It seemed as though parts of the spring dragged on, and theBaltimore Ravens' training camp would never get here. Now, look where we are. Two games have evaporated from the preseason schedule, and the finale comes this weekend.
The results of the games don't count toward the overall win-loss total, but Jesse Minter's team is a perfect 2-0. His defense has surrendered ten points. Youngsters are gaining valuable reps. Third-year edge rusher Adisa Isaac and rookie cornerback Chandler Rivers are two of the beneficiaries of some added trust and extra on-field work.
Statistics, highlight plays, and viral moments often measure training camp. Coaches, however, tend to evaluate progress through a different lens. Sometimes the most important development
isn't a sack, an interception, or a pass breakup. Sometimes it's seeing depth pieces and younger players gain some much-needed confidence.
For young players trying to establish themselves, that confidence can be the difference between reacting and hesitating, between trusting preparation and second-guessing. Defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver spoke with the mediaand identified two youngsters trending in the right direction.
While their paths have been very different, Weaver's comments suggested both players are starting to take meaningful steps forward as the regular season approaches. Rivers has quietly become one of the more encouraging young players on Baltimore's defense this summer. The rookie defensive back has earned praise throughout training camp for his versatility and ability to learn from mistakes.
"The thing I love most about 'Chan' [Chandler Rivers] is he has just come out here and gotten better every single day, which is all you want to see from a young player. He learns from his mistakes... The sky is the limit for that kid. I think he has all the talent in the world. I think he can play both inside and outside, which is huge for a guy that particularly you are thinking of as a nickel, and he is a good blitzer."
Anthony Weaver sees Chandler Rivers building momentum.
When asked about Rivers' development, Weaver pointed to something coaches often value more than a single standout performance. Improvement is rarely a straight line for rookies. There are usually growing pains, repeated mistakes, and moments when development stalls. According to Weaver, Rivers has avoided many of those pitfalls by consistently applying what he learns.
"The repeatable errors just do not really occur. When you mix that work ethic with obviously his talent, the results are what you see on the last game and what we've seen out here on the practice field."
Those are not comments coaches make lightly. That's particularly true this late in camp when evaluations become increasingly important.
Adisa Isaac is beginning to trust himself again.
While Rivers is building confidence through rapid development, Isaac's journey has centered on something much simpler: getting back on the field. The former Penn State Nittany Lions standout has battled injuries throughout the early stages of his professional career, making consistent practice time difficult to come by. Weaver acknowledged that reality while discussing what he has seen from the young pass rusher in recent weeks.
"I see {Adisa Isaac's] confidence just growing by the day, and in the limited exposures we have had out here to him, he has played well. He has done a lot of good things both rushing the passer [and] being physical in the run game. We were out here in pads yesterday. I have this vision in my mind of him in a three-technique locking out a guard, and that is good to see"
For a player who has spent so much time working his way back from setbacks, confidence often follows availability. The more snaps a player takes, the easier it becomes to trust his body and play instinctively. Weaver continued in his thought, refusing to be stingy in his praise.
"I credit him, all the work he has put in the training room to get out there and be healthy. I credit his coaches, [outside linebackers coach] Harland Bower [and] [defensive quality control coach] Andrew Rogan, in working with him, making sure he has the confidence to go out there and execute. But, I am so proud of that kid and what he has done to this point."
The Ravens still have roster decisions to make and games to play before the regular season arrives. Training camp praise alone guarantees nothing, yet Weaver's comments revealed a common thread connecting two very different players.
Rivers is gaining confidence because his development continues to accelerate. Isaac is gaining confidence because he is finally getting the opportunity to play healthy football again. In both cases, the results are beginning to show up on the field, and that's exactly what Baltimore hoped to see as camp entered its final weeks.
This article originally appeared on Ravens Wire: Anthony Weaver sees confidence growing in 2 young Ravens defenders
