Formally, the Ravens’ coaching camp in Owings Mills ended Wednesday. In actuality, nicely, that gentle on the finish of the preseason tunnel remains to be fairly dim.
“It looks like we’re in the midst of it,” exterior linebacker Steven Means stated with a smile Tuesday.
The Ravens nonetheless have two video games to play and two extra roster cut-downs to determine earlier than their regular-season work can start in earnest. On Sunday, they’ll face the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium, the place they will prolong their NFL-record preseason successful streak to 22 video games.
The nationally televised sport shall be gentle on stars, with each groups anticipated to relaxation a number of starters. That received’t rob the matchup of its intrigue, although. Right here’s a key Raven to observe at every place.
Quarterback: Tyler Huntley
Lamar Jackson is sitting out Sunday’s sport. So is Arizona starter Kyler Murray. Backup Colt McCoy missed the Cardinals’ preseason opener with arm soreness. All of which units up an intriguing risk: Huntley and Hint McSorley, who battled in Ravens coaching camp final summer time, dealing with off as starters.
Huntley impressed within the Ravens’ preseason win over the Tennessee Titans, ending 16-for-18 for 109 yards and a landing, and he might have extra playmakers round him Sunday. Huntley usually depends on fast hitters — his longest completion towards Tennessee was a 22-yarder to tight finish Isaiah Seemingly — however the Ravens must sharpen their downfield passing assault. If Huntley might join on one or two deep photographs, it’d assist burnish his profile in prime time.
Working again: Mike Davis
With J.Okay. Dobbins working his manner again to full power and Gus Edwards not but cleared to follow, Davis stays atop the Ravens’ depth chart. He confirmed good imaginative and prescient towards the tip of coaching camp, taking a few cutback runs to the second stage in practices. He’s additionally a reliable move blocker, as he confirmed on a handful of punishing chip blocks towards Tennessee.
The Ravens’ opener didn’t produce a lot separation within the working again competitors — “All of them look fairly respectable,” coach John Harbaugh stated after the sport — however with Corey Clement launched, there must be extra alternatives to go round. At this level within the preseason, Davis doesn’t must creator any highlight-reel runs. A efficiency that cements his beginning credentials wouldn’t damage, although.
Broad receiver: Jaylon Moore
Moore wasn’t as productive towards the Titans as Shemar Bridges (4 catches for 62 yards and a landing) or Makai Polk (six catches for 43 yards). However he additionally noticed much less of the sphere. Polk received 47 snaps on offense; Bridges had 31. Moore, in the meantime, had his two catches for 15 yards over 26 snaps.
There would possibly nonetheless be a job to win at broad receiver, and one preseason sport alone received’t resolve something. Moore, after two years on the Ravens’ follow squad, was one of many crew’s prime receivers early in camp earlier than fading considerably. Bridges and Polk did not construct on their preseason performances, handing over quiet weeks at camp. Moore’s expertise will assist his roster possibilities, however so would a breakout sport.
Tight finish: Nick Boyle
The Ravens have been cautious with Boyle, who’s prevented setbacks in camp after two seasons of knee troubles. As a part of the crew’s ramp-up plan, he ended camp sitting out each third day. However after watching the preseason opener from the sideline, Boyle might play Sunday. He stated earlier this month that he wanted to play within the preseason: “I believe these are the form of reps you'll be able to’t get out on the follow area, though you’re in pads.”
Boyle, 29, has dropped weight since final season, however his approach can nonetheless make him indispensable as a blocker. He’s appeared an increasing number of snug in follow, choosing up exterior linebacker Odafe Oweh in move safety on long-developing play-action designs. He even knocked Oweh to the bottom earlier than releasing into the flat in Monday’s follow.
Offensive line: Tyre Phillips
With left guard front-runner Ben Powers beginning at proper guard towards Tennessee, it was Phillips who opened the sport Thursday at left guard. He later moved over to left sort out, the place his play dropped off. However Harbaugh stated Wednesday that Phillips is “not out of the competitors [at left guard] by any stretch.”
Ben Cleveland must also see time at left guard towards Arizona, however Phillips is seemingly Powers’ prime challenger for the Week 1 job. The 2020 third-round choose strikes nicely in house, has a large body and, most significantly, feels he can belief his physique to carry up. He’s additionally impressed in one-on-one battles. “I’ve been nicked up my final two years,” Phillips stated Wednesday. “However this yr, over the offseason, I did lots of work on my physique, and I really feel as wholesome as ever.”
Line of defense: Justin Madubuike
Madubuike missed the Ravens’ preseason opener and two weekend practices with migraines, however he had one in all his finest practices of camp Tuesday, successful his one-on-ones in a pass-rushing drill towards beginning proper guard Kevin Zeitler and reserve guard Kahlil McKenzie.
This is a vital preseason for Madubuike, one of many NFL’s higher younger run defenders and a projected starter alongside the Ravens’ line of defense. If he will be extra disruptive as a move rusher, his function on third down ought to develop. Sunday’s sport shall be a great litmus take a look at: The Cardinals’ projected beginning guards, Justin Pugh and Will Hernandez, aren’t near Zeitler’s stage, and Arizona allowed three sacks and eight quarterback hits total in its opener towards the Cincinnati Bengals.
Outdoors linebacker: Steven Means
Means’ story is without doubt one of the better of the Ravens’ preseason. When the 31-year-old signed in June, he wasn’t precisely a journeyman participant; Means performed 38 video games over his three ultimate wholesome seasons in Atlanta, beginning 14 video games final yr for the Falcons. However he additionally appeared like a protracted shot to make the Ravens’ 53-man roster.
In camp, although, Means was often one of many first exterior linebackers out at follow, diligently engaged on his craft and flashing in crew drills. Towards Tennessee, he had a sack and three tackles. And on Tuesday, he spoke glowingly of a Ravens franchise that he stated “resurrected my profession” in 2014, when he first signed with the crew regardless of doubts about his future in soccer. “Eight years later, I wind up coming again, and it’s a blessing. I owe rather a lot to this group.”
Inside linebacker: Kristian Welch
Welch, now in his third yr in Baltimore, was quiet towards Tennessee, ending with simply two tackles in 35 defensive snaps. He appeared a step sluggish within the open area towards quarterback Malik Willis and the Titans’ talent gamers. Rookie Josh Ross, in the meantime, had a team-high 4 tackles in 22 defensive snaps and led all Ravens defenders with 15 particular groups snaps.
Welch’s familiarity with the Ravens’ protection and his particular groups capacity are property in his push to make the crew’s 53-man roster. The Ravens most likely additionally don’t have to fret about sneaking undrafted linebackers like Ross or Diego Fagot onto their follow squad, both. However this near the cut-down deadline, on-the-bubble gamers need to show themselves yet again.
Cornerback: Kyle Fuller
If the Ravens’ most established gamers are sitting out Sunday’s sport, Marlon Humphrey figures to have the evening off. Marcus Peters remains to be on the street to restoration. That might imply a beginning function at cornerback for Fuller, who hasn’t shied away from taking up the Ravens’ prime broad receiver, Rashod Bateman, in camp.
After an up-and-down begin to camp, the Baltimore native has helped solidify a secondary that gave Jackson and the Ravens’ passing sport complications over the ultimate week of practices. Beginning Cardinals broad receivers Marquise “Hollywood” Brown and DeAndre Hopkins are anticipated to sit down out Sunday’s sport, however Fuller might discover himself matched up with speedy rotational items like Rondale Moore and Andy Isabella. They need to current a pleasant take a look at — and a welcome change of tempo — after weeks of battling acquainted faces in follow.
Security: Kyle Hamilton
Each sport ought to provide extra clues about how the Ravens plan to make use of Hamilton this season, even when his Week 1 function is because the third security behind Marcus Williams and Chuck Clark. Hamilton’s NFL debut wasn’t excellent — he missed a few tackles, together with a whiff within the crimson zone that the elusive Willis was a landing run — however there have been extra positives than negatives.
The Ravens moved Hamilton across the area earlier than the snap, lining him up as a field security and as a deep security. The primary-round choose appeared fluid and comfy in protection shells that used each one and two excessive safeties. He confirmed an consciousness of passing ideas. He flew in from deep to scoop up a fumble. He even performed 10 snaps on particular groups, the place his measurement and athleticism stand out.
Specialist: Jordan Stout
Stout had an “excellent” debut towards Tennessee, particular groups coordinator Chris Horton stated, averaging 47.8 yards per punt on 4 makes an attempt. Might he get a have a look at some field-goal makes an attempt within the preseason? Stout, who kicked at Penn State, booted a pair from 50-plus yards in follow Wednesday, together with one with Justin Tucker because the unlikely holder.
“If it comes up, I believe that may be a consideration,” Horton stated. “Once more, he has accomplished all of it. However our job is to see how the sport goes, see what occurs and simply let him play the sport. And if it comes up, we’ll deal with it the suitable manner.”
Preseason, Week 2
RAVENS@CARDINALS
Sunday, 8 p.m.
TV: Ch. 45
Radio: 97.9 FM, 101.5 FM, 1090 AM
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