Ravens training camp sounded different Friday as the team strapped on the pads for the first time.
It was their fifth practice of camp, and it came with a different level of intensity, even though there still wasn't full tackling.
Here are my observations from the practice:
- In terms of the injury report, Lamar Jackson was still sidelined by sickness. He's now missed four full practices and most of the fifth. Outside linebacker Kyle Van Noy was out Friday because of a non-serious "little neck thing," Head Coach John Harbaugh said.
- On the first play of full speed 11-on-11s, linebacker Trenton Simpson came flying downhill to thump big, brawny running back Derrick Henry after he caught a screen pass. Henry is taller and heavier than Simpson, but the linebacker isn't backing down to anyone. Simpson also drove running back Owen Wright backwards with a hit on an outside run. The second-year linebacker also got into a brief shoving match with Justice Hill after a blitz. Simpson, who is stepping into Patrick Queen's shoes, is physical and feisty.
- First-year Defensive Coordinator Zach Orr brought the heat from every angle. Defensive backs Kyle Hamilton, Brandon Stephens, and Ar'Darius Washington all had sacks.
- There were fewer interceptions than in recent days. Backup quarterback Josh Johnson got good protection and ripped a long pass down the middle of the field to wide receiver Sean Ryan, who made a leaping grab.
- Wide receiver Malik Cunningham juggled one pass as he went to the sideline and it was snatched off his head by undrafted rookie cornerback Bump Cooper Jr. Seventh round safety Sanoussi Kane got the other interception of practice when a pass into traffic was deflected.
- It could've been counted as a sack by linebacker Chris Board, or maybe rookie quarterback Devin Leary got it off just in time, but either way, tight end Isaiah Likely made a nice adjustment reaching back behind him to snag a pass and take it in for a touchdown. Likely had a good practice.
- Nelson Agholor got loose for a long catch and run on a slant after a nice throw from Johnson. What was also notable was how rookie cornerback Nate Wiggins kept running full tilt on the play and tracked Agholor down for a "tackle" two yards from the end zone. It was reminiscent of the goal-line sack strip he made in college and shows the rookie's hustle.
- Marlon Humphrey has been arguably the top practice player of the week, but his running mate Stephens has been excellent too. Stephens had tight coverage on a throw to rookie Devontez Walker that went incomplete, as well as the sack. Stephens is playing with a ton of confidence, continuing to roll from last season.
- All eyes will be on the offensive line as the competition truly starts now that the pads are on. There were some rough plays, such as one when Odafe Oweh and Justin Madubuike both burst quickly into the backfield to sack Josh Johnson. But overall, it was solid. Harbaugh said he thought the group looked good on Day 1. The Ravens have a few padded practices in a row coming up, so the picture will be clearer by the end of that stretch.
- Leary delivered a beauty of a touchdown pass to Walker at the end of practice. Walker elevated and caught the back shoulder throw against fellow rookie Wiggins, setting off a big celebration for the offense. "We were going to go tackling with the young guys to start the camp off, and Todd [Monken] calls the fade, and, 'Boop,' put it up there, and 'Tez' makes the play, and [the] period is over," Harbaugh said with a laugh. "That can happen."
