How 'Fantastic' WR Zay Flowers Has Starred at Ravens OTAs
Baltimore Ravens veteran tight end Mark Andrews stood at the podium following practice Thursday, wrapping up another day's work during organized team activities.
Andrews stands, stares and listens to the question, which relates to Baltimore's new additions at receiver. He ponders and responds - with his mind first sprinting to first-round pick Zay Flowers as opposed to big-money free agent signee Odell Beckham Jr.
"Seeing Zay run some routes – he was running some incredible routes today and getting open," Andrews said. "... I think it's going to be a dangerous offense."
The three-time Pro Bowler is simply just the next in line to dish praise towards Flowers, following coach John Harbaugh and quarterback Lamar Jackson, among several others.
Flowers, drafted No. 22 overall out of Boston College, has impressed from the moment he arrived in Baltimore, starting in rookie minicamp and running all the way through Andrews' press conference Thursday.
Oft praised for his speed and quickness, Flowers has proven he can separate from corners time and again during practice, and Harbaugh praised his ability to finish at the catch point.
But for Ravens receivers coach Greg Lewis, the stellar start from Flowers begins with the approach he's brought off the field, which sets the stage for sustained success during his time in Baltimore.
"Zay has been fantastic," Lewis said. "He's an eager player, eager learner. (He) wants to be great – wants to be great at everything he does – and it's been fantastic to see him out here getting the opportunity to make some plays."
In a sense, Flowers' stardom away from the gridiron is a breath of fresh air - not because there was concern, but it's simply a different tone than what's been so commonly expressed.
At this point, it's almost commonplace for the first words out of speakers' mouths to be "fast" or "explosive" - and while that certainly isn't a bad thing, it's a welcomed addition that helps portray the complete profile of Baltimore's first-round draft pick.
And after all, Flowers is fast and explosive; it's part of who he is, and Lewis made sure to point that out while reflecting on his first few weeks with the 22-year-old.
"His quickness and explosion show up daily, and how he catches the ball – the (focus) he takes with the ball … It's been fantastic to get him out here and get him going," Lewis said.
Perhaps the most important thing to remember is how Lewis closed - Flowers is still just getting going in Baltimore; all of the compliments and high marks he's received have come from simple concepts during installation periods.
And that, by all accounts, is "dangerous" for opponents ... especially as the "fantastic" Flowers continues to find his footing at the professional level.
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