Most rookies walk off the practice field thinking about the catches they made, their domination between the hashes. Ja'Kobi Lane may also fall into that category. There's nothing wrong with that. He's a competitor. Something, however, stood out about the six-foot-four rookie at Baltimore Ravens camp on Wednesday. Glancing looks in his direction saw something that might be more impressive.
At this point, highlight-reel displays of athleticism have become a daily occurrence and, perhaps, in some ways, an unfair expectation. He's caught the attention of both present and former players, but Lane has other endearing qualities. One seems obvious to those who pay attention. He spends much of practice picking the coaches' minds to learn what he could
have done better.
Ravens rookie Ja'Kobi Lane is a student of the game
Wednesday brought more highlights. Fresh off another highlight-reel touchdown reception off the arm of Lamar Jackson, the rookie wide receiver sought out offensive coordinator Declan Doyle. His goal wasn't to celebrate. His goal wasn't to thump himself on the chest. Rather than celebrate, he wanted to discuss a mistake he made earlier in practice.
That moment may have told the Ravens more than any catch ever could. Doyle appreciated Lane's self-awareness, but he also challenged him to raise the standard even higher.
"Hey, you recognized what you made a mistake on," Doyle told Lane (via ESPN's Jamison Hensley). "Now, the next step is let's fix it before that happens."
It's a simple exchange, yet it reveals the mindset Baltimore is hoping to cultivate in one of its most promising young receivers. Lane's physical gifts have already become impossible to ignore. He seems to be climbing the depth chart, and it will be impossible to slow his rise if this is.
Over the first week of training camp, he's assembled a growing collection of highlight-reel plays, including a leaping catch over the middle, a one-handed grab that electrified fans, and another touchdown in red-zone drills, among others. Those catches have generated excitement outside the building. Inside the building, however, the Ravens appear just as encouraged by Lane's eagerness to absorb coaching.
That attitude helps explain why Doyle offered one of training camp's most noteworthy comparisons, saying Lane's hands remind him of former All-Pro Michael Thomas. Baltimore's offensive coordinator and Thomas spent time together in New Orleans, so Coach Doyle is uniquely qualified to make that comparison.
Elite talent may earn a player opportunities. A willingness to seek correction, ask questions, and immediately apply coaching is often what earns lasting trust. Every practice gives Lane another opportunity to showcase his ability.
Every conversation afterward gives the Ravens another reason to believe they've found a player whose desire to improve may ultimately be just as impressive as the catches filling social media. For a rookie with obvious physical tools, that's a combination capable of accelerating development. The highlights may have introduced Ja'Kobi Lane to Ravens fans. His hunger to keep learning could be what turns those flashes into a long NFL career.
This article originally appeared on Ravens Wire: Ja'Kobi Lane isn't just satisfied with making highlight-reel catches
