The 6 matchups that might outline Ravens coaching camp

Jonas Shaffer, The Baltimore Banner

Lamar Jackson vs. Todd Monken’s new playbook

That is extra collaborative than adversarial, in fact, however the Ravens gained’t know what may work in Week 1 till they determine what doesn’t work in camp. And there’s quite a bit to go over. Monken’s system is the primary Jackson has needed to study from scratch since early in his profession; even the 2019 offseason, Jackson’s first below Greg Roman, had some conceptual carryover from his rookie yr, when the Ravens leaned on Roman’s run ideas.

With Jackson’s monetary future lastly safe, Monken’s offense ought to have his full consideration in camp. Jackson’s deep dive began months in the past, throughout organized crew actions, and continued into obligatory minicamp, the place he reiterated his pleasure over the potential of Monken’s “pro-style” offense. Now Jackson has to iron out all of the wrinkles that include a brand new system: speaking and adjusting performs earlier than the snap, studying out coverages, studying the tendencies of receivers, and realizing how he can greatest hold the offense on monitor.

Mark Andrews Sees a Totally different Function in Todd Monken’s Offense

Ryan Mink, BaltimoreRavens.com

The additions of Odell Beckham Jr., first-round choose Zay Flowers and Nelson Agholor ought to lighten the load on the Ravens’ star tight finish. When Baltimore wants a clutch play, the protection goes to have extra targets to keep watch over.

“It’s essential to unfold the ball out,” Andrews mentioned Tuesday, on the eve of the Ravens’ first coaching camp observe. “I do know that the fellows that we’ve on this roster are capable of get open, make big-time catches and do all these various things. Being a crew man, I simply wish to win video games. That’s all that issues to me.”

“I’m nonetheless studying the offense and that’s why I’m so excited to get again to coaching camp and actually carve out my function and discover out the do’s and dont’s of the offense,” Andrews mentioned.

“I feel it’s new and thrilling. Any time you’ll be able to study one thing – I’ve been enjoying in the identical offense for the final 5 years – in order a participant to have the ability to develop and study, I’m going to soak all of it in like I’m a rookie.”

“I’ve acquired a giant image in thoughts the place I wish to be enjoying late within the playoffs and really feel unimaginable. That’s my objective,” Andrews mentioned.

Zay Flowers Already Loving His Versatile Function in Ravens’ New Offense

Luke Easterling, Sports activities Illustrated

The early returns have Flowers enthusiastic about his function within the new scheme, as he’s been getting reps in any respect three receiver positions.

“That’s what I need. That’s precisely what I need,” Flowers lately instructed Ravens crew author Ryan Mink. “So long as I’m touching the ball, I really feel like I could make a play from wherever, irrespective of the place it’s. [Monken’s] offense permits everybody to have the ability to get the ball. Simply unfold all people out, transfer items round, and get all people open.”

Flowers doesn’t care how the ball will get into his fingers; he’ll be prepared to show each contact right into a rating regardless.

“I simply wish to contact the ball. I don’t care how – screens, deeps balls, intermediate routes, shallow crosses – it doesn’t matter,” Flowers instructed Mink. “So long as I’m touching the ball, I really feel assured that I might help the crew.”

“It was good studying from the vets, attempting to get a reference to Lamar, studying stuff from Odell like what to and to not do, studying defenses from him and how one can run routes and how one can be affected person on sure routes,” Flowers instructed Mink. “Figuring out with them added a bit of bit to my recreation, I’d say, throughout this break.”

‘I assumed it was over’: Behind Odell Beckham Jr.’s unlikely comeback with the Ravens

Dan Pompei, The Athletic

“If I’m sincere, I used to be resistant,” he says. “There have been different locations I wished to go. I wasn’t essentially a Ravens fan as a result of the Ravens at all times whipped my ass.”

The Ravens saved making him really feel wished. They made Beckham a proposal in contrast to some other crew — one yr, $15 million.

They had been prepared to pay Beckham extra as a result of they noticed worth past receptions and yards. The Ravens knew what he did for the Rams. They thought he might be a power multiplier in video games, and, because of The Catch, he may put factors on a crew’s monetary scoreboard by way of social media bumps and jersey gross sales.

“I’m pondering like that is my final yr,” Beckham says. “I’m going to provide it my all this yr. After which if one thing occurs after that, we will go from there.”

PFF50: 10 gamers who simply missed out

Sam Monson, PFF

Ok JUSTIN TUCKER, BALTIMORE RAVENS

You possibly can assemble a case that Tucker is likely one of the greatest 5 gamers in soccer, however we have a tendency to not due to the can of worms that opens up for someone who was on the sector solely 168 occasions in 2022.

Tucker is pretty much as good because it will get at his place — and has been for years. The hole between him and the next-best kicker over any prolonged time period is as giant as it’s at some other place, nevertheless it’s arduous to place a participant whose function is so restricted on an inventory as unique as this over glorious gamers who log greater than 5 occasions as many snaps over the season.