The Ravens head into training camp with the perfect mix of returning players, new faces, and high expectations that should equal an exciting next couple of weeks.This team is on the cusp of taking that next step to becoming a Super Bowl champion and has all the pieces in place to do so. The question is whether they can finally put together a run that can put them over the top in the playoffs? Last season ended on a heartbreak and during this offseason, the team seemed too determined to keep this group together and give it another go. There is not much turnover with most of the starters returning, but they did make some key additions that will help bring more balance to the offense and shore up new secondary.Here are three storylines to watch as the Ravens open training camp.Continuity CountsMost of the starters on offense and seven on the defensive side return for this team and they believe the group’s growth together last season will be fuel for this one. They all experienced the disappointing finish together and should want to redeem themselves, especially against the Buffalo Bills to open the season. The offense should be able to pick up where they left off and could even be better with the addition of receiver DeAndre Hopkins and the development of Isaiah Likely as a top-tier tight end. The biggest beneficiary of continuity will be the offensive line. The return of Ronnie Stanley allowed the offensive line to maintain its makeup at every position except left guard. They will have to replace Patrick Mekari, who left in free agency, but they have a couple experienced players that could fill that role. Secondary switchThe biggest change in the offseason will be in the secondary with two new starters and a familiar face in former defensive coordinator Chuck Pagano as a senior defensive assistant/secondary coach. They invested a second straight first-round pick in the secondary in safety Malaki Starks who is penciled in as the starter alongside Kyle Hamilton. The biggest wild card will be new addition Jaire Alexander. He is a former Pro Bowl corner, who could be the difference in turning this unit from the defense’s weakness to its strength. They will be without playmaking safety Ar’Darius Washington for most of the season as he recovers from a torn Achilles tendon. They could turn to second-year safeties Sanoussi Kane and Beau Brade to fill that void.Few position battlesThere won’t be many position battles to monitor this training camp. A lot of starters are returning veterans who are locked in at their positions. The left guard position will start out as a battle between veterans Ben Cleveland and Andrew Vorhees. They did draft Emery Jones Jr. in the third round but he’s starting the year on the Physically Unable to Perform list as he recovers from shoulder surgery.The biggest hole in the roster will be on special teams as they try to replace long-time kicker Justin Tucker. The team drafted a kicker for the first time in history in sixth-round draft pick Tyler Loop and he will battle it out with undrafted rookie John Hoyland. The spotlight will be on these two during camp as they attempt to replace the franchise’s all-time leading scorer.
OWINGS MILLS, Md. —
The Ravens head into training camp with the perfect mix of returning players, new faces, and high expectations that should equal an exciting next couple of weeks.
This team is on the cusp of taking that next step to becoming a Super Bowl champion and has all the pieces in place to do so. The question is whether they can finally put together a run that can put them over the top in the playoffs?
Last season ended on a heartbreak and during this offseason, the team seemed too determined to keep this group together and give it another go. There is not much turnover with most of the starters returning, but they did make some key additions that will help bring more balance to the offense and shore up new secondary.
Here are three storylines to watch as the Ravens open training camp.
Continuity Counts
Most of the starters on offense and seven on the defensive side return for this team and they believe the group’s growth together last season will be fuel for this one. They all experienced the disappointing finish together and should want to redeem themselves, especially against the Buffalo Bills to open the season.
The offense should be able to pick up where they left off and could even be better with the addition of receiver DeAndre Hopkins and the development of Isaiah Likely as a top-tier tight end. The biggest beneficiary of continuity will be the offensive line. The return of Ronnie Stanley allowed the offensive line to maintain its makeup at every position except left guard. They will have to replace Patrick Mekari, who left in free agency, but they have a couple experienced players that could fill that role.
Secondary switch
The biggest change in the offseason will be in the secondary with two new starters and a familiar face in former defensive coordinator Chuck Pagano as a senior defensive assistant/secondary coach. They invested a second straight first-round pick in the secondary in safety Malaki Starks who is penciled in as the starter alongside Kyle Hamilton.
The biggest wild card will be new addition Jaire Alexander. He is a former Pro Bowl corner, who could be the difference in turning this unit from the defense’s weakness to its strength. They will be without playmaking safety Ar’Darius Washington for most of the season as he recovers from a torn Achilles tendon. They could turn to second-year safeties Sanoussi Kane and Beau Brade to fill that void.
Few position battles
There won’t be many position battles to monitor this training camp. A lot of starters are returning veterans who are locked in at their positions. The left guard position will start out as a battle between veterans Ben Cleveland and Andrew Vorhees. They did draft Emery Jones Jr. in the third round but he’s starting the year on the Physically Unable to Perform list as he recovers from shoulder surgery.
The biggest hole in the roster will be on special teams as they try to replace long-time kicker Justin Tucker. The team drafted a kicker for the first time in history in sixth-round draft pick Tyler Loop and he will battle it out with undrafted rookie John Hoyland. The spotlight will be on these two during camp as they attempt to replace the franchise’s all-time leading scorer.
Lamar Jackson Baltimore Ravens Nike Game Jersey – Purple
Derrick Henry Baltimore Ravens Nike Jersey – Black
Kyle Hamilton Baltimore Ravens Nike Player Game Jersey
Mark Andrews Baltimore Ravens Nike Game Jersey – Purple