The Baltimore Ravens’ media team is world class, and I believe one of the more anticipated releases was the Ravens Wired episode that included a discussion between Baltimore legend Ed Reed and rookie safety Kyle Hamilton.
We’ll, I’m pleased to announce it dropped at 8:00 on Wednesday night, and the media team teased us with another snippet just before:
"You do your thing, don't worry about the comparison."@TwentyER @kyledhamilton_ |
Wired drops at 8 p.m. ➡️ https://t.co/hl4aMq6ncQ pic.twitter.com/iM88zzf6Qf
— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) May 11, 2022
Hamilton has the potential to be the next great Ravens defender, and will certainly be put in a position to succeed. Being mentored by a Hall of Famer at his position is just the cherry on top.
Regardless of Hamilton’s future success, the Ravens will struggle if their offense doesn’t put up points. Many feel the Wide Receiver room isn’t strong enough to facilitate that
It’s been rumored plenty over the last week or so, but Todd Karpovich put a nice piece together on Baltimore’s interest in former Browns receiver Jarvis Landry.
The #Ravens reportedly are actively pursuing wide receiver Jarvis Landry. Odell Beckham, Will Fuller, and Julio Jones are the other high-profile wide receivers available in free agency. #RavensFlock https://t.co/La133f6e3u via @toddkarpovich
— Todd Karpovich (@toddkarpovich) May 11, 2022
Landry does fill a slight hole in the slot, but I personally like the options at Greg Roman’s disposal there. Devin Duvernay and James Proche both deserve a shot, and I think they could put up similar production as the aging Landry.
A name that might shake some feathers that I like is Will Fuller, a speed demon with a lot of uncertainty surrounding him. Yes, he’s had a rough injury history. Yes, he’s been suspended in the past. Yes, he’s dealt with consistency issues when he is on the field.
However, what Fuller offers that most remaining free agents don’t is speed on the outside. In trading Hollywood Brown, the Ravens not only lost a go-to target for Jackson, but also lost the player that keeps safeties honest.
Baltimore will need to replace the ability to spread the field that Brown provided their offense.
That said, the Ravens continue to invest in the Tight End position, for good reason:
Most Rec Yards from TE position since 2000
Chiefs 23,219
Eagles 20,809
Chargers 20,684
Colts 20,625
Ravens 19,756KC really knows how to hit the jackpot at TE pic.twitter.com/0CnZ1348Nw
— NFL on CBS 🏈 (@NFLonCBS) May 11, 2022
Historically, TE has been one of the key offensive positions in this offense. The Ravens know that, and despite already having Mark Andrews & Nick Boyle, they drafted Iowa State’s Charlie Kolar and Coastal Carolina’s Isaiah Likely.
This year’s TE room is dynamic and dangerous.
As we know from this past season, WRs and TEs won’t matter as much if the O-Line can’t protect Lamar Jackson. In the Draft, Ravens picked up OT Daniel Faalele, who could shore up the position, but is a project.
Well, he doesn’t want me or anyone calling him a project, so considering his size I retract that statement.
"I'm going to be striving for it, but I'm just going to take it day by day and just keep my head down and grind." – @DanielFaalele_ https://t.co/g04IoSlshz
— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) May 11, 2022
Faalele expects to make an impact quickly, and while many have called him a project, there are uncertainties with Baltimore’s Tackles. RT Morgan Moses is new to the system and isn’t particularly young, while LT Ronnie Stanley has dealt with crippling injuries in recent years.
Whether he’s ready or not, Faalele may be forced into action.
Finally, I want to leave you with what should be the most exciting thing to happen today: the NFL Schedule Release.
Before we settle down to see the Ravens’ upcoming season will look like, here’s a reminder of the opponents:
🚨 IT'S SCHEDULE RELEASE WEEK 🚨
📺: NFL Net Thursday 8 p.m. pic.twitter.com/Lu6gBWSw1p
— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) May 11, 2022
For me, I want tougher games early in the season; Let’s play great teams before they have themselves rolling. There’s an argument to be made for wanting them later to sharpen up for the postseason, but the AFC will be a dogfight, and a playoff berth is not a guarantee.
Of course, it’s important to remember there are always surprise teams, too. Just because the Jets & Falcons seem like surefire wins in May does not mean they will be in September (or November, or December, we’ll have to see).
