OWINGS MILLS — Ravens defensive tackle Travis Jones is overshadowed by All-Pro teammate Justin Madubuike.
This season, the Ravens think the 24-year-old Jones can earn some of the spotlight.
“I expect [Jones’] next step to be a breakout season,” coach John Harbaugh said. “He’s a dominant guy in there right now, and whenever somebody blocks him, I just think it’s like … It’s a superhuman feat, almost, when somebody blocks him in there. He’s like a superhuman player. So, we’ll see if it pans out in the games. I know it’s a high tag to put on him, but let’s go for it.”
Last season, Jones, who’s 6 feet 4, 337 pounds, was a force at the nose tackle position and did a solid job collapsing the pocket and neutralizing opposing centers. He finished the year with 36 tackles, 1 1/2 sacks, and 5 quarterback hits.
Jones spent a lot of time in the weight room and worked on his flexibility before training camp.
“He’s up with them early in the morning working out – he kind of sees the model of what to do, and I think you guys can see it out on the field – his pass-rushing ability has gotten so, so much better – the way he moves, his quickness, his size, [his] speed; just the way he thinks about the game now, it’s at a more mature level where I think he’s going to take off his year,” defensive tackle Brent Urban said. “I think he’s done a great job and looked at those guys and how they’ve done it, and the sky’s the limit for him. I think he’s going to take a huge step this year.”
Jones also works closely with pass rush coach Chuck Smith and Madubuike to improve his game. Jones has a quiet demeanor but is fierce when he is on the defensive line.
“I expect a lot from myself, so when people do the same for me it’s really not extra motivation or anything for me,” Jones said. “I just go out there, put my head down and work.”
