One of the best moments of Ravens training camp was when Justin Tucker lined up for a 68-yard field goal this week.
The ball boomed off Tucker's foot and sailed just over the crossbar. The only problem was one official signaled no good and the other said it was good. Returner Pepe Williams signaled both.
While others reviewed the tape to check, Tucker knew 100% that it was good. The man who owns the NFL's record for the longest field goal in a game with his 66-yarder in Detroit in 2021 is still extending his range.
"I feel like I always have to [push that limit]," Tucker said. "I know there are dudes out there that are coming for the top spot. Everybody in this league is competitive and wants to be the best. I have to keep that in my mind and keep making sure I'm playing at a level that we can all consider elite.
"Accuracy, distance, they all go hand in hand as far as I'm concerned. Developing every part of my game is just as important now as it ever was."
Even though he'll turn 35 years old this season, Tucker is still booming the ball.
"If that ball sounds good coming off of his foot, then I know he's where he's at, and he's striking the ball as well as he ever has," Senior Special Teams Coach Randy Brown said.
At the end of the day, it's not about breaking records for Tucker. It's about winning games. Hitting from long distance will be a focus this year after he was 1-of-5 from 50-plus yards last year, including blocked attempts.
"I just plan on being ready to go and ready to put the ball through the uprights, any place, anytime," Tucker said. "Whenever [John Harbaugh] sends me out there, it's for a reason – to come back with three points."
Tucker Has Added More Clubs to His Bag
The implementation of the NFL's new "Dynamic Kickoff" has opened the door to a wide range of possibilities that the Ravens, and all teams, are experimenting with.
Tucker said he has between eight and nine different kickoffs that he plans to break out over the course of the season. The Ravens want to try to force returns and pin opponents deep.
Tucker compared it to golfing. He said he mostly only used one club on kickoffs – a driver. Now he has to hit a variety of different shots, so he needs a variety of different clubs like a golfer.
"I'm opening up the bag," he said. "We have to have a bit more clubs to pick from. … It's about being deliberate with where I place the ball instead of smashing every single ball as hard as I can."
Brown said the Ravens are also preparing for what kind of kicks they'll hit in a variety of weather conditions. Right now, they're practicing in near perfect conditions, but they know it'll be much colder in M&T Bank Stadium late in the season.
Jordan Stout Used Speed Training This Offseason
Jordan Stout has been known for having a big leg, but he took an unconventional approach to making it even stronger this offseason.
Stout did speed training alongside former Ravens wide receiver Miles Boykin, former Ravens defensive back Tre Swilling, and other non-specialists this offseason in Miami. He did that for four days a week for two-and-a-half months.
"I was just competing with those guys the whole time [and] just trying to be faster than them," Stout said. "And I think that pushed me, because … I think speed translates really well to leg speed and punting.
"I want to be able to hit those really high punts, but not have to try hard. That sounds a little arrogant or whatever, but I'm just trying to be the best I can each day."
The name of the game for Stout is consistency and working on his directional punts. He has one of the best teachers in that regard in former Ravens punter Sam Koch, the man he replaced.
Koch and Stout have been working on having a still ball on his drop. When he's had trouble, it's sometimes when the ball has rotated before it hits his foot. Stout said he's been more consistent than ever during training camp.
"I try to hold the ball like I'm shaking a hand, because I shake hands all day. And then [I] just try to have a controlled tempo, and just keeping that the same every time," Stout said. "Those are all things Sam taught me. Just having all three of those things the same every time leads to success."
How Tucker Wants the Ball Held on Field Goals
Here's what fans should watch for when Tucker approaches the ball for a field goal.
Stout said Tucker wants the ball held directly straight up and down with a slight tilt towards the holder.
"Justin wants the ball to be put down, essentially, on like the size of a piece of rice; it needs to be perfect every time," Stout said with a chuckle. "And that's why he's great; he's a system guy. There's that, [and] he likes the ball to be down really fast."
Brown said Stout, who was new to holding when the Ravens drafted him in the fourth round, has become the best holder in the NFL in his opinion.
"It's because we've got a kicker who demands that the ball be at that spot that he needs it every single time, and Jordan has taken that as a challenge," Brown said.
