On paper it's a preseason footnote. On the grass it was the most useful day of camp so far, and if you only read the box score you missed the actual story. The defenses owned this thing until the final whistle. Here's what we saw.
The Macro Read: Day 1 Goes to the Defenses
Nate Wiggins was the best Raven on the field by all accounts. Not close, honestly. He plucked a deep shot away from Justin Jefferson, then came right back the next play and broke up an even deeper one meant for Jordan Addison. He got his hands on a third intended for Jefferson too. Marlon Humphrey chipped in a delayed-blitz sack and nearly picked one off, and Bilhal Kone had an interception in one-on-ones. The young corner room keeps playing older than its résumé, and Wiggins looks like a guy ready to take the leap. This is the group to build the whole defensive identity around.
Jesse Minter’s defensive mind should have a greater positive impact to Ravens cornerback room than any other. His defense will enable corners to vision the quarterback more, be left on an island without help overtop less, and turn the Ravens corners into playmakers. His zone-match heavy philosophy should enable ball production and turnovers to boot. Considering Nate Wiggins was carted from the practice field following an injury scare just a week before this session, his production in joint practices against talented Minnesota Vikings receivers is blissful music to Ravens fan’s ears. Weaponizing Marlon Humphrey, then seeing young depth like Bilhal Kone, T.J. Tampa and
On the other side of the ball, Flores cooked, and the answer was the quick game for the Ravens.
This is the film lesson of the day. Nobody in the league dials up pressure like Flores, and he had Lamar living in a phone booth. Andrew Van Ginkel and Dallas Turner got home more than once, and Lamar took multiple would-be sacks. What you want to watch on the coach’s copy is how Baltimore adjusted: quick-step drops, get it out, live to play the next down. Rashod Bateman was in rhythm underneath all day.
It seems like Bateman will be utilized all over the field, with increased slot usage. This should showcase his well-rounded skillset and make him more of a QB friendly target for Jackson as opposed to how he was used under Todd Monken in previous years.
Zay Flowers on a quick throw after a three-step drop went for about 20 and was probably the offense’s best rep of the day. That’s how you beat a blitz-heavy defense, and it’s exactly the muscle a new offense needs to build now instead of in Week 3. The explosives weren’t there. That’s the part to sit with.
The Ravens Center Woes Continue.
Danny Pinter slammed his fist on the ground in frustration. The center got rolled up on during an 11-on-11 rep, and left on the cart. Teammates took a knee. No update from Minter after practice. This is the one that matters beyond a single day in Eagan, because interior line depth was already a question and now it's a live one. Jovaughn Gwyn seemingly jumped in with the Ravens first team, who had some mightily impressive reps in the Ravens preseason opener against the Philadelphia Eagles. Since the Ravens won the Super Bowl in 2013, legendary center (and former longtime Viking) Matt Birk retired. Since then, the Ravens had a turnstile of mediocre center play. That’s what seemingly pushed them to draft Tyler Linderbaum, then offer him a top of market contract before the Las Vegas Raiders blew the Ravens offer out of the water. Now, the biggest question on the Ravens entire roster is: can they accomplish their goals if they don’t get average level center play?
