Top four takeaways from the first training camp press conference of Ravens RB J.K. Dobbins
Rookies around the league reported to training camp last week and on Friday the Baltimore Ravens top two draft picks addressed the media for the first time since reporting. Rookie running back J.K. Dobbins, who the team selected in the second round out of Ohio State, touched on several interesting topics when he stepped to his virtual podium.
Here are the top four takeaways from his first training camp presser minus his comments on being patient and not wanting to ride the bench because they were featured in a more detailed piece:
Slipping to the second round is added motivation-
Dobbins was viewed by many as the best running back in this year’s draft and was projected to come off the board in the back half of the first round. The Ravens and Dobbins himself were surprised that he lasted as long as he did but the rookie believes that he couldn’t have asked for a better landing spot to begin his NFL career. He claims to be a person that doesn’t require additional motivation to drive but admitted that sliding as far as he did isn’t a slight that he will take lightly or soon forget.”
“I don’t need any fuel but it is added fuel,” said Dobbins. “I definitely thought I played last year in college football at a high rate, very productive, so it was definitely kind of shocking but I fell to the right team.
“I’m so grateful to be on the team. It’s such a great program, everything is going to go correctly but I do have that added chip on my shoulder and I’m working hard to prove that I should’ve been [picked] earlier.”
At least he doesn’t have to include the EA Madden talent evaluators on his list of doubters that didn’t believe he was the best rookie at his position in this year’s crop. Dobbins is the highest-rated rookie running back in Madden 21 with an overall rating of 76 despite being the fifth one drafted.
Confidence level in being able hold up in pass protection at the NFL level-
An aspect of the game that many young and especially rookie running back struggle with and can keep them from carving out a more defined and permanent role in the offense is in pass protection. As important as being able to catch the ball, break tackles, run over defenders and score touchdowns are for a running back, one of their chief responsibilities on offense is to be able to effectively contribute in the passing game as a blocker.
Pass protection is a skill that was taught and emphasized to Dobbins by his coaches at Ohio State and it is one that he not only excels at but takes great pride in as well. It was one of the foundational commandants in the Buckeyes’ pro-style offense and he’s confident that he’ll be able to hold his own in at the NFL level.
“At O-State, that’s all we talked about, pass-protection,” Dobbins said. “That came first before running the ball. Other than protecting the ball and not fumbling, pass-protection was No. 1. We were taught to learn how to read what’s happening on the back end, read the safety before the snap is even happening. They’ll tell you where to go. I’ve never played in the NFL; I know that they disguise things very well. But I feel that I’ll be straight.”
Learning from and competing with veteran Mark Ingram-
The Ravens are returning all three of their running backs from their record-breaking rushing offense in 2019, including 10-year veteran Mark Ingram who earned his third career Pro Bowl bid and became a fixture in the Ravens’ locker room in his first season with the team. He was backed up by 2018 undrafted free agent gem Gus ‘The Bus’ Edwards who recorded his second consecutive season of over 700 yards rushing in a reserve role and 2019 fourth-round draft pick Justice Hill who flashed at times as change of pace back in limited opportunities as a rookie.
Dobbins is no stranger to being the new guy entering a crowded backfield. He ran for over 1,400 yards and scored seven touchdowns as a freshman at Ohio State, still managed to eclipse the 1,000-yard mark as a sophomore despite splitting the starter spot with Mike Webster and ran for over 2,000 yards as a junior so he knows how to make the most of the opportunities he’s given. He’s especially looking forward to soaking up as much as he can from Ingram.
“When you go into a new program just like in college when I went into Ohio State, there’s always the older guys and guys that are there that are talented,” said Dobbins. “I’m going to learn from the older guys, Mark Ingram, he won a Heisman trophy, he’s been in the league for 10 years.”
Ingram has already been a great resource for Dobbins even though they haven’t even been in a physical meeting room just yet. The rookie said that the veteran has already been like a big brother to him, answering any questions he has and that they also have been in communication outside virtual meeting s via text. He is looking forward to proving himself in practice and letting the coaches decide how often he sees the field and in what role in his first season.
“My main objective is to come in and learn and compete and how ever the chips fall is how they fall. That’s the coaches’ decision who plays what and how much playing time someone gets.
Working out with Pro Bowler Dalvin Cook-
Dobbins is represented by the same agent as Minnesota Vikings Pro Bowl running back Dalvin Cook which is how the two game-breaking talents were able to link up this offseason to train together. Cook is coming off a break out season where he recorded a career-high 1,135 rushing yards and 13 touchdowns in 14 games last season. Dobbins learned a lot from Cook the short time they spent together that he believes will help him in his rookie season and beyond.
“It was very valuable to me,” Dobbins said. “He taught me a lot of things in a short period of time. He works hard, great to be around. It gave me some outlook. I want to be like this guy, a Pro Bowl running back.”
