With the Ravens conducting a joint practice with Washington on Wednesday ahead of the preseason finale, I’ve offered a dozen thoughts, each in 50 words or less:
1. The offense had a better showing against Washington than Minnesota, but it remains a work in progress at summer’s end. Given the substantial personnel and coaching changes, that’s hardly a surprise nor any reason for panic. A high ceiling is there with good health and the offensive line coming together.
2. Having primarily watched the field where the offense went against the Commanders defense, my play of the day was a Lamar Jackson touchdown to Devontez Walker of roughly 60 yards. It was an impressive layered throw on a dig route, and Walker sprinted a long way to the end zone.
3. The offensive line received an earful from position coach Dwayne Ledford after an early 11-on-11 period and did a pretty good job opening running lanes, but there were challenges in protection. I would have preferred seeing more consistency from Roger Rosengarten this summer, especially given the interior line uncertainty.
4. Despite the unclear status of Nnamdi Madubuike and Teddye Buchanan to open the season, the defense capped a strong summer with a showing that certainly impressed Washington reporters. Given Jesse Minter’s specific area of expertise, my expectations have only increased for that side of the ball.
5. Though the Ravens won the day overall, the Commanders did get the last laugh as Jackson was intercepted on a desperation fourth-down throw intended for LaJohntay Wester in the final practice period. A couple minutes later, Jayden Daniels threw a fourth-down touchdown to Antonio Williams with Baltimore’s blitz bearing down.
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6. Rashod Bateman repeatedly got the best of Commanders cornerback Amik Robertson in one-on-one reps as well as some full-team work. Jackson said, “We saw what he was capable of [in 2024]. You guys saw today what he’s capable of.”
7. Tyler Loop went 5-for-7, missing wide right on kicks from 41 and 60 yards. His longest makes came from 49 and 53 yards. While even perfection from Loop this summer wouldn’t have erased the miss in Pittsburgh, I’ll never understand not bringing in competition for him.
8. The battle for the fifth outside linebacker spot between former third-round pick Adisa Isaac and undrafted rookie Ethan Burke is one of the more interesting preseason finale headlines. How they fare on special teams could prove pivotal, and Burke took out three guys on a kickoff coverage rep Wednesday.
9. After rushing for a career-low 349 yards in an injury-plagued season, Jackson was asked whether he anticipates running more. “Whatever it takes to win.” I’d say the days of Jackson eclipsing 1,000 rushing yards are long gone, but anything less than 500 to 600 is abandoning what makes him transcendent.
10. Zay Flowers and Zion Young were non-participants with Minter saying both are dealing with “some minor things” they want to clear up in plenty of time for Week 1. Bilhal Kone also has a minor ailment, but the second-year corner missing out on valuable live-game reps Friday would be unfortunate.
11. Speaking of the preseason finale, Minter acknowledged a few more players could be added to what’s already been an extensive healthy scratch list. Some logical candidates would be Mike Green as well as early-round rookies Vega Ioane and Ja’Kobi Lane.
12. Lane is the easy choice as the summer’s biggest surprise, and he’s earned some trust from his star quarterback. We’ll see how it looks when the bright lights come on for real, of course, but Jackson compared his hands to the likes of Odell Beckham and DeAndre Hopkins. High praise.
