OWINGS MILLS, MD -- The most obvious difference between the Baltimore Ravens team that took the field for the first time on Thursday and the one that limped to the finish in 2015 was the appearance of star quarterback Joe Flacco, who looked strong and confident after losing much of last season to torn knee ligaments. All eyes were indeed on the passer in the red jersey, who seemed to be jogging well and whose arm was as live as ever.
But things look quite different on the other side of the ball too, and it just could be that the emergence of a new quarterback on defense has a similar impact. Maybe, just maybe, after years of musical chairs in the secondary and after repeated failed experiments at the safety position, the Ravens have a back four that can be available and consistent and productive.
It's impossible to miss the presence of new free safety Eric Weddle, a Pro Bowler during his time in San Diego. The initial returns on the ongoing transition of corner Lardarius Webb to safety remain glowing, too. And top corner Jimmy Smith can't possibly play as poorly as he did at times last year in his return from major injury. Shareece Wright, a late signing after being cut by the 49ers last summer, looks fairly solidified as the other starting corner.
It's a ways removed from the turmoil, tumult and struggles for this secondary the past few years, where from week to week it's been impossible to project who would be starting where. Former first-round pick Matt Elam now already has one foot out the door and talented-but-troubled Will Hill was suspended again and then let go. From this time a year ago, only Smith is in the exact same spot he was in among the projected starters.
Quietly, the Ravens' maligned pass defense made some significant gains in the second half of last year's doomed 5-11 campaign, when Smith started to get his legs back under him and as Webb began his move to safety. It's obviously very early on, but don't be surprised if Weddle does not become a commanding presence by Week 1, and don't bet against this being one of the more improved units in the AFC.
"We've got some big plans for this secondary," Webb told me after an excruciating morning practice in which the heat index soared near 108. "We've got a really nice group back there and we've added some playmakers and you can see we're more athletic. We're just going through the process right now, but we've got big expectations for ourselves."
It's that playmaking potential that has had coach John Harbaugh gushing privately since the signing of Weddle back in March. There hasn't been anyone to truly coordinate and facilitate the defense from the safety spot since future Hall of Famer Ed Reed moved on years ago, to say nothing of having a proven ballhawk back there. Weddle provides both and is just the kind of seen-it-all savvy veteran to help Webb make the move to safety. For a team that has some questions with its pass rush, having an improved ability to both cover and make plays on the ball is imperative.
Webb and Weddle are in constant communication and the coaches can breathe easy knowing those two heady players are manning the final line of defense.
"We've just got to keep putting the little things together and staying in close communication," Webb said.
Given his lack of reps at safety, Webb is "deferring" to Weddle calling the defense, Harbaugh said; Weddle picked it up quickly this spring as expected, though Webb is more well-versed in it. Both players have skill sets that fit with free safety features, but that's fine with a staff that is eager to see more interceptions and pass breakups.
"It's very important for us to have guys back there who can make plays on the ball," Harbaugh said.
For his part, Weddle is prioritizing eliminating "mental mistakes in practice," and you can count him among those banking on the reputation and perception of this group changing dramatically this year.
"We're going to be a great group this year," Weddle said.
More observations from Ravens camp
- Flacco looked sharp and crisp and didn't seem to be favoring his knee at all. Not much gets to him mentally, though obviously there will be some things to work through once he gets in a setting where he can be hit again.
- I remain a skeptic that tight end Dennis Pitta will actually be able to crack a strong and deep group of tight ends given all of his medical problems the past few years, but there is no doubt everyone in this organization is rooting for him. He seemed to labor a bit to me at times but also flashed very well, including a nice grab on a threaded seam-route pass from Flacco in team drills.
- Speaking of tight ends, this team is loaded with them, even with some facing suspension when the regular season begins. With veteran receiver Mike Wallace still unable to pass his conditioning test -- Harbaugh made some pointed general comments about those who didn't show up ready to pass it -- and Steve Smith on the PUP list, the team is a little short on receivers. But the Ravens have enough athleticism at tight end to slide guys like Darren Waller into receiver spots in 11-on-11 drills and they could employ plenty of three-tight end sets with multiple move guys if they chose to. "It's nice to have that flexibility," Harbaugh said, "and It does speak to how we could build our offense." I have a feeling they may keep one more tight end than some other teams might.
- The clock is ticking on former second-round pick Arthur Brown. He's done nothing to this point and could be an early cut.
- Top pick Ronnie Stanley earned plenty of kudos from his peers for willingly donning a chicken suit that didn't fit all that well to perform at the first rookie night of camp. The first-round pick has a great disposition and set a nice tone. As Harbaugh noted, the outfit only really fit him in the webbed feet, but he was a great sport about it. Stanley, 6-foot-6, 320 pounds, according to teammates, performed a rousing version of "Ignition" that brought the house down. Stanley conceded he worked on his delivery in the weeks leading up to camp. "I did what I had to do," Stanley said with a smile. Stanley generally looked the part on the field, though he did end up on the ground once. With Terrell Suggs and Elvis Dumervil both recovering from significant injuries and not on the field yet, he also knows things will get more difficult for him at practice soon enough. "They'd get anybody ready for the season," Stanley said of the two veteran pass rushers.
- Suggs hasn't always been known to show up in the best shape, but the team feels good about where he is in his recovery from an Achilles injury and word around here is he seems intent to go out with a bang in what will almost certainly be his final year with the Ravens, and perhaps the final of his career. He's 34, but already with 14 years under his belt and coming off two seasons essentially lost to Achilles tears in the last four years.
- Just because Jake Long agreed to terms with the Ravens doesn't mean we'll ever see him on the field. His knees are not good and he could face difficulty getting and staying healthy.
- This defense will ultimately go as two of its best young stalwarts go. If Jimmy Smith and C.J. Mosley are true elite playmakers, it will go a long way to taking heat off an offense in which the quarterback, starting running back and top receiver are all coming back from major injuries.
- There was only one minor injury scare Thursday, as rookie running back Kenneth Dixon took a hit at the end of one drill and went down hard grabbing his left knee. He ended up limping off but Harbaugh said he was OK and might be back to practice Friday. Top running back Justin Forsett stayed with the kid on the sidelines while he was being checked out and eventually helped him get back across the field with a limp. Veteran leadership there.
- Of the tailbacks, Terrance West, a Baltimore native trying to capitalize on what could be his last real NFL shot, continues to stand out. He is trim and explosive and seems to have a good grasp of this offense after having issues in that regard in stints with Cleveland and Tennessee.
- The Ravens ran a few 11-in-11 drills with players in shells but without their helmets on. Not sure I've seen that before, but I like it.
