OWINGS MILLS, Md. — The Ravens will surely face situations where they are backed up near their own end zone, and that was a point of emphasis at the team’s training camp practice on July 26, as several full-team periods included plays with the offense operating in the shadow of their own goal post.
As is often the case in the first week of practice, results were mixed. In the first such period, facing second-and-9 from the 2-yard line, Lamar Jackson overthrew Mark Andrews down the left side. He then misfired with Rashod Bateman on third-and-8 from the 3. Later, facing second-and-7 from the 4-yard line, Jackson had to call a timeout after some formation confusion, drawing jeers from the defense across the line of scrimmage.
Jackson had some good throws as well, including about a 20-yarder to Bateman on first-and-10 from the 3. Backup receiver Anthony Miller, who has had a good camp, elevated for a nice catch across the middle.
The defense registered some wins as well. On second-and-10 from the 2, Jackson’s pass was batted up in the air by Nnamdi Madubuike, and safety Kyle Hamilton couldn’t quite find the ball in the air before it fell incomplete in the end zone.
A short while later, Cooper Rush’s pass intended for Malik Cunningham was tipped by safety Sanoussi Kane and picked off by Jalyn Armour-Davis, who returned it to about the 5-yard line. Armour-Davis flipped the ball to Kane as the defense celebrated near the goal line.
Not every period was played near the end zone, and in an early period, Jackson connected with Devontez Walker for a long gain down the middle against Nate Wiggins. It’s still unclear how big a role Walker, the second-year receiver, will have in a lineup with Bateman, Zay Flowers and DeAndre Hopkins, but he has produced consistently this spring and summer. In a 1-on-1 period later in practice, Walker won his battle with a catch down the sideline against Jaire Alexander.
Safety Beau Brade had one of the plays of the day for the defense. He stuck with tight end Charlie Kolar as Jackson improvised and tried to float a ball to Kolar. Brade ripped the ball away from Kolar, drawing cheers from the defense. Kolar later took exception to linebacker Kyle Van Noy shoving him out of the way on one play, but after bit of jawing, nothing came of it.
Unfortunately for the offense, the flags were flying again during the Saturday workout. Head coach John Harbaugh has said that presnap penalties — a repeated source of frustration last year — would be a point of emphasis this summer, but the Ravens seem to be flagged at least four or five times every day by the crew of officials on hand.
It isn’t just the offensive linemen either; the offense was whistled for a false start during a 7-on-7 period with the linemen at the other end of the field.
Offensive coordinator Todd Monken said after practice that the Ravens don’t want to be predictable with their cadence, and although problems are most obvious when “there’s a yellow hanky,” this time of year is about working out any kinks.
As for getting the timing and cadence down, Monken said, “I’m not going to give in. We’re going to fight like heck to be good at it. Why can’t we be elite at cadence? Why can’t we? Other teams can. We sure as heck can be and should be.”
NOTEBOOK
KIRKWOOD SIDELINED AGAIN, KONE LEAVES EARLY: Wide receiver Keith Kirkwood missed his second straight practice with an undisclosed injury, though he watched from the sideline out of uniform. Rookie cornerback Bilhal Kone left practice after sustaining a shoulder or upper body injury.
Other than those three, the only absences were the three Ravens players already on the PUP/NFI lists: safety Ar’Darius Washington (Achilles), offensive lineman Emery Jones (shoulder) and inside linebacker Jake Hummel (hand).
LOOP PERFECT AGAIN: Tyler Loop, who blasted a 63-yarder on Friday, was 7-for-7 on his kicks on Saturday with a long of 42 yards. The rookie sixth-round pick, who missed a few kicks during OTAs under the watch of owner Steve Bisciotti, has not missed field-goal attempt in simulated competition yet in camp.
John Hoyland, the undrafted rookie from Wyoming who is competing with Loop to replace Justin Tucker, went 3-for-4 on Saturday, missing one kick from 42 yards.
Asked about the kicker competition, special teams coach Chris Horton said, “When the winner shows, it’s going to show. How soon is that going to be? I don’t know.” Horton said he’s liked what he has seen from both kickers and without disclosing any plans for the three preseason games, he said, “I do know both guys will be out there, and both guys will be kicking.”
HAMILTON 2-0 IN 1-ON-1s: Safety Kyle Hamilton went 2-0 during a pass-game period that featured some 1-on-1 matchups. Hamilton stayed with Isaiah Likely and forced an incompletion down the left sideline, and he also cut inside and got a hand on a crossing route intended for tight end Mark Andrews. In another high-profile 1-on-1 matchup, Marlon Humphrey won against Rashod Bateman. Bateman tried to come back for a low throw against Humphrey, but the official ruled the ball hit the ground before Bateman caught it.
At one point during the period, with Cooper Rush at quarterback, Lamar Jackson lined up wide as if he were going to compete against cornerback Nate Wiggins. He didn’t, but he got a good laugh about it.
PADS COME ON MONDAY: Players have their first off day of training camp on Sunday before returning to practice Monday, July 28, at 2 p.m. After four days in shorts and shells, the team is expected to be in full pads that day. Coaches will still discourage full hitting, but the intensity will definitely ramp up, and coaches are eager to see how players — especially rookies — compete once they are in full pads.
Asked about an early evaluation of rookie second-round linebacker Mike Green, defensive coordinator Zach Orr said, “Right now we’re in shorts and t-shirts with a helmet on. So, it’s pretty much assignment sound, and he’s been great with that. It’s going to crank up next week.”
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