Kyle Van Noy led the Ravens with a career-high 12.5 sacks in 2024, yet he keeps getting questions related to his age.
The 34-year-old Van Noy is entering his 12th season, so he's not oblivious to people wondering how much longer he will play. Van Noy didn't say he considered retiring this offseason, but he has reached the point where he views training camp from a different perspective than earlier in his career.
"It's been an interesting offseason, but I'm here, it's good," Van Noy said. "I'm just grateful to be with my teammates. I would love to celebrate with my family, that would be a cool experience with my kids getting to that last game [Super Bowl LX]. Obviously, I'm not LeBron [James] and Steph Curry, but the end is closer than the beginning. I know that, I think everybody knows that."
Van Noy has been a key addition to the defense since joining Baltimore with 21.5 sacks over the past two seasons, playing with intelligence and impact. There's no sign that Van Noy's skillset is declining, and he believes that will remain the case.
"I can play as long as I want to," Van Noy said. "That's my mindset. I thought about it a lot this offseason. I'm just grateful to continue to play. My body's still good, and I can still play at a high level. I really think I'm one of the best in the league. My stats show it the last two years. I'm top 10 in a lot of stuff. I still go under the radar, which is fine. I've just got to keep waking people up."
The Ravens drafted Mike Green in the second round, who led the FBS in sacks with 17. Their deep outside linebacker rotation also includes Odafe Oweh, coming off a 10-sack season, Tavius Robinson, Adisa Isaac, and David Ojabo.
However, when it's time to compete, Van Noy has a way of rising to the occasion. That has continued through the first two practices of camp.
"He looks good," Head Coach John Harbaugh said. "He's out here making plays again. I don't know what the age thing is, so I actually can't define it. You just go by what you see. Guys play until they can't. He's still playing at a high level."
DeAndre Hopkins Sits Out Practice as Precaution
Wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins did not practice Thursday after a strong opening session on Wednesday, but it was only a minor issue, according to Harbaugh.
"He'll be OK. He kind of fell on his knee, his leg yesterday (Wednesday) on that sideline play," Harbaugh said. "Probably an abundance of caution."
GoPro Device on Kickers' Helmets Helps Assess Their Performance
During their training camp kicker competition, the Ravens are mounting GoPro cameras on the kickers' helmets. The device helps the coaching staff evaluate each kick with more precision, as Tyler Loop and John Hoyland compete for the starting job.
"It's a little bit new," Harbaugh said. "We see what [the kicker is] looking at. We also see his foot placement from that angle. There's a certain type of an angle that you want the plant foot, and you want to have the kicking foot on the ball. You can see it from that angle better than anywhere else. I think it helps the kickers, too."
The Ravens will have a plan to rotate the rookie kickers during camp. Hoyland had all the kicks Thursday and went 9-for-9.
David Ojabo Is Having a Fast Start to Camp
This is a key training camp for Ojabo, a former second-round pick who's entering his fourth year trying to make a consistent impact. Ojabo has persevered through an assortment of injuries, including a torn Achilles during his Pro Day at Michigan that forced him to fall into the second round.
However, Ojabo believes he'll make plays if he stays healthy, and Harbaugh agrees.
"I think him being on the field consistently would be the key," Harbaugh said. "He didn't play at all his first year. Last year, he got a little nicked up.
"I think he's healthy, stronger than he's ever been. He looks great out here the first two days. I expect him to play great. This guy's a highly talented player. The guy busts his butt, he's a hell of player, and I expect him to have a great year."
