Tag: T.J. Tampa

NFL Preseason Week 1: Can the Ravens defend the Eagles passing game?

Baltimore Ravens rookie Nate Wiggins will tested by Philadelphia Eagles WR’s Johnny Wilson and Ainias Smith in their upcoming exhibition game.

The Baltimore Ravens intentionally drafted to replenish their depth chart at the defensive back position earlier this spring. They’ll get a chance to see the implications of the 2024 NFL draft when they face the Philadelphia Eagles in their preseason opener tonight.

Ravens’ rookie Nate Wiggins will tested by Eagles’ rookie wide receivers, including Johnny Wilson and former Texas A&M speedster Ainias Smith. Earlier this spring, I suggested that the Ravens draft Smith because his upside makes him an asset in special teams even if he does not make the frequent rotation needed in the 11-man personnel on offense. Nevertheless, Wilson’s game is a little different from Smith’s. Standing six feet six inches tall, Wilson creates an offensive nightmare for defensive backs, and with Ravens’ rookie wide receiver Devontez Walker already terrorizing Wiggins at practice, Wilson may excel in week 1 of the NFL preseason.

For the Ravens, not much of an update has surfaced on Iowa State draftee defensive back T.J Tampa. Consequently, Ravens’ fans may see heavy playing time given to defensive back Jalyn Armour-Davis and 22-year-old safety Sanoussi Kane in the preseason debut.

Ultimately, it is presumptuous to assume the Ravens will be the same defensive powerhouse they were a season ago with zero evidence. In the preseason, veteran safety Eddie Jackson and defensive back Brandon Stephens may see extra reps to assist the second-string players with adjusting to the tenacity at the NFL level.

Ravens training camp: Top photos from Day 5 of practice

We’re looking at the top photos from Day 5 of Baltimore Ravens training camp practices

The Ravens had a day off from training camp on Thursday but returned to the Under Armour Performance Center on Friday and Saturday for their first two full-padded summer practices. Lamar Jackson returned to the lineup after a medical evaluation for flu-like symptoms. At the same time, the team honored the late Jacoby Jones on the day that family and friends traveled to New Orleans for his funeral services. With Sunday’s practice quickly approaching, here are takeaways and notes from Saturday’s session. ***

Eddie Jackson calls Ravens secondary one of the deepest groups since Alabama

Eddie Jackson calls the Baltimore Ravens secondary one of the deepest groups ever

Eddie Jackson has been involved in some elite defensive back play and helped Bears star Jaylon Johnson become one of the NFL’s best.

After getting released, Jackson waited and finally signed a one-year deal with the Ravens just before the first training camp practice. Jackson called Baltimore a perfect fit, and when asked about the Ravens’ defensive back group, he called the unit “one of the most competitive” and deepest since his time at Alabama.

The Ravens lost their No. 3 safety, Geno Stone, in free agency, and they’ve been in the market for a potential replacement since March. Jackson, a two-time Pro Bowl selection with 15 career regular-season interceptions, will join the dynamic duo of Marcus Williams and Kyle Hamilton, one of the league’s top safety tandems.

The cornerback group includes Marlon Humphrey, Brandon Stephens, Arthur Maulet, Nate Wiggins, and T.J. Tampa.

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Ravens rookie CB T.J. Tampa to miss start of training camp after hernia surgery

Ravens rookie cornerback T.J. Tampa to miss start of training camp after hernia surgery

The Baltimore Ravens have their entire team at training camp, but they kicked off Day 1 without two key rookie contributors: Adisa Isaac and cornerback T.J. Tampa.

Tampa could miss time to start his first training camp after having off-season hernia surgery.

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 out of Iowa State 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.

Ravens initial 90-man roster arranged by uniform number ahead of training camp

Baltimore Ravens’ 90-man roster at the start of 2024 training camp

The Baltimore Ravens have officially reported to the Under Armour Performance Center for the start of training camp with the first practice scheduled for Sunday morning.

There will be starting jobs and roster spots up for grabs, which should make for some intriguing position battles throughout camp and the preseason.

Currently, the Ravens have 90 players on their roster, and that will be trimmed down to 53 ahead of the start of the regular season, and by August 27.

With training camp underway, here’s an updated look at the Ravenss’ initial 90-man roster at the start of training camp, organized by jersey number.

Ravens defensive backs may benefit from upcoming joint-practice vs. Packers

With Green Bay Packers QB Jordan Love ranked No. 2 in the NFL pass TD’s last year, joint practice may benefit the Baltimore Ravens DB’s.

Did you know Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love ranked No. 2 in pass touchdowns and No. 7 in passing yards last season? Perhaps the Baltimore Ravens will benefit by having their defensive backs run practice reps in Wisconsin next month.

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Keep a close eye on rookie defensive backs Nate Wiggins and T.J. Tampa in the upcoming joint practice with the Packers. The Packers’ wide receiving core includes Christian Watson, Romeo Doubs, Jayden Reed, and Dontayvion Wicks, targets shown to be serviceable in head coach Matt LaFleur’s offense.

With the addition of running back Josh Jacobs, the Packers will be the perfect offense for the Ravens to test their defense versus play-action. 

Ravens inside linebacker Roquan Smith will be responsible for familiarizing the rookies with pre-snap identifiers and playcalling. With new intricacies to be introduced in defensive coordinator Zach Orr’s playbook, the rookies must prepare by studying film and getting many practice reps.

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The Ravens will get back to it when training camp begins Jul. 20. Orr knows that with the departure of a few key players on defense, the world will be watching to see how the team reinvigorates. 

Pair of Ravens rookie draft picks not physically ready to start training camp

Ravens rookie draft picks Adisa Isaac and T.J. Tampa were placed on reserve lists ahead of Baltimore’s training camp

The rookies for the Baltimore Ravens reported for training camp duty on Monday. A pair of draft picks will have to wait before they can participate, however.

Third-round EDGE Adisa Isaac and fourth-round cornerback T.J. Tampa were placed on reserve lists at the start of Ravens camp.

Isaac was placed on the non-football injury (NFI) list with an undisclosed injury. The pass rusher from Penn State worked out at the NFL Scouting Combine and did not have any injuries of note for the Nittany Lions.

Tampa is headed for the physically unable to perform, or PUP list. The corner from Iowa State can be activated at any time and is eligible to participate in team activities, but not practices, while on the PUP reserve list.

Isaac can also participate in team activities, but his NFI designation means the Ravens are not obligated to pay him for an injury that occurred outside of his football duties with the team.

Both Isaac and Tampa are expected to compete for significant contribution roles as rookies, once the Ravens clear them to play.

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.

Ravens placed rookie cornerback T.J. Tampa on PUP list to start training camp

The Baltimore Ravens have placed T.J. Tampa on the PUP List to begin 2024 training camp

The Baltimore Ravens will have their entire team at training camp on July 20, but they have already made three roster moves. According to NFL Communitcations, Baltimore placed second-year running back Keaton Mitchell and rookie cornerback T.J. Tampa on the physically unable to perform list.

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 out of Iowa State 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.

T.J. Tampa Talks Lamar Jackson, Derrick Henry, and Ravens offseason food banter

We then asked Tampa if Lamar Jackson does indeed look faster this offseason after his much publicized weight loss.

It’s always interesting to see what kinds of way-off-football topics become headline news each offseason. In the case of the 2024 Baltimore Ravens, it’s all about food preferences.

Patrick Queen didn’t just leave Baltimore for the arch-rival Pittsburgh Steelers this offseason. He went out of his way to take a swipe at Maryland cuisine, specifically seafood.

Queen referred to the local fare in his new hometown as “real food.”

New Ravens signing Derrick Henry responded by saying how much he loves all the great seafood available in his new home.

So when Ravens rookie cornerback T.J. Tampa took time out of his busy offseason conditioning schedule to chat with us (part one of this exclusive can be found here), the food feud was top of mind.

“I’m a picky eater,” Tampa said exclusively to Ravens Wire.

“I don’t really care to try too much, I’m definitely more a chicken wings and fries type of person. I don’t really eat too much but I definitely do enjoy a good steak.”

The Ravens’ fourth-round draft pick enjoys both surf and turf, and he said that he definitely considers seafood to be “real food.”

Tampa agreed that the back-and-forth between Queen and Henry has given the media a little more to talk about, during this slow period of the year.

“You got to be able to talk about something…it’s pretty quiet right now,” he said.

We then asked Tampa if Lamar Jackson does indeed look faster this offseason after his much-publicized weight loss.

“We’re not allowed to hit him, so we’re not really running with him, but you can definitely see how fast and quick he is. And once he sees the hole he’s gone,” Tampa responded.

He’s also excited about Jackson pairing with Henry in the offensive backfield, and the very special things that this team could achieve this season.

“It’s going to exciting to watch them,” he responded.

“Things will pick up once we get to training camp, but you can tell it’s going to be an exciting year.

“Everybody on the team knows that we’ve always been playing winning football here and now in this new year, nothing needs to slow down.

“We need to pick it up and keep moving forward- it’s what we plan to do.”