The Ravens’ historic preseason profitable streak has at all times mattered to teach John Harbaugh — “Successful is at all times good,” he stated after the staff wrapped up its fifth straight unbeaten preseason final August — however it appeared to matter much less coming into Thursday night time.
The Ravens had simply three projected starters out there for his or her opener in opposition to the Tennessee Titans. The very best amongst them, exterior linebacker Odafe Oweh, performed only one snap earlier than his pads got here off alongside the M&T Financial institution Stadium sideline. A debilitating 2021, possibly the worst any NFL staff had suffered this centruy, had made well being much more of a precedence for the Ravens, who modified up their medical workers and coaching camp schedule this offseason to raised shield their gamers.
What hasn’t modified, at the least not but, is their preseason dominance. The Ravens’ 23-10 win over the Titans prolonged their streak to 21 video games, the longest by any staff confirmed by the Elias Sports activities Bureau since 1995. The Ravens’ final preseason loss got here Sept. 3, 2015, when rookie security Kyle Hamilton was solely a freshman — in highschool.
“It means rather a lot to the tradition, simply to point out that we’re a profitable staff,” quarterback Tyler Huntley stated. “And we don’t care what sort of recreation it's, the Ravens are going to battle to get a win. So we’ve simply bought to maintain going and simply hold grinding and making ourselves higher.”
With each beginning quarterbacks, Lamar Jackson and Ryan Tannehill, wanting on from the sideline, the Ravens outgained the Titans 389-299 and compelled three turnovers. And so they appeared to keep away from severe damage, too, with extensive receiver Tylan Wallace struggling solely a minor knee sprain.
A month out from their season opener, the Ravens have been removed from excellent. They missed blocks, whiffed on tackles and struggled with penalties. However their preseason streak? That is still unblemished.
“It’s at all times a very good time to be again in ‘The Financial institution’ and taking part in soccer,” security Tony Jefferson stated. “There have been a pair performs right here and there that we want we may have again, however general, I really feel like everyone is taking part in quick. There are a pair issues we will clear up, however it’s the primary recreation, and like I stated, it’s simply thrilling to be again on the market.”
Right here’s a take a look at the risers and fallers from Thursday’s recreation.
Risers
QB Tyler Huntley
Huntley’s first half gained’t change the notion of anybody who watched him change Lamar Jackson final season. He was correct (16-for-18), cautious (6.1 yards per try) and efficient on the bottom (three carries for 14 yards). His 14-yard landing cross to extensive receiver Shemar Bridges capped a well-run four-minute drill. Huntley’s efficiency did mark a highwater mark for his first half of the camp and preseason, although. In Tuesday’s closing staff drill for the offense, he missed two receivers operating their routes in opposition to air. He missed simply two passes in opposition to an precise protection Thursday.
“Tyler performed nice,” Harbaugh stated. “His numbers have been off the charts, and actually ran the offense properly. The timing was actually good within the passing recreation.”
WR Shemar Bridges
If he hadn’t already, Bridges separated himself from the Ravens’ pack of undrafted rookies at extensive receiver. He had 4 catches for a game-high 62 yards, linking up with Huntley for a 14-yard rating on an end-zone fade, then with Anthony Brown for a 38-yard bomb. Bridges arrived in Baltimore with little fanfare; he performed in simply six video games over his closing two seasons at Division II Fort Valley State, recording 41 catches for 693 yards and three touchdowns. However along with his measurement (6 toes 4, 207 kilos) and exhausting work, he’s rapidly endeared himself to quarterbacks and coaches alike.
“He’s a giant, bodily man,” Harbaugh stated. “He goes up and will get the ball. He posts quite a lot of good speeds in follow. He performs exhausting on particular groups in follow. And never simply him. That younger receiver corps put up a battle. Each man stepped up and made some performs. That’s going to be fascinating. It’s good to see, and we’ll see the way it performs out.”
CB Kyle Fuller
Till discovering his footing not too long ago, the Baltimore native had struggled over the primary 10 days of camp. With the Ravens’ veteran depth and rookie funding on the place, it was truthful to wonder if Fuller would possibly must shore up his roster spot over the following three weeks. His $1.2 million wage makes him considerably expendable. However when the Ravens took the sphere for warmups, Fuller was among the many group of defensive backs out of pads. That’s a very good signal for his job safety.
OT Daniel Faalele
In offseason exercises, the fourth-round decide labored by way of practices, generally dropping to 1 knee as he labored to get reacclimated. However Faalele handed the staff’s conditioning take a look at forward of the Ravens’ first full-team follow and has been among the many staff’s steadier tackles in coaching camp. He noticed appreciable time at proper deal with Thursday and appeared to carry up properly in cross safety. On the Ravens’ opening rating, Faalele’s down block helped carve out a block of area for operating again Mike Davis.
“Faalele, in comparison with the primary week when he bought right here, simply going all the way in which is wonderful,” Harbaugh stated. “He’s come a great distance, and I assumed he performed properly.”
S Geno Stone
A fair deeper security room is low on the Ravens’ want checklist, however Stone’s stable camp continued with one other good outing. The 2020 seventh-round decide packed a recreation’s price of performs into one fourth-quarter drive, dropping operating again Trenton Cannon for a loss earlier than breaking apart a deep shot to extensive receiver Treylon Burks, then making a juggling interception over the center. With Kyle Hamilton’s arrival, Stone may need to accept particular groups glory this season. However he’s doing what he can to earn the Ravens’ belief within the secondary.
“I’m simply making an attempt to do as a lot as I can for this staff,” Stone stated. “If that’s particular groups, discovering my position on protection, simply attempt to be extra of a frontrunner this yr — that was considered one of my greatest targets. Simply attempt to do every little thing I can for the staff.”
Fallers
TE Isaiah Probably
Defenses perceive what gamers do greatest. As offensive coordinator Greg Roman stated final week, “You’ve bought to attempt to make the gamers as well-rounded as potential, so you'll be able to type of masks any tendencies.” And for as a lot as Probably provides as a receiver (4 catches for 40 yards), there’s nonetheless quite a lot of room for enchancment as a blocker. Within the first half, he didn’t get any push on an end-around for Wallace. On one other carry by operating again Justice Hill, he appeared to depart his defender after a fast engagement. Probably was additionally twice flagged for holding penalties that nullified first downs. (On the second, Hill appeared to bounce exterior unexpectedly, leaving Probably’s place considerably compromised.)
“It’s simply adversity,” Probably stated of the penalties. “Coming into your first recreation, there are quite a lot of issues occurring directly and your pleasure stage is at an all-time excessive, particularly taking part in within the Nationwide Soccer League. So there are simply issues I’ve bought to scrub up myself, in blocking, hand placement, and simply carry on constructing upon them.”
WR Tylan Wallace
Wallace, quiet for a lot of camp, bought two early touches with the beginning offense: a 3-yard catch and the reverse stopped within the backfield for a 4-yard loss. However the 2021 fourth-round decide left the sport within the first quarter with a minor knee sprain and didn't return. A lingering damage could be a giant setback for Wallace, who handled knee accidents at Oklahoma State, and harm the Ravens’ particular groups.
Working again readability
Mike Davis (5 carries for 22 yards) opened the Ravens’ scoring with a cushty goal-line run however didn’t actually transfer the pile between the tackles. Rookie Tyler Badie bought essentially the most motion (six carries for 19 yards and two kick returns for 46 yards), however his cross safety stays a query mark. Hill regarded like he’s regained his burst, however his motion was restricted (three carries for 11 yards). Nate McCrary had the Ravens’ longest carry (21 yards) however stays a protracted shot to make the roster. Thursday was by no means going to settle the competitors, particularly with J.Ok. Dobbins nonetheless rehabilitating his knee damage, however the night time additionally revealed no apparent winner.
“All of them look fairly first rate,” Harbaugh stated. “It’s only a matter of wanting on the tape and grading it, actually.”
Preseason, Week 2
RAVENS@CARDINALS
Sunday, Aug. 21, 8 p.m.
TV: Ch. 45
Radio: 97.9 FM, 101.5 FM, 1090 AM
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