I’ll cut to the chase here, as the day’s biggest news is likely still to come. The Ravens are holding a Press Conference with both GM Eric DeCosta & Head Coach John Harbaugh at 3:30 this afternoon.
The Baltimore #Ravens will hold a 3:30 p.m. press conference on Thursday, May 19 at the Under Armour Performance Center in Owings Mills.
Executive vice president and general manager Eric DeCosta and head coach John Harbaugh will be in attendance.Let the speculation begin…
— Tony Lombardi (@RSRLombardi) May 18, 2022
As Tony highlights, speculation has been running wild since the announcement, but only those few in the building will truly know what’s on the docket. Ultimately, I do think the news is most likely to be punter Sam Koch’s retirement, but don’t sleep on the possibility of Jimmy Smith retiring, either.
Smith has discussed the possibility of retirement before and is highly unlikely to play anywhere other than Baltimore. Last season, it felt like Smith was a bit long-legged, but with the lack of secondary depth, I’d imagine the Ravens would like his experience for one more year.
If I had my way, though, the Press Conference would bring news of an extension for QB Lamar Jackson. I’ve been banging the drum for this since last season, but Jackson has been making some business moves, so there’s a chance a contract is in the making.
A few weeks ago, we started hearing about “Play Action Soul food and More” in the QBs hometown of Pompano Beach. The restaurant seems to specialize in boiled peanuts, which I haven’t had myself. That said, I’d gladly give them a try if Jackson stays in Baltimore:
“It’s the Things in Life That Feed Our Heart and Soul” #Y8Y pic.twitter.com/CmojxD6h2d
— Playaction_soulfood (@Playactionsoul1) May 18, 2022
Along with that Florida location, Chef Jackson seems poised to open another restaurant after filing for the trademark of “You8Yet”
BREAKING: Lamar Jackson has filed a trademark application for:
➖"You 8 yet?" ™️
The application indicates that @Lj_era8 will open a restaurant under that name, per @JoshGerben. pic.twitter.com/KMBfhRAVsj
— Boardroom (@boardroom) May 18, 2022
It’s unclear where this restaurant would open or what it’d focus on, but if it ends up being in Baltimore, I think he’s here to say.
Of course, if a contract had been agreed upon, it’s unlikely Baltimore could keep that under wraps until this afternoon.
I doubt many readers need to hear this, but Lamar Jackson is a special player. It’s probably becoming redundant to hear that from me, but Joe Buck & Troy Aikman summarized his unique talents well early on Wednesday:
New Monday Night Football announcer Joe Buck: "There’s only one Lamar Jackson. And to see his speed, his ability to cut, it just looks like there’s somebody playing at a different speed. I for one as a football fan, and as a John Harbaugh fan, hope that he gets back to that."
— Jamison Hensley (@jamisonhensley) May 18, 2022
It always seems Jackson goes into a new season with something to prove, and this year he’ll be out to prove he’s the best QB in the AFC North again. Meanwhile, Joe Burrow is talking like there’s little competition for him:
Man no wonder he shreds the Ravens
Y’all should know better than to talk to Joe 😂 pic.twitter.com/0oRKI0sesF
— Just Another Bengals Fan (@JustaBengalsFan) May 18, 2022
For this offseason, I’m of the mind that Burrow has earned the right to talk. But if he doesn’t walk the walk after, he also has to be prepared to take shots back. Remember how Baltimore reacted after the Titans ran their mouths?
Ravens Avenge The Titans 20-13, Stomp On The Logo Accordingly https://t.co/db4kboZqaM pic.twitter.com/ZiO90ty7JI
— Barstool Sports (@barstoolsports) January 10, 2021
Still, Malik makes a great point in his response:
Joe Burrow has never beaten the Ravens when the injury list had less than 10 players on it😂😂😂 https://t.co/o6fMB0dWUz
— malik🦦 (@HollywoodJetEra) May 18, 2022
Burrow had very little success against a healthy Baltimore defense. Granted, that was in his rookie year without Jamarr Chase, but the point stands. The Ravens haven’t proven they can beat the former Heisman winner with his current team, while the QB hasn’t proven he can beat a healthy Baltimore defense.
According to ESPN, Burrow’s Cincinnati Bengals aren’t the favorites for the division, so he’ll want to be careful.
Projection to win the AFC North
(per ESPN's Football Power Index)Browns: 35.2%
Ravens: 31.8%
Bengals: 24.4%
Steelers: 8.6%— Jamison Hensley (@jamisonhensley) May 18, 2022
