OWINGS MILLS – Lamar Jackson and the other Ravens quarterbacks focused on passing in one of their final Organized Team Activities on Thursday.
The team once again practiced without helmets on a humid day in which temperatures were in the mid-80s.
First, the plays that weren’t executed.
There were several drops, including one by tight end Charlie Kolar, who could not corral a deep pass over the middle of the field from Jackson that would have gone for a touchdown. Wide receivers Zay Flowers, Tayvion Robinson, and Malik Cunningham also had drops.
Backup quarterback Josh Johnson threw an interception to cornerback Damarion Williams, who ran the length of the field to the far end zone, rolling through an opposing drill on the other side of the field.
Outside linebacker Odafe Oweh blew up a play in the backfield when he surged through the offensive line unblocked.
Some of the notable players who did not practice were wide receiver Rashod Bateman, cornerbacks Arthur Maulet, Brandon Stephens and Marlon Humphrey, safety Kyle Hamilton; defensive tackles Michael Pierce and Justin Madubuike, tight end Isaiah Likely, and linebacker Kyle Van Noy.
Now, the good plays.
Kolar caught a touchdown pass during a red-zone play and punted the ball back across the field to celebrate. Cunningham also bounced back from his drop and made several catches, and he should be one of the more intriguing players to watch during training camp as he moves from quarterback to wide receiver.
Running back Justice Hill was back on the field and had several nice runs and receptions out of the backfield.
Wide receiver Nelson Agholor had a solid day with a nice catch in the corner of the end zone and several other receptions.
A pair of rookies, wide receiver Devontez Walker and cornerback T.J. Tampa, had a few heated matchups, and they each made plays.
“I think both T.J. and ‘Tez’ are both doing a great job of taking one step at a time and getting better every single day,” coach John Harbaugh said. “It’s not competitive in the sense that if there’s a deep ball thrown down the field, the DBs not trying to take the ball away. So, you have to understand that. We expect those catches to be made. But we want them made, and we want the DB right there in position with his eyes on the football.
“I think both those guys have gotten better every day with technique and assignment. Probably all the rookies [are] ahead of where we would have expected in those two areas.”
Tight end Mark Andrews might have been the best player on offense. He made a leaping catch in the end zone and later beat Williams for a long gain. He did have one pass broken up on an aggressive play by inside linebacker Roquan Smith, but he put on an impressive show for his teammates.
Andrews has shown no ill effects from the ankle injury that sidelined him for the second half of last season.
“I haven’t seen any effects from [the injury],” Harbaugh said. “He looks good. He looked better this week than last week. He came back in great shape. So, I am excited to see him out there.”
