Yesterday while subbing for RSR staffer Ron Toothe on Out to Lunch, I discussed the promise and potential of Daelin Hayes. Not only is he technically sound, Hayes is also an intelligent player with a relentless motor and possesses a love for the game. He embodies the qualities inherent in the organizational mantra, “Play Like a Raven”.
Edgar Allen, as he often does with his Ravens film study, succinctly features various players and this time around Hayes’ skill set is on display. Edgar Allen describes why he believes that the former Golden Domer along with Tyus Bowser, Odafe Oweh and David Ojabo will one day soon become a formidable group of pass rushers. And if that happens, given the assets in the defensive backfield, the Ravens could soon find themselves among the elite defenses in the league. And then just maybe, they’ll do on third down what Ray Lewis implored them to do for all those seasons…
GET OFF THE FIELD 🗣
It's a Raven thing. @marlon_humphrey @raylewis pic.twitter.com/IrC86V7vGV
— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) October 12, 2020
Take a look at Edgar Allen’s break down of Daelin Hayes below and let me know what you think. I encourage all Flockers to subscribe to his You Tube. Nicely done EA!
Suspicious Minds
There have been a few whispers recently, focusing upon the Ravens perceived inability to get their draft picks signed. Following Isaiah Likely’s inking of his rookie deal, the Ravens still have seven more picks to sign. Considering that rookie deals are generally slotted, one might begin to wonder what is taking the Ravens so long.
In the past, first and second round picks would generally get the max dollar amount from their slotted position in the draft. The third round picks got a bit dicey, as agents did their collective best to maximize the slot positions for Round 3 draftees. But there was some natural push back from teams – push back from GM’s that tried to get rookies to agree to the slotted number, while agents did their best to fight for the max. That’s why for years, third-round picks seemed to take longer than even the first-round selections.
However, recent trends show that all third-round picks are getting the max amounts, so they’re signing quicker. It’s not a huge difference from the slotted amount, but it does suggest an overall concession from GM’s league-wide. But now, the bargaining gamesmanship has shifted to Round 4 where five of the remaining unsigned Ravens draft picks were selected. Hence, the delay.
No need to panic. These signings generally get done before the start of training camp.
Without a Trace
You’re probably well aware of Trace McSorley leaving Baltimore after the Ravens exposed him on their practice squad, only to be scooped up by the Arizona Cardinals and placed on their 53-man roster. Not only was it a loss for the Ravens but the timing of the Cardinals’ claim on McSorley arrived at a very bad time.
The Ravens had just come off a 22-10 loss in Miami before a national audience on Thursday Night Football to fall to (6-3). As the Ravens prepared to play in Chicago the following Sunday, Lamar Jackson fell ill. During the same week the Cardinals made their play for McSorley and had they played hard ball, it would have left the Ravens with just one quarterback – Tyler Huntley.
Jackson didn’t dress for the game while Huntley got the start. And if not for the Cardinals doing the Ravens a solid and allowing McSorley to serve as Lamar’s backup that day, Sam Koch may have been called in for emergency duty. You can listen to McSorley share the story with Adam Breneman on the Breneman Shows Up podcast below, beginning at the 11:24 mark. McSorley also shares a few other interesting Ravens-related stories at the 47:27 mark.
That said, the important point to make here is that there are relationships around the NFL, some better than others. It’s nice to know that given the Cardinals willingness to extend a courtesy to the Ravens that both they and Eric DeCosta & Co. are respected enough around the league to warrant such considerations.
Trash Talk
Many of you besides being Ravens fans, are also Orioles fans. And as the Camden Yards tenants finally begin to show a little promise, the level of interest has picked up. But imagine if the Orioles come out of nowhere in 2023 and somehow make it to the World Series only to lose.
Might you then, after all the years of Orioles futility, a regularly empty stadium and a very short memory, begin to trash talk with Yankees fans as if there was a new dynasty in the AL East? Probably not, right?
Well think about that mentality and apply it to fans of the Cincinnati Bengals who seemingly on a daily basis, pound their chests as if they are the 800-pound gorilla in the AFC North. Here’s a regular and common sampling.
The Bengals fall from grace is going to be an interesting experience pic.twitter.com/ZKFzHmbzzF
— Ramey (@HoodieRamey) June 6, 2022
At least the Orioles franchise has 3 World Series trophies in their display case. The Bengals next Lombardi Trophy will be their first – which is to say that their cupboard is bare. That said, let’s give credit where it’s due and last year the Who Dey tribe had bragging rights after skull-dragging the Ravens twice while watching Joe Burrow light up Baltimore’s depleted secondary to the tune of 941 yards and 7 touchdowns in two games.
That’s something the Ravens won’t forget and it something that Burrow apparently doesn’t want them to forget. He claims to love playing the Ravens and lets it be known at the 57:28 mark of the video below.
Can you say BULLETIN BOARD MATERIAL?
Happy Ending
I don’t want to go too deeply opining about Deshaun Watson. I’ll save that for another day when the truth becomes a bit clearer to us all, assuming it does. Right now it all seems so convoluted. One side, consisting of what is now 24 plaintiffs, describes sordid details of Watson massage room antics while Watson’s attorney Rusty Hardin, reminds the world that a “happy ending” isn’t illegal unless you pay extra for it.
That being said, I’ll leave this topic with two prevailing thoughts. First, the Browns paid $230M guaranteed and three first-round picks for a player who is very good, but not great and sports a career record of (28-25). Comparatively speaking, Baker Mayfield is (29-30). Secondly, we know that Watson sought out no less than 24 different massage therapists. One might think that with his means and if Watson’s true intention is just to care for his body, that he’d settle on one or two excellent therapists who could help him realize his full innate potential.
But 24?
TWENTY. FOUR.
We’ll find out soon enough if there’s a happy ending to this story for the Browns and their fans.
