After four straight days of padded practices and with a 99-degree heat index in Owings Mills, the Ravens turned down the tempo of practice but turned up the heat from the defense.
The Ravens practiced third-down situations and against blitzes for much of Wednesday. Despite that, Lamar Jackson thrived, having perhaps his best day of training camp yet.
The most impressive play was when the defense showed a pre-snap blitz with Roquan Smith coming up to the line of scrimmage. Jackson made an adjustment, either changing protection or the play entirely. Jackson seemed to know there was a free safety blitzer coming, and delivered a deep strike to Zay Flowers, who was one-on-one against Kyle Hamilton.
The Ravens have talked a lot this summer about Jackson taking even more command of pre-snap checks, and it was a perfect example of him getting Baltimore's offense into the right play to take advantage of the defense.
"We worked on a lot of third down, third-and-6-to-12 situations, so some of that stuff comes up, push the ball down field. Then we had a big blitz period where the offense hit numerous plays downfield," Head Coach John Harbaugh said.
"So, that was important to see, and it was good to see [that] the ball was coming out quick and executing like we need to against that pressure. That's a big step for us. I thought the guys did a great job with that."
Here are more notes from Wednesday's practice:
- Wide receivers Rashod Bateman (soft tissue injury) and rookie Devontez Walker returned to practice, though Bateman jogged in early with a trainer.
- Jackson recognized another blitz later in practice and flipped an easy touchdown out to Justice Hill from the backfield.
- Flowers was especially active, showing off his chemistry with Jackson in perhaps his best practice of camp. Flowers also made an impressive extended sideline grab against tight coverage from Brandon Stephens that earned a shout of props from his quarterback.
- On the play after the deep strike to Flowers versus Hamilton, Jackson completed another long one to tight end Isaiah Likely behind the defense. Likely's versatility to line up all over and attack all three levels is a game-changer for Baltimore's offense.
- Not every play worked out that well, however. Safety Eddie Jackson came completely free for what would've been a sack against Josh Johnson. Rookie safety Sanoussi Kane also came up the middle for a likely sack that would've erased a long completion to Malik Cunningham.
- Derrick Henry made a tough catch in the front corner of the end zone on a fade-away pass from Jackson that was closely defended. It was a top-notch throw and catch by the big man who isn't known for his receiving prowess.
