Happy Wednesday, Ravens Flock! We are another Wednesday close to Baltimore Ravens football, but we have some fun stuff to talk about this week with some exciting media news regarding the team! We’ll get to that in just a moment.
I want to start with just a quick thought – the Baltimore Ravens are going to face A LOT of criticism, both fair and unfair, this offseason and I look forward to watching the team prove the doubters wrong. Some of it is the media and some of it stems from the fans, but in the end, it’ll be the team that proves them all wrong. And don’t worry, they’re starting to take notice and using it as fuel, as you’ll see shortly.
But enough yap out of me, let’s get into the real reason why you’re here and check out the Twitter-sphere in this hump day edition of Out to Lunch!
Perhaps the biggest news of the Baltimore Ravens offseason thus far, non-player related, is the announcement that ESPN will be creating a 30-for-30 on the 2000-2001 Baltimore Ravens team.
ESPN announced that they have started production on a 30 for 30 documentary on the 2000-2001 Baltimore Ravens. https://t.co/tjfrn9WKhK pic.twitter.com/L1ePMIOatc
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) May 17, 2022
As many know, this was the Ravens first Super Bowl winning team thanks to its elite defense spearheaded by Defensive Player of the Year Ray Lewis & Co. The Ravens 2000 defense can make the argument that it is the greatest the NFL has ever seen, so getting to see everything that went into it is certainly must-watch television.
Unfortunately, there are tons of controversies that this team had surrounding its aforementioned star in Lewis, and many are already protesting the upcoming 30-for-30, but that is neither here nor there.
The bottom line is we are beyond stoked to see one of the most beloved sports seasons in the proud history of Baltimore to be brought to life in the unique and poignant of ESPN’s amazing 30-for-30 series.
Shifting Gears
There’s been more than a fair amount of hate on the Ravens current wide receiver room. Criticism is certainly warranted for a unit that is severely lacking in proven talent, but the upside and next man up mentality will always be present. That’s how second-year man Rashod Bateman certainly appears to feel:
we can and we will, y’all talk much 🦇 https://t.co/VRXGCrW8Km
— Rashod Bateman (@R_bateman2) May 17, 2022
Go off, Rashod!
The Ravens have won with far worse talent at the wide receiver position, and this current group has some very intriguing talent. Bateman is in store for a breakout. Devin Duvernay is a returning First-Team All-Pro return man with tons of versatility for this creative offense. James Proche has shown some flashes of brilliance and will now get a larger role to showcase even more. Tylan Wallace is a sleeping giant who put together some amazing tape at Oklahoma State. Then there’s plenty of other guys who will be fighting their you-know-what off to make this roster.
Garrett Downing also tallies on a little more insight here:
"We can and we will."
😈 @R_bateman2 pic.twitter.com/w2fa22Q5mU
— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) May 17, 2022
Lack of experience notwithstanding, the gloom and doom for the receiver room is far overstated! Like I said, we’ve seen FAR WORSE wide receiver rooms before. Stay calm and truss.
[Related Article: Ravens Left Out at Wideout]
Speaking of Baltimore Ravens wide receivers, or rather former in this case, the move of Marquise Brown to the Arizona Cardinals was widely criticized by a fanbase that loved to hate on the fourth-year receiver. The Ravens received a first-round selection in return for Hollywood Brown which the team turned into center Tyler Linderbaum.
The move could be an example of addition by subtraction, as the loss of a stud receiver hurts but the move does boost an offensive line that needed more talent. Jamison Hensley details more in this article:
Lamar Jackson lost his leading wide receiver when the Ravens traded Marquise Brown to the Cardinals. The Ravens, though, believe Jackson is going to love what they gained from that deal.
Why Baltimore feels Jackson will really appreciate Tyler Linderbaum:https://t.co/RAwBehKzFt
— Jamison Hensley (@jamisonhensley) May 17, 2022
Does any team embrace the underdog mentality better than the Baltimore Ravens?
The Baltimore Ravens with an underdog mentality is the most dangerous version of the team so keep sleeping on em 😆
— Ramey (@HoodieRamey) May 17, 2022
“Underdog”, the mantra this team thrives under the most. Headed into 2022 it feels like the league respects the Ravens as a quality team, but certainly not a Super Bowl contender. In a loaded AFC, Baltimore has become a major afterthought for many. But go ahead and sleep on them. A healthy Ravens team has six players who have earned First-Team All-Pro praise, a Super Bowl winning head coach, and tons and tons of young and exciting players ready to blossom.
Play the “biased” card if you wish, but the 2022 Baltimore Ravens will be focused with steely-eyed conviction and that could prove costly for the doubters.
In the meantime? Keep sleeping, sports world.
Have a great week, Ravens Flock!
