Ravens OTAs: Jesse Minter finding ways to bring out their best when it's needed

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In the center of that alley were two oversized medicine balls. “We end practice every day with an “at our best when our best is needed period,’” Ravens first-year head coach Jesse Minter said. “That could be anything. Today, we decided to do a little friendly competition. Right now, you can’t really do a football competition.” The rules were simple. One of the young offensive players would be matched against one of the young defensive players. Whoever threw the ball further upfield was declared the winner, and the losing side had to do pushups and listen to jeers from their teammates on the other side of the ball. Rookie fourth-round wide receiver Elijah Sarratt got the better of rookie fifth-round cornerback Chandler Rivers in the first matchup. Fifth-round tight end Josh Cuevas bested second-year undrafted free agent linebacker Kaimon Rucker in the second one, helping the offense clinch the best-of-three series. The offense then finalized the clean sweep with first-round guard Vega Ioane hurling the medicine ball farther than second-round outside linebacker Zion Young. Veteran left tackle Ronnie Stanley hopped around in celebration, instructing the defense to get down and do pushups. Rookie wide receiver Ja’Kobi Lane sprinted upfield and did a backflip. “We thought it would be something different, something fun, try to get guys to not know what’s about to happen, and answer the bell when their number is called,” Minter said. “It’s as simple as that. That’s all we’re trying to get done with that; make it fun and have the guys pull for each other. Loved the energy there. It was a clean sweep by the offense today.” There is a reason why one of Minter’s mantras since taking over for longtime Ravens head coach John Harbaugh in January is “be at your best when your best is required.” Harbaugh’s highly-successful 18-season tenure with the Ravens was marred in the later years by fourth-quarter collapses and late-game mistakes, along with struggles to play the team’s best football during the playoffs. Minter has talked repeatedly about changing that narrative and focusing on such situations throughout the preparation for the season. Part of that is introducing the “be at your best when your best is needed” periods of practice. The practice Tuesday was the first that was open to the media, but per the team website, Monday’s first OTA concluded with players and coaches “planking” on their toes and elbows for more than two minutes to emphasize finishing strong. “The guys love it,” running back Derrick Henry said. “It’s something different. Gives us a chance to compete against each other and also sometimes do things together. The coaches added a new aspect to the practice (with) the vision he has for us and what he sees that will help us get better.” Asked about Tuesday’s sweep, Ravens guard John Simpson said. “We take pride in anything we do. That’s how it is for both sides, but obviously when it comes to competition we’re gonna do our best to win.” Minter said Lamar Jackson has been one of the leaders during Baltimore’s offseason program. However, when the Ravens took the field for their first two voluntary OTAs this week, the quarterback was not on the field. Minter said Jackson had a “couple of things going on” Monday and Tuesday that prevented him from practicing. “I do expect him to be back soon,” Minter said. “We’ve had some great conversations; know when he’s going to be back. I’ll probably leave those (conversations) between me and Lamar.” Jackson has been a regular participant in the team’s offseason workout program, which has not always been the case in the past. The OTAs represent a move to another phase of the offseason program, where full team segments of practice are permitted. Yet, it was Tyler Huntley who led the offense Tuesday rather than Jackson. And it was Huntley who got the full-team session started in the same manner that Jackson often does — by hitting Mark Andrews in the middle of the field. Jackson, the two-time Most Valuable Player, was hardly the only Baltimore absence. Also not practicing: wide receiver Rashod Bateman; outside linebacker Adisa Isaac; inside linebacker Teddye Buchanan; defensive linemen Calais Campbell, Nnamdi Madubuike, Travis Jones and John Jenkins; and defensive backs Marlon Humphrey, Chidobe Awuzie and Kyle Hamilton Hamilton, who is dealing with a minor injury, and Buchanan, who tore up his knee in December, both watched the majority of practice. Madubuike had neck surgery last month, so his absence was expected. Minter said the veterans have been extremely good in communicating with him when they are going to miss some time. The Ravens have one more OTA this week and eight more in total. It grew incredibly quiet on the grounds at the Under Armour Performance Center as soon as Henry hit the ground Tuesday and didn’t immediately get up. Outside linebacker Trey Hendrickson and a few other defensive players even took a knee. Henry noted that he probably stayed on the ground too long and he came to that realization after seeing the look of concern on some of his teammates’ faces. Henry, who collided knee-to-knee with a defensive player after a fake handoff, got up and walked slowly away from the play. He flexed his knee a few times, but it wasn’t long before he was back in the huddle and participating in the practice. That he was in a joking mood afterward suggested that this was nothing more than a minor scare. “The ground felt like a bed for a little while,” Henry joked. “And I saw you all look hot and bored, so I was like, ‘I need to give them something to tweet and write.’” The defensive play of the day was delivered by second-year cornerback Robert Longerbeam, who intercepted a Skylar Thompson pass and ran toward the end zone. Longerbeam, a 2025 sixth-round pick who was sidelined his entire rookie season after having knee surgery, celebrated with the rest of the defensive backs until Minter called them back upfield and instructed them to be ready for the next play. … Defensive backs Longerbeam, Bilhal Kone and Nate Wiggins, who are all coming off surgeries over the past 10 months, were each participating in practice Tuesday. … Veteran Danny Pinter appears to be getting the first shot to earn the starting center job, but Minter said the team will likely rotate different players in that spot as they search for a successor to Tyler Linderbaum. … Wide receiver Zay Flowers was practicing a day after he returned from Boston College, where he got his diploma and participated in graduation festivities. Spot the pattern. Connect the terms Find the hidden link between sports terms