With the Ravens beating Dallas in a 31-13 final in the second preseason game on Saturday night, I’ve offered a dozen thoughts, each in 50 words or less:
1. After watching Tyler Loop go 5-for-6 with two makes beyond 50 yards, John Harbaugh officially named the talented rookie as Baltimore’s kicker. That wasn’t surprising with the Ravens not adding any competition since cutting John Hoyland a couple weeks ago, but it’ll be up to Loop to keep the job.
2. Since spring, undrafted rookie Reuben Lowery has shown a knack for being around the football. He did that at safety with his first-half interception and then flashed multiple times at the nickel and on special teams in the third quarter. He’s done all he can to earn a roster spot.
3. Keyon Martin hasn’t garnered the same attention as Lowery, but he’s quietly received some nickel reps when veterans have rolled in and out of practice periods. The rookie announced his presence with authority with a tackle for a loss and a sack for a safety on the first series.
4. Cooper Rush throwing an interception returned for a touchdown was a bad look, but I’m not sure fan expectations are realistic for Lamar Jackson’s backup. Like every contender with an elite quarterback, the Ravens are in trouble if Jackson has to miss more than a few games. Rush is fine.
5. A few days after appearing to hurt his shoulder in practice, Adisa Isaac suffered a dislocated elbow that could land him on injured reserve to open the season. That’s bad news for the second-year edge rusher’s development, but it could keep David Ojabo on the 53-man roster for now.
6. Harbaugh said the plan is to keep four running backs, which bodes well for Rasheen Ali. He’ll want a mulligan for his dropped pass that was intercepted, but he looked good running the ball, especially early on when a few starters and top reserves on the offensive line were playing.
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7. Ex-Terps safety Beau Brade was one of last summer’s better stories, but it wasn’t a great sign that the likes of Lowery and Martin saw playing time before he entered on defense. He hasn’t really challenged Sanoussi Kane for the No. 3 safety job and is clearly on the bubble.
8. With better quarterback play this week, Devontez Walker showed the progress he’s made with a very good six-catch, 61-yard first half. In contrast, LaJohntay Wester had a drop and didn’t look comfortable at receiver, but he made good decisions as a punt returner, which is what’s paramount for him now.
9. Corey Bullock starting at center for the second straight week leads you to believe he’s all but secured the backup job there. Rush called him “fantastic” with how he “runs the show” leading the second-string offensive line. That’s a strong endorsement, but we’ll see what the preseason finale looks like.
10. T.J. Tampa saw extensive action for the second straight week, which is positive for his development. His coverage has been sound, but he reminds of Brandon Stephens with the need to find the ball more. That said, you’d be happy if Tampa can be that kind of depth piece.
11. I’m all for the virtual measurement system, but that first half was not a ringing endorsement for the new Hawk-Eye technology with how long those measurements took. Of course, it’s the preseason for everyone, so I assume we’ll see a smoother process in the regular season.
12. As I frequently said about the record 24-game preseason winning streak over the years, Saturday’s win was an indication of the bottom two-thirds of Baltimore’s 90-man preseason roster being far superior to the Cowboys’ squad. That’s a compliment to both the scouting department and coaching staff.
