Tuesday's joint practice with the Indianapolis Colts will give the Ravens something they've been craving – live reps against another team.
Baltimore will host the Indianapolis Colts on Thursday night to open their preseason, but the Ravens' starters won't play in that game. That makes Tuesday's joint practice particularly important for the first-team offense and defense.
"I told the guys it's two games this week, it's Tuesday and Thursday," Defensive Coordinator Zach Orr said. "No matter where you're at in your career, you could be a perennial Pro Bowl All-Pro, you could be a guy fighting to make the roster, every time you step on that field, you're fighting for your career. You're getting evaluated. You've got to think that way. You've got to take that approach."
Pro Bowl fullback Patrick Ricard echoed that feeling and understands why tempers frequently flare during joint practices, sometimes leading to fights.
"Guys are fighting for their jobs, their livelihoods," Ricard said. "Things end up getting chippy. You don't really know the guy. Tempers flare. I think the last time we had a joint practice against the Colts, we had a full team brawl. Hopefully that doesn't happen again."
Because of that possibility, this year's joint practices will last just one day.
"We used to do two days, which we kind of moved past that," Head Coach John Harbaugh said. "The second day is just a chippy day – a cheap shot day. (Colts Head Coach) Shane (Steichen) does a great job, [and the] (Washington) Commanders are the same with (Head Coach) Dan [Quinn]. We expect those to be good, clean practices."
Offensive Coordinator Todd Monken wants to see Lamar Jackson lead the attack against a different opponent, rather than a daily dose of facing the Ravens' defense.
"You get a go against other skill sets, other concepts," Monken said. "When you go against another team, it feels like the first day. It's time to compete. I'm fired up."
Will the Ravens Use More Three Wide Receiver Sets?
The addition of DeAndre Hopkins gives the Ravens a fearsome trio at wide receiver. Add in the foot injury to tight end Isaiah Likely, and it seems like Baltimore could use more three wide receiver sets in 2025.
Last season, the Ravens used three wide receivers on 32.2% of their plays. It was nearly the same rate that they used "12" personnel featuring two tight ends.
However, per Next Gen Stats, the Ravens had a 43% success rate in "13" personnel with three wide receivers compared to a 55% success rate in "12" personnel.
Could Hopkins change the math this season?
"That remains to be seen. We're still early in the process," Monken said. "As I said in the spring, I see [Hopkins] as a starter. I see us as having three starters [at wide receiver], but I also see Charlie Kolar as a starter. I see Isaiah Likely as a starter. I think we could go [with] two backs. I think we could have Derrick [Henry] out there and Justice [Hill], or Derrick [Henry] and Keaton [Mitchell]. I think that's pretty cool, [to have] that kind of versatility. So, I see all those guys as starters. But you're right, I think we could end up going that direction, but that remains to be seen as we play it out."
Orr Discusses Roles for Jaire Alexander and Chidobe Awuzie
Talented veterans Jaire Alexander and Chidobe Awuzie have been starting outside corners throughout their careers and are joining a talented cornerback group that also includes Marlon Humphrey and Nate Wiggins.
How reps will be divided remains to be seen, but Orr isn't worried about designating Alexander or Awuzie as a starter because both will play significant roles.
"Both of those guys know they're going to play," Orr said. "You're going to see those guys out there at the same time. I'm not really looking at it as a competition. I'm not looking at it as 1's, or 2's. We both know those guys are going to be out there for us."
Alexander hasn't played a regular-season game since November of last season, but the veteran has only missed one practice after having his knee drained. Orr has been impressed.
"He brings energy and he goes, he competes," Orr said. "We need that. I can't tell he hasn't played since November. He has elite coverage skills and ball skills. He's been a great addition to our room."
Patrick Ricard Talks About His Role, Jon Gruden's Praise
Even as the Ravens added another weapon in Hopkins this offseason, fullback Patrick Ricard feels comfortable with his role as the Ravens' offensive sledgehammer.
Ricard played 39% of the offensive snaps (443) in Monken's first year as coordinator. He played 39% (435) in Monken's second year. Chances are, it will be close to that again in 2025 after Ricard signed a one-year deal this offseason to remain in Baltimore.
"As long as we try to run the ball, you're going to want to use me," Ricard said. "Especially having Derrick Henry, too."
Ricard does a lot more than just run blocking. He's deployed in a variety of ways, including on the line of scrimmage as an extra blocker, sometimes against the other team's top pass rusher.
That kind of versatility and dirty work earned Ricard praise from former NFL head coach and Super Bowl winner Jon Gruden, who nicknamed the five-time Pro Bowler the "Straw Man."
When Gruden came to Baltimore during organized team activities, he went into the tight ends meeting room to talk to the guys. He went around the room telling everyone what he thought of them and started by gushing about Ricard.
"It was almost embarrassing how much praise he gave me," Ricard said with a chuckle. "Just because I didn't know he felt that way about me, and then for him to say it in front of my teammates like that. … It was cool. A lot of people respect him as a coach and football guy."
