Humphrey adds energetic lift
A few weeks ago, I wondered if this was going to be a breakout season for Marlon Humphrey in which he proves he is one of the best cornerbacks in the NFL.
Humphrey, in his third season with the Ravens, is physical enough to play in press coverage and fast enough to turn and run with just about any receiver in the league. What has impressed me the most about him in training camp is that he doesn’t seem to take a play off.
Regardless of the receiver he faces, Humphrey has played with great energy and desire during camp. He had one interception and knocked down another pass in practice Monday.
Snap out of it
Offensive players started doing some extra running on the sidelines when the Ravens were flagged for false starts Monday
False starts have been a major problem in training camp. The Ravens had four in the first hour of practice. I suggest the Ravens go back to the pee-wee football method and just snap the ball on the first hut.
Ready, down, set, hut …
So easy.
Advantage, defense
The Ravens offense was sluggish Monday and the defense got after them throughout most of the practice. There was a Shane Ray sighting, and the outside linebacker might have had his best day of practice against tackle Randin Crecelius.
Maybe Ray is just starting to get his legs under him, but I still haven’t seen much from rookie outside linebacker Jaylon Ferguson, the team’s third-round pick out of Louisiana Tech.
Boykin breaking out
One of the best things I’ve seen out of rookie receiver Miles Boykin is his ability to adjust on a pass pattern, put his body in position and attack the ball.
He can get a little physical at times and it will be interesting to see how he holds up against veteran cornerbacks who will press him at the line of scrimmage.
“That boy is fast,” Ravens cornerback Jimmy Smith said. “He’s a big dude, fast, strong. I think he’s going to be a player for us this year. I’m excited about it.”
First fight
The team had its first fight of training camp when receiver Jordan Lasley was involved in a scuffle with safety Cyrus Jones.
Fights in training camps are no big deal, but you’d like to see a couple just to show your team has some “dog” in them. Back in the Ravens’ early days in Baltimore, offensive linemen Jeff Blackshear, Orlando Brown Sr. and Wally Williams, safety Bennie Thompson and defensive end Rob Burnett were always involved in some altercation.