The Ravens defense showed up for Day 1 of mandatory minicamp.
Day 1 of mandatory minicamp felt a celebration. Attendance above 93%, the weather warm and breezy and 80 former Ravens players were on the sidelines with their families as the team held a post-practice barbecue. The positive emotions were palpable with smiles, hugs and laughs being passed around the sideline from former players reuniting and swapping stories.
Oh, and there was also a football practice.
First, the six absences:
- WR Deonte Harty
- S Kyle Hamilton
- RB Keaton Mitchell
- OLB Adisa Isaac
- Rayshad Nichols
- CB Christian Matthew
According to Ravens Head Coach John Harbaugh, Harty’s absence is excused as his newborn is in the hospital. Hamilton, who was seen on the adjacent field doing individual drills in workout attire had “loose bodies” in his elbow and got it cleaned up. Also seen on the adjacent field was Isaac.
General Notes
Today’s practice was a reminder that when the Ravens’ starters are on the field, bad things happen for their opponents.
Throughout OTAs, the Ravens secondary were missing the majority of their starting unit. But with Marlon Humphrey, Brandon Stephens, Arthur Maulet and Marcus Williams on the field, the clamps were on, even in the limited contact and contesting rules they were playing with, made big plays.
That isn’t to say the offense didn’t get a few of their own plays made. During a one-minute offense drill, quarterback Lamar Jackson marched the team downfield on six plays and connected with wide receiver Tylan Wallace for the fade-route touchdown against Stephens. Defense had a better practice, but the offense won reps, too.
An entertaining fixture of practice today included players who commit false start penalties jogging a lap around the field. Unfortunately, six players had to take a lap, including Ronnie Stanley, Zay Flowers, Daniel Faalele, Sean Ryan, Rashod Bateman and Josh Johnson.
Highlights
Arthur Maulet was on fire in practice. Few balls in his vicinity ended in receptions. And, early in practice he punched the ball loose from wide receiver Zay Flowers, forcing a fumble. Maulet recovered the fumble, the defense roared in celebration and a couple defensive linemen lifted Maulet into the air, chanting Maulet’s name. Later on, Maulet intercepted Jackson, drawing more cheers from the defense.
After Maulet’s interception and the next play being a false start, linebacker Roquan Smith intercepted Jackson for a poor three-play stretch from the offense.
Tylan Wallace, who I mentioned in my minicamp competitions and stock report had an excellent practice. Wallace was frequently targeted by Jackson and caught all but one—a Stephens pass breakup—including the drive-winning touchdown during the one-minute offense drill. An excellent start for Wallace this week.
A player to keep an eye on the rest of this week could be undrafted rookie wide receiver Isaiah Washington. Today he snagged a few passes, including a sideline toe-tap catch to move the chains.
Though Stephens allowed a touchdown, he also scored one of his own. Early in practice Jackson swung a pass to Derrick Henry, who bobbled the catch and the ball went upward. Stephens leapt up, snared the ball and took it back the other way for a would-be defensive touchdown.
In something I didn’t think was possible, tight end Mark Andrews has found another level of intensity. During his individual route-running drills, Andrews was yelling and going full bore. Afterward, Offensive Coordinator Todd Monken chatted with him and made hand gestures imitating where to run on certain plays and was in support. Later in practice, Andrew jawed at an official during 11-on-11 when his grabby defender didn’t get flagged and the ball went incomplete as a result of being held.
He did have some fun, too, pushing Harbaugh in the huddle in jest. And, per usual, during 11-on-11 Andrews got his targets and receptions, including a 10-yard catch on 3rd & 9 to move the chains.
One particular play during 5-on-5 had inside linebacker Trenton Simpson put the clamps on running back Justice Hill. Smith was yelling in support of Simpson’s coverage and cheering on the young linebacker. After practice, Smith said he and Simpson are going to take a trip together this offseason.