Ravens—Rams joint practice highlights: 8/7/18 After yesterday’s practiced featured the Rams defense hounding Baltimore’s
quarterbacks and the offensive line
Youth Willie Snead Jersey , the Ravens adjusted and came out firing, but not on the first play as Joe Flacco overthrow Willie Snead IV in the red-zone and into the
hands of Aqib Talib for the interception.Ravens offense vs. Rams defenseThe
first series was ugly for Ravens fans and thrilling for the opposition, which
started with the aforementioned interception. Afterwards, Jordan Lasley caught a
five-yard pass, but the following play to score was a pass dropped by Michael
Crabtree. The second series for Joe didn’t begin any better, either.After the
red-zone coverage drills came the full 11-on-11 practice, where Baltimore
decided to wake up. Joe completed a few passes and Javorius Allen received a few
hand-offs. The second-string offense marched onto the field and this was the
first big play of practice.As Lamar Jackson stepped under center, he and Bradley
Bozeman recognized something with the defense. Both barked out calls and the
Ravens offense shifted and flipped. Ball was snapped and Lamar found Andre
Levrone wide open for the 35-yard completion with only the safety to
beat.Janarion Grant climbed the ladder on the next play, catching a pass that
was higher than it should have been from Jackson. Grant managed to secure the
ball and complete the catch with a Rams cornerback defending the ball in the
air.The Ravens then produced two big runs, one from Lamar and the second being a
20-yard gain by Robert Griffin III before being touched by a defender.It wasn’t
all Ravens though as Ramon Richards swatted a Griffin III deep ball down the
sideline to DeVier Posey. After a good move down the field Richards recovered
and made the play on the ball, deflecting it off the field.Mistakes and pre-snap
penalties continue to occur with the Ravens offense as they jumped offsides this
afternoon once more. I didn’t see anybody run a lap like previous practices,
though.Joe did deliver a pass into the arms of Marcus Peters during drills,
meaning both starting Rams cornerbacks intercepted the Ravens starting
quarterback. There was also another interception thrown, but from a running back
pass, though I couldn’t see from the sidelines what the play was and how it came
to be. The Rams were fired up after sniffing out the play.The biggest play made,
more-so than the red-zone touchdowns, came from Jordan Lasley beating Talib for
a 20-yard gain.I don’t feel like Hayden Hurst had as good of a day as others
have posted, as two of his catches come without the safety making contact. If
this is live action, safety’s wouldn’t let him make a catch without making a
tackle. You can see his catches in the Ravens twitter video down below.Patrick
Ricard had a great touchdown catch on the goal-line, but four plays later
dropped another pass which would have resulted in a touchdown. He’s a great
versatile player both on the defensive line and as fullback, but you have to
make the critical catches when your number is called.Special TeamsThis, to
many
Stitched Robert Griffin Jersey , felt like the drill to create physicality and heighten the competitive intensity. The Rams gunners went up against the Ravens
vice, two blockers. It began with Michael Thomas battling against Maurice
Canady. Both got their shoves in as Thomas fought for yards and Canady defended
well. In the end, I called it even as Michael gained the yards but Canady never
gave up and kept him to the side.The next gunner was Robert Woods, who burnt the
vice of Chris Moore and Stanley Jean-Baptiste. His release from the line caught
Stanley off-guard and it was all over. The Rams sideline was cheering and the
competitive spirit heightened for both squads.Anthony Averett answered the bell
by throwing Fred Brown off the field, literally. Brown was under Averett’s pads
for a moment, but the rookie cornerback switched leverage and shoved him to the
sideline and off the field. The Ravens sideline and the fans in the bleachers
erupted as Averett tossed the gunner.Rams offense vs. Ravens defenseBaltimore’s
defense struggled early on against the high-octane offense of the Rams. Jared
Goff constantly carved up the Ravens’ secondary, finding Brandin Cooks on a
short touchdown pass. Chris Board was able to break up a pass to Henry
Krieger-Coble from Brandon Allen. Though Cooper Kupp had a few wide-open drops
in the beginning portion of practice, he would bounce back with multiple
first-down grabs by finding the soft spots within Baltimore’s zone defense. Goff
also found Robert Woods on a laser pass past the reach of C.J. Mosley and other
defenders. Za’Darius Smith went back and forth with veteran left tackle Andrew
Whitworth and eventually got the better of him, sacking Goff. Baltimore’s run
defense was up and down as well. Michael Pierce bulldozed his way past John
Sullivan, but Kai Nacua would be stiff armed just a few plays later by John
Kelly. Todd Gurley would find a large hole up the middle for a big gain as well.
When Baltimore went to man coverage, they were able to generate more pressure on
the quarterback. Two-way player Patrick Ricard wreaked havoc in the middle and
also saw some time with the first-team defense. The Ravens used exotic blitzes
to create issues for Los Angeles’ offensive line up the middle. Phillip Lindsay
didn’t receive an invitation to the NFL scouting combine and his name wasn’t
called during the draft.Motivated by the snub, he made history.The talented
Denver Broncos running back became the first undrafted offensive player selected
for the Pro Bowl as a rookie. He heads the list of undrafted rookies who’ve made
an impact this season.“At one point, I was just trying to make the team,”
Lindsay said. “I was hoping to do some (gunner) reps, some kick return and
hopefully catch some balls at punt return. When they gave me the news that I was
going to the Pro Bowl, it was just a real emotional moment.”Baltimore Ravens
running back Gus Edwards, Philadelphia Eagles running back Josh Adams, New
England Patriots cornerback J.C. Jackson and Minnesota Vikings cornerback Holton
Hill have also made significant contributions to their teams after 32 teams
passed on them in the draft.Lindsay signed with his hometown club after playing
four seasons at Colorado and was bold enough to seek permission from Hall of
Famer Terrell Davis to wear his old No. 30 jersey after he earned a spot on the
Broncos. He had 71 yards rushing in his debut and 107 yards in his second game.
Lindsay moved into the starting lineup in Week 8 and had 1,037 yards, an average
of 5.4 yards per carry and nine touchdowns. He also had 35 catches for 241 yards
and one TD.Lindsay was injured in the Broncos’ Week 16 loss to Oakland. He will
miss the regular-season finale against the Chargers and is expected to be out
for the Pro Bowl because of a right wrist injury, a person with knowledge of the
MRI results told The Associated Press.Lindsay is the third undrafted rookie with
1,000 yards in a season
Youth Robert Griffin Jersey , joining Dominic Rhodes (1,104 in 2001) and LeGarrette Blount (1,007 in 2010).“To be able to be elected to a Pro Bowl by your
teammates, the people you’re playing against, the coaches, that means the
world,” Lindsay said. “That means that they respect you. … Nobody knew about me
when I first got here, other than I was little.”Lindsay ran for 2,726 yards and
30 TDs in his final two seasons in college but was passed over in the draft
mainly because of his size — he’s 5-foot-8. He had offers from other teams but
chose the Broncos so he could live in his parents’ basement and save money.“His
first day with us, he was the sixth halfback on the depth chart. The sixth!”
Broncos coach Vance Joseph said. “Obviously, being a rookie free agent. Didn’t
go to the combine. Wasn’t drafted. … He came in here just trying to make our
football team.”Here’s a look at other undrafted rookies making an impact:GUS
EDWARDS: After playing three seasons at Miami and transferring to Rutgers for
his final year of eligibility, Edwards signed a three-year contract with the
Ravens in May. He began the season on the practice squad, played his first game
in October and got just 15 carries in his first five games. Then Edwards had
back-to-back 100-yard games as Lamar Jackson took over for the injured Joe
Flacco at quarterback, and the Ravens (9-6) turned into a run-dominant offense
and took the lead inthe AFC North. Edwards leads the team with 642 yards, has a
5.1 average and two TDs. Jackson is right behind him with 605 yards on the
ground. A Baltimore win Sunday earns it the AFC North title.JOSH ADAMS: Despite
running for 3,201 yards and 20 TDs in three seasons at Notre Dame, Adams had to
go the free-agent route. He signed with the Super Bowl champions, earned a spot
on the practice squad and made his NFL debut in Week 3. Adams got his chance
after starter Jay Ajayi went down for the season, and Darren Sproles and Corey
Clement were sidelined by injuries. He’s emerged as the leading rusher with 461
yards, has a 4.2 average and three TDs, helping the Eagles (8-7) remain in the
playoff chase.J.C. JACKSON: From Malcolm Butler to James Develin, the Patriots
have scored often with undrafted rookies. Jackson
Stitched Jordan Lasley Jersey , out of Florida Riverside Community College, is the latest to make a statement. One of the players New England picked up to help
plug the hole left following Butler’s offseason departure, Jackson has appeared
in 12 games and started the past four. The team’s confidence in him has grown
each week and he’s performed well, hauling in a pair of interceptions. He’s been
on the field for 89.3 percent of the snaps since December, and played every snap
against the Bills. Jackson drew primary coverage duty on Steelers receiver JuJu
Smith-Schuster and held him to four catches for 40 yards on 10 targets in a Week
15 loss.HOLTON HILL: Hill has played a lot on special teams and started two
games for Minnesota, one each for regulars Xavier Rhodes and Trae Waynes because
of injuries. He has one interception and seven pass breakups and has generally
held up well in coverage when tested by a tough slate of opposing quarterbacks:
Aaron Rodgers twice, Tom Brady, Russell Wilson, Carson Wentz, Jared Goff, and
Matthew Stafford.ROBERT FOSTER: A wide receiver out of Alabama, Foster has 23
catches for 520 yards and two TDs for the Bills. His average of 22.6 yards per
catch leads the team.FRANKIE LUVU: The linebacker out of Washington State has
played in 13 games for the Jets and has three sacks.SHARIF FINCH: A linebacker
out of Temple, Finch has been a key player on both defense and special teams for
the Titans. Before injuring his shoulder in Week 15, he had 20 tackles, 1½
sacks, two quarterback pressures and two tackles for loss. He also has forced
two fumbles and recovered another.POONA FORD: The defensive tackle was the Big
12 defensive player of the year his senior year at Texas, but his size
(5-foot-11, 310) caused teams to shy away from him. He’s played in 10 games for
the Seahawks, including one start, and been strong in the run game.
