With the Ravens now only two weeks away from the start of full-squad training camp practices in Owings Mills, I’ve offered a dozen thoughts, each in 50 words or less:
1. Justin Houston’s return always felt likely, especially after Eric DeCosta placed the unrestricted free agent tender on him in May. Not only were his 2021 pass-rushing metrics better than the 4 1/2 sacks would indicate, but having such an accomplished mentor for David Ojabo and Odafe Oweh makes perfect sense.
2. I had to laugh at some of the reaction to Lamar Jackson’s “I Need $” reference on social media before realizing the movie “How High” was released 21 years ago. Related to his contract or not, it’s harmless. Anyone remember Ed Reed’s holdout threats before his final Ravens training camp?
3. Asked by USA Today about possibly holding out if he doesn’t have an extension by training camp, Jackson said, “I don’t have that on my mind.” I maintain his “I don’t know” reply to last month’s holdout question was more of a rote response, but we’ll know for sure soon.
4. Nuance is lacking in much Jackson debate, but ESPN’s survey of executives, coaches, and players leaving the 32nd pick of the 2018 draft outside the top 10 in quarterbacks smells of confirmation bias. Jackson wasn’t particularly impressive after Week 5 last year, but his body of work speaks for itself.
5. Instead of dwelling on the negative, Ravens fans can take satisfaction in seeing how Jackson ranked in Pro Football Focus’ recent look at the decision-making process for quarterbacks over the last three years. Again, nuance.
6. I’ve mentioned the parallels between this year’s roster construction and 2019 as much as anyone, but trying to match that team’s offensive efficiency is a Herculean task. It’s incredible that Jackson led the NFL in touchdown passes despite ranking 26th in pass attempts that season.
7. Warren Sharp’s “2022 Football Preview” is one of the great resources available for the serious fan with one of my biggest takeaways being just how awful the 2021 Ravens offense was across the board on third down. Making defenses pay for blitzing will be critical.
8. Football Outsiders also does a superb season preview and counted 44% of Baltimore’s sacks allowed to be of the “non-pressure” variety, the highest rate in the league last season. The offensive line needs to be much better, of course, but the struggles stretched beyond that.
9. I thought I was watching the birth of a great quarterback rivalry when Jackson and the Ravens edged Baker Mayfield and Cleveland in a 26-24 final in the 2018 finale. It’s crazy how quickly things change in the NFL, but Mayfield facing the Browns in Week 1 should be fun.
10. With some diminishing Marquise Brown and seemingly OK with not replacing him, I couldn’t help but notice New England sending 2019 bust N’Keal Harry to Chicago for a 2024 seventh-round pick. Sure, Deebo Samuel, A.J. Brown, or DK Metcalf would’ve been better, but that pick could have been much worse.
11. The home of the Pittsburgh Steelers is now Acrisure Stadium? I certainly understand why teams sell their stadium naming rights, but that doesn’t mean fans will buy in. Does this mean Ravens fans can use Heinz ketchup with a clear conscience again?
12. Having retired and transitioned into a scouting and coaching assistant role with the Ravens, Anthony Levine talking about that “weird feeling” counting down to training camp resonates. I experienced that playing organized football growing up and still do today — even if camp isn’t quite as physically demanding for us reporters.
