Category: Ravens training camp

Ravens to sign edge rusher C.J. Ravenell to the practice squad

Baltimore Ravens sign C.J. Ravenell to the practice squad

C.J. Ravenell is an attractive small school product, and the Ravens are signing the edge rusher to the practice squad.

Ravenell was one of the final cuts on Tuesday’s roster deadline.

Ravenell had 45 tackles, 11 for loss, and three sacks at Missouri Western in 2023. He participated in the Ravens minicamp as a tryout and has earned a spot on the roster.

Ravens roster cuts: Tracking the path to 53 players

With Tuesday’s deadline fast approaching, we’re tracking the roster cuts one player at a time.

The Ravens and 31 other teams have begun the painstaking process of trimming their training camp rosters from 90 players to the NFL’s required 53 ahead of Week 1.

Baltimore is a loaded team with Super Bowl aspirations, meaning there aren’t many available roster spots, and few of the players on the bubble will make the cut. The Ravens have decisions to make at the reserve running back and backup offensive line positions, among others.

With Tuesday’s deadline fast approaching, we’re tracking the roster cuts one player at a time.

Baltimore waived the undrafted rookie on Monday.

Washington was waived via an injury settlement.

Signed before the start of training, Gage has been released.

Sharp signed with Baltimore after the draft.

The former Oklahoma and Tulsa offensive tackle signed with Baltimore as an undrafted free agent.

The former Georgia defensive end signed with Baltimore after the NFL draft.

Ravens players to experience an amazing training camp tradition during trip to Green Bay

Ravens to take part in training camp tradition of riding bikes to Lambeau Field with young Packers fans before joint practice on Thursday

Baltimore will travel to Green Bay this week to play their final preseason game, and there will be added competition.

Green Bay had one joint practice with the Broncos in Denver, and the Packers will welcome the Ravens to Lambeau Field this week for a joint practice on Thursday, Aug. 22, before the preseason game between the two teams on Saturday, August 24.

The Ravens will begin practice on Clarke Hinkle Field, on one side of the Don Hutson Center, before joining the Packers on Ray Nitschke Field, on the other side of the Don Hutson Center, for the joint portion of the practice.

Thursday will also mark the final open practice at the 2024 Packers Training Camp. On Monday, Ravens head coach John Harbaugh discussed his approach to the sessions.

Joint practice sessions are usually two-day affairs, but LaFleur said it becomes an “MMA fight” on the second day of joint practices, using last year with New England as an example.

The practice will take place at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday.

The Packers’ official website reports that to ensure the Ravens players experience one of the most storied training camp traditions in the NFL, kids of all fan affiliations in Green Bay will be encouraged to bring their bikes to Lambeau Field to offer rides to the Ravens before practice. If there are enough bikes available, every Ravens player will be riding a bike to practice, so fans and community members are asked to welcome the team in true Green Bay fashion.

During practice, kids can line their bikes up against the Hinkle Field fence to wait for the end of practice, when they can offer their bikes for the Ravens players exiting through the gate to ride back to the locker room.

For Baltimore, it’ll give Lamar Jackson one intense tune-up session against elite competition before the team kicks off the regular season in Kansas City against the Chiefs.

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John Harbaugh discusses his approach to joint practices ahead of session with Packers

Baltimore will travel to Green Bay this summer to play their final preseason game and participate in one likely to be an intense joint practice session.

Baltimore will travel to Green Bay this week to play their final preseason game, and there will be added competition.

Green Bay had one joint practice with the Broncos in Denver, and the Packers will welcome the Ravens to Lambeau Field this week for a joint practice on Thursday, Aug. 22, prior to the preseason game between the two teams on Saturday, August 24.

Thursday will also mark the final open practice at the 2024 Packers Training Camp. On Monday, Ravens head coach John Harbaugh discussed his approach to the sessions.

Joint practice sessions are usually two-day affairs, but LaFleur said it becomes an “MMA fight” on the second day of joint practices, using last year with New England as an example.

For Baltimore, it’ll give Lamar Jackson one intense tune-up session against elite competition before the team kicks off the regular season in Kansas City against the Chiefs.

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Ravens CB Nate Wiggins continuing to get better with intense competition at practice

Ravens cornerback Nate Wiggins is continuing to get better with practice competition

The Baltimore Ravens added cornerback Nate Wiggins to their defense with the 30th pick in the 2024 NFL draft. He’s a player that should slot in immediately for meaningful snaps on Baltimore’s defense and a secondary that already has many talented players.

When asked how the practice has benefited him, he mentioned plenty of receivers who’ve gone up against the fact that he’s been able to learn something. He mentioned season veterans such as Nelson Agholor while also giving love to younger players such as Rashod Bateman, Zay Flowers, and Tez Walker.

“All the receivers – ‘Tez’ [Devontez Walker] – me and ‘Tez’ go all the way back to college – Zay Flowers, [Rashod] Bateman, all the receivers, ‘Nelly’ [Nelson Agholor]. It’s just good competition, so we’re getting each other better.”

Wiggins has incredible speed, a trait needed more than ever against offenses in today’s NFL. While his slight frame could be an issue at points during his rookie year, he’s already shown that he’s ready to be a professional, something that will only grow with time.

Ravens news: OC Todd Monken wants ‘an offense that’s a nightmare to defend’

Todd Monken wants ‘an offense that’s a nightmare to defend’

Year 1 of Todd Monken’s tenure as the Baltimore Ravens offensive coordinator was a resounding success. His unit finished sixth in total yards, first in rushing yards, and fourth in points, while quarterback Lamar Jackson went on to win his second MVP award. With a full season under his belt now, Monken will look to build upon the sturdy foundation set last year.

After evaluating last year, Monken was asked what kind of identity he wanted his offense to have.

“Certainly you want to have an offense that’s a nightmare to defend,” Monken said. “I think that’s what we’re all trying to accomplish – [have] an offense that you’re capable of winning in a variety of ways. If you need to run it to win, you can run it to win. If you need to throw it to win, you can throw it to win. That’s all we’re fighting for – to be elite in all those areas. And then the last part of it is, are you leading situational football? Short yardage, red zone, are you not turning it over, you’re explosive [and] formatted. All those things that really dictate a game.”

The Ravens’ offense underwent some change this offseason, particularly on the offensive line. Both starting guards Kevin Zeitler and John Simpson departed in free agency and right tackle Morgan Moses was traded to the New York Jets. Veteran wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. (second on the team in receiving yards) also left in free agency.

Baltimore signed running back Derrick Henry to a two-year, $16 million contract, giving Monken a true workhorse in the backfield next to Jackson. Henry and Jackson could take the league’s best-rushing attack to an even higher level, further opening up the passing game.

The passing attack should once again heavily feature tight ends, such as Mark Andrews and Isaiah Likely, as well as wide receiver Zay Flowers in his second season. Fourth-year wide receiver Rashod Bateman will be relied upon more this season after back-to-back disappointing and injury-riddled seasons for the 2021 first-round pick.

Ravens All-Pro Justin Tucker explains how he maintains his competitive edge

Despite turning 35 this midseason, Justin Tucker is still in his prime. However, his numbers from long distance were down last season. 

Thursday marked the final day of training camp, which was open to the public. From now on, practices will be closed to fans.

The day was also marked as Special Team Day for the media. The specialists, including placekicker Justin Tucker, talked to reporters on Thursday.

Tucker is regarded by most football experts, pundits, and observers to be the greatest kicker of all time. The G.O.A.T. label certainly applies, as Tucker is not just the most accurate kicker in NFL history (90.2%), but also the owner of the longest field goal made in history (66 yards).

But with all that he’s accomplished, Tucker is not slowing down. The concept of complacency doesn’t exist in his mind.

He knows that there are always new competitors out there, coming to take the top spot.

“I feel like I always have to [push that limit],” Tucker said.

“I know there are dudes out there that are coming for the top spot. Everybody in this league is competitive and wants to be the best.

“I have to keep that in my mind and keep making sure I’m playing at a level that we can all consider elite.”

Despite turning 35 this midseason, Tucker is still in his prime. However, his numbers from long distances went down last season.

The seven-time Pro Bowler knows what he needs to do to maintain a high level.

“Accuracy, distance, they all go hand in hand as far as I’m concerned,” he said.

“Developing every part of my game is just as important now as it ever was.”

Tucker, a 2010s NFL All-Decade Team member, has made 395 field goals and scored 1,649 points in his NFL career.

Ben Cleveland is doing what he can to make the Ravens’ roster

Ben Cleveland is locked in a position battle and doing what he can do to make the Baltimore Ravens 53-man roster

When the Baltimore Ravens lost veteran right guard Kevin Zeitler in free agency this offseason, many considered Ben Cleveland the most likely replacement on the roster. In a pivotal training camp ahead of his fourth season, Cleveland has instead seen more time at the center position in Tyler Linderbaum’s absence than competing for a starting job.

Cleveland was asked if playing center was removing important reps at right guard.

“Oh, no,” Cleveland said. “I don’t think of it as taking reps away from other spots. I mean, they say, ‘The more you can do, the better off you’re going to be,’ and if I have to be in that role of a backup center at some point this year, then I want to be fully prepared to go in and do that. So, I love the fact that I’m getting to play center and going to go out there and get some live game reps in that spot.”

The massive guard out of Georgia has had trouble finding playing time on Sundays since being drafted by the Ravens in the third round of the 2021 NFL Draft. He performed admirably when Cleveland cracked the starting lineup due to injuries. Still, for whatever reason, he has continued to find himself riding the bench during games. There was hope that this year would be different for Cleveland, but if training camp is any indication, that does not appear to be the case.

Making the team as a backup to all three offensive-line interior positions may be Cleveland’s best shot at making the 53-man roster if he cannot win the starting right guard competition by the end of the preseason.

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Despite Derrick Henry’s addition, Justice Hill will have a significant role for the Ravens this season

Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh even went so far as to say that Justice Hill is a “starter.”

Nobody carries the mail quite like Derrick Henry. He led the NFL in carries in four of the past five seasons. But his addition doesn’t mean that second-string tailback Justice Hill won’t have a significant role this season.

Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh even said that Hill is a “starter.”

While the coach obviously means that figuratively and not literally, it does convey how much Hill will be a factor this season.

“The evolution of Justice as a player is that this guy has become a starting back in the National Football League. If you watch him play – look at the [AFC] Championship game,” Harbaugh said after practice on Thursday.

“He is a high-caliber running back, so it’s great to have him along with Derrick [Henry] and the young guys.

“He will give us a slightly different style than Derrick Henry. I see him as a starter. I think he’s going to play a lot and kind of do it his way.”

It’s no secret that every team needs at least two solid backs to withstand the intense wear and tear of a full 17-game NFL regular season.

Hill, who had 84 carries for 384 yards and three touchdowns last season is more than willing and ready to take the load in 2024.

He’s feeling as confident as ever this training camp.

“From running to blocking to receiving, I’ve been working on all of those things tirelessly,” Hill said to reporters.

“So, it’s fun to see how the progression goes each year, how I feel more confident just because I’ve been putting in that work and the more work you put in the more confident you get.”

Kyle Hamilton raves about the speed in Ravens’ secondary

Ravens safety Kyle Hamilton marveled at the speed in the team’s secondary

The Baltimore Ravens have invested plenty of resources into their secondary throughout their franchise history. For the 2024 season, Baltimore is loaded with veteran and young talent, which should shine throughout the year.

When asked about the team’s secondary, Ravens safety Kyle Hamilton marveled at all of the speed that the team has on the unit. He said it looks fast, with Nate Wiggins running a 4.2 40-yard dash and Hamilton even admitting he’s probably the slowest player in Baltimore’s secondary.

“Yes it does look fast to me as well. It’s kind of funny – you look around the room – Nate [Wiggins] obviously ran a 4.2 [40-yard dash at the NFL Combine]. I’m probably the slowest guy in there, at least [from times] at the Combine. But yes, we’ve got Marlon [Humphrey] in there, Marcus [Williams] is running; everybody is running in that room. I think that’s a big thing, along with us conditioning and being out here getting a lot of reps. Running fast for a long time [and] not getting tired is a huge advantage, especially going into the later parts of the season. Let’s just say we can’t get off the field in a series, and we’re going into play 13 in the high red zone, and we need a stop – that’s something that we might’ve given up a touchdown on last year, so we’re just building on conditioning and adding more speed to the room.”

The good thing for Hamilton is that speed isn’t the be-all and end-all. He is a highly talented player, and his skill set fits in rather nicely with the rest of the players in the team’s secondary and on the defense in general.

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