Ravens WR Rashod Bateman hoping for bounce-back season under new coaching staff

OWINGS MILLS, Md. — Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Rashod Bateman chose his words carefully. He clearly didn’t want to create any headlines or direct any blame toward John Harbaugh, Todd Monken and last year’s coaching staff.

He also didn’t want to dwell on last year’s injury-marred season in which Bateman had just 19 catches for 224 yards and two touchdowns and never was able to get into the flow of the offense.

“I just got to keep playing ball,” Bateman said after Thursday’s practice when asked about getting a fresh start. “I don’t get too caught up in that. A lot of stuff goes into that, but I think the only thing I can do is control what I can control. It’s making plays (when) my number’s called.

“That’s what I’m looking forward to doing, bouncing back. That’s part of being a football player. It goes on a lot in this league, so I’m looking forward to doing that.”

While Bateman carefully navigated the topic Thursday, he’s been labeled as one player who could benefit most from the Ravens’ offseason coaching change. It’s not that he was frequently at odds with Harbaugh and/or Monken, both of whom were publicly supportive of the wideout.

However, Bateman was visibly frustrated at times last year about his role and lack of production in the offense. Not being healthy for much of the year added to that frustration.

Yet this offseason, new coach Jesse Minter and offensive coordinator Declan Doyle have repeatedly talked up Bateman. Bateman said Thursday that Minter’s focus on “connecting the team” is something the Ravens needed.

General manager Eric DeCosta also showed his faith in Bateman by not acquiring a starting-caliber veteran receiver this offseason to join Zay Flowers.

“As a receiver, you want somebody to believe in you,” Bateman said. “You want somebody to see your ability, and I think Declan is doing a good job of moving all of us around — not just myself. Zay’s been moving a lot. You see Ja’Kobi Lane out there making plays, Tez Walker. I think there’s a lot in store for a lot of guys this season.”

Asked specifically about the new offense, Bateman said, ”I feel like the details of it, I’m moving around a lot — I’m in (the) slot, outside. I think that’s a blessing for me. I appreciate Declan for doing that. I get to show my talent more and more.”

Practice gets chippy

It essentially started with tight end Mark Andrews and outside linebacker Trey Hendrickson exchanging shoves and headbutts before inside linebacker Trenton Simpson stepped in between the two. It then continued with backup tackle Carson Vinson and outside linebacker Tavius Robinson getting into a post-play altercation that led to a pile-on of sorts between the offense and defense.

Thursday featured the Ravens’ longest and hottest practice. Not coincidentally, it also was their chippiest session of training camp. Minter yelled at the defense at one point, demanding that it cut down on the extracurricular, post-play activity. A few plays later, he huddled up the whole team to deliver the same message.

“There was never a punch thrown or anything, so I do not think it got to that level,” Minter said. “It was just a reminder of the whole reason we are out here is to make each other better, help us get ready to play when we are playing against somebody else. You love the physicality. We wanted it to be a really physical day. We wanted it to be a long practice. We wanted them to kind of fight through some things — long drive drills, where it is intentionally an eight- or nine-play drive, regardless of the down and distance.

“You want to be able to do all that with a high, high level of physicality and also keep your wits about you. I know that in a game, people do things. People tug on your jersey after the play, try to get you to respond, chirp in your ear (to) try to get you to respond. We just have to be so dialed in on why we are out here — making each other better.”

Ethan Pocic will get shot

Minter has said consistently that the Ravens will have a legitimate competition at center, yet veteran Danny Pinter continues to dominate the first-team reps. Minter, however, said he expects Pocic to get an opportunity with the starters later in training camp.

“It is all part of a plan,” Minter said. “Again, I think the other guys, from a knowledge and terminology standpoint, they’ve been here the whole time. (Pocic) gets here the first day of camp. He has really been in this system now for not even two full weeks. We are letting him catch up.”

It was widely believed that Pocic would be the team’s starting center when Baltimore signed him to a one-year, $3 million deal not long before training camp began. Pocic, though, has mostly been working with the second and third teams as he learns the offense and continues to work back from a torn Achilles in December.

Other camp notes

• The Ravens had five absences to start practice and had two other players leave the workout early for heat/illness-related reasons. Wide receiver Dayton Wade, defensive lineman Aeneas Peebles and inside linebacker Carl Jones missed their second consecutive practice. Inside linebacker Teddye Buchanan (knee) and nose tackle Travis Jones (pectoral) both remain on the physically unable to perform list. Veteran left tackle Ronnie Stanley and nose tackle C.J. Okoye also departed practice for precautionary reasons. Hendrickson missed a handful of reps to get his arm looked at by members of the athletic training staff.

• Andrews made a number of catches in Thursday’s practice, but he also had another routine drop during the seven-on-seven period. Andrews has had some issues with drops early in camp, and he also fumbled a ball in Wednesday’s rain-soaked practice. With rookies Matt Hibner and Josh Cuevas on the depth chart and veteran tight end Durham Smythe expected to be used in a blocking role, the Ravens badly need a bounce-back year from Andrews.

• Cornerback T.J. Tampa caused a turnover in the first full-team session, stripping running back Rasheen Ali, who had caught a screen pass and headed upfield. Undrafted rookie inside linebacker Dominic DeLuca pounced on the loose ball.

• Lamar Jackson showed some frustration Thursday, spiking his helmet to the ground after the game clock hit zero without the Ravens being able to get off another play in a two-minute drill. Jackson hit Smythe down the seam, but the veteran tight end was touched down just outside of the end zone with about six seconds left. Jackson and the rest of the offense hustled to the line of scrimmage, but the clock hit zero before they could get off a play.

• Kicker Tyler Loop has bounced back well from an inconsistent performance at Saturday’s stadium practice at the University of Maryland, connecting on all seven of his field goal attempts Thursday. His longest was from 61 yards, which he made with plenty of room to spare. The Ravens continue to evaluate Loop and the potential need to bring in competition for him. However, they remain confident he’s the man for the job.

• The Ravens had a live tackling session in a goal-line period late in Thursday’s practice with many of the young players on the field. Undrafted rookie linebacker Reid Williford made the play of the session, spilling rookie back Adam Randall behind the line of scrimmage

• Spain’s World Cup hero Ferran Torres attended Baltimore’s practice Thursday and spoke to the team afterward, continuing Minter’s offseason theme of being at your best when your best is required. Torres came off the bench in the World Cup final and scored the only goal in Spain’s 1-0 victory over Argentina in overtime.

• The Ravens are off Friday before returning to work Saturday. They’ll also practice Sunday.