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10 Observations from Rams Second Joint Practice with Ravens

OWINGS MILLS, Md. — The Rams went through their second joint practice with the Ravens on Tuesday afternoon. Here are 10 observations from the session.

1) The Rams began practice in much the same way they did on Monday, going through stretches and individual drills as a team before joining the Ravens for more team work. The offense once again worked on plays against air in the red zone, while the defense went through their regular positional work.

2) Once the teams came together, defensive lineman Ndamukong Suh stood out in one-on-one drills with the Ravens offensive line. Rushing from left end against the right tackle, Suh dominated his first rep by getting around the Baltimore O-lineman. Then Suh easily shed rookie Orlando Brown Jr.'s hands trying to extend to him on the second rep to get to the quarterback. The second rep was particularly impressive, because it was one motion and Brown's hands were gone.

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3) The younger players had some strong reps against Baltimore's offensive line as well, with sixth-round pick Trevon Young making his way around the edge to get to the QB. Newcomer Marcus Martin — the NCAA all-time leader in sacks — also used a spin move to get around one of Baltimore's reserve left tackles and get to the quarterback.

4) The Ravens turned up the music on the field with their offense and the Rams defense, creating communication challenges for both units. With The White Stripes' "Seven Nation Army" blaring, linebacker Cory Littleton blew up a screen play to a running back in the backfield.

5) Later on defense in 11-on-11, safety Lamarcus Joyner run blitzed and would've had a clear tackle for loss in the backfield. Joyner timed the blitz perfectly. If the play was live, Joyner maybe could have tackled Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco before he could've handed the ball off to his running back.

Check out the top photos from the second day of joint practices between the Rams and the Ravens in Baltimore.

6) Cornerback Ramon Richards — an undrafted rookie out of Oklahoma State — flashed a bit both on defense and special teams. During an 11-on-11 period with the reserves, Richards broke up a deep pass on the right sideline. He was close to an interception, but it was a difficult play to make considering where he was in relation to the wide receiver. Then during special teams drills working as a gunner on punt team, Richards beat a Ravens double team to the delight of the Los Angeles sideline.

He's had a solid training camp so far, and should be someone to keep an eye on during the preseason matchups.

7) Los Angeles recorded two interceptions during one 11-on-11 period. Cornerback Marcus Peters picked one off in the end zone, using his closing speed to make a nice play on the ball during a red-zone period. Then Littleton picked off a running back pass — tipping the ball up in the air and catching it to foil the trick play.

In general, the defense had a strong day with cornerback Aqib Talib and safety John Johnson also making interceptions on the first unit. (Full disclosure: I didn't quite "observe" either of those interceptions because at that point I was watching the field with the Rams offense and Ravens defense.)

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8) Kicker Greg Zuerlein was perfect on his five field-goal attempts on Tuesday. His longest kick came from 50-yards out.

9) Late in practice, running back — and Baltimore native — Todd Gurley made a couple impact plays on receptions out of the backfield. The first was a screen pass that would have gone for long yardage. Left guard Rodger Saffold was lead blocking for Gurley on the play, as he did for so many of Gurley's screen plays in 2017. The Georgia product also caught a swing pass that would have gone for significant yardage on the right side.

10) Quarterback Jared Goff also connected with wide receiver Mike Thomas on a deep crossing route to the right side. Goff hit Thomas in stride, putting a nice end to one of the offense's 11-on-11 segments.

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