Pundit's Training Camp Takeaways Include Rashod Bateman Looking Like a WR1
With the first four days of training camp in the books, The Baltimore Sun's Brian Wacker looked at what we've learned thus far.
Here are some of Wacker's takeaways:
Rashod Bateman has looked like a WR1.
"All throughout the building, the talk about the Ravens' enigmatic but talented Bateman is that the expectation for the receiver is to have a big year. So far, he's shined.
"On the first day of camp, Bateman hauled in a pass and spun to the outside for what would have been a big gain had he not slipped. The next day in the rain, he made a 25-yard catch after beating Brandon Stephens down the sideline and later added a 20-yarder over the middle. Tuesday, he caught a deep pass down the sideline despite Marlon Humphrey appearing to get a hand on the ball. Later in the same practice, he broke free over the middle and showed off his speed by getting to the outside for a big chunk. Now Baltimore just needs to get him and Lamar Jackson on the field together."
Offensive line positions still TBD.
"The battles for the two open guard spots and right tackle job won't truly start to shake out until players are in pads and thus going full speed in the trenches. Still, there have been some interesting developments so far. Notably, 6-foot-8, 380-pound Daniel Faalele has been getting a lot of reps at right guard.
"Meanwhile, Andrew Vorhees, who missed all of last season after suffering a torn Achilles tendon during the NFL scouting combine, looks to have the inside track at left guard, though he did get pushed around a few times by Michael Pierce. At right tackle, versatile veteran Patrick Mekari, rookie Roger Rosengarten and Faalele look to be in the mix. Guards Ben Cleveland and Josh Jones have been less impactful, unless you count their pre-snap penalties."
Derrick Henry is, unsurprisingly, as advertised.
"Interestingly, there was some initial concern about how the 6-3, 247-pound two-time NFL rushing leader would blend in both in style and function with an offense that operates mostly from the shotgun or pistol formations, but Henry seems to have assuaged whatever uncertainty there was. Most of that is because of his work ethic, quick feet and ability to break tackles.
"Much like the offensive line, Henry will be able to showcase his skills much more often once he's in pads, but so far he's glided inside, been the target of passes on the outside and showed plenty of speed, even at age 30, in getting to the corner."
Former Raven J.K. Dobbins Says He Feels Faster, Predicts He'll Have 'Special' Season
Getting a fresh start with the Los Angeles Chargers, former Ravens running back J.K. Dobbins is confident he will have a "special" season.
"If I get the volume, I do think I'll be one of the best in the league," Dobbins said at training camp yesterday. "I've showed that. Do you know how much yards I averaged a carry?"
Dobbins has a career average of 5.8 yards per carry, the highest of any back since 2020 with a minimum of 200 career attempts, according to ESPN’s Kris Rhim.
"I don't know how many backs got that," Dobbins said.
Dobbins' talent has never been in question. Staying healthy has been the issue for the 2020-second-round pick, who played in just 24 games over four seasons in Baltimore. Dobbins missed the entire 2021 season after suffering a torn ACL, LCL, meniscus, and hamstring in a preseason game. Last year, he suffered a season-ending Achilles tear in the Ravens' season-opener.
Dobbins is surrounded by former Ravens in Los Angeles, including running back Gus Edwards and Offensive Coordinator Greg Roman.
The Chargers have not named who their lead back will be. Head Coach Jim Harbaugh said Edwards, who hasn't done full-team drills through two days of training camp, had an unspecified offseason surgery. Dobbins has been a full participant.
"I feel like I'm in college out there right now," Dobbins said. "And I do think that the storm is over. Now I'm on a new journey, a healthy journey this year. You guys will see it'll be special."
The Ravens will play at the Chargers on "Monday Night Football" in Week 12.
Ravens Are Well-Represented in AP's Top Five Positional and Head Coach Rankings
The Associated Press has been rolling out its top five rankings at each position and amongst head coaches.
Six Ravens have made the various rankings, which were determined by a panel of eight AP pro football writers who ranked the top five in each category. First-place votes were worth 10 points. Second through fifth-place votes were worth 5, 3, 2 and 1 points, respectively.
Here's a look at the Ravens who were ranked:
"Harbaugh led the Ravens to the NFL's best record, 13-4, and has 14 winning seasons in 16 years. Harbaugh beat his brother to earn his only Super Bowl ring following the 2012 season. But Baltimore is 3-6 in the playoffs since that victory and twice couldn't advance to the Super Bowl despite earning the AFC's No. 1 seed."
"Jackson was a near-unanimous choice for his second NFL MVP award following an outstanding regular season in which he threw for 3,678 yards and 24 touchdowns and ran for 821 yards and five scores while leading Baltimore to 10 wins over teams that finished with a winning record. But Jackson and the Ravens lost to Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs in the AFC championship game, a bitter ending to a fantastic season. The Ravens fell to 2-4 in the playoffs under Jackson, who was left off two ballots."
"As pure runners go, few have done it better than Henry over the years. He has 9,502 yards rushing and 90 TDs on the ground, joining Hall of Famers Emmitt Smith and LaDainian Tomlinson as the only players to reach both those marks through eight seasons. Henry ran for 1,167 yards and 12 TDs last year on Tennessee's struggling offense and should get a big boost this season at age 30 after signing with Baltimore, where he will team with dual-threat QB Lamar Jackson."
"As pure runners go, few have done it better than Henry over the years. He has 9,502 yards rushing and 90 TDs on the ground, joining Hall of Famers Emmitt Smith and LaDainian Tomlinson as the only players to reach both those marks through eight seasons. Henry ran for 1,167 yards and 12 TDs last year on Tennessee's struggling offense and should get a big boost this season at age 30 after signing with Baltimore, where he will team with dual-threat QB Lamar Jackson."
"Smith helped elevate the Baltimore defense after being acquired from Chicago before the 2022 trade deadline and is close to Warner in his versatility and ability to thrive in any role. He has the speed to cover sideline to sideline and is a sure tackler with only 11 missed tackles last season."
"Hamilton's versatility was a key part of Baltimore's defense that allowed the fewest points in the NFL last season. The second-year player had more than 230 snaps as a box safety, a deep safety or a slot cornerback, excelling at all three spots. Hamilton had four interceptions, three sacks and 10 tackles for loss on the way to being a first-team All-Pro."
Quick Hits
Yesterday's Most Read: Late for Work: Besides Lamar Jackson, Who Could Determine Ravens' Super Bowl Fate?
- Sporting News’ Scott Davis ranked the 11 most important Ravens.
- The Ravens secondary has been the star of training camp thus far, drawing claims that Baltimore may have the best in the league. Warren Sharp, however, has the Ravens secondary ranked No. 6 and the Browns on top.
