The Ravens' first full practice of training camp kicks off tomorrow.
Here's what's on my mind, all in 50 words or less:
Despite their offseason losses, the Ravens absolutely have enough ammunition on this roster to contend for a title again. Their schedule and AFC North competition is formidable, but anybody who thinks Baltimore is going to fade away this year is mistaken. The Ravens could be even better than last season.
There has been a lot of handwringing about the defensive losses of Patrick Queen, Jadeveon Clowney, and Geno Stone. But who at this time last year was pointing to them as difference-makers? The Ravens will have other players people aren't buzzing about right now step up and fill the voids.
635: Reaction to Eddie Jackson Addition
Our insiders, Ryan Mink and Garrett Downing, share their take on the Ravens' move to sign veteran Pro Bowl safety Eddie Jackson, talk about what he'll bring to Baltimore, and how it affects the rest of the roster.
Add Eddie Jackson to those who will fill one of those gaps. The Ravens played this perfectly. They signed Derrick Henry for not much more per year than Stone got from Cincinnati, then filled Stone's spot with a two-time Pro Bowler. Jackson could have a Clowney or Ronald Darby-like impact.
The other loss was Mike Macdonald to Seattle, but the Ravens feel confident their scheme has the answers and Zach Orr can deliver them. There's a reason why other teams wanted Baltimore's coaches. They want that system. Also, Orr could generate head coaching interest as quickly as Macdonald did.
So how will the Ravens be better than last year even if they negate their losses? It hinges on the offense's ability to take it up a notch in Year 2 under Todd Monken. It was a tide shift in Year 1, but their scheme is more developed entering 2024.
The Ravens offense didn't have a finely tuned system for countering at the line of scrimmage whatever a defense threw at them. More simply put, they didn't have all the answers, and the Chiefs exposed that in the AFC Championship Game. Training camp will be largely about honing that operation.
631: What We Should Expect From Lamar Jackson
Our insiders, Ryan Mink and Garrett Downing, talk about what will be different for Lamar Jackson in 2024, areas for improvement, the impact of Derrick Henry, and more.
Much of the attention around Lamar Jackson this offseason has been about his weight. But Jackson's physical changes are far less critical to the Ravens' improvement than his mental gymnastics. Jackson is very smart and picks the game up quickly. Ravens coaches know his brain can elevate the offense.
The other offseason losses came on the offensive line, with the trade of Morgan Moses and departures of Kevin Zeitler and John Simpson. Moses is still rehabbing from pectoral surgery. Zeitler's knee/ankle injuries have kept him sidelined all summer in Detroit. Simpson was a question mark this time last year.
These players are in critical positions heading into the Ravens' 2024 training camp.
WR Rashod Bateman
The 2021 first-round pick is back in a featured role and will look to build momentum in training camp in hopes of a breakout season.
G Ben Cleveland
Entering his fourth year, Cleveland has been solid during his seven starts. Now the gargantuan blocker is tasked with earning a full-time job.
TE Charlie Kolar
The Ravens know what they have in the receiving game at tight end, but bulked up tight end Charlie Kolar needs to become a strong blocker to unlock the full potential of Baltimore's run game.
OT Daniel Faalele
Speaking of gargantuan, Faalele has some elite tools to work with, but he needs to put it all together to win a starting job at either right tackle or guard.
CB Marlon Humphrey
Humphrey is coming off an injury-hampered season and is looking to reestablish himself as one of the league's top cornerbacks. Training camp will be an important time to build back up.
QB Lamar Jackson
Jackson's progression in Year 2 with Offensive Coordinator Todd Monken, particularly in making pre-snap adjustments, is paramount to the Ravens offense taking the next step.
OLB David Ojabo
Coming off last season's knee injury, Ojabo is expected to be full speed at some point during training camp. The Ravens are counting on their talented pass rusher to break out in Year 3 and may have to make an addition if it's not looking likely.
OT Roger Rosengarten
The rookie second-round pick has a chance to win the starting right tackle job from the jump, but he needs to prove himself against the first-team defense.
ILB Trenton Simpson
Stepping into the hole left by Patrick Queen's departure, Simpson needs to continue to build off the positive momentum he has build this summer.
OG Andrew Vorhees
After a redshirt rookie season, training camp will be Vorhees' first time blocking NFL defenders while wearing pads and going full speed. If he stands tall, he could be the starting left guard.
S Ar'Darius Washington
Washington is in position to win the No. 3 safety job after injuries have hampered his young career so far.
CB Nate Wiggins
Wiggins has all the tools and talent. How quickly he develops and adjusts to the NFL game will determine how much he pushes his way into the defensive rotation.
I still believe the Ravens' ability to block people will make or break their offense. It's not one starting spot that they still must sort out, like last year. It's three. Baltimore is counting on strength in numbers: Some from the group of talented, big guys have to emerge.
One important player in that blocking isn't an offensive lineman. Tight end Charlie Kolar is an under-the-radar key to the offense's success. If he continues to develop into a strong blocker, the Ravens can reach their full potential with Derrick Henry and the running game while still being unpredictable.
634: Sizing Up Ravens Training Camp's Best Competitions
Ravens insiders Ryan Mink and Clifton Brown break down the upcoming training camp battles on the offensive line, wide receiver, cornerback, safety, and more.
