I am beyond thrilled to be writing Out to Lunch on June 17, because it’s a very important birthday both to me and Flock Nation. After all, a certain former Ravens first-round quarterback was born on this day: none other than Kyle Boller!
Okay, so Boller doesn’t have the razzle-dazzle of Lamar Jackson or the playoff prowess of the still-ELITE Joe Flacco, but he still holds a special place in my heart that’s connected to another important June 17 birthday: my dad’s.
I’ll spare him any mention of his age, but some years ago, my father was born on this very date, in our great city of Baltimore (he still hasn’t forgiven the Colts for leaving.) And even though I was born in Denver, he raised me to be a Ravens fan and took me to my very first game in 2005. That’s where Kyle Boller took over, putting up 253 yards and three touchdowns against Brett Favre and the Green Bay Packers with a career-high 136.8 passer rating – back when that mattered – as part of a 48-3 drubbing.
Throwback to 2005, when the likes of Kyle Boller, Mark Clayton, and Randy Hymes smoked Brett Favre AND Aaron Rodgers in the biggest blowout in Monday Night Football history, 48-3.
Never doubt the all blacks. pic.twitter.com/RUfBsVJTny
— The Exit 52 Podcast (@Exit52Podcast) December 14, 2021
Needless to say, a forever fan was born, and without my dad, I’d never be where I am today. I didn’t even know exactly when to cheer; I just followed his lead. So happy birthday, and Father’s Day, Pops! I’m looking forward to another season of Ravens football with you.
Moving onto the Ravens news of the day, Lamar Jackson is back and unsurprisingly, so are questions and commentary about his contract.
Here's how Lamar handled every single contract-related question today.
via @Ravens Productions pic.twitter.com/37QQR7C9jE
— Bobby Trosset (@bobbytrosset) June 16, 2022
As usual, Jackson handled the questions with poise and even a sense of humor, reaffirming his commitment to Baltimore and revealing that he has discussed an extension with the front office. And of course his “I don’t know” response to a question about holding out of training camp was immediately seized upon by fans and the media, even if he said he expects to play in Baltimore for the rest of his career. Unfortunately, that’s just the nature of the beast, and his teammates were quick to back him up this week.
"I think we're all tired of the Lamar slander."@R_bateman2 said what he said 🔥 pic.twitter.com/9pdrNsgYOQ
— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) June 16, 2022
Even Marlon Humphrey unleashed an agreeable take about Jackson’s mindset.
Marlon Humphrey: “I was thinking what it’d be like to be Lamar [Jackson]. It’s a different life when everything you do is seen in a positive or negative light – whether it’s Shannon, Skip or Stephen A. I know it’d get annoying if I was in those shoes, but he handles it well.”
— Sarah Ellison (@sgellison) June 14, 2022
But seriously, someone needs to take Humphrey’s Twitter account (and maybe his dog-walking privileges) away from him.
Y’all ever just took your dog out for a walk and as soon as he got ready to do #2 you just squatted down there with him and caught it?
— marlonhumphrey.eth (@marlon_humphrey) June 17, 2022
Meanwhile, Patrick Queen is out here asking the real questions. The 2022 Ravens have some characters on defense!
when you see PQ post another poll https://t.co/mqL3AmW0Vx pic.twitter.com/LwxABgQIVx
— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) June 16, 2022
(For the record, I voted purge. Surviving a zombie apocalypse sounds slightly more traumatizing than a purge, plus the world after is definitely more agreeable.)
Back to QB1: Jackson also opened up about the Hollywood Brown trade, confirming that he knew ahead of time but admitting that he was “kind of hurt.”
Lamar Jackson said he knew about the Hollywood Brown trade ahead of time. He said it’s all “part of the business.”
His “WTF” tweet on draft day was partly related to Brown being already in Arizona.
— Jonas Shaffer (@jonas_shaffer) June 16, 2022
Still, his professionalism won out, saying that he understands it’s “part of the business.” And I think it’s safe to say he’s not exactly disappointed about the final return of that trade either.
"@TLinderbaum fast as heck for a center! Never seen a center run like that!" @Lj_era8 pic.twitter.com/zCSVxTSlSx
— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) June 16, 2022
Plus, this wide receiver room is more than ready to take up the slack left by Brown’s departure, led by Rashod Bateman and James Proche.
"That was a blessing. We got lucky." @jamesproche3 on the tight-knit WR group: pic.twitter.com/Y6o5SJitv2
— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) June 16, 2022
While Bateman is a trendy breakout pick around the NFL, I’m expecting big things from Proche this season. I don’t know how to explain it any other way than this: he’s got that dawg in him.
"I'm excited to take that role." @R_bateman2 pic.twitter.com/GkbcthA8me
— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) June 16, 2022
Proche might even be a candidate to take over as the Ravens’ emergency quarterback following Sam Koch’s retirement, after displaying his surprisingly accurate arm yesterday.
QB5 😂 https://t.co/kez2jQNwIc
— pro. (@jamesproche3) June 16, 2022
In other news and notes, the Ravens hosted former SEC track star Mustaqeem Williams for a tryout as a wide receiver this week.
So here’s some track speed. Mustaqeem Williams, who is not on the roster, working out with the wide receivers today.
He comes from Tennessee track team, where he was a multi-time SEC champ in the 200 meter. pic.twitter.com/hXoi7sxphK
— Matt Cohen (@Matt_Cohen_) June 14, 2022
That’s probably not the Julio Jones or Will Fuller news most were looking for, but at least they’re turning over every rock for help at the position!
I’d also recommend checking out this video from Benjamin Solak of The Ringer, who does an excellent job analyzing how the Ravens retooled their defense this offseason with a focus on the safety position.
Geeked out about the Ravens' new defensive coordinator in Mike Macdonald, draft philosophy of "what if we take the good players?" and recent investment in the safety position.
Fun video, fun times!https://t.co/dOP9cozajx
— Benjamin Solak (@BenjaminSolak) June 16, 2022
Solak, like many analysts, loves the Kyle Hamilton pick, but the Ravens look even more prescient after Minkah Fitzpatrick’s contract extension this week.
Congrats on the extension Minkah Fitzpatrick! pic.twitter.com/qSJVzBWlhh
— Ramey (@HoodieRamey) June 15, 2022
The Steelers reset the market to keep Fitzpatrick in Pittsburgh with a four-year, $73.6 million deal with $36 million guaranteed. Sure, the Ravens guaranteed $37 million to Marcus Williams, but on a five-year, $70 million deal that will look like a song in a few years.
But not all is well in Baltimore: M&T Bank Stadium won’t be hosting a game for the 2026 World Cup, with “New York” getting a game instead.
So the biggest shocker: DC/Baltimore is shut out from World Cup 2026. Stunned. Event not coming to capital of key host country.
— Eric Fisher (@EricFisherSBG) June 16, 2022
Whatever. All the more reason for the Ravens to bring the hurt to the Jets in Week 1.
😈 Last time The @Ravens opened their season against The Jets, this happened! Join us for the team’s season opener on 9-11! 🇺🇸
— Jimmy’s Famous Seafood (@JimmysSeafood) June 16, 2022
