Now the focus shifts to the training ground, and the rookies are the first to perform at the Under Armor Performance Center.
So far, they have been limited to a fully virtual offseason, missing 16 total practices via rookie minicamp, OTA, and mandatory minicamp.
“There probably is no perfect compensation for the challenge facing the Ravens’ current 31 rookies and the rest of the league’s rookies as they approach their first professional training camp and the end of one of the most unique and discouraging seasons in NFL history, “wrote Jeff Zrebiec of Athletic. “They briefed team facilities this week without having participated in an NFL practice after the COVID-19 pandemic wiped out rookie minicamps, organized team activities and mandatory minicamps, and turned off-season programs into virtual learning sessions. “
It is not the first time that players have faced something like this. The NFL lockout in 2011, which lasted from March 12 to July 25, eliminated most of the offseason.
Nine years later, Zrebiec spoke to those rookies, and they believe this year’s class is much better equipped to handle a shorter low season.
“I wouldn’t say they are light years from us, but at least they had to spend weeks of training,” Jimmy Smith told Zrebiec. “Although it was virtual, they had to do the race test. They got some of the stuff. They had it better than what we had. Obviously, there is a pandemic, so it’s a little bit more terrifying to go back there. But if they would have allowed us to have as much (activity) as they do, I think we would have been a little better. “
Pernell McPhee added: “They know what to expect when they come in. You had a chance to talk to other players and coaches. But we didn’t know what to expect in 2011. We didn’t have a chance to talk to anyone.” It was just train, train, train and wait. ” .
One of the biggest benefits for the 2020 rookie class is technology. Zoom meetings have allowed the rookies to meet virtually with the coaches and present them with the playbook.
“John Harbaugh and his coaching staff worked very hard this offseason to find creative ways to teach rookies offense and defense,” added Zrebiec. “That included playing virtual games and giving players pop quizzes. In 2011, rookies didn’t even have access to the playbook until just before training camp practice.”
However, one of the biggest disadvantages is the virus itself. The social distancing and quarantine guidelines have limited opportunities to practice. Many of the newbies have only met each other and coaches during online meetings.
But from the start, experts have expressed confidence in the Ravens’ ability to weather an atypical offseason.
“There is always an advantage for veteran teams that are well managed, but I think this year more than ever,” Colin Cowherd of Fox Sports Radio said in May. “Well-run organizations: the Baltimores, the Philadelphia Eagles, the New England Patriots … will simply flourish because they have stability [and] many of the same people. “
Pro Bowl Expectations for Marquise ‘Hollywood’ Brown
On Tuesday, we highlighted an article by Cynthia Frelund from NFL.com that projected that Brown would be one of the AFC’s most improved players this season.
Zrebiec took it a step further. In The Athletic’s team-by-team prediction that identifies the next wave of NFL highlights, Zrebiec predicted a Pro Bowl season for Brown.
“Brown was a first-round pick in 2019 and his variety of off-season workouts, many of which is documented on social media, have received a lot of attention,” Zrebiec wrote. “He is not your prototypical candidate under the radar. However, there remains a bit of skepticism about Brown, due to his size (5ft9,170lb) and the Ravens’ offense. After seeing him catch seven touchdown passes. As a rookie despite practicing very little throughout the year and playing only 50 percent due to a painful foot injury, the Ravens believe he is poised to become a feared front-line catcher. “
The Ravens invested a first-round pick in Brown in the belief that he may become the No. 1 receiver. The running game will remain a focal point of the offense, but Brown’s appearance, along with the improvement of Miles Boykin and the Rookie additions Devin Duvernay and James Proche should open the passing game.
Brown will seek to join Mecole Hardman as the only receiver in the 2019 draft class to reach the Pro Bowl. Hardman arrived as a returner last year.
“Brown showed limited explosiveness on the field during the previous period, averaging 12.7 yards per reception,” wrote Maurice Moton of the Bleacher Report. “Now, in full force, he could remove the defenses more frequently in 2020.”
