The Baltimore Ravens were able to wrap up their offseason programs and now have a short break until the season officially starts at training camp. These sessions are a good chance for the team to get together and learn the direction of the team so that when they hit training camp, they do not have to waste time getting anyone integrated into anything.
So, now that these days are over, what are some of the biggest takeaways?
5. Baltimore Ravens are taking things easy with injured players
Injuries have been the biggest killer of the past two years for the Baltimore Ravens. They have not been able to get their core players on the field at the same time for a long time, and this year they at least have a chance to see that happen. That is why it is not surprising to see the Ravens take it easy with some of their more injured players.
Ronnie Stanley talked about being healthy for the first time in the offseason since 2019. After three years of rehabbing something, he can finally improve in critical areas. However, while the Ravens are anxious to see that happen, they were cautious to ensure that it would not be derailed this early in this offseason. They gave Stanley a choice to get on the field or work out independently, and he decided to wait until training camp for the fieldwork.
There are differing reports about J.K. Dobbins and why he was not participating, but he is another player who was in the building, but with his track record of injuries, he did little before training camp. Gus Edwards was in a similar boat.
Rashod Bateman was coming off his Lisfranc injury, and he had just had the screws removed from his foot. So, while he also missed the sessions, it is arguably a good thing because it shows this should not impact him much longer.
Even Tyus Bowser sat out the week after dealing with injuries last year. The Ravens assume everyone who sat out from those names mentioned will be good to go for the first day of training camp. That is why they held them out from these practices.
4. Baltimore Ravens have a left guard competition
While it was clear that he would have to earn it, the thought was that former third-round pick Ben Cleveland would finally be ready to start at left guard after sitting behind Ben Powers for two years.
However, the competition went from a defacto duel to an all-out brawl when the Baltimore Ravens started moving some pieces around. Early on, the competition was expected to be Cleveland against John Simpson.
Simpson has started in the NFL but is a veteran who was not desired, so Cleveland has the leg up on paper. However, the Baltimore Ravens also have been working Daniel Faalele and Sala Amuave-Laulu into left guard.
These two were expected to spend the year as depth right tackles, and then they would compete for that role. However, the Ravens are having them work at left guard and have made it clear that both players are in the mix to start this season.
While the depth right tackles have been getting work at left guard, the supposed starting left guard was filling in for them at right tackle. And he was struggling in his time at right tackle.
So, Cleveland went from the pole position to start at left guard to struggling at backup right tackle quickly. That is pretty notable. Was this just a test, or is this a sign that Cleveland will not be starting?
3. Baltimore Ravens are versatile in the secondary
The Baltimore Ravens continue to move things around in their secondary. First, Kyle Hamilton moved from the slot to strong safety. However, his versatility in the slot also just makes him a strong safety who can play more roles than a normal strong safety.
The Ravens also moved Brandon Stephens back to safety, perhaps a sign that he will play safety when Hamilton moves into the slot. The team was not done with that, though.
Ar'Darius Washington, who has been moving between the slot and free safety in back in the slot. Then, Daryl Worley, a veteran journeyman has been moving around as well. He played outside in week 18 against the Bengals last year.
This year he is playing more of a dime safety role and is floating both inside and outside. If there is any theme or a key takeaway, the Ravens will not be stagnant in their back end. They want guys who can fill multiple roles on the field, and they want to mess with the post-snap movement.
This will be even more fun to watch in the preseason and training camp.
2. Keaton Mitchell is getting oppurtunities for the Baltimore Ravens
Gus Edwards has been getting healthy, and J.K. Dobbins has been doing the same, or holding in, however, you want to frame it. Either way, these are going to be the two leads in the backfield. Without them, a lot of time has freed up for rookie UDFA Keaton Mitchell.
Mitchell has taken advantage and has shown the speed that the Ravens thought they would see from him. The issue with Mitchell is that his true path to the roster is beating out Justice Hill.
Hill brings so much more in the passing game and also on special teams that Mitchell looking solid as a runner, almost does not go too far. He will be fourth in line, no matter how you frame it.
Still, it is notable that if either Dobbins or Edwards goes down, Mitchell will probably shoot right into the committee. Of course, that is at least the current pace based on how solid he looked in OTAs and minicamps. Training camp may lead to differing results.
1. Lamar Jackson is taking control of Todd Monken's offense
The big question all offseason will be how Lamar Jackson fits into the offense of Todd Monken. It is all lip service right now, but the vibe is that the two are working well together. If anything, there is truth to the aspect that Lamar Jackson will have more freedom.
Todd Monken talked about it, and Lamar Jackson spoke about it. They are running it now, and it would be crazy to install it now and not run it. That is Lamar Jackson at the line of scrimmage in control of the offense. Essentially Monken will give him plays to choose from, and based on what Jackson sees at the line he has the freedom to change too many looks.
It is a certain freedom that Jackson did not have under Roman. Some of that is because of trust, but some is because Roman does not have a playbook like that. Monken plays a different style of football, and Ravens fans should be prepared to notice this immediately.
The Ravens got a glimpse into Jackson and Monken this offseason, and soon the fans are going to see the same thing when they get to training camp.