EAGAN, Minn. — Baltimore Ravens cornerback Marlon Humphrey felt it in the moment, and it was confirmed as he watched tape from Wednesday’s first of two joint practices against the Minnesota Vikings at the Twin Cities Orthopedics Performance Center.In 10 seasons, Humphrey couldn’t recall a practice for the Ravens’ defense as “electric” as Wednesday.“I will be honest, I’ve been here a pretty long time. I cannot remember in all my years of practice that we have had as good as yesterday,” Humphrey said after the two days of joint practices ended Thursday. “I think the one concern was we lost the two-minute drive on back-to-back days. It was not bad today; it just was not at the (same) level. If we do not lose that two-minute, it is an A-plus-plus day.”The joint practices against a quality Vikings offense and an attacking defense confirmed what has been evident throughout training camp back at the team’s facility in Owings Mills, Md. Jesse Minter’s defense is ahead of Declan Doyle’s offense, and that’s to be largely expected. Yet, nobody is panicking, either.Brian Flores’ defense, which Baltimore wide receiver Rashod Bateman described as “chaotic,” showed the Ravens so many different blitzes and looks. The Ravens handled them a little better Thursday, but it was still a struggle. Vikings edge rusher Dallas Turner had at least three sacks while matched up against Ronnie Stanley, and the Ravens struggled to move the ball past midfield in the decisive two-minute situations at the end of practice.“I think there is a lot of good to build on, but there is also a lot of stuff that we need to fix,” Stanley said. “I think this was a great challenge for us — a ‘Flo’ defense bringing all the pressure. I think this is great for us to see, and a lot of stuff that we know we need to get better at if we want to be where we want to be.”This NFL player believes ownership is most important for leadershipElise DevlinBateman, who had a solid two days of work back in the state where he played his college ball, acknowledged there’s “a lot of things to clean up, but we put a lot of good things on film this week.”Thursday’s offensive highlight was rookie Ja’Kobi Lane making a lunging catch against Isaiah Rodgers on a Lamar Jackson throw in the back of the end zone and punctuating it with a scream and a spike. Zay Flowers got loose in the middle of the field in a two-minute situation and caught a Jackson side-armed delivery. The Ravens also had their share of success in one-on-one reps and in seven-on-seven action, but those sequences are tailored to the offense.In full-team work this week, it was all Vikings defense … and for that matter, the Ravens’ defense.“That defense throws so many things at you,” Minter said. “Credit to ‘Flo’ and how he operates that defense. It’s really good work. It is a really good learning experience for guys to go against that defense.”Minter, though, had plenty to like about his own defense. Trey Hendrickson wreaked havoc while matched up against an elite left tackle in Christian Darrisaw. The Vikings’ receiving group, headed by Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison, made some plays, but the Ravens’ secondary won that battle throughout the two days. K’Von Wallace had what would likely have been a pick six against J.J. McCarthy.“It was very, very good from my eyes, but there’s always room for improvement,” Ravens middle linebacker Roquan Smith said.In many ways, it was Humphrey, the veteran coming off a subpar season whose early training camp form was the subject of much criticism, who led the charge. He had several pass breakups while matched up against Jefferson Wednesday, and he did the same Thursday. If Turner was the most impactful player on the field for the Vikings, Humphrey was that for the Ravens.“It was great,” Humphrey said. “When I think of guys that are extremely hard to guard, Justin Jefferson is definitely in that top four, where it does not matter how good you are at corner, you would like some help every once in a while. It felt good to kind of win some battles with them. Obviously, he got me on some.“Going against Addison, those are both just two really good guys. I thought just as a whole, we worked really, really well in the secondary of going through our different keys, tells and everything. The energy was kind of next level, and that is what I thought kind of fueled us throughout these past two days. We were all just really connected.”Humphrey agreed this week was a step in the right direction in terms of a proud defense coming off a down year “getting that swagger back.”“The coaches kind of set the standard of what it is going to be, and I think a lot of guys have just really bought in,” Humphrey said. “I think if we continue to buy in like that and we just work together the way we are working right now, I think that’s the standard that we have kind of been chasing and that we have just really let go. I think it can definitely be back, and we can be rolling.”New coaching staff praiseRavens players have been asked all summer about the difference between the current coaching staff and the previous one, led by John Harbaugh. Bateman and Stanley became the most vocal players yet to acknowledge some of the issues with last year’s staff.“From head coach to OC to receivers coach, everybody really harps on the details and the small things, and that’s just not what we were in our past. I think, right now, we’re learning how to play fast, smart football. Trusting the training, trusting the call, trusting our teammates. That’s the difference right now, honestly.”Bateman described the Ravens’ coaching staff as very “communicative, talkative and informative,” and “that’s what we never had here.”Stanley agreed, adding that Minter “just values details and the finer details a little bit more. I think that is something that is very much harped on, and he is also a very positive overall guy. He realizes we are chasing perfection, but that is something that is going to come with a lot of bad plays (and) bad days, and he is aware of that.”The Ravens are already going to plan B at centerJeff ZrebiecNews and notes• Tests confirmed that Ravens center Danny Pinter suffered a torn patellar tendon in his right knee during Wednesday’s practice. Pinter, who was taking first-team reps all summer, is expected to miss the entire season, although Minter wasn’t ready to go there. “I think we are still getting some different opinions and things like that, so we will see how it shakes out, but it looks like he will definitely miss some time,” Minter said.• Minter said the Ravens are always evaluating available options at every position, but he sounded comfortable with the center competition coming down to Jovaughn Gwyn, the starter at the moment, and veteran Ethan Pocic, who is still working his way back. Minter also said Corey Bullock could get some center reps in Saturday’s preseason game against the Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium.• Ravens second-year kicker Tyler Loop went 6-for-6 on field goal attempts late in Thursday’s practice, including drilling one from 50-plus yards. Saturday’s game is huge for Loop, who could open the door to bring in kicking competition if he misses for a second straight game.• Both teams again maintained their composure, avoiding any prolonged confrontations or fights that have defined other joint practices around the league. There was some pushing and shoving, like when Ravens undrafted rookie offensive lineman Diego Pounds confronted Vikings linebacker Jake Golday after he drilled running back Dontae McMillan to the ground, but things never boiled over.