Tag: Ravens training camp

Ravens rookie cornerback T.J. Tampa makes his training camp debut

Baltimore Ravens rookie cornerback T.J. Tampa to make his training camp debut after coming off the PUP list

After months of waiting and anticipation, T.J. Tampa will participate in his first Ravens training camp practice on Monday after recovering from off-season hernia surgery.

The former Iowa State cornerback was removed from the PUP list and was dressed wholly in pads ahead of Monday’s practice.

Tampa started every game for the Cyclones the past two seasons and was named to the first-team All-Big 12 squad as a senior after recording 44 tackles, nine passes defended, and a pair of interceptions.

Baltimore doubled up at cornerback because the value was too good, selecting Tampa in the fourth round. The former Iowa State defensive back offers elite range, size, and leaping ability.

The Ravens have their projected starting cornerbacks in Marlon Humphrey and Brandon Stephens, but Tampa will compete for snaps with Nate Wiggins, Arthur Maulet, and others.

Tampa and Wiggins were roommates at the Combine and got to know each other.

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Ravens OT Ronnie Stanley shows off his pass-catching chops

Ravens offensive tackle Ronnie Stanley showed off his pass-catching chops in a photo on Instagram

The Baltimore Ravens have used their fair share of trick plays throughout their franchise history. There is plenty to look back on and remember, and the team appears to be preparing to open up their bag of tricks once again in 2024.

It was widely reported that at the end of Wednesday’s practice, there was a top-secret touchdown that the media is forbidden to describe based on team practice rules. However, on Thursday, Baltimore offensive tackle Ronnie Stanley posted a picture of him catching a pass, possibly revealing what the team was working on.

Every organization has some form of trick play that they can use at their disposal throughout the year. It will be interesting to see if the Ravens get more creative in Year 2 of Todd Monken’s offense, which is expected to take off this season.

Roquan Smith breaks down how Ravens defense will be different under Zach Orr

Ravens ILB Roquan Smith discussed if the team’s defense will be different under new defensive coordinator Zach Orr

The Baltimore Ravens lost defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald to the Seattle Seahawks following their AFC Champion loss to the Kansas City Chiefs. They also lost numerous assistant coaches but were able to keep Zach Orr and promote him to defensive coordinator.

One player who worked closely with Orr when he was the team’s inside linebackers coach is inside linebacker Roquan Smith, who has seen immense success in a Baltimore uniform. He praised Orr for his mindset, saying both coaches are unique.

“I think are very similar that’s here, and I have a great deal of respect for [defensive coordinator] Zach [Orr and] his mindset. He’s been out there on the field, and believe it or not, obviously him and Mike [Macdonald] are two totally different people, and they’re unique in their own way, but through the headset, they actually sound the same. Every voice I’ve heard through a headset all sounds the same. I’m like, ‘Is that Mike or something?’ I told ‘Z.O.’ one day during OTAs, so it’s pretty funny. I’m excited for ‘Z.O.,’ for him to showcase what he’s able to do with the pieces that we have here and showcase it to the world. We’ve all been doubted before, [how] things may not be as good as this, that or the third, but the game gives us the opportunity to prove that. I have a great deal of respect for ‘Z.O.,’ and that he’ll prove it week-in and week-out, and it’s going to start here in training camp, preparing for the year.”

Orr doesn’t have any play-calling experience, but he has an incredible football mind and is an extremely smart person. He has the respect of the Ravens’ locker room, and he will hope to get off to a fast start as Baltimore’s defensive play-caller.

Ravens coach John Harbaugh says QB Lamar Jackson is close to returning

John Harbaugh says Lamar Jackson is close to returning from illness that has caused the MVP quarterback to miss three days of practice

Lamar Jackson has missed the first three days of Ravens training camp with an undisclosed illness, but the MVP quarterback is close to returning.

Head coach John Harbaugh provided his best update on Jackson after Tuesday’s session, telling the media that his quarterback awaits clearance from Baltimore’s medical staff.

Backup quarterback Josh Johnson has taken the valuable first-team snaps again for Baltimore. At the same time, rookie signal-callers Devin Leary and Emory Jones have benefited from three days of increased reps.

Odafe Oweh has terrorized Ravens offense during the first 3 days of training camp

Odafe Oweh has been dominant during first three days of the Baltimore Ravens training camp practices

Odafe Oweh was more than prepared to bet on himself, but the Ravens did the smart thing, picking up his fifth-year option prior to the start of offseason workouts.

The former Penn State pass rusher has all the tools but has yet to post a double-digit sack season and enters 2024 as the most significant piece of a revamped pass rush that lost Jadeveon Clowney to free agency.

If the first three days of training camp are any indication, then the Ravens’ opponents are in for a nightmare. Coach John Harbaugh has had to reign the athletic marvel in or risk having him wreck practice by ending up in the backfield on every play.

Oweh started in 13 games last season and registered five sacks, tied for the most in his career. He also had 23 tackles, 12 quarterback hits, and two forced fumbles.

Oweh had his 5th-year option picked up despite just 13 career sacks in 3 years and an average of 19 pressures a season; they’re betting on his upside and potential while trying to avoid any hard feelings with the pass rusher. Oweh has also never had more than 19 pressures in a season.

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Odafe Oweh has complete faith in David Ojabo as Ravens look to duplicate 60 sacks from 2023

Odafe Oweh says the Baltimore Ravens will look to duplicate their 60 defensive sacks from 2023

The Ravens led the NFL in sacks last season but watched as Jadeveon Clowney and Patrick Queen departed in free agency.

In 2024, a new cast of characters is on the edge, with Odafe Oweh and David Ojabo as the young but elder statesmen on a defense that sees Kyle Van Noy return as a veteran, Tavius Robinson as an intriguing second-year pass rusher, and Adisa Isaac as the hotshot rookie from Penn State.

While addressing the media on Tuesday, Oweh stated he has complete faith in David Ojabo and jabbed the media for not thinking Baltimore would rack up 60 sacks in 2023.

According to PFF, among 64 NFL edge rushers with at least 295 pass-rushing snaps last season, Clowney’s 79.0 PFF pass-rush grade ranked 18th, Oweh’s (25 years old) 77.4 PFF pass-rush grade ranked 22nd and third-year edge rusher David Ojabo earned a 63.2 PFF pass-rush grade when healthy.

If Baltimore can get consistent production from Broderick Washington, Tavius Robinson, and Adisa Isaac, 55+ sacks should be attainable.

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Lamar Jackson misses third straight training camp practice with an undisclosed illness

Baltimore Ravens MVP quarterback Lamar Jackson missed his third straight day of training camp practice with an undisclosed illness

The Ravens are more than 40 days away from kicking off the NFL season in Kansas City against the Super Bowl champion Chiefs, and it’s a good thing because their MVP quarterback would be unavailable if that matchup took place this week.

Lamar Jackson will miss his third straight day of training camp practice after being sent home on Saturday with an undisclosed illness.

Backup quarterback Josh Johnson will take the first team snaps again for Baltimore, while rookie signal-callers Devin Leary and Emory Jones will benefit from another day of increased reps.

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WATCH: Zay Flowers creates a magical moment for group of young Ravens fans

Baltimore wide receiver Zay Flowers created a magical moment for a large group of young Ravens fans

Zay Flowers quickly became a fan favorite during his rookie season in Baltimore, and the dynamic pass catcher created an extraordinary moment for a young group of fans on Day 3 of Ravens training camp.

In the video courtesy of the Ravens X/Twitter account, Flowers appeared to be one of the first players on the field for practice at the Under Armour Performance Center. Baltimore has its players run down the hill past young cheering fans and onto the multiple practice fields.

The young fans appeared to have missed Flowers on his first run-through, but he more than made up for it by running from one end of the Ravens practice field back to the hill for a double run, allowing young fans to cheer and trade hand claps.

The young rookie carried the Ravens’ passing attack, logging 77 catches for 858 yards and five touchdowns on 108 targets last season. A Pro Bowl effort in 2024 could make Flowers the new king of Baltimore.

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Lamar Jackson sent home from Ravens first training camp practice with an illness

Baltimore Ravens QB Lamar Jackson was sent home today from the first training camp practice of 2024 with an illness.

The Ravens are officially kicking off the 2024 preseason with their first training camp practice of the summer, and the team will be without MVP quarterback Lamar Jackson.

Adam Schefter reports that Jackson will miss Sunday’s opening session after being sent home with an undisclosed illness.

Baltimore entered training camp with four quarterbacks on the roster, and veteran Josh Johnson likely took most of the snaps on Day 1, with rookies Devin Leary and Emory Jones working in with the reserves.

Jackson has been at the Under Armour Performance Center for five days now, reporting ahead of the veterans with the other quarterbacks, who joined the rookies that reported on July 13.

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Ravens place rookie linebacker Adisa Isaac on the non-football injury list

The Baltimore Ravens placed rookie pass rusher Adisa Isaac on the non-football injury list

The Ravens are expecting big things out of rookie pass rusher Adisa Isaac, but the team could be forced to wait until later in the preseason for that elite pass rush prowess.

Isaac, a third round pick out of Penn State, will start training camp on the non-football injury list with an undisclosed injury.

Isaac joins Keaton Mitchell, and T.J. Tampa as key players who’ll begin training camp sidelined with injuries.

Isaac had a breakout season in 2023 with 7.5 sacks and 16 tackles for loss, and he could be the more impactful player opposite former Penn State teammate Odafe Oweh rather than David Ojabo.