One of the best one-on-one matchups of Ravens training camp is tight end Isaiah Likely versus safety Kyle Hamilton.
On Monday, Likely won the first with an underneath slant. No biggie. But the second time they lined up, Likely took Hamilton deep. Likely got behind the All-Pro, Lamar Jackson aired it out, and Likely made a juggling catch as he went into the end zone.
Hamilton, who had excellent coverage on the physical play, threw his hands up as if to say, "How?"
That was just the start of what was a monster practice for the Ravens' third-year tight end. As the temperature turned up at the Under Armour Performance Center, so did Likely.
Likely's most impressive play came during 11-on-11s, in which Jackson made a long throw down the middle that looked like it was going to sail too high. Likely leapt up like an Olympic rebounder to snare the pass, setting the offense up near the red zone.
That was just one of many catches on the afternoon for Likely, who is taking advantage of the return of Jackson from illness. The two have developed a great chemistry. After one long drive, Jackson and Likely remained chatting off to the side throughout the entire second-team drive.
Here are more notes from Monday's sweltering practice:
- In addition to Likely's strong day, Jackson hit Mark Andrews for a corner touchdown during red-zone drills. Opponents are going to have a tough time defending Andrews and Likely this season.
- Rookie right tackle Roger Rosengarten looked to have his best practice yet. He had a good tussle with veteran big man Brent Urban on one run play, anchored well on a power rush from David Ojabo on another, then deftly handled an Odafe Oweh power rush and spin move during a series in which the second-team offense went against the defensive first team. Rosengarten plays with good technique, and it's good to see him stand strong versus NFL power.
- Marlon Humphrey got his fourth interception of Jackson in camp. Jackson double pumped a throw out to the sideline and paid for it when Humphrey undercut Zay Flowers' route and made a leaping pick before throwing the ball to some kids sitting on the sideline. Jackson joked that he's testing Humphrey's hands.
- Defensive tackle Travis Jones showed off his strength when he basically clotheslined running back Derrick Henry and threw him to the ground during the early part of practice.
- Second-year linebacker Trenton Simpson continues to show his physicality more in pads, as he gave running back Justice Hill a big thump before getting a high-five from Inside Linebackers Coach Mark DeLeone. Simpson also knifed into the backfield later in practice for a tackle for loss versus the run.
- Veteran Arthur Maulet made a nice play breaking up a long pass intended for undrafted rookie Dayton Wade. Wade and fellow rookie Isaiah Washington had a couple strong catches too, however. Washington came back for the ball on one long sideline catch and had a toe-drag catch for a touchdown in the back of the end zone.
- Jackson's best throw of the day may have been a bomb to Flowers in the back corner of the end zone that hit him in stride. Flowers also had a long gain during 11-on-11 work on a quick throw from Jackson that was blocked well by Tylan Wallace.
- Third-string running back Owen Wright continues to look good. It's a strong competition between him and rookie Rasheen Ali.
- Odafe Oweh, Chris Board, Justin Madubuike, Tavius Robinson, and Urban all notched "sacks." Robinson also got the better of Charlie Kolar during one-on-one blocking drills, knocking the tight end on his back. Robinson has very heavy hands.
