In a busy Ravens offseason that included Lamar Jackson’s commerce request and eventual contract extension, the addition of huge receiver Odell Beckham Jr. and the declining of linebacker Patrick Queen’s fifth-year possibility, amongst different information, Wednesday marked the primary time the workforce opened practiced to the media.
Whereas a number of high-profile gamers weren’t in attendance on the voluntary “soccer faculty” — notably Jackson — it did present a possibility to see offensive, defensive and particular groups gamers on the sector for the primary time for the reason that offseason packages started. Rookie minicamp ended over the weekend, so no first-year gamers have been current, however there was loads of intrigue among the many group that did arrive in Owings Mills. Listed below are a number of observations:
Monken takes cost
The most important change on the teaching employees was the addition of offensive coordinator Todd Monken. He changed Greg Roman, who resigned in January amid frustration from gamers and criticism from followers over what had was a pedestrian offense.
The distinction in method between the 2 is apparent, with Monken, who was beforehand the offensive coordinator for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Cleveland Browns and the College of Georgia, taking a hands-on and vocal position with the receivers and the remainder of the offense Wednesday.
“Simply put in our system,” he stated of the message he was attempting to get throughout to gamers. “It’s at all times enjoyable to get again out with the gamers. That’s what you do. As a lot as you get pleasure from assembly and placing the plan collectively and your playbook and what you need to do shifting ahead, there’s nothing like having the gamers round. … We’re excited concerning the guys who're right here and the set up, and we’re working by way of it.”
One wonders whether or not that was a message to Jackson, who signed his five-year extension price a reported $260 million with the Ravens six days in the past however has but to take part in any of the workforce’s voluntary offseason packages. General, although, Monken was happy with what he noticed and is wanting ahead to constructing what figures to be a dynamic and probably explosive offense.
“I’m excited to get began, however there is just one ball,” he stated.
Lacking items on offense
That “one ball” was sufficient Wednesday with so most of the Ravens’ high offensive gamers absent. Among the many workforce’s high three working backs, solely Justice Hill was there, with J.Ok. Dobbins and Gus Edwards not in attendance. Neither was Beckham nor fellow huge receiver Rashod Bateman. Wideouts James Proche II and Shemar Bridges attended however didn't take part, not less than throughout media viewing.
With Jackson absent, backup quarterbacks Tyler Huntley and Anthony Brown dealt with passing duties. A couple of throws to Isaiah Probably weren’t precisely on the mark and the second-year tight finish didn’t look thrilled, although Huntley did join with third-string tight finish Charlie Kolar on a 15-yard play-action move down the center.
It’s solely Could, although, and the Ravens’ first apply of organized workforce actions isn’t for one more 12 days.
Evaluating the rookies
Talking of receivers, particular groups coordinator Chris Horton, supplied some perception on rookie Zay Flowers, who might be used to return punts, one thing he practiced throughout rookie minicamp and did a little bit of at Boston Faculty.
“I believe quite a lot of the identical issues that you simply noticed from him on offense — catching the soccer, with the ball in his fingers, the after-the-catch working — all these skills translate over to the punt return recreation,” Horton stated Wednesday. “However extra importantly, you guys hear me say it yearly: It’s about catching the ball first. And so, he did have some returns in school; it was good to see these on tape. And we’re simply going to hone in on our fundamentals and ensure that after we do put him on the market, that — what — safe the soccer first. However he did an awesome job within the rookie minicamp with that. It was straightforward for him.”
Horton additionally praised rookie inside linebacker Trenton Simpson, a third-round decide who also needs to see time as a part of the particular groups unit.
“After I had the privilege to guage that man as a particular teamer, it was a no brainer for me,” he stated. “That man has the traits — these Raven traits — that we search for; he was powerful, he was quick, he was bodily. He cherished taking part in soccer, and his power was simply off the charts. That’s the sort of gamers we’ve had on this constructing, so I actually imagine that man’s going to do some good issues for us this 12 months.”
New coach on employees
On protection, outdoors linebackers coach Chuck Smith can be new to the employees. Smith, who performed defensive finish for the Atlanta Falcons from 1992 to 1999 and the Carolina Panthers in 2000, spent a few of Wednesday’s apply engaged on drills with Odafe Oweh and David Ojabo, with Oweh at one level executing a pleasant spin transfer. This might be Ojabo’s first full offseason with the Ravens after he tore his Achilles tendon at his professional day final March and didn’t apply till October.
The Ravens hope that Smith, who had 58 1/2 sacks in his profession and who has greater than 20 years of teaching expertise, together with because the line of defense coach for the Tennessee Titans in 2010, can have a big impression on the 2 younger edge rushers, each of whom coach John Harbaugh referred to as “critically necessary” earlier this offseason.
With Justin Houston (team-high 9 1/2 sacks final season) a free agent and Calais Campbell (5 1/2 sacks) now on the Falcons, the Ravens might want to change almost one-third of their 48 sacks final season. Each Oweh and Ojabo seemed largely easy and fast Wednesday, together with of their first step after the snap.
Different attendance notes
A number of offensive linemen have been available, together with beginning middle Tyler Linderbaum and reserves Patrick Mekari, Ben Cleveland, John Simpson and Daniel Faalele, although beginning tackles Ronnie Stanley and Morgan Moses didn't seem like in attendance.
On the defensive entrance, linebackers Jeremiah Moon, Josh Ross, Del’Shawn Phillips and Kristian Welch, and linemen Michael Pierce, Justin Madubuike, Broderick Washington and Brent City have been amongst these noticed. In the meantime, cornerbacks Marlon Humphrey and Jalyn Armour-Davis and security Geno Stone, who was alongside Brandon Stephens within the deep security spot throughout drills, have been among the many defensive backs in attendance.
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