit stop.” The 2002 second-round pick played four seasons in Baltimore and drew high praise from Wolfe for his “meticulous” approach to drills.
