What about Beckham?
Jackson was hardly the only player not on hand for the Ravens’ “football school” and other voluntary activities. Beckham, whom the Ravens signed last month to a one-year deal worth a reported $15 million, has been among the notable absences.
Plenty of others worked out on their own, too, including running backs J.K. Dobbins and Gus Edwards, wide receiver Rashod Bateman, tight end Mark Andrews, linebacker Patrick Queen, safety Marcus Williams and offensive linemen Ronnie*
Stanley, Morgan Moses and Kevin Zeitler.
At least some of that group was in attendance on Monday, though. Bateman, who is coming off season-ending foot surgery, as well as Queen, Williams and Moses were among the players shown on the team’s social media feeds who participated in the practice.
As for Beckham, he hasn’t played in a game since tearing his ACL in Super Bowl 56 in February 2022, and when he’ll take the field at the Ravens’ facility is unclear.
“I’m still in my process of getting ready for September, because we don’t play tomorrow, we don’t play a week from now, a month from now; we play in September,” Beckham said last month. “So it’s about getting ready for that, being in the best physical shape I can be, mentally, emotionally, spiritually, all that.”
What will the new offense look like?
Already, the differences between Monken’s personality and that of previous offensive coordinator Greg Roman were on display during “football school” with Monken taking a vocal and active role with the offense, compared with the much more reserved presence Roman had the previous four years.
As for the product on the field, the Ravens aren’t going to reveal anything significant over the next few weeks. But Monken has talked repeatedly about his desire to up the tempo and spread the offense out more.
“Everybody feels like we have to pick it up on offense this year,” offensive tackle Daniel Faalele told The Sun during a recent volunteer day at Morrell Park Elementary/Middle School. “Our new [offensive coordinator] understands that as well. He’s been emphasizing communication and he’s made it a lot easier to understand the offense so we can play a lot faster. I’m excited going into this year, especially with the players we have.”
It’s also possible the Ravens’ reliance on Jackson’s ability to run could be reduced because there’s more talent around him.
“I’m excited when they all get here to see that and see the competition,” Monken said two weeks ago. “And, our tight ends as well: Mark [Andrews] and Isaiah [Likely], our running back room. I’m excited to get started, but there is only one ball.
“I think the more talented you are around your quarterback, the less he has to take on that burden, shoulder the load because you’re excited about getting others the football where they can utilize their skill set.”
Who will be the starting left guard?
One of the more significant decisions still to be made is who will replace starting left guard Ben Powers, who left for the Denver Broncos in free agency.
That will play out this summer at training camp, but coach John Harbaugh previously mentioned four possibilities: Patrick Mekari, Ben Cleveland, John Simpson and Faalele. The Ravens also drafted Malaesala Aumavae-Laulu out of Oregon in the sixth round, Andrew Vorhees out of Southern California in the seventh and signed former Chicago Bears center and Owings Mills native Sam Mustipher.
But Aumavae-Laulu is likely a developmental prospect, while Vorhees will miss the season as he recovers from a torn ACL and Mustipher will most likely back up starting center Tyler Linderbaum. In limited action, Faalele played tackle last season, while Mekari’s versatility likely makes him more valuable in multiple spots on the line.
That leaves Cleveland, a third-round pick in 2021, and Simpson, who joined the Ravens late last year after three seasons with the Las Vegas Raiders, as the most likely candidates.
Both have struggled at times, though. “Every day is like competition,” Simpson told The Sun. “My biggest focus right now is focusing on pass protection and leg drive in the run game.
“The biggest difference between last year and now, though, is now I feel like is a new start. Before, I just got thrown in and had to survive. Now I’m starting brand new with these guys.”