Ravens observations: Rookies step up, veterans ramp up in rainy practice

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The Ravens got good weather for their first six practices of training camp.

They got AFC North weather for their seventh.

“In order to win games late in the year, you are going to play in some [bad-]weather games and things like this that are less than ideal,” offensive coordinator Declan Doyle said Wednesday, after the Ravens practiced through rain showers for well over half of their late-morning session. “So we have to get used to playing this way.”

There was plenty of sloppiness. Footballs slipped out of quarterbacks’ grasps and off receivers’ hands. Rain turned the Ravens’ grass fields into messy, muddy expanses. Most of their team drills started in the red zone, perhaps a concession to the dim odds of any long balls.

Even with wide receiver Zay Flowers back on the field, his four-year, $140 million contract freshly signed, Wednesday was mostly a day for the Ravens’ bigger bodies. Rookie wide receiver Ja’Kobi Lane added to his highlight reel with a leaping grab in the back of the end zone, separating from cornerback Marlon Humphrey on a crosser and showcasing his 40-inch vertical leap on a pass from quarterback Lamar Jackson. (Unofficially, Jackson went 8-for-12 in team drills during the nonpadded practice, including an interception by inside linebacker Roquan Smith. Jackson went 3-for-5 in seven-on-seven work.)

Rookie tight end Josh Cuevas had a strong showing in seven-on-seven action, catching a pass from Jackson for about an 8-yard touchdown after slipping away from Humphrey and adding another score after beating cornerback T.J. Tampa for a grab in the end zone. The fifth-round pick ended practice with a solid gain on a play-action drop-back in 11-on-11, Jackson hitting him in stride as he chugged upfield.

Other standouts included Flowers, who had a short-range touchdown and a would-be catch-and-run score in red-zone drills; undrafted rookie wide receiver Octavian Smith Jr., who had two scores in seven-on-seven red-zone work; running back Rasheen Ali, who showed burst and vision on his red-zone runs; defensive lineman David Olajiga, who continues to be disruptive against the run and pass; and Tampa, who was tight in coverage on a couple of throws.

Isaac, Kone ramping up

Outside linebacker Adisa Isaac and cornerback Bilhal Kone were cleared for team drills Wednesday, and defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver said the hope is they’ll be ready for padded practices.

Isaac, who missed most of the team’s on-field work this offseason and the start of training camp while recovering from season-ending elbow surgery, has appeared in just four games over two seasons in Baltimore. But the 2024 third-round pick can still earn a spot on the 53-man roster as the Ravens’ fifth outside linebacker. On Wednesday, he had a quarterback pressure and recovered a subsequent fumble in an 11-on-11 red-zone drill.

Kone, who impressed as a rookie in training camp before suffering a season-ending knee injury in the preseason, came off the physically-unable-to-perform list and returned to practice Friday along with Isaac. He broke up a pass to Smith in the red zone and could have a role on the 53-man roster as a reserve outside corner and special teams contributor.

“The hardest thing to do as a player is not be out there with your teammates,” Weaver said. “So I have seen those guys go to work constantly — just talking to them about being in the right mindset — healthy mind, healthy body. So to see them both out there today and get a chance to go out there and compete and do essentially what they have been born to do, that brings me joy. Then to see them have a little bit of success already, we are just going to build from there.”

Extra points

• Corey Bullock, who backed up Pro Bowl center Tyler Linderbaum last season, returned to practice Wednesday after he was removed from the non-football-illness list. Bullock missed mandatory minicamp and the first week of training camp, losing ground in the center battle against Ethan Pocic, Danny Pinter and Jovaughn Gwyn.
• Flowers said he weighs 186 pounds after adding about eight pounds to his 5-foot-9 frame this offseason. One reason for the new bulk: peer pressure. “Everybody gets mad at me when I am running sideways,” he said. Now, Flowers said, he can “run through some more tackles.”
• Defensive lineman Nnamdi Madubuike spent part of practice working on his technique with director of strength and conditioning Scott Elliott. After one move on which Madubuike batted away Elliott’s blocking attempt and turned the corner with an explosive first step, Elliott shot him an awed “Are you serious?” look as Madubuike walked back. The two-time Pro Bowl pick remains limited in practice as he works back from offseason neck surgery.
• As a rookie, kicker Tyler Loop attempted most of his “live” field goal attempts in training camp from 45 yards or under. After Loop went just 1-for-4 on 50-plus-yarders last season, the Ravens could increase his long-range volume in practice. “We have the confidence in Tyler Loop to go out and make any kick from anywhere on the field,” special teams coordinator Anthony Levine Sr. said. “He’s proven that so far in training camp.” Levine said he made kicks from 49, 53 and 57 yards Tuesday.