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Baltimore Ravens Open Practice Analysis

By Kyle Andrews

Jul 31, 2016; Owings Mills, MD, USA; Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh speaks with members of the offensive line during the morning session of training camp at Under Armour Performance Center. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 31, 2016; Owings Mills, MD, USA; Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh speaks with members of the offensive line during the morning session of training camp at Under Armour Performance Center. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Baltimore Ravens continued their preparation for the 2016 season by having another practice open to the public on Saturday. I was able to get to the stadium and watch them for myself.

There were a great number of fans at M&T Bank Stadium and parents brought their children for fireworks. Their were a couple of good things and couple of bad things to come from camp. Without further ado, let’s get to what I saw.

The Good

Jul 31, 2016; Owings Mills, MD, USA; Baltimore Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco (5) walks to the next drill during the morning session of training camp at Under Armour Performance Center. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 31, 2016; Owings Mills, MD, USA; Baltimore Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco (5) walks to the next drill during the morning session of training camp at Under Armour Performance Center. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports /

This is an absolute given every season. Joe Flacco threaded the needle to Ben Watson and bombed the ball to Keenan Reynolds a couple of times. The ball looked as if it was a torpedo and his receivers were the targets of a Flacco missile launch. He also made a few plays to Kamar Aiken, who I am very sure is a starting wideout this season.

Aiken seems to be extra amped to be in a starting position this season. He looks to have taken a leadership role among the receivers, which harkens back to an Anquan Boldin. Another player that looks to step up is cornerback Shareece Wright, who battled Aiken all practice. Wright broke up a number of passes that were headed towards Aiken’s way in the red zone.

Buck Allen also made a few good plays, probably having his best practice of training camp. Terrance West was also solid as a receiver out of the backfield. To me, he still has the second running back spot on lock. He could even be splitting time with Justin Forsett if he keeps this up during the regular season.

The Bad

Jul 31, 2016; Owings Mills, MD, USA; Baltimore Ravens offensive tackle Ronnie Stanley (79) warms up during the morning session of training camp at Under Armour Performance Center. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 31, 2016; Owings Mills, MD, USA; Baltimore Ravens offensive tackle Ronnie Stanley (79) warms up during the morning session of training camp at Under Armour Performance Center. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports /

Ronnie Stanley had a soft-tissue injury on Saturday. He left the practice early and went to the locker room, worrying fans half to death. The good news is that he should be ready to play again on Thursday.

Jimmy Smith looked to be a little gimpy during Friday’s practice, so he didn’t practice on Saturday. Matt Elam left Friday’s practice early due to injury. Wide receiver Michael Campanaro has just been getting a day off here and there. So, his absence isn’t much to worry about. Chris Moore has a lower leg injury. Dennis Pitta’s fingers are still injured and Crockett Gillmore has a bad hamstring., Maurice Canady had an undisclosed injury and Timmy Jernigan’s ribs are still an issue.

Remember Steve Smith Sr. and Breshad Perriman are on the physically unable to perform list. So when receiver Chris Matthews, went down with an injury, all bets are off. Matthews has had a great camp to date. If Matthews is healthy, he could be a huge help to this depleted Ravens team.

The Ugly

Jul 31, 2016; Owings Mills, MD, USA; Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Mike Wallace (12) catches a pass during the morning session of training camp at Under Armour Performance Center. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 31, 2016; Owings Mills, MD, USA; Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Mike Wallace (12) catches a pass during the morning session of training camp at Under Armour Performance Center. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports /

One could argue that it was Flacco’s fault. However, it looked like a mistimed route by Mike Wallace. Wallace overran where the ball would be thrown by a mile. It probably won’t be the last time that we see things like that with the speedy Wallace and the strong-armed Flacco. Other than that, the Ravens need to stay healthy and they should be good to go on Thursday.

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