Yesterday ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that the Arizona Cardinals have signed QB Trace McSorley off the Ravens practice squad. These things happen in the NFL. We’ve also seen how such moves can come full circle. It should not surprise you if next summer Trace is wearing his familiar No. 7 in purple again. Time will tell.
But for the time being, McSorley is a Cardinal although he could be released when starter Kyler Murray is completely healthy. If that happens, Trace is entitled to at least 3 week’s pay. If released before the 3 weeks are up, McSorley still gets paid and the Cardinals cannot replace him on the 53-man roster. They would have to go with 52 players until the 3 weeks has passed.
The poaching leaves the Ravens a bit short-handed. Let’s be honest, Lamar Jackson hasn’t exactly been a model of health and if his 2021 track record is any indication, it’s entirely possible that he could miss more time. If so, who then would the Ravens turn to as their backup to the backup?
Incredibly thankful for my time as a @Ravens and the opportunity they gave me to realize a childhood dream. I cherish all the relationships I had with the teammates, coaches, staff and fans there and wish them nothing but the best the rest of the season!
— Trace McSorley (@McSorley_IX) November 22, 2021
More Bunch Please
Sammy Watkins hasn’t exactly been setting the world on fire as of late. Prior to this past Sunday’s game in Chicago, Watkins had just one catch for 7 yards since the first half of the Monday Night game against the Colts. And of course that one catch against the Dolphins on Thursday Night set up the game’s first touchdown – for Miami, a fumble recovery/return by Xavien Howard.
That said, Sammy came up clutch in Chicago with the big catch that set up the Ravens winning TD run by Devonta Freeman. The play design featuring the bunch-set of receivers to the right of the LOS created confusion in the Bears secondary (maybe they were watching the Ravens defense too closely ;-)).
Here’s to more bunch-sets moving forward!
Still re-watching this play this morning. 😈@_SNOOP1 ➡️ @sammywatkins
Check out https://t.co/ciLFizvHBw for more highlights! pic.twitter.com/U3oojw2ZKG— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) November 22, 2021
Bateman Begins
Speaking of receivers, you have to love what you see from Rashod Bateman. He’s polished, has great hands, works the boundaries well and he possesses plus change-of-direction skills. This season the Ravens have drawn four DPI’s from opponents. Bateman, in just 5 games, is responsible for three of them. This video below shows why…
Praying for this Bears corner’s ankles on this release by Rashod Bateman pic.twitter.com/n5XONJ0fWc
— Ramey (@HoodieRamey) November 22, 2021
Browns Back-to-Back
The Ravens host the Browns this week for the nationally televised game on NBC’s Sunday Night Football. Next week the Browns have a bye while the Ravens travel to Pittsburgh. One week later on December 12th the Ravens go to Cleveland for the second clash of the season with the Browns. THAT is a decided advantage for Cleveland.
Think about it! While the Ravens participate in the first of their twice-annual slobber-knockers against the Steelers, the Browns players will enjoy a little rest while their coaching staff continues to plow through tape of the Ravens in preparation for Round 2. Add it up, starting from this past Monday, the Browns will have a total of 20 days to prepare for that December 12th game. How the league’s schedule makers concluded that was fair is mind-blowing. And at the end of the day it elevates the importance of the Ravens winning this Sunday night. The odds of winning the rematch in a couple weeks are stacked against them – HEAVILY!
[Related Article: Quick Death for Ravens?]
Last Sunday Night
The Chargers handed the Steelers their fourth loss of the season in LA, beating Pittsburgh 41-37. But it was Mike Tomlin’s crew that delivered the beating. Check out this cheap shot from Steelers defensive lineman Cameron Heyward.
During the broadcast, analyst Cris Collinsworth went on and on about Heyward’s hustle. Nothing was mentioned about the huge opportunity the Steelers afforded Chargers QB Justin Herbert and nothing was mentioned about Heyward’s cheap shot to Herbert’s gut.
Collinsworth has forever been a Steelers apologist so I’m not surprised. But NBC should be embarrassed, although I doubt they are.
Count me among those who would like to see a lineup change behind the mic on SNF.
wth is this pic.twitter.com/rKkbkIHRbQ
— Warren Sharp (@SharpFootball) November 22, 2021
Parlay is The Way
And lastly, there may not be another person on the planet happier about the outcome of the Ravens game than an unnamed bettor who turned a $50 bet into $1,133,530.50. With the win in Chicago, the last bet in a 15-game parlay play that included wagers on the NFL, NBA, NHL, NCAA football and basketball in addition to the LPGA (a bet on South Korean golfer Jin Young Ko to win).
Here’s a list of the bets included in the parlay as reported by The Athletic:
• Vegas Golden Knights +2.5 (-105): Covered in 4-2 loss to Carolina
• Cal State Fullerton ML (-150): Defeated George Washington 74-59
• Rhode Island -5.5 (-110): Defeated Boston College 57-49
• UConn -24.5 (-110): Defeated LIU 93-40
• Miami Ohio -9.5 (-110): Defeated Stetson 80-65
• Wake Forest -9.5 (-110): Defeated Charleston Southern 95-59
• Michigan State -2.5 (-110): Defeated Butler 73-52
• Atlanta Hawks ML (-190): Defeated Celtics 110-99
• Colorado Avalanche -1.5 (+150): Defeated Canucks 4-2
• Washington Capitals -1.5 (+200): Defeated Kings 2-0
• New England Patriots ML (-275): Defeated Falcons 25-0
• Houston ML (-300): Defeated Memphis 31-13
• Oklahoma ML (-175): Defeated Iowa State 28-21
• Jin Young Ko (+500): Won CME Group Tour Championship
• Baltimore Ravens ML (-250): Defeated Bears 16-13
