Hours after signing cornerback Jaire Alexander, the Ravens' defense made sure to showcase Wednesday what it's capable of in front of the two-time Pro Bowl cornerback.
Multiple Ravens defenders came away with interceptions throughout the team's final minicamp practice. Alexander, who the Ravens signed Wednesday to a reported one-year deal, was in attendance for practice but did not participate.
Nate Wiggins intercepted a Lamar Jackson pass intended for Rashod Bateman that could've been a pick-six in a live situation. Beau Brade held onto a pass intended for Anthony Miller down the right sideline in seven-on-seven work. T.J. Tampa logged his second interception in as many days after wide receiver Dayton Wade slipped on an out-breaking route.
Those takeaways are what cornerback Marlon Humphrey is hoping becomes a theme of this year's defense.
"It doesn't really matter how good you play defensively, if you can't get the football, you're not playing good enough," Humphrey said Wednesday. "That's the biggest thing to harp on. That's gotta be our identity. That's gotta be the identity of all 11 guys on the field, 'Get the ball, get the ball, get the ball.'"
Here are other notes from Wednesday's second and final minicamp practice before the Ravens go on break before training camp:
- Although it was officially ruled an incompletion, wide receiver Anthony Miller had the catch of the day on a deep pass from Cooper Rush down the right sideline, leaping up and snagging the ball between three defenders.
- Devontez Walker had another nice day after an impressive OTAs. Walker had several catches, one of which came on a deep pass from Rush when Walker snatched the ball over Tampa.
- Rookie defensive tackle Aeneas Peebles displayed his quick first step, busting into the backfield immediately on one play. He also flashed versatility as an interior pass rusher, batting down a pass at the line of scrimmage and nearly turning around to make an interception.
- Odafe Oweh sniffed out a short pass underneath to Rashod Bateman near the line of scrimmage in 11-on-11 drills. Oweh also charged into the backfield on a different play and may have sacked Jackson, who hit the outside linebacker with a spin move.
- Jackson connected with Zay Flowers on a deep pass down the left sideline for roughly a 30-yard gain.
