The Ravens must feel good about the first three days of training camp.
Players reported in tip-top shape, practices have been crisp, and injuries have been few.
Optimism rules at this time of year when every NFL team is undefeated. However, the early impressions of training camp have done nothing to change popular opinion that Baltimore has ample talent to win a Super Bowl.
Here are some early thoughts on training camp, all in 50 words or less:
- Keaton Mitchell is leaving people with his acceleration and looks poised to be a homerun threat again as a running back/kick returner. Mitchell's ability to catch the ball out of the backfield makes him even more dangerous. His 2023 knee injury is clearly behind him.
- The 20 pounds of muscle that Odafe Oweh added seems to be helping his power rush moves. More will be revealed once the pads come on, but it wouldn't be shocking to see Oweh top his career-high 10.0 sacks of last season.
- Jaire Alexander has already raised the energy level in practice. A fresh face can add positive energy to a veteran group that's been together. "I think we probably needed some of that," Kyle Hamilton said. "I'm more even-keeled, so I need to have that brought out of me a little bit, and Jaire does that."
- Alexander said during his press conference that he's willing to play any role. The Ravens have enough secondary talent that Alexander doesn't have to start or play every defensive snap. That could help Alexander stay healthy after playing just seven games each of the last two seasons.
- Chidobe Awuzie is another cornerback who has looked impressive early. Awuzie isn't one of the five former first-round picks in Baltimore's secondary. But he's tracking like someone who's going to have a role in the cornerback rotation.
- Any talk about impressive corners wouldn't be complete without Nate Wiggins and Marlon Humphrey. Both have looked very good, and Humphrey is leading the "Breakfast Club's" 6 a.m. workouts. "Marlon is in a great place," Head Coach John Harbaugh said. "I mean, he's setting a really high standard."
- Zay Flowers looks ready to build off his first 1,000-yard season. He gave people a brief scare Wednesday when he limped to the sideline, but he returned quickly and kept cooking. Rookie Malaki Starks is learning that Flowers may zig when you expect him to zag.
- Tyler Loop's 63- and 68-yard field goals Friday were another sign of his potential, as his competition with John Hoyland continues. Loop was hitting them high and far, like a golfer in a groove at the driving range. It figures a kicker from Arizona would love a 100-degree afternoon.
- Defensive tackle Travis Jones was having his best season in 2024 until an ankle injury in Week 7 hampered him. Jones looks healthy and stronger than ever and could join Nnamdi Madubuike to form a wrecking crew up front. Jones will be a player to watch during Monday's first padded practice.
- Hamilton is setting a high bar, wanting the Ravens' defense to look like the 2000 Ravens' defense. "We're nowhere close to that right now, but I wouldn't say that if I didn't think we had the potential," Hamilton said. "That's the ultimate top of the mountain. They obviously won the Super Bowl."
