Ravens camp: Three key goals and top battle
Ravens rookie tight end Hayden Hurst could help boost the team's passing attack.
Three goals
--Boost the passing attack. The main priority for the Ravens this offseason was improving a passing attack that ranked 29th in the NFL last season. Baltimore signed three veteran receivers -- John Brown, Michael Crabtree and Willie Snead IV -- and drafted two tight ends -- Hayden Hurst and Mark Andrews -- to provide quarterback Joe Flacco with more weapons. Flacco also entered training camp fully healthy and is primed for a bounce-back season.
--Find some effective pass rushers. The Ravens are hoping second-year linebackers Tyus Bowser and Tim Williams take the next step in their development and become effective pass rushers to complement the veteran Terrell Suggs. Baltimore managed 41 sacks in 2018, tied for 11th in the NFL with the Cincinnati Bengals.
--Stay healthy. The Ravens were ravaged with injuries in the preseason last year, which led to a slow start to the season. Running back Kenneth Dixon suffered a knee injury just before training camp began and was lost for the year. Tight end Darren Waller, who was expected to push for playing time, was suspended for a year. John Urschel, who was expected to start at center, retired before the first practice. Finally, Joe Flacco injured his back in preseason workouts that sidelined him until September. Baltimore needs to keep its top playmakers on the field to snap a three-year playoff drought. That has proved to be a challenge over the past several seasons.
Top battle:
--Right tackle. Veteran James Hurst has the inside track for the starting job. However, he will pushed by Orlando Brown Jr., who was taken with the 83rd overall pick in this year's draft. He is the son of former Ravens offensive lineman Orlando "Zeus" Brown and has the size (6-foot-8, 345 pounds) and technique to challenge Hurst, who could also be shifted to left guard if Alex Lewis moves center.
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