Studying past and present wide receivers is a method that Rashod Bateman uses to take his route running to another level. One of Bateman's favorite players to watch on film is Jerry Rice, the Hall of Famer considered by many to be the greatest wide receiver of all time.
Coming off a career year with nine touchdown catches and 756 receiving yards in 2024, Bateman's passion to improve remains sky high. Sunday's practice was one of Bateman's best during training camp, and afterward, he discussed how watching film has helped him.
"I watched a lot of Jerry Rice, other guys in the league, even Zay Flowers himself," Bateman said. "You've got to be a student of the game, and I'm blessed to be a student of the game. I love it. I'm always trying to find different ways to tip off DBs, to make them go left or go right.
"Some guys don't have it, some guys do have it. Me and Zay are definitely two receivers who have what it takes to be at that elite level in route running."
Davante Adams of the Los Angeles Rams is a contemporary receiver whose route running has impressed Bateman. But even though Rice's final NFL season was 2004, his techniques have remained the gold standard for Bateman.
"You could see that he was ahead of his time when he was playing," Bateman said. "He was running routes the way a lot of us do today, and there weren't a lot of guys doing it back then. He was definitely the OG of route running."
DeAndre Hopkins Loves One-on-One Matchups With Nate Wiggins
DeAndre Hopkins is 12 years older than Nate Wiggins, so they never played together at Clemson. However, they're united as teammates with the Ravens, which has led to some intense practice battles between the veteran wide receiver and the talented 21-year-old corner.
With 12,965 career receiving yards, Hopkins has plenty of experience working over young corners but says competing against Wiggins has been an enjoyable challenge.
"I like going against all of them [Ravens corners], but I would say specifically Nate Wiggins," Hopkins said when asked who his favorite corner to go up against is. "Nate is a young guy who loves competing. He wants to be great. Obviously, Jaire [Alexander], but Jaire and I have played against each other before. I've never played against Nate."
Hopkins is biased but said Wiggins has what it takes to become a great cornerback.
"He's a Clemson guy, we train them well," Hopkins said. "He competes every day. He doesn't complain, comes out, and works. He has every toolset you look for in a lockdown corner."
Second-Year Offensive Lineman Corey Bullock Is Having a Strong Camp
Head Coach John Harbaugh has been impressed with offensive lineman Corey Bullock's progress in Year 2.
Bullock, a University of Maryland product, started the preseason opener at center for Baltimore while Pro Bowl center Tyler Linderbaum was given the night off. Bullock and Nick Samac are in the running to win the backup center job, and Harbaugh said Bullock has been having quality reps daily.
"I would say dramatic improvement and just works so hard all the time," Harbaugh said." It's showing up in how he's playing. He's playing both center and guard positions and has just done well. I see him blocking people. That's usually a pretty good sign."
Bateman Fondly Remembers His College Days With Daniel Faalele
Bateman and starting right guard Daniel Faalele were roommates at Minnesota, but took different paths to the NFL. Bateman was a star in college – a first-round pick in 2021. Faalele was a project as a fourth-round pick in 2022, a native Australian who got a late start in American football.
Faalele has worked hard to become a starter and improve his conditioning, and Bateman won't let his teammate forget.
"When I was in Minnesota, [Faalele] was over 400 pounds, so there is a big difference," Bateman said. "He was my roommate, so all the food was gone a lot.
"It was kind of crazy that we got drafted to the same team, but he has worked extremely hard to get to where he's at, so I'm definitely proud of him."
