Malaki Starks reminds Defensive Coordinator Zach Orr of a former Ravens teammate who made a dynamic impact as a rookie.
C.J. Mosley was a five-time Pro Bowler who spent his first five seasons with the Ravens (2014-18) and recently retired from the New York Jets. Mosley started every game for Baltimore as a rookie, leading the team with 133 tackles and playing as if he had been around for years.
Orr and Mosley were teammates for three years in Baltimore and a pair of inside linebackers who loved the game and learned quickly. Orr sees Mosley-like characteristics in Starks – talent, smarts, and leadership.
"C.J. came in and you didn't think he was a rookie by the way he prepared and worked," Orr said. "He got thrown into the fire early in the spring, in camp practicing with the 1's, and did a heck of a job.
"That's the same thing you see from Malaki. His attention to detail is phenomenal. Obviously, he's a really talented player. He's shown that out here in camp through the first week. We're excited about him."
Starks has shown he doesn't have to be told things repeatedly to absorb them.
"The pro game's different from the college game, but he picks up what you teach him in the classroom, what you do in walkthroughs real fast," Orr said. "If he does make a mistake, he corrects it the next time."
Left Guard Competition Is Still a 'Great Battle'
One of the few battles for a starting position during training camp is at left guard between Andrew Vorhees and Ben Cleveland.
The Ravens wore pads for three consecutive practices from Monday through Wednesday, giving the coaching staff a better evaluation of offensive line play. Following Thursday's practice, Offensive Coordinator Todd Monken was asked about what he's seen from the offensive line.
"I think it's a great battle between Ben Cleveland and Vorhees," Monken said. "We've got talent there, that's why you draft O-linemen and let them develop. Hopefully, you have the ability that when you lose guys, which we have, you've got guys ready to go in there and play at a really high level."
Monken praised the offensive linemen for pushing through hot, humid conditions during padded practices.
"It's been hard on those guys, and if it's hard on anybody, it's the big guys up front," Monken said. "But that's what we're here for. We're here to get ourselves in football shape, and you only do that by playing football."
Sanoussi Kane Has Raised His Game in Competition to Be No. 3 Safety
A strong spring and summer for second-year safety Sanoussi Kane has carried over into training camp.
Ar'Darius Washington's offseason Achilles injury leaves Kane and Beau Brade competing for the No. 3 safety role behind Starks and two-time Pro Bowler Kyle Hamilton. The joint practices and preseason games have yet to begin for Baltimore, but Kane has made a solid statement so far.
Kane intercepted an overthrown Lamar Jackson pass on Thursday and had a big hit along the sideline earlier in the week.
"Sanoussi's always been a very smart player, a physical player," Orr said. "I think he's moving better in the back end than he did last year. That's a credit to what he did in the offseason.
"He's comfortable with the system. He's doing a heck of a job. I have full confidence in Sanoussi. I'm excited to see him get out here in these games and really see how he's grown as a player. We've seen it out here since the spring. He came back different."
DeAndre Hopkins' Influence Has Been Felt by Jackson and Nate Wiggins
Quarterbacks Coach Tee Martin can see the chemistry building between Jackson and DeAndre Hopkins.
Hopkins' work ethic has led to some phenomenal production over his 12-year career – 984 catches, 12,965 receiving yards, and 83 touchdowns. He brings a business-like vibe and experience to practice, part of the persona that has led to his success.
Martin described a play during Wednesday's 7-on-7 session when Hopkins successfully improvised on a route and Jackson gave the play time to develop.
"Lamar and 'Nuk' (Hopkins) kind of just said what they were going to do," Martin said. "It didn't go right, and Lamar just kind of stuck with him, and it ended up being a touchdown.
"You usually don't see that kind of trust with a new face this early in training camp. I think DeAndre has a history of making quarterbacks feel good because the outcome's been good most of the time. He makes plays. It may not be the way you may have coached it, but at the end of the day, the result is what you want. I see Lamar really forcing the issue of really trying to develop that relationship of trust with him, particularly versus man-to-man."
The one-on-one practice battles between Hopkins and second-year cornerback Nate Wiggins have been something to look forward to. Both players are from Clemson, where Hopkins is a legend. But on the practice field, Hopkins is another receiver who Wiggins wants to "box up."
Orr loves seeing a young talent like Wiggins learn a few veteran tactics from Hopkins.
"I told him just the other day, just imagine you were on a visit to Clemson and you've got D-Hop on the walls, and now you're guarding him in practice," Orr said. "He just started laughing and smirked at me.
"D-Hop's been one of the best receivers in the league for a long time. What's this, his 13th year? He's still at the top of his game. Now, Nate's learning all the little tricks that receivers do, the vet moves that they pull on the outside. It's good work for Nate. He accepts the challenge. He's won a lot of battles, and D-Hop has gotten him as well."
