OWINGS MILLS, Md. — Eddie Jackson knew plenty about the defense he was joining when he officially signed a one-year deal with the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday. He played with middle linebacker Roquan Smith for parts of five seasons in Chicago.
He was a college teammate of cornerback Marlon Humphrey at Alabama. He follows what other safeties around the league are doing, so he was certainly aware of Baltimore’s starting tandem of Marcus Williams and Kyle Hamilton . Advertisement But he’s learned even more after practicing with the team for two days of training camp.
And his biggest takeaway is just how much depth the Ravens have in their defensive backfield. “Man, it’s crazy,” Jackson said after Monday’s practice, conducted mostly in a rainstorm. “I feel like this is probably the deepest and (most) competitive DB room I’ve had since Alabama with Minkah (Fitzpatrick), Ronnie (Harrison) and Marlon.
Just to be back there with Kyle and Marcus and those guys being able to help me, you know, teach me things, answer any questions I have. Even with some of the younger guys — I’ve been looking to them for help just learning the playbook and things like that, so it’s definitely special.” The first week of training camp is typically a time for overreactions, so it’s wise to not get carried away with what has played out over two practices at the Under Armour Performance Center.
However, what’s already clear is that if health cooperates — rookie fourth-round co.