Happy, happy Wednesday, Ravens Flock! What’s going on with the Flock these days?
Well, there is TONS of drama lately, and no I am not referring to Lamar Jackson going for Bernard Pollard’s throat… No, the Ravens players have simply had enough of the media. Heck, even former Ravens are stirring up a fuss with their current teams! All in all, it feels like high school all over again.
Let’s go Out to Lunch and see what all the fuss and commotion is about, shall we, Ravens Flock?
Did the Ravens dodge a bullet by trading Orlando Brown Jr. last offseason? The move was not well received despite bringing in a first-round draft pick in 2021, as Baltimore shipped off a two-time Pro Bowl tackle and a second-round pick in the same draft to the AFC rival Kansas City Chiefs. While the Ravens desperately needed Brown last season, the team has shored up the tackle spot headed into 2022. As for the Chiefs, well, things have gotten complicated…
On NFL Network, @jeffrichadiha shared what one #Chiefs front office person told him about Brown rejecting KC’s long-term deal:
“This isn’t the guy we traded for.”
This is in reference to Brown coming to KC as a team player that was willing to work out a team-friendly deal.
— Devon Clements (@DevclemNFL) July 19, 2022
Brown has reportedly been extremely difficult to negotiate a contract for and now Kansas City brass is beginning to have some buyer’s remorse. According to NFL Network’s Jeffri Chadiha, the team is “frustrated” and “disappointed” by Brown rejecting their extension offers. This comes after news that the team offered Brown a six-year deal worth ~$23 million per year. As you can see in the tweet, someone from the front office was quoted saying, “This isn’t the guy we traded for.” That would be an understatement, considering Brown was happy to play for the Ravens with seemingly no issues.
When Brown was traded to the Chiefs, it was because he had expressed his desire to play left tackle, as the Ravens played him on the right side but would put him at left tackle when Ronnie Stanley was injured. This prompted Baltimore to trade Brown and seemingly avoid a messy situation.
Hindsight is 20-20, and Eric DeCosta is certainly happy he made that trade when he did. Obviously, Ravens Flock should also appreciate not having this kind of distraction going on with their team.
It lighter news, rookies reported to training camp yesterday for the Baltimore Ravens!
Rookies for the Falcons, Ravens, Chargers, Dolphins, Patriots, Saints, Giants and Jets report to training camp today.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) July 19, 2022
We are just a few short weeks away from some preseason football and we can hardly contain our excitement to see our beloved Baltimore Ravens get back to work after a frustrating 2021 season.
The rookies are back and ready to take action as they arrive to the Under Armour Performance Center for the start of training camp. pic.twitter.com/3qQ4EEaR04
— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) July 19, 2022
In case you missed it – JK Dobbins has had enough of media speculation regarding his availability for the 2022 season:
Okay I’m tired of being quiet… come to me for your source @RapSheet because I might not even go on PUP because that’s how good my rehab is going and I’m damn sure going to be ready for week 1. https://t.co/gH2TqCFLM4
— Jk dobbins (@Jkdobbins22) July 18, 2022
Dobbins is recovering from a torn ACL he suffered last preseason and everybody has had something to say on the topic ranging from, “he will start week one” to “he will start the season on the PUP list.” Well, Dobbins decided enough is enough on Monday and lashed out at Ian Rapoport’s report that Dobbins is “no sure thing” for Week 1. Clearly, Dobbins is not JK-ing with his confidence in his return for 2022. If his word is good, and there are few sources I’d trust more than the player himself, we may see Dobbins return to the football field in the first week of the 2022 season.
Lets not soon forget that Jackson had some choice words the other day for former Ravens safety Bernard Pollard, either… I guess all you can say is…
First Lamar Jackson, now JK Dobbins
Ravens players will respond and let their voices be heard
— Kevin Oestreicher (@koestreicher34) July 18, 2022
Couldn’t have said it better myself, Kevin.
How would you feel about these stat predictions, Ravens Flock?
Baltimore Ravens projections
-Lamar pass attempts slightly down, PPG up
-Dobbins leads backfield in touches but near-even split with Gus. Badie looms for future
-Bateman high-end WR2
-Mark Andrews still very good pic.twitter.com/cLNlAoEzmA— Kev Mahserejian (@RotoSurgeon) July 18, 2022
My own little observations…
- Too low on Lamar Jackson’s rushing yards, but I could see this if they pass the ball as much and as effectively as Kev is predicting.
- Would be a great season back from ACL injuries for Dobbins and Gus Edwards to throw up those numbers.
- Two 1,000-yard receivers in back-to-back seasons is completely unheard of for the Baltimore Ravens and I am here for it on every day that ends in “y” and twice on Sundays.
Overall, I would like these predictions quite a bit more if they gave Jackson more rushing yards. Regardless, this would be a great season in my books.
That’s all I got for you, Ravens Flock! Have a great week and I’ll see you next Wednesday!
