Ravens News 8/5: Leadership Role

Ravens observations on Lamar Jackson and Rashod Bateman finally finding chemistry during scrimmage

Brian Wacker, The Baltimore Sun

“It was great to see [him] building a rapport with him and Lamar,” wide receivers coach Greg Lewis said. “To see ‘Bate get out there, making moves, making catches, the sky’s the limit for him.

“It was awesome to see just plays being made, contested catches, going up grabbing the ball, by all the guys out there.”

For whatever reason, the connection between Jackson and Bateman has been inconsistent at best through the early part of camp in what seemed like a carryover from last year. But they looked terrific on Saturday.

Jackson, who played against the first- and second-team defenses, unofficially finished 10-for-16 for 107 yards with one touchdown, a 4-yard pass to Andrews.

Offense vs. defense

Overall, the defense still got the better of the offense Saturday, but that’s to be expected this time of year.

Outside linebacker Malik Harrison stuffed Derrick Henry on a fourth-and-1 to end one possession, though the star running back did have a couple of long carries, including one around 50 yards for a possible touchdown that got called back for holding.

Defensive tackle Justin Madubuike was also disruptive, and outside linebacker Odafe Oweh got near Jackson on at least one throw that forced the two-time NFL Most Valuable Player to get rid of the ball quickly.

On another possession, Jackson slammed his helmet to the turf (and was flagged for it) after he overthrew running back Justice Hill on a third-and-short on what appeared to be some sort of miscommunication. Afterward, Jackson was engaged in a spirited conversation on the sideline, and coach John Harbaugh eventually joined in.

Unlike previous practices, however, the defense did not force any turnovers.

Ravens stock report: Roger Rosengarten on the rise while Rashod Bateman has up-and-down week

Giana Han, The Baltimore Banner

Risers

RT Roger Rosengarten: The rise in Rosengarten’s stock correlates with an elevation in his reps. For the first time in camp, Rosengarten spent the majority of his time with the starters Thursday. He handled the Ravens’ aggressive defensive line well through his starting reps at right tackle, showing less of the struggle he had early with Justin Madubuike and Odafe Oweh. Rosengarten is in a good position to make a case to be a prominent part of the offensive line rotation.

RB Justice Hill: When Derrick Henry signed with the Ravens, he instantly became the face of their run game. But Hill is still here and he’s still going to be a part of things. The Ravens didn’t practice too many runs until Friday, so Hill featured more prominently than Henry as he caught passes downfield and on sweeps. Once they started running more, Henry took the stage, but Hill got his fair share of carries. Don’t count him out this season. “This is going to be — by far — one of his best years,” running backs coach Willie Taggart said.

Fallers

CBs Damarion “Pepe” Williams and Ka’dar Hollman: Neither has looked bad. But they also haven’t stood out in a camp full of plays by defensive backs. Rookie cornerback Nate Wiggins has shown his speed. Cornerback Arthur Maulet has continued to show an affinity for the pass rush. Jalyn Armour-Davis has made big tackles. Even Bump Cooper Jr. has had a highlight with an interception.

Three Ravens defenders standing out in training camp

Jamison Hensley, ESPN

A new-look Marlon Humphrey

Humphrey, 28, is coming off a season in which he recorded career lows in tackles (26) and passes defensed (five). Foot surgery during last year’s training camp sidelined him for the first four games of the season, and a calf strain forced him to miss two more games later that season.

Humphrey’s goal entering this season was to lose weight. He looked at his better seasons and noticed he was lighter in those years. Humphrey is 190 pounds, which is down from his playing weight of 200 the past couple of seasons.

“Ever since I tore my [pectoral] — around 25 [years] old — I got my grown-man weight on me, and it just never went off,” Humphrey said. “It’s a young man’s game, so I decided to get a little lower.”

The Ravens drafted cornerback Nate Wiggins in the first round, and they bring back starter Brandon Stephens at the other cornerback spot. But the Ravens understand what a healthy Humphrey can do for a defense.

“Having Marlon Humphrey at full speed and at his best would be massively beneficial, and that’s what we expect him to be,” Harbaugh said. “He’s in great shape. So, I would never discount Marlon Humphrey, if I was an opponent. I believe in Marlon. I think he’s one of the best players — one of the very, very best corners — in the National Football League.”

Zay Flowers Is Taking a Leadership Role in Year 2

Matt Ryan, BaltimoreRavens.com

While Flowers’ leadership has grown, he’s continued to work on his game as well.

“[Flowers has] pretty much gotten better at everything,” Lewis said. “I think just trying to get him the ball … If he touches the ball, something special is going to happen. So, [we’re] just putting him in [a] position to be successful each and every way possible.”

Dennis Johnson Praises Defensive Line’s Versatility

The Ravens defensive line is led by All-Pro Justin Madubuike, but one of its superpowers is the line’s versatility.

The line is littered with players who can play all over, and once the roster is down to 53, having do-it-all players will be pivotal.

“You’re not taking 10 D-linemen into a game, so you have to have guys that can play inside and outside,” Defensive Line Coach Dennis Johnson said. “I know ‘Urb’ (Brent Urban) gives us that flexibility a lot, ‘Beeks’ (Justin Madubuike) and his flexibility can do a lot of things, and Travis [Jones], too.

Who’s the next Hall of Famer from every NFL team? Some are obvious. Jets, Lions are not

Pompei & Sando, The Athletic

Baltimore Ravens: Terrell Suggs, OLB

He wasn’t as celebrated as defensive teammates Ray Lewis and Ed Reed, but Suggs clearly has a Hall of Fame resume. He ranks eighth in career sacks and was voted to seven Pro Bowls. He also was the NFL’s Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2003 and Defensive Player of the Year in 2011. Suggs will be Hall-eligible in 2025, along with former teammate and guard Marshal Yanda, who also should be a strong candidate.