The Ravens got exactly the kind of preseason jolt they were looking for Saturday night, and it came from a spot that badly needed one: tight end.
Matthew Hibner and Josh Cuevas, Baltimore’s two late-round rookies, walked into M&T Bank Stadium with a lot on their plate and answered with a clean, productive debut in a 24-7 win over the Eagles. Between them, they caught every one of their nine targets for 101 yards, with Hibner doing the heavy lifting. He finished with five catches for 61 yards, and his 29-yard catch-and-run stood as Baltimore’s only pass play over 20 yards.
For a position group under the microscope all summer, it was a welcome burst of life. The Ravens have watched veteran Mark Andrews slow down in recent years while dealing with drops, fumbles and injuries.
Isaiah Likely and Charlie Kolar are gone in free agency. That left two rookies suddenly in line for real work, especially with offensive coordinator Declan Doyle, 30, looking to lean on heavy personnel and multiple-tight-end looks.
Doyle made sure the ball found them early. He set up a downfield chance for Hibner while Snoop Huntley was still at quarterback, and Baltimore kept giving the rookies chances in space. The result was a passing game that looked sharp and a group that handled its assignments without the kind of pre-snap mess that can sink a young offense.
Hibner said the moment hit him fast.
“It was just an unbelievable experience being out there for the first time,” Hibner told the media after the game. “Trying to make the most of it … The coaching staff put me in a great position and just making the most of every opportunity coming down with those catches, it was a great feeling.”
Later, he admitted the biggest play left him spinning.
“I kind of blacked out after the catch,” Hibner said. “I probably spent a little too much energy celebrating and getting hyped, but it was great. I have no regrets celebrating that one.”
The rookie tight ends weren’t the only young pass-catchers who showed up. Undrafted free agents Lucas Scott and Ty Pezza also caught passes, while the wide receiver group added more pop. Ja’Kobi Lane once again stood out with a touchdown grab and continued to look comfortable in every setting, and fourth-round pick Elijah Sarratt, a Baltimore native, led the team with six receptions while making tough catches in traffic.
Head coach Jesse Minter pointed to Lane’s makeup as much as his production.
“Honestly, his demeanor,‘’ Minter said.
Still, the tight ends were the story because that room has been searching for answers. Doyle wants to win with 12 and 13 personnel, the kind of package he used as an assistant in Chicago last year, and he sees versatility as the key.
Hibner and Cuevas were candid about how steep the learning curve has been. Hibner said he felt like he was “drinking out of a firehose” this week.
Cuevas said “it can get pretty overwhelming” and tight ends coach Zack Grossi said, “they’ve got a long way to go.”
That backdrop made Saturday feel even bigger. Andrews and Durham Smythe did not dress, and Minter is not planning to use veterans much in the exhibitions anyway. With the room already thin, a strong showing from the rookies gave the Ravens a little breathing room.
Hibner’s day carried an added layer, too, with his family and high school coach and staff from Virginia in attendance. On a night when the Ravens needed a clean, encouraging start from a group under pressure, he delivered one.
How much of it carries over to the regular season is still an open question. The Ravens will practice with the Vikings this week before their second preseason game, where the competition should get a little tougher.
But Saturday was progress, plain and simple. The offensive line held up, undrafted rookie quarterback Joe Fagnano was excellent, and the tight ends caught everything thrown their way.
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