Ravens like what they see with Trey Hendrickson, pass-rush options

OWINGS MILLS, Md. — The defense needed to get a stop. Even in a training camp practice in late July, these are the situations in which Trey Hendrickson prides himself on making a play for his team.

Hendrickson, the Baltimore Ravens’ $112 million pass rusher, got a step on veteran left tackle Ronnie Stanley. On the other side of the line of scrimmage, Tavius Robinson created a push on right tackle Roger Rosengarten. As the two converged on quarterback Lamar Jackson, the play was blown dead for a sack.

Rules are rules, and the Ravens (along with 31 other teams) don’t want anyone touching their quarterback in practice. Still, it was easy to imagine the possibilities.

“I’m not into predictions,” Hendrickson said after the Ravens’ practice Friday. “(All) I can give you is: We are going to hit when the pads come on.”

The Ravens won’t have their first padded practice until next week, and it’s particularly difficult to evaluate pass rushers before that happens. However, Baltimore’s first week of training camp has been characterized by its outside linebackers applying steady pressure on the quarterback. It hasn’t just been Hendrickson, either, although he’s been the ringleader.

Robinson, who had 4.5 sacks last season, has given Ravens offensive linemen fits this week, whether he has rushed from the edge or the interior. Mike Green, in his second season, has looked far more confident, assertive and powerful. Rookie second-round pick Zion Young has had his moments, as well.

“We have some guys that can get there, whether that is through (their) game, through scheme, or on their own,” defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver said Friday. “When you have that, as a coordinator, it makes life pretty easy. You do not have to try to scheme up free runners or things like that. You can use the complexity of illusion to let those guys win. I do not think anything is really real until we put the pads on, but thus far, I love what I am seeing with just the overall work ethic of all those front guys.”

The Ravens had 30 sacks last year. Only two teams, the New York Jets and San Francisco 49ers, had fewer. And the Ravens also were near the bottom of the league in both pressure rate and pass-rush win rate, which was not lost on general manager Eric DeCosta, who acknowledged that adding pass rush was one of his biggest offseason priorities.

He added Hendrickson, who has 81 career sacks and four Pro Bowl selections, after the Maxx Crosby trade fell through because of concerns about Crosby’s knee. DeCosta then used a second-round pick on Young, who had 6.5 sacks in his final college season at Missouri. Baltimore signed veteran interior defensive lineman Calais Campbell, too, partly because of his ability to provide an inside push.

The Ravens already were counting on young outside linebackers Robinson and Green improving significantly. The healthy return of defensive end Nnamdi Madubuike from a career-threatening neck injury would be a very big bonus.

It’s only been a couple of days, but the Ravens certainly have to like how things are coming together.

“We are all chasing a common goal right now. There’s no wins and losses,” Hendrickson said. “To try new things, to experience other reps, to learn from other players — it’s very valuable. I’m excited to get in the pads.”

Doyle isn’t waiting

As the Ravens were preparing for 11-on-11 competition toward the end of practice, offensive coordinator Declan Doyle immediately pulled on a headset. It’s all part of his efforts as a first-time play caller to simulate situations before games start to count.

“It’s just hitting the button, practicing it,” Doyle said. “Obviously, this will be the first time I’m calling (plays) down there, and whether I’m up in the box or on the field, you have to hit the button. Similar to how we’re doing it with our guys — putting them through these stressful situations — it’s the same thing. It’s a good habit. Anytime we’re in a call-in period, (I’m) trying to simulate it as best I can, trying to simulate the communication aspect between me and the staff. That’s really what you’re seeing there.”

Doyle still hasn’t decided whether he’ll call plays from the coaching booth upstairs or from the sideline. He’ll make that determination during the preseason. He’s planning on being in the booth for the preseason opener, then on the sideline for the second preseason game. He could make a decision about what he wants to do in time for the third preseason game.

“There are pros and cons to both, but I would like to use (preseason) games to be able to do that and kind of see what your flow is and what fits best — not only communication with the staff, but the players, the quarterback, all that stuff,” Doyle said. “So, I kind of want to just go through that, a little bit of a dry run.”

Martin shining again

Weaver was with the Miami Dolphins last year when they brought in Louisiana-Lafayette cornerback Keyon Martin, a Fort Lauderdale, Fla., native, as part of their local pro day workout before the draft. The Dolphins, however, neither drafted Martin nor signed him as a college free agent.

“We (screwed) that up, right?” Weaver said Friday.

Martin was a revelation for the Ravens last summer, making the team thanks to a strong training camp and preseason, then seeing action in 13 games (including one start).

He’s at it again this summer. Perceived as a “bubble” guy and in the mix for a role in a crowded cornerback room, Martin is off to another fast start to training camp. He was one of the defensive standouts Friday, doing well to make sure Rashod Bateman couldn’t get two feet down in the end zone; a few plays later, he broke up a pass intended for Devontez Walker in the end zone.

“I love the kid,” Weaver said. “He’s not a big dude. When you have those guys, they always play with a chip, and he carries it. He’s having fun, he’s energetic, you can feel the juice and the energy, and people feed off that — but he wants to rip your face off. He may not say it, but when he’s out there, he competes every single snap.”

Other camp notes

• Outside linebacker Adisa Isaac (elbow) and cornerback Bilhal Kone (knee) were activated from the physically unable to perform list and took part in the early stages of Friday’s practice. Their returns leave the Ravens with five players who haven’t practiced at any point over the first week of training camp: guard/center Corey Bullock (appendix); Campbell (personal matter); inside linebacker Teddye Buchanan (knee); nose tackles Travis Jones (pectoral) and John Jenkins (undisclosed). Buchanan and Jenkins worked out on an adjacent field during Friday’s practice.

• The Ravens worked out contract adjustments with guard Andrew Vorhees and defensive tackle Broderick Washington Jr. to create more salary cap space. The alterations give Vorhees and Washington, two players whose futures with the team have been in question this offseason, a better chance to stick on the 53-man roster for the regular season.

• Safety Malaki Starks ended a practice dominated by the defense by intercepting a Jackson pass on fourth down. It was a frustrating day overall for Jackson and company, who were unable to get much going, particularly in red zone periods. Both Jackson and running back Derrick Henry spent time late in practice exhorting their offensive teammates. After Starks’ interception secured the win for the defense, the offensive players had to do pushups. Cornerback Nate Wiggins, who blew up a screen pass late in practice, weaved through the offensive players as they were down on the ground to make sure they were fulfilling their punishment.

• One of the few offensive highlights came from undrafted rookie running back Elijah Tau-Tolliver, who made a catch down the sideline over Young on a wheel route. The catch, which came after a perfect throw by No. 2 quarterback Tyler Huntley, earned Tau-Tolliver (Michigan State) a flying chest bump from Henry. Bateman also ran a great route to beat Wiggins on a deep out, a few plays after he couldn’t haul in a deep shot from Jackson despite having a step on Wiggins.

• Second-year kicker Tyler Loop has mostly worked on a side field early in training camp, but he got three opportunities Friday as part of a team session — and he delivered. Loop converted from 35, 34 and 56 yards, finishing 3-for-3 on the day.

• University of Maryland football coach Mike Locksley and his staff took in the Ravens’ practice Friday. The Terrapins will return the favor Saturday and host the Ravens in College Park for an open training camp practice.