The Ravens concluded three weeks of Organized Team Activities this week, with mandatory minicamp coming next week.
Here are my thoughts, all in 50 words or less:
- Travis Jones says he's going to try to be more vocal. Regardless, Jones' play between the lines will generate plenty of noise this season. I think Jones, who is heading into a contract year, could be the Ravens' next Haloti Ngata and a critical long-term piece of the defense.
- Jones and Ngata are virtually the same size – 6-foot-4, 340. Part of what made Ngata special was his abilities not just as a run-stopper, but what he offered as a pass rusher. Jones played considerably more third-down/pass rushing snaps (29.3%) last year than even Ngata did during his prime (19.1%).
- Jones has 3.5 sacks in three seasons. Ngata had 6.5 in his first four seasons. Can Jones get three this year? Absolutely. Chuck Smith said Jones is a "pass rusher that I'll put out there one-on-one with 95% of the offensive guards in the league, and they can't block him."
- If Jones has the kind of season Ravens coaches expect from him, he'll be in the conversation among the best defensive tackles in the league. Jones isn’t going to say much about it, but he's high on my long list of Ravens worthy of a contract extension.
- I don't get the chatter about the need to add a veteran outside linebacker. The Ravens have two double-digit sack guys returning (Odafe Oweh and Kyle Van Noy), a "centerpiece" (Tavius Robinson), and three talented young pass rushers I want to see get snaps (Mike Green, Adisa Isaac, David Ojabo).
- I do, however, get the buzz about signing another veteran cornerback. Chidobe Awuzie has played in 10 or fewer games in four of his eight seasons. Beyond him, the Ravens would be relying on Jalyn Armour-Davis and/or T.J. Tampa as their No. 3 cornerback. Remember how much Tre'Davious White played?
- The chatter mostly surrounds Jaire Alexander, who was released by the Packers last week. Adding him makes sense on paper if there's mutual interest and the medicals and money check out. A two-time Pro Bowler, Alexander could put the Ravens over the top with an elite cornerback trio.
- If Malaki Starks is even half as impressive on the field as he is off it, he'll be an excellent player and draft pick. I've never heard of a rookie organizing walk-throughs at the team hotel. At just 21 years old, Starks is already a special kind of leader.
- Nate Wiggins and Roger Rosengarten were last year's rookie standouts. Isaac, Tampa, Devontez Walker, and Sanoussi Kane have flashed this summer, but only Kane, the seventh-round pick, has (for now) a clear path to significant snaps in Year 2. The Ravens have a backlog of young talent.
- Ravens Wired gave us a glimpse into how Offensive Line Coach George Warhop operates. He's impressive, and it's no coincidence that the Ravens' front office provided him with three new young offensive linemen to groom. Left guard has to be settled, but this offensive line could be very good.
