Ravens observations: Jesse Minter’s team focuses on details in every rep

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EAGAN, Minn. — The word “details” has been used over and over throughout Jesse Minter’s tenure in Baltimore.

It’s a word the NFL loves, one that’s overused to describe the characteristics of every good player and coach. But in this case it’s true.

Wide receiver Rashod Bateman said the No. 1 differentiator with this coaching staff is its attention to detail.

“From head coach to OC [offensive coordinator] to the receivers coach, everybody really just harps on the small things, and that’s just not what we were in our past,” Bateman said.

Veteran left tackle Ronnie Stanley, when asked what’s different, also said Minter values the finer details.

On offense, that’s evident in the way the coaches have changed quarterback Lamar Jackson’s footwork. Bateman said he didn’t want to go into the other details that have changed because that would be giving away the offense.

The new approach hasn’t resulted in great offensive showings through the first two joint practices against the Minnesota Vikings. But Bateman and Stanley said the focus is on doing things right before playing fast, which means there will be hiccups. Minter added that the offense is going against a great defense with unique looks it won’t often face.

“[Minter] realizes we’re chasing perfection, but that’s something that is going to come with a lot of bad plays, bad days, and he’s aware of that,” Stanley said.

But it has resulted in great performances for the defense.

Veteran cornerback Marlon Humphrey said, in his nine previous seasons, he can’t remember as good or as “electric” a practice as the defense had against the Vikings on Wednesday. The Ravens followed with another one to be proud of Thursday.

The teams focused on the red zone Thursday, so the Vikings were bound to find the end zone at some point. But the defense won the day with pass breakups, run stuffs and sacks.

Humphrey has been one of the standouts, and Minter said he’s a guy who’s taken to the emphasis on the details.

“He’s always been a really, really physical, high-energy, competitive corner that can do a lot of different things,” Minter said. “And I think the focus with Marlon is just playing with really good technique, playing with really good leverage, understanding what we’re trying to do, understanding where his help is. And I’m really, really pleased with the way he’s progressed and taken to some of the things that we’re trying to do.”

Humphrey feels his teammates have also bought in, and that’s why the defense is getting its swagger back.

“If we continue to buy in like that and we just work together the way we’re working right now, I think that standard that we’ve kind of been chasing, that we’ve just really lacked, that we’ve let go — I’ve spoken to that in the past — I think it can definitely be back and we can be rolling,” Humphrey said.

End zone

• Outside linebacker Trey Hendrickson got into the backfield three times for potential sacks. He was flagged on one for lowering his head, Minter said, but otherwise he likes where Hendrickson’s at. Hendrickson was competing against left tackle Christian Darrisaw, who is very talented.
• In red-zone one-on-one reps between Ravens defensive backs and Vikings receivers, Pro Bowl safety Kyle Hamilton batted down a pass to Jauan Jennings. Cornerback Chidobe Awuzie won his rep against Jordan Addison, and safeties Malaki Starks and Keondre Jackson had pass breakups against depth tight ends.
• Cheering erupted from the Ravens pass rushers after outside linebacker David Olajiga dominated on his two one-on-one reps.
• During team reps, defensive lineman Calais Campbell and linebacker Trenton Simpson had great performances against the run. Hamilton also made a goal-line stand, stopping starting running back Jordan Mason in his tracks.
• The first- and second-team Ravens offenses failed to move into field goal position in the two-minute drills. The Ravens brought out kicker Tyler Loop anyway, and he made all six of his attempts. The field goals were from 33 (midfield), 38 (right hash), 43 (left hash), 33 (midfield), 43 (left hash) and 53 (left hash).
• Lamar Jackson was sacked multiple times throughout practice. At least three came from outside linebacker Dallas Turner beating Stanley. Jackson also threw an interception to his cousin, James Pierre, at the end of practice.
• Wide receiver Ja’Kobi Lane, who was quiet Wednesday, scored a touchdown during red-zone drills.