Ravens News 7/24: Practice Notes, Crabtree’s comeback route and more

Top WRs on comeback routes - Mark Chichester

1. Michael Crabtree, Baltimore Ravens (formerly w/ Oakland) – 104.2 WR Rating

The Ravens are set to enter the 2018 season with an overhaul of pass-catching talent – an overhaul that was badly needed. Among the new arrivals in Baltimore is 10th-year wide receiver Michael Crabtree, who succeeded on a number of routes last season, but most notably he outperformed his peers on comeback routes. The comeback route accounted for just five of his 99 targets last season, but he caught three of those targets for two touchdowns. Since PFF started tracking individual route data, Crabtree is the only receiver to tally multiple touchdown receptions from the comeback route in a single season, and over the course of his career, Crabtree has scored more touchdowns on comeback routes than any other receiver in the league.

Crabtree’s strong hands have been receiving rave reviews early in training camp. His efficiency on the comeback route should also serve him well, Joe Flacco has a history of developing rapport on this route with former targets Derrick Mason and Steve Smith.

Ravens training camp highlights: Defense shines in red-zone exercise - Edward Lee

A red-zone drill in Monday’s practice began well for the offense after rookie quarterback Lamar Jackson found wide receiver DeVier Posey in the back-left corner of the end zone for a 20-yard touchdown. But the defense stole the show for the rest of the period. Safety Chuck Clark intercepted a pass from quarterback Joe Flacco in the back of the end zone, cornerback Marlon Humphrey almost intercepted another pass by Flacco to wide receiver Chris Moore in the back-right corner, and cornerback Stanley Jean-Baptiste broke up Jackson’s pass to Moore in the end zone.

Nico Siragusa and rookie Bradley Bozeman are competing to be the primary backup center, and both had a miscue Monday. Bozeman and quarterback Robert Griffin III botched a snap, but guard Jermaine Eluemunor pounced on the loose ball. Siragusa one-hopped a shotgun snap to Flacco during a red-zone exercise, and Bozeman did the same to Jackson later in practice.

Last season, Joe Flacco completed 17 of 35 passes inside the 10-yard line for 11 touchdowns and zero interceptions.

NFL training camp cuts? Notable guys on roster bubble - Gregg Rosenthal

Breshad Perriman, WR, Baltimore Ravens:Perriman could give Matt Elam some competition as the biggest first-round draft bust in team history, especially if Perriman can’t make the team in August. The Ravens are no longer relying on Perriman, who posted a grand total of 43 catches in his first three seasons, to play a big role. The team recently picked up a $649,485 roster bonus that helps his chances to make the team, but it doesn’t guarantee a spot. He still needs to stay healthy and possibly beat out John Brown just to earn snaps this season. A No. 4 receiver without special teams value is a No. 4 receiver at risk of not making the team.

Perriman’s time in Baltimore appears to be nearing an end. With Tim White and Jaleel Scott making plays in practice, Breshad will probably need to showcase his playmaking potential in the preseason to make the roster.

Practice Report 7/23: Joe Flacco Finds Michael Crabtree for Red-Zone Touchdowns - Garrett Downing

Wide receiver Michael Crabtree signed with the Ravens as part of a receiving corps makeover, and the 10-year veteran gives the Ravens a proven red-zone threat. Crabtree put those skills on display during Monday’s practice, which was his first full practice of training camp.

Crabtree hauled in a pair of short touchdowns from starting quarterback Joe Flacco.

The first score came during 11-on-11 drills in the middle of a driving rainstorm. Crabtree found a hole between slot cornerback Tavon Young and inside linebacker Patrick Onwuasor, and Flacco delivered a spot-on pass for the score.

A little bit later, Flacco found Crabtree in the front corner of the end zone in seven-on-seven drills. The pass was thrown a bit behind Crabtree, but he snagged the ball away from rookie cornerback Anthony Averett.

Averett is slightly undersized and lacks ideal strength, which does pose issues when he is matched up against big bodied pass catchers. However, his ability to effortlessly mirror quick receivers in man coverage and use his acceleration to blitz off the edge make him an ideal candidate for slot corner.