Previewing Ravens Training Camp

Team insiders Ryan Mink and Garrett Downing break down the storylines of training camp and the players they will be closely watching.

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Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:04):
Welcome into the lounge presented by DraftKings. I'm Ryan in
here with Garrett Downing, and training camp has begun. Veterans
report today and the first practice is tomorrow. So definitely
a fun time here at the under Armed Performance Center
and we're getting ready for what we all expect to
be a very fun season. This is a loaded squad,

(00:26):
as we've talked about all summer long. If you haven't
been tuned in and you're just like, all right, raven
season is starting. You're coming back for the first time. Hey,
welcome back. Yes, nice to have you. Where have you been?
And then also like this team is really good. This
is a loaded Ravens team, and to have the kind

(00:46):
of special season that we all think can certainly happen,
it starts in training camp.

Speaker 2 (00:51):
Yeah, two things on that.

Speaker 3 (00:53):
I just feel more conversation around football as teams have
returned for training camp and there's more excitement building. You
get to this point late July August, and like everyone
starts getting excited about football, fantasy football conversation starts. You
have just more conversation in the world about football beginning,
and it's exciting, and I think.

Speaker 1 (01:14):
The conversation never really leaves football, but yeah.

Speaker 2 (01:16):
It never totally stops.

Speaker 3 (01:18):
But like once you get into July and you start
feeling the teams are back at practice and you start
seeing those clips and you start there's more press conferences,
like you just feel like, Okay, now.

Speaker 1 (01:28):
It's go time.

Speaker 3 (01:29):
And the other piece too. And I'll be curious what
you think about this? To me, when I look at
this team and there's a conversation about you just made
it like this team should be really good, it should
be a really fun season, and I totally agree with that.
More than like any year that I remember. It just
feels like there's just this belief that this team is

(01:51):
going to be really good. And you could probably say
the same thing a year ago when the Ravens made
the AFC Championship in twenty twenty three. But honestly, a
lot of the commonversation that year was you lost so
many coaches, You lost so many it was like the turnover,
there's so much, there's so much change with the team
offensive line.

Speaker 1 (02:10):
Yeah, Like it was insensively, like are you going to
be able to get back to that level? I don't
think there's any question this offseason about the level that
the Ravens can get.

Speaker 3 (02:18):
To right now, it seems like the conversation is more
this roster stack. You've added super talented veterans like DeAndre
Hopkins and Jai Eira Alexander, and you've retained your core pieces.

Speaker 2 (02:29):
You've been able.

Speaker 3 (02:30):
To just keep players who we had questions about this offseason.
But but pretty much everybody is back from a year
ago and so and then you add in these other places,
like players like Hopkins and Jaii Alexander, and the.

Speaker 1 (02:43):
Ref's largely intact. You made some good some big addition
Chuck Mugano over you.

Speaker 3 (02:47):
Yeah, but it just feels like, more than any year
that I remember in certainly recent history, there's just this
belief that this team should should be really good. And
I think there's belief amongst fans and the players that
this is a really it's obviously an important season, but
it's a season where there's a lot of confidence going

(03:09):
into it.

Speaker 1 (03:09):
Yeah, totally agree. And as we start training camp. The
funny thing is in the conversation that we're kind of
having is, you know, will the Ravens get over the hump?
That's the big question. They've been had. Some of the
best teams in the past several years and haven't made
it to the super Bowl. And we've all we've been
in these chairs, you know, in January and December and

(03:32):
been like we're good, we're going, We're going right, and
that has happened. And the question, you know, as much
as you want to say, can they get over the hump?
Well that's still months and months away. Right we're kicking
off training camp, but that will be the storyline throughout
training camp, throughout the season into December, and of course,

(03:53):
you know, as we all expect, the Ravens will be
in the playoffs and then as the playoffs start, and
so Garrett, as we here with training camp opening, what's
your gut on whether this team, like we're talking about,
is very talented. But the big question is can I
get over the hump?

Speaker 3 (04:11):
Well, there's a lot to unpack with like that question,
and I think that the Ravens will look at every
aspect of what you can do to get over the
hump and try to accomplish that. The simple answer is like, yes,
I think that the Ravens are good enough. To be honest,
I thought they were good enough last year and the
year before to get over the hump. But it just
for for different reasons.

Speaker 1 (04:29):
Should we believe you this time? Right? Well?

Speaker 3 (04:31):
I think that, Like I don't think just as I
look at a team, I don't think that a team
reaches a point where like now they're ready to be
over that hop. I think that in a given game,
certain things happened, and like I don't think that there
was some larger issue as to why the Ravens didn't

(04:52):
win in the playoffs the last two years to get
to the super Bowl. Like, I don't think that there
was some big picture thing that was holding them back
to prevent them from getting to that point. I think
in those games, the games played out the way they
did and mistakes were made. But if that game gets
played ten times, I think the Ravens could in both
those situations.

Speaker 1 (05:11):
At the majority of them.

Speaker 3 (05:13):
Maybe maybe like six four, But both those teams were
really good. But I think they could have gone. It
could have been split you've played ten times, it might
be five and five. But anyway, my larger point is,
like I think the Ravens were ready to be there
the last two years. I also think that they're ready
to be there this year. In order to make that happen,
I think that like, when it comes down to those
situations in those games, you need to minimize mistakes. And
the Ravens have had too many critical mistakes in playoff losses,

(05:37):
particularly turnovers, and those have really hurt them in the
past several years in the playoffs, to be honest, if
you even extended beyond the past two years, and I
think that if you minimize those turnovers in those games,
I think that the Ravens could win every game they'd
played in the playoffs.

Speaker 1 (05:54):
I thought you were just going to stop at every
game they play. That would pretty awesome. That would come
back to my undefeated season prediction.

Speaker 3 (06:00):
Yeah.

Speaker 1 (06:00):
Back on the schedule release, all right, So I like
the sounds of that. Let's dive into some of the things,
well the other thing to the other thing too, before
we dive into the naty gritty. I think I'll be
curious to see what we hear from players.

Speaker 3 (06:10):
We're gonna start to hear from players today and tomorrow
and basically every day between now and the end of
the season.

Speaker 2 (06:15):
And I agree with you.

Speaker 3 (06:16):
I think I think basically every player that talks with
the media this week is going to get the question
that we just discussed. Can't you get over the hump.
What's it going to take to do that? And I'll
be interested to see what players have to say.

Speaker 1 (06:27):
Well, I'm also interested in hearing from them. Like the
expectations as we're talking about are sky high. I mean,
I think the Ravens are going to be one of
the favorites for winning the Super Bowl this year when
the final odds are released, And how do you handle
those expectations. I think, as we were saying before, to

(06:49):
a degree, you know, I mean, the Ravens are coming
off of AC Championship Game appearance, so you weren't really
an underdog per se. But to agree, I think, to
a degree, I think there's a little bit of a
chip on their shoulder where a lot of people were like, Ah,
this Ravens team, because of all the turner, because of
all the losses, they're just not gonna have it this year.
And it's I mean I remember people being like it's

(07:11):
a little bit of a rebuilding year for the Ravens,
which is crazy, but like this year, there that does
not exist. Everybody is saying, you know, the Ravens are
one of the most loaded rosters in the league, and
everybody's saying that they should be in the super Bowl
and maybe this is a year where Lamar Jackson, you know,
gets done and all this stuff, and like, so how

(07:33):
do you handle that? You know, the Ravens have always
been kind of that team in Baltimore's kind of that
city that thrives off being the underdog and scrappy and
chip on your shoulder and all that stuff, and like,
how how do you handle being the favorite? Yeah, it'll
be interesting.

Speaker 3 (07:50):
Yeah, that'll be I do wonder what players will say
to that. And I do actually think that this team.
I think that most fan bases like the underdog role.
I think they're just like there's not as much pressure,
you're playing with house money, all that stuff. Like I
think that most people like being the underdog. But I
do think that, like even in games like, the Ravens
are a team, and I think that the Ravens like

(08:10):
being an under dark two. You can kind of, I
don't know, twist the narrative however you want on this topic,
but the Ravens are a team, like especially within games
like they have just boat raced teams over the years
during the Lamar Jackson area. They've blown people out, and
like I think they're also good playing from ahead, and
you can take that mentality beyond just within the game

(08:31):
and take that to the season two mm hmm.

Speaker 1 (08:34):
Yeah, I think that's more of a game script thing.
I mean, if the Ravens get out in front of
people and then you have this rushing attack, they just
they just stomp on your throat.

Speaker 3 (08:41):
But they've also had these seasons with Lamar quarterback where
they've they've been the number one seed twice in his
time as a starting quarterback, and so like they've part
of that's just been they've been a good team, but
they've also been like I think that they have done
a good job of when they are the favorite, and
they've particularly in the right other season, been able to

(09:01):
just just keep rolling like they're they're the big team
on the block in a lot of these situations, and
they've met those expectations and played really well, like they
haven't hid from that, and I think that, like, yes,
everyone loves the underdog story and they embrace that too,
but I also think they're pretty good as the favorite
in a lot of situations as well.

Speaker 1 (09:20):
Sure, all right, now we'll get into the incurty here
and talk about First of all, I want to talk
about kind of a checklist of things that the Ravens
will want to accomplish during training camp. And I think
first of all, everybody thinks about the position battles, not
only just for starting positions, but who's gonna make the

(09:42):
fifty three. And it's gonna be really tough in terms
of deciding who's on the fifty three this year, it's
gonna be tight. And then in terms of starting positions,
there's not much up for grabs, and really it's kicker
at the top of the list and then left guard

(10:05):
into a degree inside linebacker. I would say, yeah, kicker
being I think that's the biggest thing to watch at
training camp is the kicker competition between the two rookies
six round pick Tayler Loop and undrafted rookie John Hoyland.

Speaker 3 (10:22):
Yeah, and and honestly like that is. I made this
point on a recent podcast, like that's a The competition
is one piece, like whoever ends up winning the job
and making the fifty three. The next piece is how
those guys handle the pressure. And the pressure are going
to increase all throughout the year. It's going to increase
from it's going to increase from OTA practices in mini
camp to training camp and that environment knowing that like, okay,

(10:46):
we're gonna one of you guys is likely going to
get cut here. One of you guys is gonna get
cut here. Over the course of the next month, the
two kickers on the fifty three. So someone is winning
that job. And uh so that pressure is going to
increase here when practice begins tomorrow. Then it's going to
increase to another level once they get into preseason games,
and that's going to really, I think, go a long

(11:08):
way into determining who ends up winning that job, and
then the pressure continues to increase once you get into
regular season games. Now the competition is settled then, but
like how that how whoever ends up winning it performs
is very much undetermined until you're in that environment. So
I really think that if one of these guys establishes

(11:29):
himself in his overall just kicking better in camp and
then takes us to the next level and performs well
in the preseason game, I think that could be the
deciding factor. Like you go, I go back to when
when Justin Tucker won the kicking battle, he kicked better
than Billy Condiff did throughout training camp. It was close,
but he outkicked him in practice. Then once they got

(11:49):
to those preseason games, the game miss, he didn't miss,
and he was really good in those preseason games, and
then all of a sudden they Raven said, you know what,
he's our guy. We're going with the rookie. Justin Tucker
won the competition. It's over and they made that decision
and so. But but my point is, like doing it
in those preseason games is what sealed it for him.

Speaker 1 (12:07):
Yeah. Yeah, I think that those preseason games are going
to be really huge. It's just gonna ramp up. They're
gonna put them in high pressure situations with the whole
team watching and to practice scenarios. They're going to try
to ramp it up as much as they can in practice,
and then it'll hit another level once they get to
preseason games, and whoever is the most consistent will win
the job. I don't think it's it's not too hard,

(12:29):
you know, And I think they want to They want
to have their guy, you know. They don't want to
be deciding on cutdown day like they would like it
to be done before then. I think, and uh, and
we all know Tyler Loop considering he's a draft pick,
is the favorite for the job, So it's his job
to his job to lose. Yeah, Now with the flip side,

(12:51):
he'd probably say it's my job to win because he
gotta win it.

Speaker 2 (12:54):
He's gonna earn it, exactly.

Speaker 1 (12:56):
And so but that will be what we're all out there,
all the reporters will be charting all every kick. Yeah,
and we'll have the reports for you daily and and honestly,
it's a huge job. It just is.

Speaker 3 (13:09):
Oh it's how many games have the Ravens won based
on the they're kicking over the past decade A ton
and so.

Speaker 1 (13:16):
And you definitely can't lose games because of it. I understand,
you know, if the rookie comes in and he's not
Justin Tucker at his peak form, right, the greatest kicker
of all time, most accurate, And so I don't expect
this guy to come tell lou Woar John Hoyland to
come in and start bombing sixty sixty yardists in Detroit,

(13:37):
you know, and right away. But like, you can't be
losing games, Yeah, there's.

Speaker 2 (13:42):
You got it.

Speaker 3 (13:43):
There's a certain level of an expectation that's what you
need to do. Absolutely, And I think both those guys
certainly understand that.

Speaker 1 (13:50):
And they're talented enough to meet it.

Speaker 3 (13:51):
Yeah, and I think I think that whoever ends up
winning that job, I think the Ravens kicking operation will
be will be more than satisfactory year, I think.

Speaker 1 (14:01):
And if it's not in like preseason games, then they'll
go get a veteran. Yeah, that's just what will happen.

Speaker 2 (14:05):
Yeah.

Speaker 3 (14:06):
I think when we're looking back on it at the
end of the year, I think that we'll be saying, like,
just say, it's Tyler Lup for example, Tyler Loop won
the job and he's a pretty good kicker as a rookie.
I think that's like the conversation that we'll be having
with a kicking game. I think they'll be able to
be efficient. It's a good operation.

Speaker 1 (14:21):
Hopefully he's hitting game winning you know, kicks in the
playoffs and like Super Bowl field goals like Justin Tucker was.
Hopefully we're having the same.

Speaker 2 (14:28):
Conversation last time we had a rookie kicker.

Speaker 1 (14:30):
I don't think that people came away from Justin Tucker's
rookie season saying this is the greatest care of all time. Right,
People said he had a good rookie year like he
did a good job. Yeah, and he's had some big
kicks in Denver, Yeah, Denver double.

Speaker 2 (14:43):
Overtime moments in the super Bowl, like great rookie year.

Speaker 1 (14:47):
Yeah. I hope that's what we're saying. I think there's
certainly a chance of that.

Speaker 3 (14:51):
If we're talking about super Bowl, then I'm definitely one.
Is this a sizeable, This is a this is a
one day at a time. It was a one day
at a time. It's to start a camp. Don't put
the cart before the horse.

Speaker 1 (15:05):
We were just talking about the super Bowl. That's what
I thought. You were getting a little carried away. But
I'll ring it back in.

Speaker 2 (15:11):
Yeah, one day at a time, all right.

Speaker 1 (15:14):
The next storyline that I want to discuss here is
I think that the the secondary is certainly a group
to watch, and it's a group I'm really excited for
because of all the talent back there. But it has
to gel, it has to come together, because that was
really the ravens Achilles heel for the first half of

(15:36):
last year, or more than half, was their pass defense.
And you look around the division and you see Jamar
Chasin T Higgins both back, and you see DK Metcalf
line up for the Steelers, you know, and and you
see Jerry Judy for Cleveland, and you got to have
a good secondary. And you see all these.

Speaker 2 (15:53):
Quarterback Mahomes and Joe Burrow, Josh.

Speaker 1 (15:55):
Allen the AFC North. I mean, you got Joe Burrow,
you got now Aaron Rodgers in Pittsburgh, So like you
better have a good pass defense. And the Ravens certainly
have the talent. I mean at cornerback, you're you're led
by Marlon Humphrey, Nate Wiggins, you had jay r Alexander,
you got Cheewa bay Uzia, so you've got talent there.

(16:16):
And then safety you got friend of Lounge, first round
pick Malachi Starks and oh, by the way, maybe the
best safety in the league in Kyle Hamilton. But you know,
Jayir is new, Cheeto is new, Malachi is a rookie, right, Like,
those are three big pieces of this secondary that are

(16:36):
all new the team. So you gotta gel and geling
is especially important in the secondary because there's so much communication,
ye like, and they work in tandem the you know,
the offensive line and other groups too too, But really
in the secondary, like you have to know what your
teammates are doing and really play off each other. No
where you have help and all that, right, there's a

(16:58):
lot of trusts, there's a lot of communication, so that's
got to be on point. And I think that that's
just like a big narrative in training camp to.

Speaker 3 (17:05):
What you're saying to the point you're making on paper.
I mean, the talent and the secondary is through the
roof five first round picks. Again, Kyle Hamilton might be
the best player in the league in his position. I
think I think Nate Wiggins has top five corner potential.

Speaker 1 (17:22):
Top buildy.

Speaker 2 (17:23):
I I think, I really do.

Speaker 3 (17:24):
I think he has top five corner potential. I think
he could be a pro bowler this year. I think
if he plays to the level that he's capable of
this year, stays healthy, I think he will be a
pro bowler this year. So and then Marlon Humphrey, he
has been a multi time pro bowler. So, like the
Ravens are loaded with talent. The point though, is there's
also a lot of questions. It's like, Okajire Alexander new

(17:44):
team health, Cheeto, new team health, Nate Wiggins, how do
you what's the jump from year one to year or two,
how do you handle more responsibility and not catching anybody
by surprise. There's more of an expectation now than there
was a year ago.

Speaker 1 (18:00):
Maw kai ready to start right, you know, how big
time of a player. Is the first round pick going
to be?

Speaker 3 (18:06):
Right?

Speaker 1 (18:07):
How good is he gonna be?

Speaker 3 (18:07):
And like last year, honestly, at this time, we were
saying similar things about the secondary, saying like, the secondary
is going to be one of the best in the league.

Speaker 2 (18:15):
This defense could be one of the best in the league.

Speaker 3 (18:17):
Because a year before, in twenty twenty three, Ravens did
have the best defense at football and the secondary seam
like it was only ready to build off of that, and.

Speaker 1 (18:26):
Then begins their first round pick rookie.

Speaker 3 (18:28):
You're like exactly, so you're like, oh, the secondary is
going to be rock solid, and then it wasn't the
first half of the season. So I think that it
looks good on paper, but we also learned kind of
the hardway on that front last year, and it will
be an interesting group just to see how they're performing
and then also the mixture of who's on the field,
where they're on the field, and how they're using everybody well.

Speaker 1 (18:49):
I think also, you know, coaching change in the secondary,
chuf Gano comes in and that certainly adds another dynamic
and storyline. Yeah, this whole group. And then I think
also the other thing to monitor during training camp is
just safety depth, right. I think if there's a question
remaining in my mind right now, still moving forward to
this team, it's do you have enough safe safety depth

(19:12):
as it stands? Because our Darius Washington's achilles injury and
he's not expected to return until late in the year,
if at all. And so you know, outside of Malachi
and Kyle Hamilton, you know you're looking at snoose, a
cane bo braid. How big a role do those guys
play period? Do they use a third safety very much?

(19:33):
And then if there are an injury to happen, how
much can you rely upon them or do the Ravens
need to go out and get a veteran That's another
question I think as we enter training camp.

Speaker 2 (19:41):
Yeah, and also just what's the rotation look like overall?
In the secondary? It seems like Marlin Humphrey is going
to be used.

Speaker 3 (19:47):
Inside a lot based on the fact that the Ravens
have really good outside corners and Nate Wagan's and Chilie
Alexander and Cheetoh's and outside corner too, So it seems
like Marlon is going to play in the slot a lot,
but of course Marlon can play outside. Then you have
something that we saw during the offseason practices, which is
guys like Jalen Armor Davis Cross training at safety as well.

(20:09):
Is there anyone else that they do that with? Does
he get a lot of safety reps? Is he working
mostly at outside corner? How do the Ravens approach that? So?
And then like what's the I mean, I think that
we would all expect that in a if you have
three corners on the field, that it's Nate Wiggins, Marlon Humphrey,

(20:29):
ANCHI ye Alexander. I mean that's the expectation. But you
know with somebody that like before the Ravens signed Jay Alexander,
we were all excited about you though, Like we talked
about him as being a really good pickup quality player
who's played a ton of big games and knows the
AFC North. Like I still think that he could be
a really important piece for this team. So like, I

(20:49):
think it's going to be a good player, you know,
for sure.

Speaker 1 (20:52):
I think if you're counting on all your cornerbacks to
stay healthy for all seventeen games of this season. That
it's fools gold. Yeah, like it's just not really of six.
So yeah, I think Cheetoh will play some meaningful snaps
for sure. Yeah.

Speaker 3 (21:06):
So I think that the secondary is gonna definitely be
one to watch. I think it's honestly a little bit
difficult until you get into game action to get a good,
great sense of like houses group meshing.

Speaker 1 (21:18):
You well yeah yeah, so on that that front, correct,
I thought, you know, you do get a better sense
in training camp, like they're more competitive against the wide
receivers than what we saw during OTA's mini camp, or
they're pulling off and you're not really challenging the ball,
Like we're gonna see this secondary kind of get to
get it swagger, you know, Like there's gonna be days

(21:39):
in camp practice where we're gonna have like multiple interceptions
and you're gonna say, man, this secondary is just really
swaggy right now. But maybe I'll be the only one
saying that.

Speaker 3 (21:48):
Yeah, yeah, here doing the seat belt. Oh yeah you.

Speaker 1 (21:55):
Boxes thumbs down. Yeah, Like there's gonna be days like
that the training camp. And on one hand, I'm kind
of really excited to see this. Is it's only for
the past.

Speaker 3 (22:05):
That's always that's always a challenge. It's like is that
a good or bad thing?

Speaker 1 (22:07):
Yeah, but like I want to see I want to
see this secondary and I want to see the defense
as a whole, get back to that kind of like
swagger like Marlon Humphrey talked about during mini camp. Yeah,
and and I think that that kind of that can
build during training camp, Like you feel that coming on
when you're watching every single practice, like we will be
and uh, that's I'm excited. And it also it goes

(22:30):
into the turnovers. You know that's been a drum that
they've been banging all off season, is we have to
get more turnovers, Like, so do we see that in
training camp practice?

Speaker 3 (22:40):
That's something I want to I would like to see.
I would like to see more takeaways. Of course in games,
that's the way to put it.

Speaker 1 (22:47):
In training camp, I'd like to see take I don't
want to see turnovers, but I would like to see takeaways.

Speaker 2 (22:51):
Yes, it's always that's been on. I want to see takeaways.

Speaker 3 (22:54):
I think this defense and like to your to the
point like you feel a little bit better if it's
the defense coming up with takeaways against the second string offense.
So like that's that's where you feel better about what
you're talking about.

Speaker 1 (23:06):
But there's also as a defense, they don't feel as
good all them are.

Speaker 3 (23:10):
Yeah, you wanted a little bit of a mix of
everything on like on that front. And I'll be honest, like,
if I went back to last year's training camp, I
don't think I came out of it feeling like, oh man,
the secondary is going to be a problem, Like I
was concerned about the secondary. I didn't come out of
that feeling that way. But I just think that you
can get a sense of how the group, how the

(23:31):
group is going to be used, And then to your point,
are they entering the season with that confidence, Like Marlin
has talked about this a few times, like feeling like
when he got here it was a defensive team and
it's shifted in that sense, and so can the Ravens
kind of regained some of that confidence as a secondary
and as a defense. That is something that can be

(23:52):
built over the course of camp.

Speaker 1 (23:53):
Then I think the other storyline for me is this
is the number one offense in the league last year,
So can you play at that high of a level
again or even better. And so when you look at
where can the Ravens be better offensively, I think part
of it is just like operation avoiding penalties. That was

(24:15):
one thing that we talked about a lot last season
during the course of the seasons, like, man if the
Ravens just stopped shooting themselves in the foot penalty wise,
specifically because turrivers really weren't a problem. Lamar did a
great job protecting football, making good decisions. It wasn't like
fumbles were a huge issue. It's penalties, and so if

(24:35):
the offense can clean that stuff up, it's going to
be even better than it was potentially. Yeah, and so
I think that that will be another storyline and thing
to watch during training camp.

Speaker 3 (24:48):
Yeah, the offense, it's hard to really think like they
didn't just do what they did last year because it
was a historic season, Like I don't want to gloss
over that, like last year's offensive performance was historically good.
But I also don't see areas where the Ravens got weaker.
The onlys was at was at left guard. Pat McCarey
left in free agency. But when you consider like, okay,

(25:11):
now you insert let's say Andrew Voorhees, that's one of
the competitions.

Speaker 1 (25:14):
Well, let's also just like Pat's a really good player,
but he was like the Ravens sixth man for a
long time he was.

Speaker 3 (25:20):
And also like so like Roger roseen Garden who stepped
in ultimately as a starter at right tackle when when
McCarey went to left guard from right tackle. Now he's
going into his second season, he should be better than
he was at the start of last year. Better, Like
could the offensive line just be status quo?

Speaker 2 (25:40):
If that's okay?

Speaker 3 (25:43):
So if the offensive line is better, I think the
receiving game could be even better.

Speaker 2 (25:46):
Now you had DeAndre Hopkins to the mix.

Speaker 3 (25:49):
The tight ends are the exact same, I think likely
could only end up getting better. I think Mark Andrews,
who was banged up early last season, who got really
got better over the course of the year. I think
he the tight end group could be better. So it's
like and then running game, I think you could continue.
It's hard to see another nineteen hundred yard season. But
but Derek Henry has a cameo in the next Adam

(26:10):
Sandley movie on the line for two thousand yards, so
he's going to be more motivated than ever. But Keith Mitchell,
Keith Mitchell's back.

Speaker 1 (26:18):
I mean the person didn't mention is Lamar, right, I
mean Lamar had a historically good season. That's in large
part why the Ravens had a historically good offensive season.
So can Lamar repeat? You know, can he can he
play at that high of a level. Again, it's hard
played extremely well, but that's going to be the biggest,

(26:42):
you know, the biggest factor in whether the Ravens offense
is just as good as it was that last year,
if not better? Do you think that? And the nitty
gritty of it, I think is the penalties, like I
was talking about, that's like one thing that you can
definitely put your finger on and say, like if we
attack this in training camp to the point of like
this is on the to do list. I think offensive

(27:03):
penalties and erasing those You're never gonna get rid of
them completely, yeah, but minimizing those, I should say, is
on the to do list during training camp.

Speaker 3 (27:13):
Do you think, what do you think the likelihood of
Henry hitting two thousand yards is tough? I mean, that's
a huge numb but it's like he goes over nineteen
hundred yards last year in Saquon tops two thousand and
now we're talking about two thousand yards like like it's
it's just running the mill stats over here.

Speaker 1 (27:30):
I mean, that's tough. It's tough. I don't I don't
think like Derrick Henry. I don't think because he's your
older that he's any worse of a player. I'm not.
I'm not buying into that. I've fallen into that trap.
Guy is you know, freakiously different as an athlete and
so uh but like I mean, even over the course

(27:53):
of Derrick Henry's illustrious, you know, maybe future Hall of
Fame career, he has had me seasons like he did
last year. So it's gonna be tough. And whether you
know with DeAndre with di Hot, do they do they
lean a little bit, a little bit more passing throwing
the ball a little bit even more than they did
last year? I don't know. Yeah, you know, does he

(28:16):
have as many eighty yard runs as he did last
year or you know, off the top of my head
you can think of multiple you know, I don't know.
It's tough to have that many long runs big plays, right, Yeah,
the big play like that is is hard to come
by for a million different reasons.

Speaker 3 (28:32):
But I think that Henry is gonna I honestly think
whether he hits two thousand or not, I think when
you look at his yards per carry, I think it's
gonna be in the same ballpark of where it was
last year.

Speaker 2 (28:44):
I think he's gonna be.

Speaker 3 (28:45):
As I think he's going to be similarly productive as
he was this year. And and when I look at
the offense, like where is the where are the the
opportunities for growth?

Speaker 2 (28:56):
I think that it's like I could make the case.

Speaker 3 (29:02):
Honestly, I could go down the line and be like,
I think Bateman could take an even bigger step. He
was really productive in the red zone last year, but
I think that he could see more catches and more
see more targets, more catches, put up more yards. I
think he could be hovering around one thousand.

Speaker 2 (29:16):
I think Say.

Speaker 3 (29:17):
Flowers, who topped one thousand was a pro bowler last year,
could take an even bigger step. Bateman told us like,
say Flowers on a lot of teams could have a
thirteen hundred yard season, and that is a realistic thing
that he could do. I don't think he's going to
have thirteen hundred yards in this offense with all the
other weapons, But could he have twelve?

Speaker 2 (29:34):
Could he have eleven hundred?

Speaker 1 (29:36):
Maybe?

Speaker 3 (29:38):
Could Isaiah likely put himself in that conversation of like, man,
this guy's one of the most dangerous tight ends in
the game. I think he has that kind of ability.
And Mark Andrews could just keep catching touchdowns like every
game like he did at the end of last season.
So I don't like I could I could talk myself
into the growth opportunities for a lot of different guys.
You're not going to see that across the board, but

(29:59):
I think that all all those different players have a
pretty good case as to why they could elevate their
game to another level.

Speaker 1 (30:06):
One the other big storyline of every single training camp
is how healthy can you stay? Yeah, of course that
is the big, big factor in all of these conversations.
And you know, the Ravens, as we well know, have
had tough training camp years, and they've had really great
ones like they did last year. And I think generally
like they have a good plan and a good attack,
and you know, some of that is luck and some

(30:27):
of it is uh, you know, rehab and preparation and
strength and conditioning and all that, and I think the
Ravens have an awesome program that helps them avoid those,
but you just never know. Some of it is just
bad luck. And so like that is a major component
of training camp. And we talk about you know, you're
talking about Bateman taking another steps, Like last year, we
were all like, can he stay healthy? He's got to

(30:49):
do that again? All right? Can jaire Alexander and all
these other guys that have been banged up by injuries, Like,
can they all stay healthy? Like I think if I
think if the Ravens stay healthy throughout training camp and
then throughout the season for the most part healthy, Yeah,
there's no there ain't gonna be stopped.

Speaker 2 (31:06):
Yeah, there's no there's no limits how good this team
could be.

Speaker 1 (31:08):
Yeah. Then those guys, all those guys you're talking about
making a jump and all that, like it's possible.

Speaker 2 (31:12):
Yeah, I'm with you.

Speaker 3 (31:13):
So we're gonna take a quick break here when we
come back, we're gonna dive into some of the key
players that we are gonna be watching very closely.

Speaker 2 (31:20):
And this year's camp.

Speaker 3 (31:21):
You're listening to the last podcast, We're coming to you
from the Sea Geek Studio. We want to mention our
partners at Draft Kings sports Book. They are an official
sports betting partner of the Baltimore Ravens Draftking Sportsbook. The
Crown is yours. So, who's number one on your list
of players to watch in this year's camp?

Speaker 1 (31:36):
Wow, I'm putting you on the spot number one on
my list right now players to watch. I'm gonna say,
I mean the kickers. I mean, as I said, that's
that's what everybody's watching. Loop Tyler. Loop is probably at
the top of my list.

Speaker 3 (31:53):
Not one of the not one of the the guys
that you talk about, like Gruden Grinder, I love French.

Speaker 1 (31:59):
Andrew into my head, but I didn't want to hear this.

Speaker 3 (32:02):
I want to hear and you pick a kicker like
that's your number one, But I didn't even say it.

Speaker 1 (32:09):
All right, fine, you know what, I'll lean into it. Oh,
Gruden Grinder, I'm watching the trenches.

Speaker 2 (32:13):
Yea Andrew Moore or he's your number one guy?

Speaker 1 (32:16):
Okay?

Speaker 2 (32:17):
Uh you know me, I like, I like flashy.

Speaker 3 (32:19):
Uh so I'm gonna go I'll give you one on
both sides of the ball. Actually, okay, and similar stories. Uh,
veteran players. I want to see Jay Alexander I'm pumped
to see him. Haven't seen him on the field yet.
The Ravens signed him during mandatory mini camp, but we
haven't seen him take the field yet.

Speaker 1 (32:34):
Well, and it's a big training camp for him. I mean,
you got to learn the defense, you have to go
with your teammates, and you have to stay healthy. Yep,
it's a big camp. Like if Jay Alexander is going
to have the resurgent year that I think a lot
of us think he can have and what the Ravens
are betting on him to have after two injury marred
seasons the past two years, then he's gonna need to
stay healthy in camp yep.

Speaker 3 (32:55):
And then the other guy on the offensive side, I'm
excited to watch DeAndre Hopkins. Like when whenever he was
on the field during the off season program, I found
myself being like, first and foremost.

Speaker 2 (33:05):
Oh, yeah, Like we got DeAndre Hopkins.

Speaker 3 (33:07):
This is awesome, Like we've talked about this for years,
Like it's it's awesome to see him in a Ravens uniform.
Almost forgot about it. And then the other piece is
like every time I saw him, I thought he's going
to be a difference maker for this team, Like he
he was in small sample size, but during these offseason practices,
like he was making plays and making catches that I'm like,

(33:29):
that's exactly what this team needs. They need a guy
that can do exactly that. And he's been a pro
at making tough, contested catches outside the numbers throughout his career.
Whether he's open or not, he's always open. And I
just thought that, like that is exactly the type of
a type of weapon that the Ravens could use, and
so I'm excited to see if he can.

Speaker 2 (33:48):
Keep it going throughout camp.

Speaker 1 (33:49):
Yeah. I put together a photo gallery a list of
you know, fifteen players that training camp is just huge for.
I didn't put DeAndre on the list because you know,
for DeAndre Hopkins, it's like, yeah, he's proven it right,
Like he doesn't have anything to prove in training him.
But I will say, and I think you make a
valid point that like him establishing his connection with Lamar

(34:11):
and Lamar like building trust in in him that like
he's gonna make those contested catches, And I can put
it up like part of the reason why Lamar Jackson
doesn't throw many interceptions is because he doesn't put the
ball in harms away very often with DeAndre Hopkins, Like
sometimes you might feel like you're putting it in harms
way a little bit and he'll go up and make
a play for you. Yep. And you know, Lamar's had

(34:32):
that trust certainly, as we've seen with Mark Andrews and
and receiver other receivers at times. You know, we've kind
of seen him put the ball up for grabs a
little bit likely it was another one, but like at
wide receiver, Hopkins might be the best contested catch receiver
that the Ravens have had in a long time.

Speaker 3 (34:51):
I mean, he's the active receiving leader in the NFL,
and he's been like one of the best contested catch guys.

Speaker 2 (34:57):
I mean not his decade in the league. Like he's
going to go to Canton and part of his on the.

Speaker 1 (35:02):
Bus, that'll have like another head kind of coming into that,
like he's just into the frame.

Speaker 3 (35:07):
Like like he's been one of the he's one of
the best contested catch players and the NFL has ever seen.
Like now he can hit big plays too, but like
his contested catch ability a second to none. So and also,
like the question I asked, is who you most excited
see I'm just excited.

Speaker 2 (35:21):
I think he's fun to watch.

Speaker 3 (35:21):
I think he's been an awesome player and like seeing
him in a Ravens uniform.

Speaker 2 (35:24):
Yeah, he's just fun to watch.

Speaker 1 (35:25):
Yeah, I'm going to go back and talk about a
couple of rookies, and I think Malachi starts. As I
stated before, it's just a really big training camp for him,
and I'm excited to watch him go out there and
you know, become the player that I think he's capable
of becoming. And like he's in a big, really big
spot as a week one starter, and he's got a

(35:47):
lot on his shoulders, and I'm excited to see like
the playmaking turn on a little bit, you know. I
think in OTAs in mini camp, you see him really
thinking a lot and not wanting to make a mistake
and making sure he's got the coverage down. And like
I'm kind of ex I had to see at some
point in training camp like him just turn it loose,
you know, and like start breaking on some balls and
trusting his instincts to say, like, I know I'm in

(36:09):
the right spot. Let me trust my instincts on this,
you know, and make some plays. Like I'm excited for that.

Speaker 2 (36:13):
Yeah, I'm with you. How about the second round pick too?

Speaker 1 (36:16):
Exactly? That's what I was going to talk about Mike Green.
I mean talk about really talented players, but once the
pads come on, it gets real right in OTAs in
mini camp, like you're looking at outside linebackers to the end,
you can get some feel for how good they are.
But once the pads come on and the physicality ramps up,

(36:36):
we're gonna know about Mike Green. And when he's going
full speed at those offensive tackles, just how big of
a role he can have as a rookie.

Speaker 2 (36:44):
Yeah, a dafe Oway.

Speaker 3 (36:46):
His his athleticism and speed is so rare that he's
a guy that I think from his very first day
at practice as a rookie, like he flashed because he
had these speed to get around tackles and in shorts
and shells, and the question for him was more like
how do you do what the pads come on and
the physical nature ramps up. With Mike Green, it's almost like,
I think he's physically talented, but once the pads come on,

(37:07):
I think he could really shine because it's like now
that's he was kind of viewed as a guy that
had like a complete arsenal from a pass rush standpoint
coming into the NFL. And so now when you get
into more of like practices that feel more like football does,
is that as good as advertised? That's the question for him,
and I think we're gonna get a sense of that.

(37:30):
One of the most fun drills to watch in training
camp are one on one drills both receiver dB, but
the pass rush drills too, offensive tackle firs outside the linebacker.
Those drills are really fun to watch. I think we'll
get a taste of that during just the normal team practices,
but also some of the joint practices that the Ravens
are going to have both with the Colts and the
Commanders this summer. Those will be a good test to

(37:51):
see how he does against you know, opposing guys and
those one on one drills.

Speaker 1 (37:55):
Yeah, I agree, I'm going to stick at outside linebacker.
And I'm also intrigued to watch a desa Isaac and
David Ajabo, two other olb's, And you know, it's it's
just a big training camp for both those guys. A
Jabo entering his fourth year. It's it's a make or break,
you know, off season, in season, it's make a break
season for him, and so he needs to have a

(38:18):
really good training camp, uh, to really kind of establish
him and have a role in this outside. Everybody's fighting
for roles there. Like you have so many good players,
so Aoa, Kyle van Noy both coming off ten sec
you know, double digit sex seasons. Tavis Robinson is is
gonna get a lot of snaps, that's just he's just
a dog. And then you have all these other guys

(38:39):
Mike Green, A Desa Isaac, David Ajabo, you know, all
fighting for snaps yep. And so I'm I'm intrigued to
see Ken David Ajabo put it all together and become
the guy that we all thought he could be when
the Ravens made him a second round pick. And then
also a Desa Isaac here's a third round pick from
last year. He's really talented, also hampered by injuries. It's

(39:00):
a really important training camp for him to kind of
establish himself.

Speaker 3 (39:03):
You have some key guys that were either high or
mid round picks that are going into this training camp
kind of on the bubble or very much on the bubble.
A job of being one of those guys is like
nothing is guaranteed, and I think he'd be the first
to say that. And it's a big opportunity for him
to show that that he's healthy and he can make

(39:24):
an impact. A Desa Isaac third round pick from a
year ago, basically a retcher at season as a rookie
because of the injury, but now it's an important year
for him. Another guy, maybe more of a bubble guy.
I mentioned him earlier in the secondary, Jalen armor Davis.
He's flashed at times as a fourth year player, but
this is an opportunity for him to carve out a
role for himself improve He deserves a spot on a

(39:46):
really competitive fifty three floaded it's so talented and you
drafted two guys there too late, but you still drafted
two guys.

Speaker 1 (39:55):
TJ.

Speaker 3 (39:56):
Tampa was another guy, kind of a retcher year as
a rookie last year because of the groin injury.

Speaker 2 (40:01):
How does he come along this season? What does he
look like in camp?

Speaker 3 (40:04):
Like there's just a lot of And he was a
fourth round pick a year ago who we were all
excited about, saying he could have been a Day two pick,
could have been a second round pick. So the Ravens
got to steal and so like, there's there's just a
lot of guys who kind of fall into that category
of players who we felt like have tremendous upside and
now in order to not only earn a role, but
earn a spot on the team, they've got to got

(40:25):
to prove themselves this summer.

Speaker 1 (40:26):
Yep. Another player that I think we all feel like
very talented and got to prove themselves Trenton Simpson, an
inside linebacker, and you know, can he be that starter
next to Roquan Smith and reclaim that job and not
only reclaimed the starting job and beat out Teddy Buchannan
the rookie, but also just play at a high level.

(40:46):
You know, I think that inside linebacker was to a
degree kind of a weakness for the Ravens last season,
and if this defense is going to be better, I
think that they just need better play there. And uh
and so I think it's it's a really important training
camp for Trent and Simpson and he and Rokwan have
been putting in the work all off season together to

(41:06):
really kind of forge that behind and be on the
same page and you know, get the mental side of
the game down. As as Trenton talked about, you know,
being so important, and he feels like he's so much
more advanced to this offseason than he was last year,
but he's got to prove it out in training camp.
And once the pads come on, they're coming downhill and
Derek Henry's getting the ball, you know, are you fitting
that right? And you you there to meet him or not?

(41:28):
And so yeah, I think it's a really important training
camp for trent and Simpson.

Speaker 3 (41:32):
Yeah, the conversation with Trenton is a little bit different
than we just had with guys like a Jaba who
are more kind of roster bubble. Trenton I wouldn't put
on the roster bubble, but he's he's trying to earn
a starting job. Yeah, and then the question, just like
we had with the kickers, Okay, what's the starting job
is solidified?

Speaker 2 (41:50):
How good can you be?

Speaker 3 (41:51):
Like it's not just a matter of winning that job,
it's a matter of what you need, really good play
out of that position. And I think that both of
us see Trent Simpson, like we said this before, dude
to super athletic. It is one of the hardest working
guys that I see out of the team. And so
I think that it could all click for him this year.
I think that he could end up being a guy
that we're just like hey, similar to Patrick Queen where
it all came together for him in year three. Could

(42:12):
that happen with Trenton Simpson? I think the potential is
there for that to happen with him, and that's gonna
I think we'll get a sense of that in training camp.
And he's another guy. How do you do with when
the pads come on, when it gets more physical at practice,
when there's a lot more happening in front of you,
how are you processing things? I think we'll be able
to tell a lot of that during the summer practices.

Speaker 1 (42:34):
LA's two players for me, Sanoosie Kane Safety. As I
talked about safety depth, I think is maybe my top
roster concern as it stands right now. Besides, like are
these kickers going to be good enough? Basically? And so
if Sanoosie's playing really well at camp, then I'll feel
a lot better. I'll feel like the Ravens don't need

(42:55):
to go pick up a veteran. So he's somebody to
watch I think at training camp. And then so Emery Jones.

Speaker 3 (43:01):
What about Bo Braid, I would put on and I
was alsopposed to do, and Bo Braid is I'll put
him together pack direct.

Speaker 1 (43:07):
That's correct. Bo Braid also, don't can't leave out You're
main guy. It's hurt. Yeah, I agree, Bo. And then
another one, Emery Jones, who is a player, the rookie
third round pick. We haven't really talked about because he
hasn't been on the field. He's been dealing with a
shoulder labrum injury. Uh, and he won't be on the
field at the start of training camp, as John Harball

(43:27):
had previously said, But he's gonna return at some point.
And like I'm just I'm it's important for him because
he hasn't been on the field. Like, he's got to
get up to speed a little bit faster. And now
when the Ravens drafted him, I think a lot of
us were saying, Hey, could he win the starting left
guard job. I'd say that's certainly unlikely, considering he hasn't

(43:48):
played yet, so he's not in a high pressure situation necessarily.
I think it's more of a you know, next year,
is he challenging for a start? Is he in line
to challenge for a starting job and compete for that. Uh,
certainly think he could. But even if not, like for
this year, he would be one of your top backups. Yeah, right,

(44:10):
Like he's a tackle guard, he could be a top
they have Joe Noteboom. He's your swing tackle right now,
a veteran you start a lot of games, So he'd
be ahead of Emory Jones. Ben Cleveland's probably your top
backup guard as of now, right and left guard. But
the faster the Emory Jones can get up to speed
once he's healthy and back on the practice field, the

(44:31):
better you feel about your your offensive line depth.

Speaker 2 (44:34):
For sure, I'm with you on that.

Speaker 3 (44:35):
And and it gets you to a spot where you
avoid basically what happened last year with like Adisa Isaac
who is working year was really a red shirt year,
similar to TJ Tampa, because you're dealing with the injury
and then you're kind of behind the eight ball and
it's just it's just challenging. Now, you hope that basically
Emory Jones gets back on the field and he's and
he's healthy and he's good to go the rest of
the year. But yeah, there's a there's you gotta you

(44:57):
gotta make sure that you're good physically and thenk you
got to catch up. You got to catch up both
on the mental side of things and then also from
a football shape standpoint and going through practice. So yeah,
whenever he does return to action, I think it is
kind of an important camp for him just to just
to get caught up and see what he can do.

Speaker 1 (45:14):
Yep, Okay, I said this, and I last see what.

Speaker 2 (45:16):
I have got a bonus one for us here a
little bit.

Speaker 1 (45:19):
Hey, we talked about Nate Wiggins, like him, whether he
can take that leap that'll begin in training camp and
he predicted ten takeaways, ten plus, so yeah, let's get
it rolling. Yeah. Uh. And then DeVante's Walker. You know,
I think he was a player that we talked about
a lot during OTAs in mini camp and can he
keep that momentum going and if he can, then like
there is there a role for him in this offense?

(45:41):
Can they find some kind of job for him? You know,
he's he's kind of competing with Tyler Wallace and Leajonte
West or another rookie who'll be exciting to watch for
pump return.

Speaker 2 (45:50):
He was actually gonna be my bonus guy.

Speaker 1 (45:51):
Okay, I'll let you go on Lejonte, but like Devantees
is an interesting player because he's got some momentum now
and so can he continue that in training camp?

Speaker 3 (45:59):
Yeah, and Lejonte Western for me more so in the
punk return game. That was an area where the Ravens
felt like they weren't good enough last year. They need
to improve overall in the return game, both kick return,
punt return and covers. You just need to get better
from a from a return standpoint across the board and
adding Lejonte Western was a piece of the equation. And
this is a guy who did in college returned at

(46:21):
a high level. They feel really optimistic about what he's
going to be able to bring. And I think that's
another one of those positions like you can get a
feel for that how smoothly does he catch the ball.

Speaker 1 (46:29):
There's actually like a position a competition. When you're talking
about competitions for like starting you know it's starting punt return. Yeah,
Like that's actually one of the top four.

Speaker 3 (46:39):
And it's important from a if we've seen this before.
We've seen it with Tyler Wallace, Like if you can
break a big return, it can change the game. So
the Ravens have been off if you can. But then
it's also if it goes the other way, you can
lose a game. You can lose game in a hurry
if you can't catch punts.

Speaker 1 (46:54):
And like got fortunate late in the season when they
were muffing punts, yeah, and cycling through punt returns trying
to just find a guy who's going to catch it, Yeah,
when he should catch it and catch it and hold
on to it. Yea. Like, and they got lucky a
few times quite frankly that like they didn't lose the
ball and and like, and they lost field position sometimes yep,

(47:15):
that they should have had. So like that, I agree
with you know what, I'm moving that up to my
list of like things I'm watching.

Speaker 3 (47:21):
There you go, I'm watching punt return and uh, it's
get to be fun.

Speaker 2 (47:25):
Man.

Speaker 3 (47:26):
I think that I think that this campus, we said
at the outset is going to be a really exciting one.
I think this team is positioned to be one of
the best this year. And and I do I do
think just to put a bow on it, I do
think that.

Speaker 2 (47:38):
That John Harbo does a great job of.

Speaker 3 (47:41):
Like setting the tone and taking like we're all going
to be talking about the end of the road and
gege it over the hump and all this stuff. But
I think that, like he does a really good job
of keeping the focus on, like today's practice, what's important now,
Like those little things that like sound cliche but I
do think are actually important for a team as you're
building throughout the course of a year.

Speaker 1 (48:02):
Did you get the script for the first team meeting
of training camp for.

Speaker 2 (48:05):
Something I did not? I did not he did not
give me.

Speaker 3 (48:08):
I think he would do a much better job than
I would deliver that initial speech message to the team.
But I think that, like, I think he does a
good job of that. So, yeah, it's gonna be fun.
We're gonna be covering this thing throughout the entire summer,
and of course.

Speaker 1 (48:21):
Wednesday, we'll be back with our takeaways from the first practice,
which is always really fun.

Speaker 3 (48:25):
Yeah, So as always, you can email us to the
lounge at Ravens dot NFL dot net. Thank you so
much for listening, and we'll be back with you again soon.