Remember when the worst positional group the Ravens fielded was that of wide receiver? Today, that couldn’t be further from the truth. The team’s personnel group has worked diligently to develop the unit and should the Ravens successfully restore order to the offensive line, then maybe we might really begin to see these burgeoning talents.
That said, it wasn’t long ago that fans were clamoring for the team to make a strong free agent play or trade to upgrade the position. With the right trade compensation and carefully structured contract, I supported a trade for Julio Jones back in April.
Jones was among the candidates being considered along with Juju Smith-Schuster, T.Y. Hilton and Sammy Watkins. Now granted, the situations for each receiver varies given the offensive scheme and quarterback, but here’s a comparative snapshot of the four pass catchers:
All things considered, not only were the Ravens smart not to extend their risk but also by staying true to their oft-criticized scouts who allegedly didn’t possess a keen eye for the position of wide receiver.
Ravens Numbers to Rave About
7/8 – Rankings of QB Lamar Jackson’s rushing (639) and passing yards (2,447), respectively, in 2021. Jackson’s 3,086 total yards (pass+rush) rank No. 2 in the NFL (Patrick Mahomes – 3,167).
18 – Receptions (15 of which have gained a first down) for rookie WR Rashod Bateman through his first four games. The 15 first down receptions are the most by a Ravens’ rookie through the first four games of a career, while his 18 catches tie (Marquise Brown, 2019) for the most by a Ravens’ rookie through the first four games of a career.
21 – Receiving TDs by TE Mark Andrews since 2019, tying KC’s Travis Kelce for the NFL’s most by a tight end during this span.
Gameday Info
• Ravens opened as 6-point favorites but that number currently sits at 4 ½
• The over/under is now at 45 ½ points and falling
• The Ravens are 0-3 at Soldier Field
• Lamar Jackson is 12-0 v. the NFC
• CBS covers the game with Jim Nantz and Tony Romo on the call
• Ravens will wear white jerseys with purple pants
• Shawn Smith is the referee
Lamar Jackson has missed two practices this week due to illness. In a game that the Ravens need to win in order to secure their spot atop the AFC North, they’ll need Lamar to register the franchise’s first win ever in Chicago. That said, history suggests the missed practices aren’t too concerning when it comes to No. 8.
As a starter, #Ravens QB Lamar Jackson is 13-0 in the regular season when playing on shorter rest than the opponent. The #Bears are coming off of a BYE (13 days off), the Ravens aren't (9 days off). #RavensFlock https://t.co/cPJEmW8cMw pic.twitter.com/SiGgHTvbmJ
— Annoying Stat Guy (@AnnoyingStatGuy) November 17, 2021
Quote of The Day
“Overall, really, it was a straight to DVD performance, and we know it. So, you get back in, you make the corrections, you bring the requisite energy to our preparation, and we’ll go.” ~ Greg Roman on the Ravens offense v. Dolphins
Happy Anniversary
Today marks the 3-year anniversary of Lamar’s first ever start. Here’s a look back.
Three years ago today Lamar Jackson made his first career start. He’s been putting people in a spin cycle ever since. pic.twitter.com/j2plwdpZo3
— The Exit 52 Podcast (@Exit52Podcast) November 18, 2021
The Silver Lining in Mistakes
A short memory is often a desired quality in sports. It helps one shrug off a bad performance and it keeps athletes from basking in the glow of a great one – from resting on their laurels. Of course the former fits the Ravens after the complete butt-whooping in Miami.
Brett Kollmann, the creator/analyst/host of “The Film Room” on YouTube does an outstanding job of breaking down the Ravens failures against the Dolphins. The silver lining is available for the taking, provided of course lessons are learned. If you have some time now or later, check it out. You’ll walk away with a higher football IQ.
Joe Flacco Named Jets Starter
The Jets named the Super Bowl 47 MVP as this week’s starter against the Dolphins and let’s hope for Joe’s sake that he and his receivers are on the same page pre-snap. If the Jets O-line and overall execution is swallowed up by the Dolphins blitz packages, Joe will be a sitting duck – some might say a sacrificial lamb.
That said if he plays well and gets the W as Cam Newton did last week during the Panthers convincing win over the Cardinals in Arizona, could we possibly see this from Joe?
If Flacco rushes for a touchdown, takes off his helmet and screams “I’m back”, then my brain will explode. https://t.co/e1wf9vEROA
— Joe Papparotto (@JoePappa) November 17, 2021
Flacco’s starter tag took everyone by surprise and you might think that the New York media would be a bit snarky about it and leave Joe rather awkward during his presser. But to my surprise, the Jets coverage team was rather tame and Flacco handled them like – well, like the 14-year vet he is…
Battle Plans
If you haven’t yet experienced it, be sure to check out James Ogden’s Battle Plans here on RSR. He does an outstanding job and to describe his analysis as a deep dive would be an understatement. James’ is more like a voyage to the bottom of the NFL sea and he leaves no shell unturned.
This week James, who is British, is making his way to the States and has quite the journey planned which will include the Ravens game at Soldier Field on Sunday as well as the Sunday Night showdown against the Browns on November 28. He’s a busy guy and wasn’t able to join me and Dev Panchwagh for this edition of Battle Plans during which we assess the season to date, talk about the Dolphins debacle and discuss what the Ravens have to do to get back on the winning track against the Bears.
Two Years Ago
Two years ago during the 2019 season, one that you may recall featured a few games that Lamar Jackson didn’t finish because the Ravens had such a comfortable lead, Mark Ingram was interviewed after a convincing win over the Texans. You’ve gotta miss “Big Truss”.
Kyle Boller
No. 8 is a familiar one to Ravens quarterbacks. Besides Lamar, Trent Dilfer donned the digit when he won a ring with the 2000 Ravens and the 2003 first-round pick Kyle Boller, originally wore the number as well. As they say, third-time is the charm.
Boller was doomed from the jump. He was a frenetic quarterback who clearly had physical skills but his processor ran hot. He was a bit like Mufasa trying to dodge the oncoming stampede of the wildebeest.
These QBs NEVER lived up to the hype. How many do you remember?
— The Sports Drop (@TheSportsDrop1) January 22, 2021
Speaking of Bad Quarterbacks
When I see Mark Sanchez on Fox NFL’s pregame show, I struggle to really listen to anything he has to say because my mind drifts to two things: the Butt Fumble and his disrespect for a much better player – Mark Brunell. Take a look…
I see Mark Sanchez and I see… pic.twitter.com/eUqBLF6T0T
— Tony Lombardi (@RSRLombardi) November 19, 2021
Len Bias
In life, when shocking events surface, we all remember exactly where we were the moment we heard the news. The horror of 911, the demise of the Space Shuttle Challenger and if you’re old enough, the assassinations of JFK, RFK and Martin Luther King, Jr. Another of those is Len Bias.
When the Boston Celtics drafted Len, I was a LA Lakers fan and as such I loathed the Celtics. But that draft pick could have changed me if Bias had lived. He was an amazing player whose trajectory was skyrocketing. Each season as a member of Lefty Driesell’s Maryland Terrapins, Bias improved markedly and like most of you out there from the area, you couldn’t wait to see how his story would end as a pro. The ending we experienced was the antithesis of that which we hoped for.
Today, Lenny would have been 58 years old.
AL MVP
Props to the Orioles Cedric Mullins who went from an early career disappointment to a force in the league. Voters have taken notice, and deservedly so. He’s to Cedric’s future.
Orioles’ Cedric Mullins finishes ninth in American League MVP voting https://t.co/QeQGxOrVd3
— Baltimore Sun Sports (@BaltSunSports) November 19, 2021
My Single Friend
My Single Friend said that arguing with your girlfriend is like trying to read the “Terms of Use” on the internet. Eventually, you just cave in and say, “I Agree.”
A Thought to Ponder
“So long as the memory of certain beloved friends lives in my heart, I shall say that life is good.” ~ Helen Keller
☮️💟✊Family: Julian, Stella & Sean.
The movement you need is on your shoulder.@JulianLennon @StellaMcCartney @SeanOnoLennon at the GET BACK Premiere at @ElCapitanThtre Hollywood, USA.#TheBeatlesGetBack @TheBeatles @JohnLennon @PaulMcCartney @GeorgeHarrison @RingoStarrMusic pic.twitter.com/AqovLXjVOe— John Lennon ☮ (@johnlennon) November 19, 2021
Will Drive Our Ships to New Lands
On this day in 1970…
Led Zeppelin III was at No.1 on the UK & US album charts. The original cover and interior gatefold art consisted of a surreal collection of random images. Behind the front cover was a rotatable laminated card disc, covered with more images, including photos of the band members, which showed through holes in the cover.
The distinctive cover was based on a suggestion of Jimmy Page’s that it should resemble an old-fashioned gardening seed chart. Designed by Richard Drew aka Zacron, the sleeve photographs were taken by fellow Leeds Polytechnic lecturer Martin Salisbury.
Interesting story about the cover design. If only the music was too. Perhaps my least favorite Zeppelin album until In Through The Out Door took that dubious distinction.
WATCH OUT!
This Friday, November 19th, the 30th Anniversary Edition of Achtung Baby, will see a special Standard black vinyl release, along with a Deluxe colour vinyl release, with Achtung Baby (2018 Remaster) and Achtung Baby (Unter Remixes) also available digitally on the same day, per U2.com.
Achtung is a German word commonly used by Americans (I.E. U2). Translates roughly to “attention!” Achtung Baby would probably mean something like “check this out baby” or something even more extreme such as WATCH OUT!
For my money, it’s the last great record from the Dublin quartet.
Ravens Town
A little over eleven years ago, a friend of mine Jon Petrelli, asked me to post a great little tune of his on my Facebook page to help spread the word about “Highlandtown.”
When I heard the record it was hard for me not to imagine a similar one, perhaps even a musical sibling of sorts entitled Ravens Town. Jon immediately liked the idea and then asked me to develop some lyrics.
Very excited by such a new challenge I dived right in and handed them over to Jon the next morning. But when he tried to match the lyrics and the tune together, the vibe wasn’t right because it was too close to his touchtone creation, Highlandtown.
If Ravens Town was to have a life, it had to take on a different form so Jon created one. And here it is.
Thank you Jamie Costello for allowing us to tell the story. But c’mon man, “Tom” Lombardi?
