The Washington Commanders’ first joint practice with the Baltimore Ravens got physical quickly Wednesday. Less than an hour in at the Ravens’ team facility, Baltimore linebacker Odafe Oweh grabbed Commanders center Nick Gates by the back of the neck and punched him in the face mask. Gates threw a few jabs back before they were pulled apart.
“You just got to set the tone,” Gates said. “Get it going early. … I like doing it. It just makes it enjoyable for me.”
Gates said he instigates opponents strategically and knows not to let his emotions get the best of him because penalties hurt the team.