Ravens' New Secondary Shines Bright

Focus on the Details

Ravens coach John Harbaugh emphasized that during the early days of training camp, the focus is on small details rather than long-term goals. “It’s not too big picture right now,” he said. “It’s a lot of little things.” However, with temperatures reaching near triple digits in Owings Mills, some of those little things didn’t go as planned for quarterback Lamar Jackson.

Jackson, who recently set career highs in touchdown passes and passing yards, had moments where his accuracy was slightly off. But as the saying goes, it's just practice. Despite the challenges, Jackson still made some impressive throws, connecting with Rashod Bateman on a couple of passes over the middle during 11-on-11 play.

New receiver DeAndre Hopkins also played a key role in helping Jackson. He made two crucial catches, including one where he reached for a pass that was slightly behind him and another sliding grab on an off-target throw. These plays showcased the chemistry developing between Jackson and his new teammates.

Jackson also demonstrated his running ability with a nifty run where he faked the toss one way and broke the other, leaving the edge defender behind. However, there were moments when the connection between Jackson and Bateman wasn't as smooth as usual. On one play, Bateman had a step on Nate Wiggins, but the ball was underthrown, allowing the corner to make a defensive play.

Mike Green's Struggles

One player who hasn’t made an immediate impact is Mike Green, the controversial edge rusher from Marshall. Despite his speed and quickness, Green hasn’t registered more than a single pressure so far. On one play, he was tackled by undrafted rookie fullback Lucas Scott, and on another, he managed to get past a rookie tackle but couldn’t get to the quarterback.

With players starting to wear pads this week, Green will be a player to watch. If he can find his rhythm, he could become a significant contributor to the Ravens' pass rush this season.

Tyler Loop's Strong Performance

Tyler Loop, the rookie kicker, had his best day yet in training camp. He kicked perfectly during the first two practices and then showed off his range with a 63-yard field goal that split the uprights. The Ravens also reported that Loop converted a 68-yard attempt during a non-team drill.

After a solid but not outstanding minicamp and OTAs, Loop’s performance on Friday marked a significant improvement. His confidence seems to be growing, and if he continues this level of performance, he could solidify his place on the team.

Celebrations and Energy

Jaire Alexander, the veteran cornerback, has brought a new energy to the team with his seatbelt celebration. This move, which mimics strapping in a seatbelt, has become a popular trend among the players. Marlon Humphrey and Nate Wiggins have also joined in, showing their excitement after making defensive plays.

Safety Kyle Hamilton praised Alexander’s influence on the team’s energy. “We probably needed some of that,” Hamilton said. “Guys can be a little eccentric at times. I’m more even keeled so I need that brought out of me a little bit.”

Malaki Starks’ Potential

Hamilton believes that first-round pick Malaki Starks is “miles ahead of where I was at that point.” Starks, a former Georgia star, has shown great instincts and a strong football IQ. He has already made an interception during training camp and is quickly adapting to the team’s playbook.

Starks has been learning from Hamilton and is confident in his ability to handle different scenarios. “You think you know football until you get around people who know football and you realize you don’t know that much about football,” Starks said.

Nate Wiggins Shines

Nate Wiggins had a standout day, making several key defensive plays. He nearly intercepted a short pass, blew up a sweep play, and poked away a deep ball from Jackson. Despite adding a few pounds, Wiggins remains agile and has been a consistent presence in coverage.

Hamilton praised Wiggins, saying, “I think he’s gonna be one of the best in the league. He’s one of those guys that’s not afraid to line up against whoever.”

Injuries and Attendance

The Ravens have remained relatively healthy through the first week of training camp. DeAndre Hopkins returned after missing a session due to a knee injury, and Chidobe Awuzie, despite a long injury history, was reported to be fine.

The only new absence was Keith Kirkwood, but the team remains optimistic about its depth and readiness for the upcoming season.