Mike Preston’s Ravens observations on J.K. Dobbins’ return, O-line issues, Lamar Jackson’s perfect pass and more | COMMENTARY

Star operating J.Ok. Dobbins returned to apply Monday after lacking all of final season with a knee harm, however the participant the Ravens miss essentially the most is Professional Bowl left sort out Ronnie Stanley, who remains to be out nursing an injured ankle that has been surgically repaired twice.

Dobbins’ return created some pleasure at coaching camp, particularly for a workforce in want of a prime operating again, however this offense will endure with out their $98.8 million sort out. The Ravens have tried totally different mixtures to exchange Stanley, who is predicted to return in time for the common season opener towards the New York Jets on Sept. 11, however there is just one All-Professional on the place, and he’s nonetheless lacking in motion.

Ja’Wuan James, who has performed simply three video games because the begin of 2019, filling in for Stanley is inflicting concern. He is perhaps extra athletic than final 12 months’s beginning sort out, Alejandro Villanueva, however he's torpid at occasions, presumably as a result of he’s switching forwards and backwards from each sort out positions.

He will definitely battle towards velocity rushers on quarterback Lamar Jackson’s blind aspect. Proper now, the Ravens are sturdy on the best aspect with sort out Morgan Moses and guard Kevin Zeitler, however the left aspect — with James and guard Ben Powers — will not be almost as adept.

If rookie middle Tyler Linderbaum doesn’t recuperate from a foot harm that Harbaugh mentioned is “not a critical harm,” the Ravens will in all probability begin Patrick Mekari in his place. Mekari is a greater guard than middle, although, and is perhaps the perfect left sort out obtainable proper now.

Boyle nonetheless working

Veteran tight finish Nick Boyle is making an attempt to return from a critical leg harm that he suffered in November 2020, and whereas he has labored extraordinarily exhausting, there are occasions when he crops his leg to chop and limps flippantly away.

You query how lengthy he can play this manner or is that this simply a part of his rehabilitation in returning to apply. He as soon as was one of many higher blocking tight ends within the NFL, an imposing determine when the Ravens have him, fellow tight finish Mark Andrews and fullback Patrick Ricard lined up on the best aspect.

Boyle returned for just a few video games final season after two surgical procedures. The preliminary process, which he referred to as “the worst surgical procedure of my life,” repaired meniscus, PCL, MCL and fracture injury. A clean-up process, which he underwent final summer season, delayed his return to the sector. He nonetheless appears to be working his approach again.

Jackson impresses

Among the best passes I ever noticed Jackson throw was a few 14-yard out to receiver James Proche II on a third-and-8 on the Ravens’ 4-yard line on Monday. The cross was completely timed, as Jackson threw earlier than Proche even made his break.

Very seldom does Jackson throw these forms of timing patterns to the skin of the sector. As for the remainder of Jackson’s day, he was higher on the brief to intermediate throws than on the lengthy ball, however total he continues to carry out properly in coaching camp.

Wakeup name

This has been a type of “brother-in-law” sort camps as a result of the Ravens don’t need to threat accidents, and it’s about that point the place some gamers begin laying on one another and going by way of the motions.

So, it was nice when rookie receiver Makai Polk ran a brief crossing and turned to go up subject solely to get knocked into subsequent week by undrafted rookie cornerback Denzel Williams. I assume a number of the Ravens coaches weren’t too joyful concerning the transfer, but it surely was good to see a superb hit in these canine days of summer season.

It made you look ahead to the regular-season opener.

Apply playmaker

Two rookies who carried out on the other finish of the spectrum Monday have been receiver Shemar Bridges and cornerback Damarion Williams.

Bridges, who had been strong for many of coaching camp, dropped a number of passes and appeared to lose focus. Williams knocked down a few passes, and it’s fascinating to see how critical the Ravens are about having him return punts.

The child is a playmaker, a minimum of in apply, to date.

Helmets off

Throughout a number of durations Monday, Harbaugh allowed the gamers to take their helmets off and stroll or jog by way of passes. That is the exact opposite of earlier years, which is an efficient factor after so many accidents a 12 months in the past.

Designated cross blocker?

I actually like watching the cross safety interval the place the offensive and defensive linemen go one-on-one. Zeitler has carried out properly most of coaching camp, however essentially the most spectacular offensive lineman continues to be guard Tyre Phillips.

It’s gotten to the purpose that if NFL groups can put in numerous gamers in passing conditions, why not make Phillips your designated cross blocker?

Simply joking, of us.

Effectively, sort of.

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