Happy Friday, Flock Nation, and a very Happy Birthday to our very own Marlon Humphrey!
Happy Birthday to the esteemed host of Studio 44, All-Pro Marlo❗️@marlon_humphrey pic.twitter.com/UGLhLz7acy
— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) July 8, 2022
44 is by far the biggest character on this current Ravens team, and one of the biggest personalities in team history – and that’s saying something!
Coffee 🗑 pic.twitter.com/XMlhbR0nEZ
— marlonhumphrey.eth (@marlon_humphrey) May 20, 2022
From hosting his Studio 44 podcast to his many, many tweets – spanning from coffee commentary to movie spoilers – to his Instagram live sessions, Humphrey is truly a 21st century athlete. Oh yeah, and he’s also an All-Pro cornerback ready to lead one of the best defenses in the NFL this season!
The Ravens made another big addition to that defense yesterday, re-signing Justin Houston on a one-year deal. He only had 4.5 sacks last year, but consistently won reps and generated pressure despite plenty of double-teams as Baltimore’s most experienced pass rusher.
A big add for the Ravens.
Houston didn’t have huge sack totals last season (4.5), but he won a lot of pass-rush reps despite a lot of double teams. (via @SethWalder) https://t.co/OJj4jhYx9R pic.twitter.com/u2Wgl3JcPE
— Jonas Shaffer (@jonas_shaffer) July 7, 2022
His mentorship of Odafe Oweh will continue for another season – with Daelin Hayes and David Ojabo hopefully taking lessons as well – but it does painfully remind me of the career year Jaylon Ferguson was primed to have before his tragic passing.
Justin Houston mentoring Jaylon Ferguson last summer hits different a year later.
RIP, 45.
via @Ravens productions pic.twitter.com/YS6Q7idSEI
— Bobby Trosset (@bobbytrosset) July 7, 2022
Another year with Houston’s mentorship and more pass-rush opportunities could have been the breakout opportunity Ferguson needed to reclaim his “Sack Daddy” moniker.
Even though Tyus Bowser and Ojabo have aggressive return timelines, the Ravens could still use another pass rusher.
I’d still like to see the Ravens sign JPP, or another vet. If Bowser and/or Ojabo come back in good health, Ravens could use Houston or JPP as trade piece as season goes, or keep both to guard against injuries. #AllPassRushersWelcomeHere
— Darin J. McCann (@DarinMccann) July 7, 2022
Jason Pierre-Paul seems like the most logical move, though the Ravens’ will barely have any salary cap space after Houston puts pen to paper. They can easily free up about $9.5 million with restructures to Marlon Humphrey ($7.1 million) and/or Kevin Zeitler ($2.4 million). Zeitler’s money alone should be enough for JPP, though the Ravens may want additional cap flexibility for in-season transactions.
The Ravens are also hoping they can generate more interior pass-rush production this season, with 2020 third-rounder Justin Madubuike looking for his third-year breakout.
Justin Madubuike did not stop at a one-pack.
(via IG/madabeeks) pic.twitter.com/vnKtus1Kbw
— Jonas Shaffer (@jonas_shaffer) July 7, 2022
But he’s not the only one putting in extra work this offseason, with Lamar Jackson continuing to bulk up (despite the warnings of Qadry Ismail).
Lamar Jackson
Year 1 ➡️ Year 5 pic.twitter.com/781OCJKX9i
— Kevin Oestreicher (@koestreicher34) July 7, 2022
As our very own Ronald Toothe would say, that’s not Lamar Jackson, that’s Lamar Jacked-Son!
