Lamar Jackson was not present for Tuesday's voluntary OTA practice, but Head Coach Jesse Minter was not concerned.
Minter was effusive while giving praise to Jackson for the way he has approached this offseason.
The franchise quarterback reported for the first day of voluntary workouts last month and has been in frequent communication with Minter. The Ravens are installing a new offense under Minter with new Offensive Coordinator Declan Doyle as the play caller.
"Lamar's been one of our leaders of the offseason program," Minter said. "(He had) a couple of things going on yesterday and today. Do expect him to be back soon. We've had some great conversations. Know when he's going to be back and again, I'll probably leave those (conversations) between me and Lamar."
Players who weren't on the field for Tuesday's session included Jackson, Rashod Bateman, Adisa Isaac, Teddye Buchanan, Travis Jones, Calais Campbell, Nnamdi Madubuike, John Jenkins, Chidobe Awuzie, Marlon Humphrey, and Kyle Hamilton.
Hamilton watched from the sideline in street clothes and Minter also expects the defensive leader to be back in action before long. Minter has been extremely pleased with the voluntary participation and enthusiasm teamwide.
"These guys have been unbelievable," Minter said. "Probably our first meeting, the main topic was just about relationships and communications. The guys that had to be out for a day our two for something going on, the communication's been unbelievable. Know where everybody's back, know when they're going to be back. Just super-excited with that piece of it."
Minter Says It's Too Early to Make Judgments at Center
The Ravens have an open competition at center with Danny Pinter, Corey Bullock, Jovaughn Gwyn and Nick Dawkins in the mix. Minter says it's too early to make judgements based on who's getting the most reps with the starters.
"That's going to be one where you may see somebody different out there every day," Minter said. "It's not necessarily a depth chart competition at this point. I would say it's more of a rotation piece to make sure guys know where they're at. They get the same amount of reps. They get to run the different schemes."
The 6-foot-4 Pinter is the most experienced of the group with 77 games of NFL experience including 10 starts.
"Danny's done a great job." Minter said. "He's played in some similar schemes – Jovaughn as well. Corey's done a great job – all three of those guys. The whole idea of the offseason is to put yourself in position to compete for the job in training camp, and I think all three of those guys are doing that."
Vega Ioane's Approach Is Impressing Teammates and Coaches
First round draft pick Vega Ioane has been making a positive impression on teammates and coaches since rookie camp, and that has continued at OTAs.
Ioane and veteran John Simpson are expected to be the starting guards, regardless of who plays the left or right side. The pads haven't come on yet, so Ioane's physicality figures to stand out later this summer. However, Simpson likes how the rookie guard goes about his business.
"He's not a real loud vocal guy yet," Simpson said. "I think that will come with time and experience. But he's one of those guys that sits back there and observes everything. He soaks it all up like a sponge almost. He's really intelligent."
Minter said Ioane has been a fast learner and not overzealous during drills.
"Vega's a beast," Minter said. "You're really trying not to be super physical, be violent. You're trying to give each other a really good look.
"He's done a great job understanding that. He's picked up on everything probably way faster than I would expect a rookie to at any position. He's got a really bright future, but the best thing about him is just how hard he works and how serious he takes his craft. Every day he does something, he comes back, it's a little bit better the next day."
Derrick Henry on Mentoring Adam Randall and Being Coached by Eddie Faulkner
This year's running back room has a new flavor that includes fifth-round pick Adam Randall and new Running Backs Coach Eddie Faulkner.
Derrick Henry has been impressed with both new additions. He watched a few of Randall's games at Clemson, and as a big back himself, Henry is more than willing to mentor the 6-foot-3, 232-pound rookie.
"Since he got here, he's just been working, keeping his head down, wanting to learn, just wanting to get better," Henry said. "That's all you want as a rookie. I'm always going to be here to help him in any way I can, but I just like his approach every day coming to work."
Henry has embraced Faulkner as a coach, despite him spending the past seven seasons with the Pittsburgh Steelers.
"I love Coach 'Faulk', man," Henry said. "He had been on the other side for a little while, but you see why the guys over there had success. Pittsburgh ran hard, good in pass protection and are just good overall backs. He's just a very detailed coach in everything he does.
"We have quotes all over the room that have put things in perspective for us. He always gives us a quote from a book he reads, which we all appreciate and listen to, and then just letting everything from the meeting translate into practice. We have drills for every single thing you can do as far as the position goes."
