The Ravens have signed a well known pass rusher, and all 53 players were on the practice field yesterday. No, this is not the Twilight Zone, it’s just an exciting Purple Friday as the birds get set to travel to Foxborough this weekend! Let’s hop right into the last minute news and notes before this important early-season AFC matchup.
The #Ravens and Jason Pierre-Paul, who have been talking for months, agreed to terms on a 1-year deal worth up to $5.5M, source said. A rare non-minimum deal during the season.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) September 22, 2022
We’ll start with the news at the top of headlines yesterday. After months of the “will they or won’t they?” dance, the Ravens and Jason Pierre-Paul finally came to terms on a one-year contract. The deal is reportedly worth up to $5.5 million if he were to hit every included incentive.
Pierre-Paul is coming off an injury-hampered 2021 campaign where he only notched 2.5 sacks, but the five years before that he was amongst the models of consistency in the league in terms of rushing the passer. While the signing may be a risk in that the team is betting on him recapturing that mojo he lost last year, there’s no doubt that another veteran presence and known contributor in the front seven is a major positive.
Who knows? Maybe he’s still got one more Elvis Dumervil/Trevor Pryce type season in him. This league can be crazy sometimes…
Thursday's Injury Report: pic.twitter.com/mMqCd4dUdr
— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) September 22, 2022
I wasn’t pulling your leg, the Ravens really did have all 53 players on the field for yesterday’s practice. Perhaps most promising is the status of JK Dobbins, who’s been a full-go all week and may be in line to take his first snaps of the season on Sunday.
It’s no secret that the Ravens rushing attack has been stagnant through two games, and when you look back and see things like Justice Hill missing wide open lanes to cut into last week, it’s obvious that his return can’t come soon enough. Even 6-8 effective carries could prove to be just the shot in the arm this portion of the offense needs.
Matthew Judon on Ravens: “It’s no bad blood. It’s was all business. I still talk to a lot of the guys on that team. After the game, I’m going to shake their hand and love on them. I always want nothing but the best for anyone over there.”
— Sarah Ellison (@sgellison) September 22, 2022
Matt Judon had some heartfelt words for his former teammates yesterday when asked about playing the Ravens again during his Patriots press conference. Despite him being gone for about two years now, these comments feel even more bittersweet when you think about how much the team could have used his services so far this season. Nonetheless, it’s nothing but love between Judon and Baltimore, and maybe we’ll see him around here again some day.
Former #Ravens LB Bart Scott chose violence this morning:
“I think that Baltimore Ravens-led defense is gonna be out for retribution. … If there was a team with a punchable face, it would be the New England Patriots.” pic.twitter.com/59wHxyrWtF
— Bobby Trosset (@bobbybaltimoree) September 22, 2022
Bart Scott had some strong words on ESPN yesterday ahead of the Ravens matchup this weekend with the New England Patriots. As a former Patriot destroyer in his own right, it’s nice to see him finally back in the good graces of the flock after some controversial comments last year towards Hollywood Brown. By the way, with how things are looking so far in Arizona, he may have been right all along. You didn’t hear that from me though.
Ravens are hopeful that Bowser will be ready to go shortly after he's eligible to return from PUP list following Wk 4. Rookie second-round pick David Ojabo possibly could return in second half of season. But Ravens needed more immediate help for Justin Houston and Odafe Oweh
— Jeff Zrebiec (@jeffzrebiec) September 22, 2022
Some more positive news today, courtesy of our friend Jeff Zrebiec, who reports that Tyus Bowser should be ready to return to the field shortly after he’s taken off the PUP in a couple weeks. It would’ve been nice to have him out there for Buffalo, but we knew all along that this wasn’t going to be the case. It’s a quality consolation knowing that both he and David Ojabo could be out there when divisional games start to pop up and really matter though, so fingers crossed that the pass rush department goes from being a liability to a strength when the weather gets cold.
"Us against everybody, for sure."
Watch @R_bateman2 on The Lounge ➡️https://t.co/Z9nGcNdCeD pic.twitter.com/vXet3uNLxA
— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) September 22, 2022
Rashod Bateman is Ryan Mink and Garrett Downing’s guest this week on “The Lounge”, where he talks about the chip on his shoulder, how he deals with the doubters, and more! Be sure to check it out, it’s a fun interview with the new WR1 in Baltimore.
Lastly, this week’s Ravens photo of the week is actually a video, mainly because I couldn’t think of a way to naturally insert this into the article but also couldn’t resist the opportunity to share. No comments, no commentary, just…yeah. See you Sunday, flock!
This #Ravens fan is either a tremendous actor or someone who I am genuinely terrified of. pic.twitter.com/tyPcLteZah
— Bobby Trosset (@bobbybaltimoree) September 22, 2022
