We made our list and we checked it twice… pic.twitter.com/jMh6uSNnCB
— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) December 23, 2022
As we all get ready to pour our eggnog, spend time with our families, and embrace the season of giving this weekend, the Ravens are preparing for a must-win game that could very well be a jumping-off point just as easily as it could be the final nail in their coffin. Will we get the Santa Claus Ravens when the Atlanta Falcons come to town, who give us a much needed gift? Or will we get the Krampus Ravens who scare our children and beat us with birch twigs?
The Ravens were a lock for the playoffs just a few weeks ago…
That's all in doubt now. @Pschrags on the current situation in Baltimore, with their OC Greg Roman front and center and in the crosshairs. pic.twitter.com/qt6V4AhbPo
— Good Morning Football (@gmfb) December 22, 2022
I had a holiday reference quota that I was going to hit or die trying, so now that we’ve done it, let’s check out the last minute Ravens news heading into a matchup that, in all seriousness, could be season defining.
Ravens organization even got Stephen A Smith defending Lamar against the Ravens pic.twitter.com/JM4Ahp4i5t
— Justin | reading X-Men (@SoulRihper) December 22, 2022
Add Stephen A. Smith to the list of national media personalities who’ve come out in support of Lamar Jackson to call out the Baltimore Ravens. Smith attests that the question shouldn’t be “will the Ravens move on from Jackson?”, but rather “Should Jackson move on from the Ravens?”
As much as it hurts to say, he’s probably right. You won’t find an organization in football, perhaps in history, who’ve done more to provide their star quarterback with less to work with in the pass catcher department. Josh Allen got Stefon Diggs, Kyler Murray got DeAndre Hopkins, Jalen Hurts got A.J. Brown, and Jackson got Tyler Linderbaum. That’s not a knock on Lindy either, who’s been tremendous, but rather a knock on the fact that the Ravens traded their number 1 wideout, who wasn’t even a true number one, and didn’t feel the need to replace him with anyone. I’m fully in support of having a run-first approach with Lamar at the helm, but that doesn’t mean you have to model it after Navy’s offensive approach. There are going to be plenty of teams this offseason looking to make a move for Jackson, teams who WOULD be willing to surround him with the talent he deserves, and whether the Ravens choose to match that effort or set him free (before they lose him for nothing in a couple years) will be question number 1 all Spring and Summer long.
Roquan Smith said Eric DeCosta delivered the news that he’d made his first Pro Bowl.
“It was pretty sweet, and I’m thankful. Hopefully, I don’t have to attend it. Hopefully, we’ll be still playing around that time. It’s an amazing honor, and I’m extremely grateful.” #Ravens pic.twitter.com/2kQ4poZXMh
— Luke Jones (@BaltimoreLuke) December 22, 2022
Roquan Smith got the news this week that he’d be attending his first Pro Bowl, and that news was delivered by the man who will hopefully be his general manager for years to come.
You love to hear the little tidbit about not having to attend as well, a testament to how this bunch still feels in the locker room despite a lot of things going incredibly wrong as of late. Here’s hoping Roquan is correct!
Roquan Smith brought 🎁🎁 for the students at the Safe Alternative Foundation for Education❕
SAFE founder Van Brooks is our recipient of the Inspire Change Grant 💜 pic.twitter.com/xsHrEc0bWT
— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) December 22, 2022
Speaking of Smith, here he is already immersing himself into the Baltimore community by bringing gifts to the students of the Safe Alternative Foundation for Education. Here’s a short blurb from their website about their mission.
At SAFE we believe that all students should have access to a quality education and the resources and opportunities that will assist them in achieving their goals.
We provide after school, weekend, and summer learning educational opportunities through vocational programs that provide real world application as well as exposing students to the world outside of their community.
It’s not surprising to see the Ravens working with such a worthy cause this holiday season. Despite any of our frustrations with them on the field, off the field and in the community there isn’t a team that does it better, and I’ll continue to beat that drum until they prove me wrong.
Marlon Humphrey this season:
⚫️ 76.3 PFF grade
🟣 0 TDs allowed
⚫️ 3 INTs
🟣 4 forced incompletions
⚫️ 67.6 passer rating allowedPro Bowl-worthy 👑 pic.twitter.com/woGhvNFuSb
— PFF BAL Ravens (@PFF_Ravens) December 22, 2022
It’s no secret that last season wasn’t Marlon Humphrey’s best by any means, both in terms of production and his health, and whether he would rebound or not was one of the biggest focal points entering this season. Needless to say he’s done that and then some, as evidenced by the absolutely bonkers stats that seem to come out on an almost weekly basis about his play in coverage.
Most important has been the return of his turnover prowess, that we’ve seen on display again numerous times this year. Humphrey’s efforts secured him yet another Pro Bowl, and at this point another All-Pro selection isn’t off the table either. It’s amazing what a guy can do when the weight of an entire unit isn’t on his shoulders like it was last year for Marlon.
"We’re just going to have to deal with the weather, the cold temperatures and execute and play our best game." pic.twitter.com/9iO7akuo1Q
— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) December 23, 2022
Not sure if you’ve heard or not, but it might not be t-shirt weather in Baltimore on Saturday when the Falcons come to town. Just a hunch!
Luckily, this weather plays perfectly into what the Ravens are built to do right now: running the football and terrorizing a rookie quarterback. Now it just comes down to whether or not Greg Roman will do that, or allow Tyler Huntley to throw the ball 30 times again.
A lucky combo 👀 pic.twitter.com/14fwt2EDdU
— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) December 22, 2022
Speaking of Saturday, it’s time to bust out the black jersey/purple pants combo this week. On a personal note, this is actually my favorite Ravens kit, as it instantly sparks memories of the night they won the division in 2018 against the Cleveland Browns as the Steelers watched on in misery.
As you can see below, c/o @WearPurplePants, they are 2-0 in this combo with Lamar Jackson starting (which, unfortunately, won’t be the case this week).
If they lose in these uniforms, my faith in humanity may just be lost forever. So, check back for this week’s “Good, Bad, and Ugly” to see whether or not I make way too big of a deal over them besmirching their best threads! Hopefully that’s not the case though…hopefully.
Your Ravens Pro Bowlers ‼️ pic.twitter.com/avbOC2GdDd
— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) December 22, 2022
To end on a positive note, for this edition of the Ravens photo of the week we present to you your 2022 Pro Bowlers. Congratulations fellas, here’s to many more.
And to all of you, thanks so much for reading this year! In this season of being thankful, all of us at Russell Street Report couldn’t be more thankful for everyone who makes what we do worthwhile.
May you all have a blessed, happy weekend…one not ruined by bad play calling!
One Response
Any team that is willing to give Lamar everything he wants probably won”t have enough cap left to surround him with ‘talent’, and if they do, won’t have a defense that can hold a lead.