On Monday, as an estimated 1,000 fans filed into the stands behind the Under Armour Performance Center in Owings Mills, anticipation grew in advance of the public Baltimore Ravens training camp practice. Lamar Jackson was preparing to lead the Ravens offense during his second practice back following his bout with COVID-19, and the fans expected fireworks when the offense took on the vaunted Ravens’ defense.
Marlon Humphrey, Marcus Peters, Calais Campbell, and the rest of the defense was up for the challenge.
While few players looked quite crisp enough for the regular season, scattered splash plays drew cheers from the faithful. And a few untimely drops and off-target passes elicited a smattering of groans. None of the negative plays, however, were enough to deter fans from the hope that the upcoming new season inspires.
Each training camp practice yields important data points that coaches are able to use to prepare the team for the upcoming season.
Between the air horns that signaled the transition from one segment of practice to another, coaches and spectators were able to glean insights as to who might make up the final 2021 Baltimore Ravens roster. They also learned on whom the Ravens might be able to rely when seeking their third Super Bowl.