OTL: Schedule Release Provides Fodder for Goofy Hot Takes

Happy Friday, Ravens Flock. Today is going to be a little bit of a different piece today as it is going to be very rant-y.

As we know, the NFL’s desire to be the constant center of attention continued on Wednesday when all the teams’ schedules were released.

Shoutout to all the social media teams who all did a great job with their schedule releases; here is a nice little thread about how other teams view us:

I was curious what other teams think of when they think of Baltimore and the Ravens. So I clipped and compiled how each 2024 opponent represented the Ravens in their schedule releases.

(Shoutout to all the teams’ staffs for some fun ideas) pic.twitter.com/1xz2mmznEK

— Giana Han (@giana_jade) May 16, 2024

Today, however, is not about the schedule release itself. I do think it is annoying how the NFL can’t let a good thing be and not be in the spotlight 24/7. Making fans wait and wait to announce these times and where the games will be streamed is pointless to me.

While that’s one thing, today’s real targets are these talk shows that are using the schedule release as a way to tear down the Ravens.

Now, usually, this stuff doesn’t bother me. The reality of the situation is that these TV networks need people to watch their shows about football in mid-May, and controversy sells. That doesn’t excuse two awful takes I saw, and about which I feel the need to climb atop my soapbox.

Awful take number one:

Ravens doubters have already arrived, especially when it comes to Baltimore’s early schedule

“You could see a situation in which the Ravens would be at the bottom of the league’s toughest division [through five games]” pic.twitter.com/FuObq24caj

— Kevin Oestreicher (@koestreicher34) May 16, 2024

This one is less egregious than the next, but it still makes my blood boil. No matter how tough the schedule looks, barring an early rash of injuries (*knock on wood*), a Lamar Jackson-led team isn’t going to fall to the bottom of the AFC North by the start of October.

The initial part of their schedule isn’t even all that bad. Yes, Week 1 against the Chiefs is going to be tough, but Detroit knocked them off in Arrowhead to start last season – it can be done again. While there is a good chance that a new DC (Zach Orr) will get his head shoved into a toilet by Andy Reed and the best quarterback ever, it’s not a foregone conclusion. And apart from that, where are the tough games? The Raiders? Really? Buffalo has more questions that the Ravens right now. Playing in Dallas isn’t easy, but the Cowboys can Cowboy at any time. As for the Bengals, their defense got worse and Baltimore swept them last year. Count me as unfazed.

Of course, we can’t make predictions right now for many reasons, the biggest being health. We don’t know who is going to come out of camps and pre-season nicked up. Availability is paramount in the NFL. Right now, we don’t have that info, but the take machine demands input, I get it. That doesn’t mean I don’t shake my head.

Maybe we should just ignore them all…

But this next take is so absolutely mind-numbing, that even in this world of takes-for-clicks, I can’t let it slide. I’ll take the bait and give Chris Simms the attention he so clearly desires.

Chris Simms is sounding the alarm bells after seeing the first month of Baltimore's schedule:

"You lose two interior o-linemen. Your tackles are gone, you've got new guys there. New middle linebacker. The secondary is gonna be completely different. … They could be sitting… pic.twitter.com/x8QWVKKKqU

— Bobby Trosset (@bobbybaltim0re) May 16, 2024

As noted Steelers fan Mike Florio nods along, let’s play his game real quick. Let’s assume that what he is saying isn’t done for engagement but rather based on actual football knowledge, and a real-life person feels this way about the team.

If you’re apprehensive about the offensive line, fine. I am not going to sit here and lie to you that I feel good about it. However, they have a plan in place for these young guards and tackles to step up in bigger roles. While risky, the potential payout is big, and the Ravens are gambling a bit.

Outside of that, his point makes no sense. That “new middle linebacker” is Trenton Simpson, Chris, and yes, he is going to play a significant role. The one game we saw him last year, he looked awesome. Do the Ravens not have a history of pairing an unknown linebacker with an All-Pro and getting positive results? Then we have the most egregious statement he made, regarding the Baltimore secondary.

Simms, what are you smoking? They lost backups, and no, don’t tell me about Geno Stone’s interception numbers. Ronald Darby was a backup, and they just drafted Nate Wiggins in the first. Marcus Williams and Kyle Hamilton will start at safety. Marlon Humphrey and Brandon Stephens at CB. What is he talking about, “the secondary’s gonna be completely different?” Either he doesn’t know much about the Ravens team, which is inexcusable given his position, or he is just being a troll and going for engagement. I’m not sure which is worse.

Look, maybe my writing this article only gives what these big networks want: people talking about their shows. Even if that is true, I don’t really care. We can’t, in good faith, form any substantial opinions on where this team is going to be because it’s way too early, and just lying about the team doesn’t make it any better. It just shows how far in the gutter sports networks that focus on one sport are, because they need engagement during the offeason. TV execs are trying to turn every host into Skip Bayless.

Yes, our Darin McCann wrote a piece yesterday predicting the Ravens’ results in 2024 – but it was done tongue-in-cheek and fully admitting how silly the entire premise was. It was just for fun. It wasn’t pretending to be informative, as these shows feign.

Anyway, I’d recommend you not be like me and give these goofs attention. Instead, head over to YouTube and find a good football channel. Check out our message boards or Road Graders with Cole Jackson. And have a great weekend.