Training camp 7/31: Joe Flacco produces a big day with

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Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco had a great practice on Tuesday , throwing a 35-yard strike to Michael Crabtree, hitting Chris Moore in stride on a crossing route and throwing a deep pass to John Brown. Flacco also had a very good back shoulder throw to tight end Vince Mayle, an over-the-shoulder touchdown pass to running back Gus Edwards and continued to build his rapport with Willie Snead IV.Tight end Hayden Hurst made another stride in the passing offense, catching a pass across the middle for a 10-yard gain and displaying his ability to cut up-field in another pass from Flacco. Hurst has often worked on the side with the quarterbacks, while the other tight ends have been involved in special teams.Orlando Brown Jr. has all but won the right tackle position at this point. He looks fluid in his movement and looks to be in very solid shape. Also making a mark is offensive lineman Alex Lewis, who’s versatility has been his strong suit. On Tuesday, he made snaps at center and moved back to left guard. Often times, Flacco receives snaps better from taller centers. His tallest centers all stood at 6’4 , which included Matt Birk, Jeremy Zuttah and Ryan Jensen. With Lewis standing at 6-foot-6, he would be the tallest center that Flacco has had in his career. Flacco wasn’t the only quarterback that had a strong practice, as Lamar Jackson, Robert Griffin III and Josh Woodrum all made great throws at certain points throughout practice. Jackson and Jordan Lasley hooked up downfield. Woodrum had a perfect touchdown pass to a diving Tim White. Griffin III also threw a bullet touchdown pass to Alex Collins, who toe tapped in the corner of the endzone. Almost making the catch of the day was tight end Nick Keizer. Keizer was being jammed at the line by linebacker Patrick Onwuasor and broke away. While diving for a ball thrown by Woodrum, Keizer nearly made a one-handed grab while diving. After having a strong practice on Monday, cornerback Marlon Humphrey seemed to be picked on again today. However , he made a few plays to deflect passes thrown in Crabtree’s direction. The two often battled for the football and as the old saying goes, “iron sharpens iron.” Humphrey is a second-year corner and playing against veterans like Crabtree, Brown and Snead IV in practice could sharpen his game.Undrafted running back Mark Thompson had another good day in pass protection, picking up multiple blitzes. He would trickle out of the backfield to make a grab as well. Thompson is currently competing with Edwards and De’Lance Turner for a potential third down back role, with the absence of Kenneth Dixon.INACTIVE: RB Kenneth Dixon, TE Mark Andrews, T Greg Senat, DB Kai Nacua , LB Tyus BowserPUP: WR Quincy Adeboyejo, OG Marshal Yanda, CB Jaylen Hill, LB Bam BradleyRETURNED TO PRACTICE: S Tony Jefferson, CB Maurice Canady, OL Randin CreceliusLEFT EARLY: Jefferson left practice early for precautionary reasonsESPN predicts Ravens will have two top 100 NFL players this season The Baltimore Ravens aren’t typically known for having flashy, marketable players that appeal to the national landscape, and that again appears to be true in 2018. Their team looks to be built to win with good defense , special teams, and (hopefully) solid offensive output.This type of philosophy doesn’t always lend itself to a ton of national media attention when the beginning of the football year rolls around, and while some pundits like Baltimore’s chances of returning to the playoffs this year, there isn’t a ton of buzz surrounding the singular pieces that comprise the squad. This is noticeable in a recent ESPN post that predicts who the top 100 NFL players will be in 2018.The Ravens placed two on the list, and you can probably guess who they are - C.J. Mosley checks in at number 81 and Marshal Yanda ranks number 99. The list makers consulted with ESPN’s Ravens reporter Jamison Hensley to give a quick blurb on each player, starting with Mosley:This is high praise from Lewis who was once the best middle linebacker in the NFL himself. Mosley’s coverage issues are well documented, but other than that he certainly is in the conversation for the game’s elite at the position.Hensley goes on to give thoughts on Yanda, who returns to action after suffering a season ending ankle injury last year:Even at his relatively advanced age , Yanda ought to be feared by defensive fronts this season. When healthy, he is absolutely one of the top guards in the league, and is now entering the conversation as one of the all time greats.While it would’ve been nice to see more Baltimore players on this list, the argument will always be made that you have to earn it. Among some potentially notable omissions are Eric Weddle, Jimmy Smith, Brandon Williams and Terrell Suggs, who have a whole season in front of them to go out and command national respect.

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