Second-year linebacker Trenton Simpson is making plays as he steps into starting linebacker role.
Getting work in during the early portion of the offseason offers a chance for young players to carve a role out for themselves before things kick into high gear for training camp. A few have begun to do so over the past two weeks and today had no shortage of players stepping up. Here are the highlights from today’s practice:
Second-year inside linebacker Trenton Simpson looks comfortable in the starting role beside Roquan Smith. He’s fast, fluid and his eyes are darting to his nearest assignment along with checking the quarterback’s eyes. That paid off today when he broke up a pass to tight end Isaiah Likely today, who gave Simpson credit after practice.
“I’m going to give him a little credit today,“ Likely said with a grin. “He definitely beat me on a rep today, I know you all saw it. I don’t really like losing a lot but he’s definitely showing that he’s ready for the opportunity. … He’s definitely showing that what you guys seen on tape against Pittsburgh wasn’t a fluke. He’s fast, he’s physical, he’s listening and he’s really soaking everything up like a sponge.”
According to Likely, Simpson’s notably changed his physique since last season, along with his mind.
“He definitely looks bigger and stronger than last year and he’s definitely playing with a lot more [instincts,]” Likely said. “He’s not being as patient as he was last year. He’s playing with his athleticism, his intuition.”
Cornerback Tre Swilling may have drawn the largest excitement on the defensive sideline when he jumped a Josh Johnson pass to wide receiver Rashod Bateman on a short- curl route. He leapt up intending to intercept the ball and promptly take it to the house but couldn’t corral it with one hand, resulting in a pass breakup.
Wide receiver Tylan Wallace was heavily involved as a receiver today, catching multiple passes against defensive back Damarion Williams—including one in which Williams was called for illegal contact—and a 10-yard out route against cornerback Brandon Stephens.
Quarterback Devin Leary was solid on short throws. His arm strength is on display with such throws, rifling the ball to pass catchers on the short curls and crossers. However, he did throw an interception today as undrafted rookie safety Jordan Toles hauled a ball in.
Speaking of Toles, it looked like the coaching staff was keen on him today. Received a fair amount of one-on-one coaching, including during various special teams drills. Have to think the team would love a third safety who can make plays on defense and special teams.
The first big crowd-pop for first-round pick Nate Wiggins came late in practice as he deflected a ball from third-round pick Devontez Walker’s hands.
Attendance + Other Notes
15 players were absent today’s voluntary workout. The biggest absence being Lamar Jackson, who was the only offensive starter not at camp.
- QB Lamar Jackson
- RB K. Mitchell
- WR D. Harty
- WR N. Agholor
- OLB M. Harrison
- OLB A. Isaac
- OLB K. Van Noy
- LB Y. Rigby
- DB B. Brade
- CB A. Maulet
- S K. Hamilton
- CB T. Mullen
- S M. Williams
- DT M. Pierce
- DT R. Nichols
- Cornerback Marlon Humphrey did not participate in team drills. He worked on an adjacent field in uniform for over an hour.
- Both rookie outside linebacker Adisa Isaac and safety Beau Brade worked out during the early portion of today’s practice on the adjacent field.
- Zay Flowers is stepping into a bigger leadership role. Twice I saw rookie receivers drop a ball and both times Flowers approached them, talk it over and then demand aloud they owe him pushups. I asked wide receivers coach Greg Lewis about the interactions and he said it’s all coming from Flowers.
“That’s all Zay [Flowers]. That’s all Zay. He’s a character … I think it’s good that Zay is taking that leadership role and finding ways to get the guys focused on what they need to get done.”
- Justin Tucker went 2-for-3 on field goals. After coming up short and wide on a 63-yard field goal into the wind, he hit from 52- and 38-yards under the same conditions.
Notable Scenario
During a down three, final seconds drill, Bateman soundly beat his defender, caught the ball and turned upfield before sliding out of bounds. It was a unique circumstance as the original intention of the drill was to get a quick sideline completion, get out of bounds and bring out the field goal unit to tie up the game.
However, Bateman completely shook his defender and started to take off, with only a safety to beat. Bateman may have had a step on the safety but there was just enough of an angle to make him hesitate. Bateman decided after about four yards to slide out of bounds. But as he did, the clock struck zero, leaving the offense to “lose” the drill, which would’ve been a game-losing play.
Afterward, Bateman and numerous other receivers huddled up for a few minutes to discuss the drill, how they should approach it and talked it through.
In every other rep, the corner had tight coverage on the intended receiver, resulting in a short completion and getting out with one or two seconds left. But Bateman was a victim of his own success. Had his corner defended better, Bateman would’ve nabbed it and got out of bounds. Instead, he broke loose and then was forced to make an instant decision. Go for the touchdown or get out of bounds? Bateman attempted to do the “right” thing by going out of bounds, but it was a split-second too late.
I think this is an excellent coaching opportunity to work on now. It sure would’ve been an ugly situation had it been in a regular season game.
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