The Ravens are back in the Castle this week, and it didn’t take long for the news to start rolling in. It’s exciting to see the team back in the beautiful Owings Mills complex, but before seeing them on the field, here are a few number changes to keep in mind heading into the 2022 season:
Number updates ‼️@MarcusWilliams #32
Morgan Moses #78@_tonyjefferson back to #23
Ja'Wuan James #71 @ad_washington24 #29 pic.twitter.com/GzSReKUHpy— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) April 20, 2022
For a more serious update, the franchise did announce changes to its offseason training program. This is a welcome change for Ravens fans, but I do want to make clear my opinion that last year’s injury issues couldn’t have all come down to the offseason training regimen.
That said, the players were catching season-ending injuries like colds, and returning fullback Patrick Ricard is already noticing a difference in the routine:
After the Ravens' injury-filled season, fullback Patrick Ricard has already noticed the changes in the first couple of days of the team's offseason program.
There is more stretching during warmups and fewer reps in workouts.
"I'm excited for all the changes to come," he said.
— Jamison Hensley (@jamisonhensley) April 20, 2022
It’s promising to hear that stretching has become a bigger part of preparation, but Strength & Conditioning Coach Steve Saunders spoke more to the wholesale changes in his press conference on Wednesday.
Head strength and conditioning coach Steve Saunders on changes to the off-season program: pic.twitter.com/Iddh9jgvvp
— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) April 20, 2022
We’ll see if these updates help mitigate injuries, but again, it’s hard to pinpoint a concrete cause or fix to what was a massive problem last season.
With all that in mind, the biggest news from Wednesday actually came from outside the practice facility, as current San Francisco 49ers WR Deebo Samuel has requested a trade.
Breaking: Deebo Samuel has requested a trade out of San Francisco, he told @JeffDarlington.
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) April 20, 2022
You know the drill – let the Ravens trade rumors begin.
This time, however, there could be something to this. Both ESPN’s Marcus Spears and Pro Football Focus quickly highlighted the possibility of seeing Samuel in Baltimore:
Man #Deebo just feels like a #Raven
— Marcus Spears (@mspears96) April 20, 2022
Deebo to the Ravens would be scary 👁🗨 pic.twitter.com/a0XdQcm2Zt
— PFF Fantasy Football (@PFF_Fantasy) April 20, 2022
Yes, Greg Roman’s offense would be scary on paper with the versatile receive, but would Samuel actually fit with the Ravens? Aaron Schatz has a stat that indicates he wouldn’t be quite as impactful:
Totally random NFL stat: The average NFL team ran 22 RB screens last season. The Baltimore #Ravens ran 2. TWO!
— Aaron Schatz 🏈 (@FO_ASchatz) April 20, 2022
Samuel has not necessarily made his name with medium or deep receptions, but rather from short passes that have turned into explosive plays due to his quick feet and elusiveness. With Samuel, the Ravens would have to improve their screen game, which hasn’t been strong since the Ray Rice days.
That said, the 49er also proved valuable as a runner this past season. Samuel could certainly add a new wrinkle to Baltimore’s offense out of the backfield, complementing JK Dobbins & Gus Edwards with another big play threat.
Imagine Lamar Jackson in the shotgun with Samuel on one side and Dobbins or Edwards on the other. The opportunities are endless.
The other benefit of trading for Samuel would be the impact it could have on draft strategy. By bringing one player in via trade, GM Eric DeCosta could eliminate two draft needs: RB & WR. That’s not to say they wouldn’t still draft one of those positions, but the importance of doing so would lessen.
With the Draft upcoming, I’d be remiss not to echo that Wednesday was the 26 year anniversary of Baltimore’s most incredible first-round ever:
26 years ago today the Ravens drafted both Jonathan Ogden & Ray Lewis in the same 1st round 🤯 pic.twitter.com/dKvqkXeizh
— PFF (@PFF) April 20, 2022
As Jamison Hensley points out, though, that’s not all for Wednesday; it was also the 20 year anniversary of the Ed Reed selection:
Today is 20th anniversary of Ravens drafting Ed Reed with No. 24 overall pick.
Reed was Baltimore’s 24th-rated prospect, but it certainly turned out well for Ravens:
🏈Hall of Fame (2019)
🏈2004 Defensive Player of Year
🏈9 Pro Bowls
🏈73 interceptionspic.twitter.com/KbC097Ima3— Jamison Hensley (@jamisonhensley) April 20, 2022
If this year’s Draft had started last night, Pick 14 would be a surefire home run. We can still hope for that come April 28th, though.
