Despite all the buzz about the Ravens’ revamped wide receiver room this offseason, Friday’s practice showed a tight end is still a quarterback’s best friend.
The group was featured heavily on a day where the heat was at the forefront of a lot of minds in Owings Mills.
With left tackle Ronnie Stanley and rookie receiver Zay Flowers absent, we saw an increased number of passes find the hands of Mark Andrews and Isaiah Likely — and for good reason.
Andrews, a three-time Pro Bowl selection and first team All-Pro in 2021, has been both a fan favorite and security blanket for quarterback Lamar Jackson throughout the pair’s time in Baltimore.
Andrews has finished in the top five among tight ends in catches every year since 2019, finishing third in catches (73) and targets (113) last year after leading the position in both categories in 2021.
The last three days have shown that offensive coordinator Todd Monken has two solid options behind Andrews as the Ravens continue to employ two tight-end sets as part of the new scheme.
Likely made one of the best catches of the day with a fingertip grab over the middle during team drills. The Ravens focused on attacking the middle of the field Friday with Monken ready to target every part of the field depending on what looks the defense gives him.
Hear, process, regurgitate
During his first training camp session with reporters, Monken weighed in on the conversation around whether Jackson will use a wristband to call plays.
“One of the most important things is your ability to communicate the calls, and the best way for that to happen is to not start with wristbands,” he said. “He [Jackson] has to hear what I say; he has to process the call; he has to regurgitate to the players; he has to get the cadence.”
Jackson’s mastery of the new offense was once again on display with loud and confident presnap checks and audibles during the practice’s hurry-up period.
Cornerback depth taking shape
When Jackson finally tested cornerback Marlon Humphrey one-on-one while the three-time Pro Bowl selection was in man coverage, Humphrey was ready, breaking up a pass intended for wide receiver James Proche II. It fired up the defense as Humphrey celebrated with safeties Kyle Hamilton and Marcus Williams.
The rest of the corners have been up and down during the first three days of practice but nevertheless have been resilient, bouncing back and limiting big plays.
Rock Ya-Sin did a solid job keeping up with receivers down the sideline as they failed to separate at times against the free agent signing. Jalyn Armour-Davis and Kevon Seymour each made nice plays, with Seymour getting physical to break up a pass intended for Shemar Bridges.
Defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald said Armour-Davis has improved in several areas now that he’s finally healthy. The 2022 fourth-round pick was placed on injured reserve after suffering a hip injury during Week 4 last season.
“After last year he had a little bit of adversity,” Macdonald said. “I think he’s in a great place mentally. He’s really attacking every day. The message to him is, ‘Hey, take it one day at a time. Let’s attack it [the day]. There’s a great opportunity out there. So, go see if you can earn a job.'”
More reps for the receivers
With Flowers out and a light workload for Odell Beckham Jr., we saw an increased number of reps for other receivers as the Ravens look to fill out the rest of the room.
“It’s important for all of your players to get reps and developing the back end of your roster [is] super huge, because you just don’t ever know; it’s a long season,” Monken said.
“You’re not only trying to figure out who the starters are, who your playmakers are, [but also] who are your backup guys, who are the guys that are capable of going into games.”
Rookie wide receiver Dontay Demus Jr. (Maryland) connected with veteran Josh Johnson for a 23-yard gain. On the next play, Johnson found rookie wide receiver Sean Ryan for an 11-yard touchdown.
It was an up and down day for Proche, who after a couple early drops bounced back with a string of catches toward the end of practice.
Proche almost had the catch of the day, but his foot landed just out of bounds after a fully extended one-handed grab.
Finishing such plays could be the difference as the 2020 sixth-round pick is one of many in a loaded receiver room fighting for one of the final spots on the 53-man roster.
Suns out …. sleeves out?
Friday’s practice under an excessive heat warning forced the team to take measures, such as having four water breaks. The sound crew had a little fun by opening the first full-team session by playing “Heat Wave” by Martha and the Vandellas.
Even with the weather, Jackson and some of his fellow quarterbacks have continued to wear long sleeves under the redesigned quarterback practice jerseys with gold trim.
The conditions did not dissuade special teams coordinator Chris Horton from wearing his usual outfit of a black long-sleeved shirt under a black short-sleeved pullover combined with black leggings under black shorts.
“I’m not trying to send any message,” he insisted. “I’m the same guy every day. No matter whether it’s hot, cold, it doesn’t matter to me. I’m going to be wearing the same outfit.”