Thursday’s joint practice against the Green Bay Packers was All-Pro linebacker Roquan Smith’s kind of atmosphere.
Smith’s interception of Jordan Love was the defensive highlight for the Ravens, who got the high-intensity reps they were seeking against a quality opponent. Love is one of the NFL’s rising young quarterbacks, but Smith was on his game Thursday, knowing this was as close as he would get to game action until Week 1.
Love appeared to not see Smith, who made an easy pick to get the defense fired up early in the session.
“I was on the offensive field, so I didn’t get a chance to see the defense or see that interception, but I heard about it,” Head Coach John Harbaugh said. “Roquan was looking forward to this practice, as were a lot of guys. Lamar [Jackson] was looking forward to it, Zay (Flowers), Isaiah (Likely). A lot of guys were looking forward to a chance to get out there and go against another team.
“It’s really valuable to do it. You can [play starters] in games; we decided not to, so this practice takes on importance.”
The joint practice in pads was held at Ray Nitschke Field, a great setting for football adjacent to historic Lambeau Field, where Saturday’s Ravens-Packers preseason finale will be played. The bleachers were already full about an hour before practice and the weather was picture-perfect with temperatures in the 70’s.
Fans were eager to see the Ravens match up against a talented Packers team that made the playoffs in 2023. Both teams provided highlights, and here are other observations from the joint session:
- Love did his best work against Baltimore’s defense in the red zone, throwing four touchdown passes during one red-zone session.
- Brandon Stephens hasn’t yielded many completions this summer, but Romeo Doubs caught a deep ball on Stephens that went for 35 yards. Love wasn’t shy about challenging the Ravens’ talented secondary.
- Jackson connected for touchdown passes to Rashod Bateman and Charlie Kolar during the Ravens’ red-zone drill. Jackson looked sharp throwing the football throughout practice and made several Lamar-like moves when he chose to scramble. ”I thought Lamar looked great,” Harbaugh said. “It’s just another kind of a circumstance for him to be in where he can kind of get ready for the season.”
- Bateman had a strong practice, making decisive cuts on his routes to get open for several catches. “He looked good quick and fast,” Harbaugh said. “I’m happy with Rashod. He’s going to have a great season.”
- Jackson also found Zay Flowers for a completion of around 25 yards to keep a drive moving. Flowers was animated throughout practice, encouraging other receivers and clearly enjoying competing against other team’s defensive backs who found him difficult to cover.
- Young offensive linemen Andrew Vorhees (left guard), Daniel Faalele (right guard), and Roger Rosengarten (right tackle) got plenty of reps against Green Bay’s stout defensive line. There were shining moments such as Rosengarten getting the best of Rashan Gary in a one-on-one drill. There were tough moments, such as the Packers’ defensive line pouring into the backfield to force a blown whistle for a “sack” to begin Baltimore’s two-minute drill.
- However, Harbaugh said he was pleased with what he saw from the offensive line overall, with the starting offensive line yet to be determined. “I thought they looked good,” Harbaugh said. “They were bringing bull rushes and games, and physical games in there, and our guys were stout. You’re not going to be perfect, and Lamar definitely holds the ball. Lamar was not looking to run; he was looking to stay in there and throw. I can’t wait to see the tape – but I was happy with how firm the pocket was 90% of the time.”
- The Ravens’ first-team offense overcame the sack to open the two-minute drill, including a fourth-down conversion on a pass to Justice Hill. However, the Ravens were running low on time and had to settle for a 62-yard game-tying field goal attempt by Justin Tucker, which barely missed.
- Safety Ar’Darius Washington made a touchdown-saving pass breakup after the Packers moved downfield during a two-minute drill near the end of practice. Washington also had a pass breakup earlier in practice as his strong summer continued.
- Among Ravens who did not practice were Tyler Linderbaum, Mark Andrews, Arthur Maulet, Adisa Isaac, and Nelson Agholor.
- Rookie cornerback Nate Wiggins was beaten for a 40-yard-plus completion by Packers wide receiver Malik Heath early in practice. Wiggins has enjoyed a strong summer, but he didn’t have enough speed to recover on that one.