The Ravens have high expectations for Odafe Oweh in his fourth season. They know what they have in veteran pass rusher Kyle Van Noy. Whether David Ojabo breaks out in his third season will play a large role in determining the bite of the Ravens' pass rush.
Ojabo has been a consistent practice participant as he builds up from his season-ending knee injury. With a few days left in training camp, Tuesday's practice may have been his best.
Ojabo had pass rush wins against left tackle Ronnie Stanley and right tackle Roger Rosengarten, looking stronger and closer to the full-strength pass rusher the Ravens drafted in the second round in 2022.
"He's finally healthy enough to stack days of practice," Defensive Coordinator Zach Orr said. "I think you see that from when he first started practicing to now. He's getting better and better and better. We know what type of talent he is. He's strong, he's big, he's athletic, he's fast, he's mean – everything we look for in outside linebackers. All he needed to do was get the reps."
Ojabo has two sacks and two forced fumbles in five games played during his first two injury-shortened seasons. He's looking to partner with high school teammate Oweh to give Baltimore an explosive edge duo and offset the loss of Jadeveon Clowney.
Orr also said Oweh is having the best training camp of his career. He would've had two sacks during 11-on-11s Tuesday if he hadn't been clearly held by Josh Jones on one. Rookie outside linebacker Adisa Isaac also beat two blockers to get a pressure (and possible sack).
Here are more notes from Tuesday's practice:
- Rashod Bateman returned to 11-on-11 work at the start of practice and nearly hauled in a deep shot from Lamar Jackson. He had it for a second, but it was knocked away.
- Kyle Hamilton was a full participant after missing just one practice. He showed he was at full speed when he ranged far to break up a long ball to Zay Flowers. Defensive Coordinator Zach Orr said, "That was ridiculous. I'd be hard-pressed to find somebody else in the league that can make a play like that."
- Jackson and Josh Johnson were airing it out early in practice and threw several gorgeous deep passes. Jackson hit Nelson Agholor for a long touchdown, floated one in between two defenders to Mark Andrews, and had another that Andrews dropped. Johnson placed a perfect deep sideline throw to Anthony Miller for a touchdown and another one to Deonte Harty, who got last-second separation to make the grab and score.
- Johnson did throw a pick-six when he was pressured by Tavius Robinson and tried to flip a pass out to Miller. Ar'Darius Washington cut in front of it and took it the other way. Orr called Washington a "takeaway machine."
- Miller had an impressive day with multiple catches. Offensive Coordinator Todd Monken said it's easy to see Miller's explosiveness in his route-running and joy of playing the game. Veteran 6-foot-3 receiver Keith Kirkwood has been stacking good practices as well.
- There was uncertainty on whether Justin Tucker hit a 68-yard field goal or not. One referee signaled it was good. The other said it was not. Returner Pepe Williams, who was standing under the goal posts, first signaled it was good, then not. Even Special Teams Coordinator Chris Horton didn't get an answer and said he'd have to review the film.
- The defense dominated the final session of 11-on-11s with the starters on both sides, as Washington and Oweh combined for a sack, Justin Madubuike had what was likely a sack, and then Marcus Williams had a possible sack. The offense had a better final goal-line session, as Jackson connected with Likely on a touchdown and Johnson hit Miller with a fade.
