Happy Friday, Flockers! With an always odd rendition of Saturday football on the horizon, and the Ravens continuing to claw closer and closer to the playoffs, things are heating up in a big way in the AFC.
We’ll save the personal thoughts and feelings on the Browns as an organization and as a roster for another day, but today is, as always, all about catching you up on the last minute things you need to see and know before we kick off in Cleveland.
With that said, let’s not waste any more time!
The Ravens hosted former Raiders G John Simpson on a free agent visit.
— Field Yates (@FieldYates) December 15, 2022
The Ravens brought in former Raiders guard John Simpson for a free agent visit, and given the shaky-at-best health situation amongst the offensive line it’s not shocking in the least.
The former Clemson Tiger started every game at guard last year for the Raiders in only his second season, so this release comes as a bit of a surprise, especially given how close we are to the end of the campaign. Surely that unusual parting of ways was a big question on Eric DeCosta’s mind as well, and we’ll see in the coming days whether the specifics of that break-up warrant passing on him. Knowing the tumultuous history of the Raiders front office, it’s anyone’s guess as to who’s to blame for his departure. Only time shall tell.
"The way he said my name was like I was a first overall QB off the board." @BigBen_72 on his special relationship with Mo Gaba 💜
Watch The Lounge ➡️https://t.co/SJOy3eB2IG pic.twitter.com/2DU97vZDKN
— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) December 15, 2022
Ben Powers was the guest on this week’s edition of “The Lounge” with Ryan Mink and Garrett Downing, where among other things he discusses his connection with the late, great, Mo Gabba. Mo’s impact on Baltimore obviously can’t be quantified, as even today his spirit lives on through the people that he impacted with his bravery, people like Ben. Definitely give this interview a watch if you have some free time, it’s absolutely worth it.
Suit up 👔@kyledhamilton_ pic.twitter.com/gn2qOJxmgj
— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) December 15, 2022
Time for our weekly fashion tweet, as the Ravens will be rocking white jerseys and black pants for their trip up to Cleveland this Saturday. These uniforms being worn at this time of year always brings back memories of those amazing Joe Flacco end of season/playoff magic type road performances to which we got so accustomed over the years. Hopefully the Ravens can conjure a little bit of that magic again this weekend as they continue to push towards the playoffs.
Also ICYMI the legendary @Matt3Stover on having his #Ravens points scored record broken: "It's great that he's the one that did it too because now my name is mentioned in the same sentence as Justin Tucker…" https://t.co/Um2gs6IZct
— Glenn Clark (@GlennClarkRadio) December 14, 2022
As we all saw last week. Justin Tucker finally surpassed Matt Stover as the all-time leading points scorer in Ravens history. You’d be forgiven for thinking he had already done that a couple years ago with how amazing J-Tuck has been throughout his career, but now it’s officially official, yet another major notch in the belt for number 9 on his way to the NFL Hall of Fame.
As if it’s any surprise, Matt Stover handled the news of his record being broken with nothing but class and grace. Stover knows how great he was, and that if someone is good enough to break a record as impressive as that, they damn sure earned it.
He thought he would be a Bear for life. But now, everything Roquan Smith wants is in Baltimore. My story for @theathleticnfl. https://t.co/JXqzwiPxmu
— Dan Pompei (@danpompei) December 14, 2022
Dan Pompeii of The Athletic wrote a tremendous piece this week detailing Roquan Smith’s transition from being a member of the Chicago Bears to donning the purple and black mid-season. Smith is the hottest act in town at the moment, and this piece really helps paint the picture of what was going through his mind during what was undoubtedly a stressful and hectic time in his life. All’s well that ends well though, as now he gets to continue carving out a new legacy in Baltimore, hopefully one that lasts a very long time.
Also in the piece is the news that the Ravens plan to try to sign Roquan to a long-term deal…before this season ends. However, like Lamar Jackson, Smith represents himself. Will he be ready to negotiate while pushing toward the postseason? Stay tuned…
Took some inspiration from @Marcus_Mosher and recreated his most Big Plays table but for defenses to see which defenses have allowed the most big plays this year. The table's not as pretty as his but it gets the job done. pic.twitter.com/2Ibn5GYIYb
— Arjun Menon (@arjunmenon100) December 14, 2022
Interesting chart here that ranks NFL defenses in terms of big plays allowed so far this year. The Ravens are 4th in the league in runs of 10+ yards or passes of 20+ yards allowed, something that speaks to the high level of play Mike MacDonald has his guys operating at this year. It was a little bumpy at first, and there are still some kinks to work out in terms of late half/game situational stops, but all-in-all you couldn’t ask for more from the rookie coordinator out of Michigan.
Two years ago today, Lamar Jackson returned to the field in epic fashion against the Browns after leaving with cramps to throw what was a go-ahead touchdown to Marquise Brown on fourth down late in the fourth quarter
The Ravens would win the game 47-42 pic.twitter.com/BUHZRaW9YW
— Kevin Oestreicher (@koestreicher34) December 14, 2022
Lastly, in honor of Browns week, let’s throw it back to one of the best games in Ravens franchise history. It’s one that will never be forgotten for a multitude of reasons, chief among them the rumors of Lamar Jackson’s…um…stomach issues that held him out for a good chunk of the 4th quarter.
They’ll show this play in highlight tapes for years to come, and despite how the relationship between the team and Hollywood Brown ended, it’s a fond memory to look back on from what was his prime stretch in purple.
