Ravens Training Camp: Observations 8/5

Physicality was ramped up significantly throughout the Baltimore Ravens first joint practice with the Jacksonville Jaguars. The entire roster, except injured lineman Randin Crecelius, participated on Monday. John Harbaugh oversaw a focused and professional afternoon.

Lamar Jackson was downright excellent in 7 on 7s as we all as the full team setting. He sprayed the ball around to his targets, including accurate passes to Chris Moore and a strike to Hayden Hurst on the first drive. On the second drive of a lengthy 11 vs 11 session, Jackson found Seth Roberts for a first down through traffic and displayed terrific anticipation on a Nick Boyle timing route completion. After a near score went off Hurst’s fingertips, Lamar punctuated the period with a touchdown scramble.

It was a strong showing from the Ravens receiving corps on Monday. Michael Floyd atoned for an early drop with a pair of toe-tap touchdowns. Rookie Antoine Wesley hauled in an impressive concentration catch off a tipped ball and was later cheered for his downfield blocking. Jaylen Smith ended practice by outrunning the coverage to catch a Joe Callahan bomb and was subsequently mobbed by his teammates in the end zone.

Mark Ingram saw his most extensive run game work to date on Monday. He gained a first down off right tackle and later punched in a touchdown up the middle behind Marshal Yanda. Justice Hill also scored during the full contact goal line drill, but seemed indecisive when hitting the hole on a couple occasions. And Tyler Ervin stacked another exciting practice, reeling off consistent chunk plays in both the run and passing game.

One-on-one pass protection reps against the Jaguars allowed for a better estimation of the offensive lineman. Jermaine Eluemunor fared particularly well, with his heavy anchor he is nearly immovable. Eluemunor ran exclusively with the first team at left guard. Tackle Orlando Brown Jr. is still working on his technique but truly engulfs pass rushers with his sheer size. Ronnie Stanley struggled a bit with the speed of Yannick Ngakoue.

After significant turnover, Baltimore’s defense is a work in progress. They made plenty of individual plays, but have not yet developed the chemistry to play together as a dominant unit. Leonard Fournette made some plays in both phases and Jacksonville’s tight ends found space between zones in full squad sessions.

With his combination of speed, agility and power, Tyus Bowser excels during individual work, pound for pound he may be the most athletic player on the entire squad. His tools translated to the scrimmage today, Bowser corralled a tipped ball and raced to the end zone for a pick-6. And unlike Tim Williams who was pinned inside on a run play off tackle, Bowser effective controlled the edge, stacked and then shed the lineman for a run stuff on another rep.

Matt Judon, Zack Seiler, Jaylon Ferguson and Alvin Jones all recorded run stops at or behind the line. As usual, Jimmy Smith and Marlon Humphrey supplied lockdown coverage on the perimeter. During the final split squad portion, Anthony Averett denied Terrell Pryor on a go route and developmental edge Mike Onuoha concluded the session with a sack.

Another defensive highlight was a pass break-up by Chuck Clark in the end zone that Chris Board collected for an interception. Clark appears more fluid in coverage than he was last season. Fellow defensive back Cyrus Jones broke up a pass while working as the second team slot corner. The return specialist also popped a long kickoff return that may have gone for a touchdown.

The Ravens will continue sharpening their iron against Jalen Ramsey and the Jaguars on Tuesday afternoon before Thursday’s preseason kickoff.