Ravens observations on up-and-down offense, big plays from young players and good signs from secondary
Brian Wacker, The Baltimore Sun
Offense flashes potential despite sloppy, inconsistent day
Quarterback Lamar Jackson could be heard yelling in frustration several times after some miscommunications with his receivers. For example, he missed Rashod Bateman on a screen pass during the first drive of team drills.
Jackson then threw his hands in the air after failing to connect with newly signed target Anthony Miller.
But the two-time NFL Most Valuable Player’s worst throw might have been an off-target pass to Tylan Wallace, which landed in the hands of a waiting Kyle Hamilton for an interception.
Jackson quickly bounced back, though, shaking off some bad throws — and being stepped on by one of his linemen — to find tight end Isaiah Likely several times for big gains across the middle. Second-year receiver Zay Flowers also got involved, making some nice catches down the sideline.
Let the kids play
Undrafted rookie receiver Isaiah Washington might have had the play of the day, rising over Hamilton to make a catch on a deep pass from Johnson that got the crowd buzzing.
Rookie tight end Qadir Ismail also made a play when he was finally targeted down the field, securing a nice catch over the middle.
Even the young players on defense took advantage, with rookie safety Beau Brade picking off Jackson. The interception was the highlight of camp so far for the former Maryland and River Hill star, even though it was nullified by an offside penalty.
Chemistry between Ravens QB Lamar Jackson and TE Isaiah Likely continues to grow
Jeff Zrebiec, The Athletic
The former Coastal Carolina standout was the star of Sunday’s practice with a series of catches, including a nifty one-hander. His performance was just a continuation of what Likely has shown since training camp started in July. He’s caught short passes. He’s worked in the intermediate area of the field. He’s even gotten free on quite a few deep balls. Likely’s highly competitive one-on-one matchups with Ravens standout safety Kyle Hamilton have been one of the highlights of camp.
With Andrews sidelined last season with a broken fibula, Likely averaged just under 51 receiving yards per game and scored six touchdowns. It’s well-documented how much Jackson loves throwing to his tight ends. What the Ravens have yet to show, though, is that they can get both Andrews and Likely heavily involved at the same time.
That will be one of the challenges for offensive coordinator Todd Monken, who has acknowledged the allure of using more 12 personnel in 2024 to get Andrews and Likely on the field together.
Ravens Camp Takeaways: Lamar Jackson, Derrick Henry Forming Fearsome Backfield
Albert Breer, Sports Illustrated
Jackson taking more ownership of the offense has coincided with the team’s young veteran core on defense—namely defensive tackle Justin Madubuike, linebacker Roquan Smith and safety Kyle Hamilton (especially Hamilton)—collaborating to do the same. It’s about holding guys accountable, and it’s setting a tone. It’s also knowing when a younger guy needs a hand with something. The best NFL teams are always player-led. And it’s not like the Ravens weren’t last year. But there’s been a difference this year, and having a guy like that at quarterback, and one at each level of the defense, should make a difference.
One obvious question is what happens to the offensive line after the Ravens lost starters John Simpson, Morgan Moses and Kevin Zeitler off last year’s group? The two guard spots seem relatively solid, with guys who’ve been developed through the program. Andrew Vorhees, who fell in the 2023 NFL draft after tearing his ACL at the combine, has had an excellent summer at left guard, proving himself a strong, blue-collar bully. And Daniel Faalele, a mountain of a man, is “down” to about 380 pounds, and should be a hammer at right guard.
New Ravens Offensive Line Coach George Warhop Steps Into Unique Challenge
Ryan Mink, BaltimoreRavens.com
The questions about the Ravens’ offensive line turned to prayers Wednesday with the news that Joe D’Alessandris, the Ravens’ beloved offensive line coach, must step away from the team for medical reasons.
Harbaugh has hired George Warhop to be the Ravens’ offensive line coach, tabbing a veteran with 40 years of coaching experience, including 27 in the NFL.
Now Warhop has the challenge of getting up to speed fast to lead an offensive line that is still figuring out three starting positions – all about three weeks before the Ravens and Chiefs kick off the regular season in Kansas City on Sept. 5.
“It’s an interesting dilemma for sure. It’s definitely not something I’ve ever been associated with,” Harbaugh said. “I would just say by the grace of God, George Warhop is available. He’s a guy that we’ve known for many years and respected.”
“He knows our techniques. He knows the style, the way we’re running the plays, the principles of the plays. He’s an experienced coach who knows that stuff inside and out,” Harbaugh said. “So, he’ll step right in and start working with those guys right away.”
Ranking 14 NFL teams by chances of returning to 2024 playoffs
Bill Barnwell, ESPN
Chances to make the playoffs: 78.5% (FPI’s fifth-best odds)
At 13-4, the Ravens had the best record of any team before the postseason began. There was little in their underlying performance to suggest 13 wins was a fluke, either; they outscored their opposition by nearly 12 points per game. That’s the 21st-best mark for any team since 1989, and those top-25 teams racked up an average of more than 14 wins per 17 games. With an MVP performance from Lamar Jackson and the league’s top-rated scoring defense, Baltimore was dominant until the AFC Championship Game.
Unlike the Chiefs and 49ers, though, the Ravens are dealing with a serious talent drain this offseason. Three of their five starting offensive linemen are no longer on the roster, while Patrick Queen, Geno Stone and Jadeveon Clowney are gone from their defense. Mike Macdonald, the coordinator who helped propel the defense forward over the past two years, is now in Seattle, replaced by a first-time coordinator in former Baltimore linebacker Zach Orr. The Ravens also play in the toughest division in football, an AFC North in which all four teams posted a winning record last season.
Having Jackson should help the Ravens cope with most of those problems, but it doesn’t take much of a memory to recall how December injuries to the quarterback in 2021 and 2022 threw the team into turmoil, costing it a playoff spot and then a division title. The Ravens went 3-6 with now-Browns quarterback Tyler Huntley as their starter and currently have Josh Johnson as their backup, so if Jackson were to go down earlier in the campaign with another injury, I’d have serious concerns about their chances.