Ravens observations: Training camp travels to College Park; padded practices to start Monday

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Standing on their old college field early Saturday afternoon while they watched their old NFL team, Jermaine Lewis and Torrey Smith embodied the burgeoning connection between the Ravens and Prince George’s County.

The Ravens’ practice in College Park was the first NFL practice ever held at Maryland’s SECU Stadium, and it represented a new era of marketing possibilities for the team.

The Ravens and Washington Commanders, who are headquartered in Northern Virginia but play at Landover’s Northwest Stadium, just a dozen or so miles from College Park, had in recent years battled over marketing rights in Washington’s Maryland suburbs. But in April the NFL passed a resolution that expanded the Ravens’ home marketing area to Prince George’s County and Montgomery County, which the team will share with the Commanders.

The Ravens seized on the opportunity quickly, announcing Saturday’s practice in late June. An announced 20,185 attended the free practice, most of them wearing purple.

“Unbelievable atmosphere for our players to be able to practice in front of this type of environment,” coach Jesse Minter said. “Special thanks to the University of Maryland, all of our operations people, [team president] Sashi Brown, [owner] Steve [Bisciotti] for having the vision to do this. I think it’s great for us, it’s great for our fans, and it was a good day overall.”

The Ravens’ purple and black clashed with the red and yellow that marks the stadium, but signs of the harmony between the team and the region were on display.

Along with former Terps receivers Lewis and Smith, who played a combined 10 years in Baltimore, former Maryland basketball star center and Baltimore native Derik Queen was in attendance, wearing a customized No. 22 jersey. Starting Maryland quarterback Malik Washington and Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson exchanged jerseys after the practice.

Fans filled much of the lower bowl, hanging around after practice for autographs from Ravens players. Conversations about stadium traffic floated through the concourse. Afterward, asked whether the Ravens would make trips to the D.C. suburbs an annual event, Minter said the organization wants “to do everything we can to continue to build the fanbase as we’re able to.”

“Shout-out to the fans, man,” Jackson said. “Really was surprised by how many people came out for practice. It was dope. It was a dope experience. Love Flock Nation, man. Love all the supporters. Let’s bring it over to preseason games as well.”

Loop’s highs and lows

Ravens kicker Tyler Loop was perfect Friday, hitting his first three “live” field goals of training camp, including a 56-yarder.

He was far from perfect Saturday. But at least he didn’t cost the Ravens 50 pushups.

Loop, whose every kick this camp will be scrutinized as he looks to rebound from his season-ending miss against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 18, appeared to miss his first two field goals at the end of practice, from 33 and 40 yards.

But he made a 43-yarder that kept the Ravens from extra conditioning at the end of a two-hour practice. Jackson hugged Loop after the field goal. Others slapped him on the back. Loop looked less than thrilled.

“Just a kick with something on the line, something between us and the players,” Minter said. “There’s people here; there’s something on the line. It’s hard to create those types of environments, so it’s good to see him knock it through.”

Pads coming on

Under the NFL’s collective bargaining agreement, teams can’t begin padded workouts until after their fourth practice of training camp.

Saturday was Day 4 for the Ravens. After a day off Sunday, the pads will come on Monday in Owings Mills. That should give coaches a clearer sense of their play on the offensive and defensive lines, Minter said.

“It’s really hard to truly judge how people are blocking and getting off blocks and making plays without pads on,” he said. “So, to be fair to both sides, I think both sides have done some really good things. I love where our pass rush is headed. They’re putting in a lot of great work. … But, again, I think when the pads come on, we’ll really see that come to life.”

Extra points

• After standing out in practice Friday with a handful of pass breakups, second-year cornerback Keyon Martin added an interception to his ledger, undercutting an underthrown sideline pass from Jackson to wide receiver Zay Flowers in seven-on-seven action. “He’s a competitor,” Minter said. “He studies the game. He’s in the right spot. He’s sticky in coverage, so he’s had a really good couple days.”
• Jackson had his lightest practice workload of camp, throwing 10 passes and lining up for just one 11-on-11 period, in which he went 3-for-4. Unofficially, he finished 7-for-10 in team drills (4-for-6 in seven-on-seven action), highlighted by a nearly 20-yard pass to Mark Andrews on a deep cross, the tight end’s first big catch of camp, and a full-extension grab by wide receiver Rashod Bateman. The lowlights were the interception and a near-pick in seven-on-seven work.
• Running back Derrick Henry, left tackle Ronnie Stanley, center Ethan Pocic, defensive linemen Nnamdi Madubuike and Calais Campbell and outside linebacker Trey Hendrickson were not dressed for practice. Defensive linemen Travis Jones (pectoral) and John Jenkins and inside linebacker Teddye Buchanan (knee) remain on the physically-unable-to-perform list, while center Corey Bullock is still on the non-football-injury list.