The Ravens kicked off their three-day minicamp Tuesday with a morning practice that was moved up to beat the heat and get the competitive juices flowing earlier in the day.
It's not different from Organized Team Activities (OTAs) except there were additional veterans on hand.
Outside linebacker Terrell Suggs* *practiced for a bit before watching most of the session from the sideline. Tight end Benjamin Watson returned to the field for the first time in more than nine months after tearing his Achilles last preseason.
Right guard Marshal Yanda was also in attendance though in shorts and a T-shirt. He is still recovering from offseason shoulder surgery. Linebacker C.J. Mosley (shoulder) isn't expected to be back until training camp, along with wide receiver Michael Campanaro (foot sprain).
Here are some notes from practice:
- Rookie second-round outside linebacker Tyus Bowser stood out. He was quick off the edge and would have had a sack versus the second-team offense, but there's not a ton to be gleaned about pass rush considering the lack of contact. However, Bowser has been great when dropping into coverage. He got another interception when Ryan Mallett tried to squeeze in a pass on the run, and knocked away another pass later in practice.
- Suggs looks good. He's always been open about his offseason battles with his waistline, but Suggs has been working out this offseason at the Under Armour Performance Center, and he already appears to be in fighting shape.
- The Ravens just signed Jeremy Maclin, but wide receiver Mike Wallace served a reminder not to forget about his role on this team. Wallace hauled in a long bomb in tight double coverage at the start of practice for what would have been a touchdown. He did a leaping spike as punctuation. Wallace simply outran the two defenders.
- Look out for Lorenzo Taliaferro as the fullback after the departure of Kyle Juszczyk. He and Terrance West shared the backfield on a few plays.
- John Urschel got the first-team snaps at center today with Ryan Jensen playing right guard.
- Justin Tucker showed off his leg by nailing what looked to be around a 60-yeard field goal.
- Tight end Darren Waller participated in practice for the first time this summer (he missed all of OTAs) and ran away from safety Tony Jefferson on one play. Waller left practice early because he was overheated.
- Second-year outside linebacker Matthew Judon continues to impress. He totally blew up one running play away from him by knifing through the line and stopping running back Danny Woodhead several yards behind the line of scrimmage.
- Wide receiver Keenan Reynolds made one of the best catches of the day over the middle when he reached behind himself and plucked a ball as he fell to the ground.
- Former Ravens linebackers Jarret Johnson and Adalius Thomas were both at practice and stopped over to say hi to Owner Steve Bisciotti, General Manager Ozzie Newsome and others.
