With the Ravens counting down to the final preseason game at Washington and pondering their final roster decisions, I’ve offered a dozen thoughts, each in 50 words or less:
1. A team spokesman assured Lamar Jackson is “totally fine” after getting stepped on and going down during a full-team drill Wednesday, but the quarterback later leaving the field with a trainer is always disconcerting. For what it’s worth, Jackson was spotted shaking his hand during the last reps he took.
2. While John Harbaugh said Jaire Alexander needing to manage his knee wasn’t unexpected, that he’s already had the knee drained and had “something to help” completed recently aren’t overly encouraging developments when the season hasn’t even begun yet. Of course, extra caution is also warranted this time of year.
3. Baltimore hasn’t signed a veteran like many anticipated, but questions persist about possible three-safety packages. Can Sanoussi Kane hold up in deep coverage to let Kyle Hamilton play closer to the line of scrimmage? All we’ve seemingly learned is Reuben Lowery passing Beau Brade on the safety depth chart.
4. That said, Malaki Starks has looked the part as a starter all summer, so you wonder if it’s even worth playing him Saturday, especially after he played in only two series against Dallas last weekend. Keep him out of harm’s way, and give those reps to the other young safeties.
5. Knowing any lingering roster decisions will largely depend on contributions on special teams, it hasn’t been surprising to see the intensity ramp up during those portions of practice this week. Noting who’s lining up on those units early in Saturday’s game could be pretty telling.
8
6. Andrew Vorhees played very well in the first two preseason games and never appeared to be seriously challenged by Ben Cleveland for the left guard job. Todd Monken offered a strong endorsement: “I’m excited. He’s come a long way, and his best football is still ahead of him.”
7. Asked about Travis Jones, defensive line coach Dennis Johnson said he expects him to be the best player on the field when he’s out there. Teammate Broderick Washington predicted Jones will be “the best nose tackle in the game” if he stays healthy. You don’t hear higher praise than that.
8. Though his pass-rushing ability is his obvious strength, Mike Green has looked capable setting the edge and occasionally dropping into coverage. The rookie picked off a Cooper Rush pass intended for Malik Cunningham on a crossing route on Tuesday. I’m really looking forward to watching Green play.
9. Though T.J. Tampa has reminded too much of Brandon Stephens with his difficulties finding the football in coverage this summer, he intercepted two Rush passes on Wednesday. That should be a nice confidence boost for the second-year defensive back.
10. Speaking of depth behind a cornerback group carrying quite an injury history, Baltimore has to be pretty pleased with how undrafted rookies Keyon Martin and Marquise Robinson have played after season-ending injuries to sixth-round rookies Bilhal Kone and Robert Longerbeam. You’d really like to keep them on the practice squad.
11. Joe Flacco being named Cleveland’s starting quarterback was hardly surprising, but who would have predicted it’d be seven years before he’d finally be in line to start a game against the Ravens in Baltimore? Week 2 should be a lot of fun.
12. I can’t say I expected to hear senior special teams coach Randy Brown call Nick Moore “the Lamar Jackson of long snappers” Monday, but it speaks to how highly he thinks of the entire kicking operation helping rookie Tyler Loop. Brown offered interesting insight into the process of scouting Loop.
