The first-team offense had been struggling to score in the red zone recently. Until Wednesday.
QB Zach Wilson, in a red-zone period, completed two passes for touchdowns -- one to TE Tyler Conklin off play action and the other in the back of the end zone on a rope to WR Elijah Moore.
"I think where a lot of times things sometimes get skewed is down in the red zone, which is always the hardest part for a quarterback because things happen faster, especially for a young man," HC Robert Saleh said. "I think the highlight today would be in the red zone where I thought he operated fast. Everything is faster down there. A lot of times he's having a really nice day and then we get into the red zone and then he hits a lull.
"Yesterday, he moved the ball, gets the red zone (but didn't score]. It's those red-zone periods that have been the sticking point for him. Today, he was fast, he was deliberate, he got rid of the ball. He got to his second read on the one to Elijah Moore. Thought he did a really nice job."
The second and third teams couldn't find the end zone in the period as the defense tightened the screws. DE Hamilcar Rashed Jr. had a run stuff on Zonovan Knight, Joe Flacco couldn't connect with TE Lawrence Cager and WR Calvin Jackson put the offense on the 1-yard line, but the group couldn't punch it in. Practice ended with a big hit from LB Kai Nacua on Knight in the flat and the defense erupted in celebration.
"It was see-ball-hit-ball mentality," said LB Quincy Williams, who's known for delivering big hits. "No scheme, nothing. Just finish him. I loved it."
Team Responds Following LullWednesday's practice began at 10:15 a.m. with a walkthrough. About halfway through, at 11:47, Saleh brought the team together after their six-minute break (simulating halftime) because of a slow start in the second half of practice.
"In special teams, the first five minutes, there was kind of a lag," Saleh said. "Credit to the guys, they picked it up themselves. Just a reminder why we're doing what we're doing and the expectation of when we come out of the locker room. A lot of games are lost just by coming out of the locker room with that slight lull. I thought the guys did a great job responding. The entire practice was really good except for that one-minute lapse."
See the Green & White on the field in full pads during week two at training camp.
Jetcetera
RB Michael Carter (ankle) returned to practice. … DE Vinny Curry, RB Ty Johnson (hamstring) and K Greg Zuerlein(toe) did not. Johnson is day-to-day and will most likely miss Saturday's Green & White practice at MetLife Stadium, but Zuerlein is likely to participate. … HC Robert Saleh said he's hoping that TE Jeremy Ruckert (foot) will be cleared to practice by the end of Wednesday. … DE Jacob Martin picked off a ball C.J. Uzomah bobbled, but fumbled on the return. … K Eddy Piñeiro made 3 of 4 field-goal attempts … DE Tim Ward knocked down a Mike White pass. … Tarik Black reeled in a Joe Flacco pass one-handed against pass interference … CB Luq Barcoo broke up a ball intended for WR Rashard Davis.
