Ravens News 8/19: The Total Package and more

Practice Report 8/18: Watch Out, Lamar Jackson’s Deep Passing Looks Better - Ryan Mink

Tight end Nick Boyle is known more for his blocking, but he made a pair of nice diving catches in Tuesday’s practice, including one leaping catch with rookie linebacker Patrick Queen draped all over him. Boyle has become a better receiver over the years and if he can continue that trajectory, he’ll help offset the loss of Hayden Hurst.

Veteran outside linebacker Pernell McPhee looks good coming back from his season-ending triceps injury. He used a nice swim move to get around fullback Patrick Ricard and chase Jackson to the sideline. With second-year linebacker Jaylon Ferguson sidelined for a second straight practice, McPhee has a prime chance to show he’s back and still has a lot to offer.

Slot cornerback Tavon Young is showing no ill effects from last year’s neck injury. His toughness in coverage showed with a breakup on a 7-on-7 pass underneath to Snead.

Ravens training camp notebook: Campbell dominant, Jackson soars - Todd Karpovich

Calais Campbell is an imposing figure on the practice field.

The veteran defensive end is already taken on a leadership role after being acquired by the Ravens in Mach.

Campbell has set the tone throughout camp and has been a force in 11-on-11 drills. He also put a hard hit on running back Mark Ingram.

One player yelled, “You look like Muhammad Ali” by the way Campbell was hitting the pads earlier in the practice.

In short, he’s been every bit as good as the Ravens envisioned.

“He is more imposing in person with his size, and sort of with his personality as well,” Ravens coach John Harbaugh said. “He has a big personality. He’s a caring guy. He’s a great leader. He’s the total package for sure.”

Baltimore Ravens practice observations, Day 2: Two young receivers come to life - Aaron Kasinitz

Miles Boykin surged across the middle of the field during the early portion of a team drill at Tuesday’s practice and hauled in a pass from Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson. A minute later, the second-year wide receiver ran a comeback route to create space from cornerback Jimmy Smith and made another catch.

In a 7-on-7 drill a short while after that, Boykin leapt over Marlon Humphrey along the right sideline to pull down his third reception in a short span, more than he totaled in all of Monday’s practice.

So did third-round rookie Devin Duvernay, who beat Anthony Averett on a double move for one long touchdown and got behind All-Pro cornerback Marcus Peters for another.

Marlon Humphrey and Marcus Peters excited about talented cornerback room in Baltimore - Andrew Gillis

“It’ll be the same guys - well, Tavon (Young) is back -but for the most part, it will be the same guys,” Humphrey said Monday. “But it’s a whole new season, and every season is slightly different. It’s really encouraging to start the year with Marcus (Peters), start the year with Tavon, Jimmy’s (Smith) back (after he) signed with us in the offseason. We’re really good.”

“It’s going to take a couple of practices to really figure out how well we’re going to do with different packages, but, right now, I think we’re kind of on that way,” Humphrey said. “We’ve got a lot more steps to take to gel into that secondary that we want to be. We want to be the best in the league, and we’re just going to take it a practice at a time.”

“Every time the quarterback drops back to pass, our chances of picking it off is 50-50,” Peters said Tuesday. “So why not give you an opportunity at making a play? Once the ball is in the air, it’s see-ball get-ball. It’s whoever can go get it first. It is what it is after that.”

“He’s able to see things as it kind of comes,” Humphrey said. “He’s really good at film study and different things. Me trying to turn on that, being more of a student of the game, leaning on him to add something to my game I think is the biggest thing. That’s what I think has led him to be so successful; mainly just the film study and being able to see things way before they happen.”

NFL’s top nine defenses in 2020: Chargers, Bills, 49ers all loaded, but who’s No. 1? - Adam Schein

5. Baltimore Ravens

The defensive backfield is simply phenomenal. Marcus Peters was reborn after a midseason trade to Baltimore, which is why the Ravens rewarded him with a three-year, $42 million extension in December. And Peters wasn’t the only Ravens corner to earn first-team All-Pro honors — Marlon Humphrey also got the nod after a fantastic Year 3. When healthy, Jimmy Smith is so much more than the CB3 role he currently holds in Baltimore — what a luxury for the Ravens. And Earl Thomas remains a stud in center field.

In the front seven, Matthew Judon can flat out ball — and playing on the franchise tag, he’ll be quite motivated to build his market for next offseason. Baltimore further bolstered the stout defense with a pair of high-impact offseason acquisitions. Hulking DL Calais Campbell is a perfect fit for the Ravens, on the field and in the locker room. Athletic LB Patrick Queen, the Ravens’ first-round pick at No. 28 overall, made my list of rookies I can’t wait to see.