Happy Friday, ravens Flock. Thursday was the second time the media had access to players and coaches during OTAs. While what is happening out at The Castle may not be the most exciting, what is interesting is what the players and coaches are saying.
While it might have flown under the radar, the Ravens got a new QB Coach, as Tee Martin was promoted to the role.
Here is what he had to say about Lamar:
New Ravens QBs coach Tee Martin reiterated that this will be a “QB-friendly” offense for Lamar Jackson.
Jackson’s always had the power to change plays at the LOS, but with more time before the snap and more autonomy, he’ll have more power and more responsibility. pic.twitter.com/ouGTg6ZWhV
— Jonas Shaffer (@jonas_shaffer) June 1, 2023
The Ravens players and coaches want to push that the days of the Greg Roman-style Offense are over and brighter days are ahead. While comments about the new additions are lovely, these, about Jackson’s responsibilities, are a little more important and show that the Ravens genuinely want to change for the better. Doing stuff like this, getting to the line quicker, and allowing Lamar to do his checks and take over, will pay dividends. It isn’t just about the new weapons; it’s about actually wanting to change this offense for the better, and doing the little stuff like this will be crucial.
While most of the offseason talk has been about the new receivers, they still have an all-pro tight end that needs to eat.
But it doesn’t seem like Mark Andrews cares just how much he gets the ball, though:
Mark Andrews was asked if there's any concern about not having enough balls to go around to so many weapons in the pass game.
Shakes his head.
"I don't really care."
— Sarah Ellison (@sgellison) June 1, 2023
This quote can mean a couple of things. One ,Andrews is so good that no matter what they do, he will still get his, or two, he is very open to a new scheme and is willing to take a hit in his overall stats for the team. We know the Ravens aren’t going to abandon Andrews completely, and he is just saying he isn’t worried about how the new weapons will affect his production. Isn’t that a fresh take by an offensive playmaker?
One of the more prominent names at the podium yesterday was Patrick Queen. The linebacker had his fifth-year option declined, and the team also drafted Trenton Simpson in the third round. Some people took these moves as a potential trade of Queen to be immediate, but he is here for 2023.
It would be in the Ravens best interest to keep Roquan Smith and Patrick Queen together as long as financially possible. https://t.co/jBM4JqMR9n
— 𝙍𝙖𝙢𝙚𝙮 (@HoodieRamey) June 1, 2023
This is the correct take to have. The Ravens don’t have a second linebacker as good as Queen on the roster, so keeping him for this year is a lot better than trading him for like a 6th rounder. Malik Harrison and others aren’t as good as Queen, and Simpson is much more of a developmental guy than some fans think. Finding a linebacker is hard, so it is smart to keep Queen around for this year and pray something gets done with an extension.
Queen also opened up about the Ravens declining his fifth-year option.
Patrick Queen on coming to voluntary OTAs after removing Ravens images from his social media and not getting the 5th-year option:
"As anything in life, you go through emotions. It may take some longer to get over [them]. I just had many talks with many people and [got]…
— Sarah Ellison (@sgellison) June 1, 2023
Massive respect for Queen for doing this and talking. Queen did the most responsible thing a player can do in this situation, not go on a tirade and demand to be traded, instead actually talk and calm down to realize that this is the best spot for him right now. Truthfully, nobody right now will value Queen the way the Ravens do, so him realizing this and not flipping out and requesting a trade was smart of him.
Queen also stated how excited he is to get the year started:
Patrick Queen on all the new additions to the roster and team expectations:
"Everybody around the locker room is saying, 'Super Bowl.' They're not saying, 'Super Bowl or bust' because we don't want to have a 'bust' mindset. … With the pieces we've got – the defense we got,…
— Sarah Ellison (@sgellison) June 1, 2023
Man, comments like this can just get a fanbase fired up.
The more these players and coaches speak, the more it seems like 2023 will be a different year for the Ravens.
