Ranking receivers

An intriguing player to watch during the preseason will be defensive lineman/fullback Patrick Ricard.

Ricard, a third-year player, made significant progress as a lead blocker last season and did well pulling around the corners and getting into linebackers. The Ravens want to feature a power running game in 2019 paced by big backs Mark Ingram II and Gus Edwards.

But it would be more intimidating if those two were escorted by the 6-foot-3, 303-pound Ricard.

Ricard has gotten a lot of work on offense during the offseason and so far in training camp. The Ravens might want to use him in a “heavy” package with two tight ends, one of those being 6-4, 270-pound Nick Boyle.

Evaluating Pierce

I kept an eye on defensive tackle Michael Pierce in practice today. He has lost about 20 to 30 pounds recently and I wanted to see how he responded in the heat after Thursday’s tough workout.

Pierce showed good explosion and burst coming off the ball. More importantly, he was the first player in line for every defensive line drill Friday.

I don’t know anyone else’s lifting numbers, but Pierce has to be one of the strongest players in the NFL, especially as far as leg strength.

Dixon looking fit

Running back Kenneth Dixon looked a little heavy at various offseason minicamps, but is moving well and appears fit during the two training camp workouts.

Dixon isn’t going to impress anyone with juking, side-to-side cuts, but he has been explosive in the open field and shows good acceleration after initial cuts. He is catching the ball well in the open field and that will play a major part in determining whether he makes the roster.

Dixon is battling rookie Justice Hill, a rookie fourth-round draft pick out of Oklahoma State, for what might be the final running back spot. Hill has also been impressive and the final determining factor might be which one is the best pass blocker.

Thomas’ leg

After conferring with several others, we all came to the conclusion that new Ravens safety Earl Thomas III is still either struggling from a broken leg he suffered last season or maybe he just walks funny.

He appeared to be limping at the end of practice Friday and it was noticeable near the end of several plays when he was pursuing a ball carrier or just jogging back to the huddle. It hasn’t been a full year since Thomas broke his leg, but we’ll keep an eye on how he continues to practice.

After two days of training camp, I am still looking for more consistency from the receivers in catching the ball. Rookie Antoine Wesley, the undrafted free agent out of Texas Tech, continues to be impressive. Second-year tight end Mark Andrews will probably be Jackson’s top weapon inside the red zone. Andrews and Jackson have already developed a chemistry that started in the second half of last season.

Others such as veteran Seth Roberts have made plays but tend to disappear. And then there is second-year player Jordan Lasley, who catches one, drops two, catches one and then looks into his hands as if they betrayed him.

Waiting for Ray

Outside linebacker Shane Ray passed the conditioning test and was on the field for practice Friday. I was waiting for him to make a play. I am still waiting …

Guess I might have to wait until the preseason games start.