Quick, before reading this, lock up your tickets to Ravens Training Camp!
For PSL owners, camp tickets were made available at 9:30 EST this morning, though they went live to the general public at 11AM. I, for one, will be attending my first joint practice with the Washington Commanders, but I’ll also be covering the practices on August 5th and August 19th.
Look out for me if you’ll be at any of those dates!
Everyone’s excited for this upcoming season, but according to Tuesday’s Final Drive episode, it’s full steam ahead heading into camp:
The Ravens are healthier, upgraded & ready to get to Training Camp! pic.twitter.com/Zkl5ddpLJV
— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) July 11, 2023
Baltimore does seem to be in a better place than they usually are at this point in the year. Now it’s just a matter of counting down the days, like The Daily Raven is doing by matching jersey numbers, often of Baltimore greats, with the passing day:
Good Morning #RavensFlock we're officially 57 days from the start of the 2023 NFL season!
Bart Scott (@BartScott57) | 2002-2008
448 Tackles, 16 Sacks, 4 FF, 3 INT
1X Pro-bowl
1X All-Pro pic.twitter.com/Vl9kVPWxuJ— THE OFF-SEASON (@TheDailyRaven) July 12, 2023
You know who reminds me of Bart Scott in some ways? Patrick Queen.
They may not be 1-to-1 comparisons or truly like-for-like players, but Queen has stood out on the blitz before, something Scott would do regularly back in the day. Particularly after the Ravens added Roquan Smith, Queen started to shine.
Far too much disrespect flying around for Patrick Queen, his game was substantially elevated since Roquan arrived.
Despite what’s going on with his contract behind closed doors, I wouldn’t trade him! Hope it gets worked out! #RavensFlock pic.twitter.com/z9YaHBap9u
— Nic Mason (@British_Raven19) July 11, 2023
That said, I wouldn’t be quite as stern on not moving the linebacker this season. That’s especially true if it means pulling the trigger on the deal Bleacher Report recommends here:
Bleacher Report proposes that the Ravens send LB Patrick Queen and a fourth-round pick in exchange for Commanders DE Chase Young in their latest mock trade pic.twitter.com/0AuArEaX2K
— Ravens Nation LIVE (@LIVERavenNation) July 10, 2023
Positional value indicates this wouldn’t be Queen for Young straight up, but if Baltimore threw a late-round draft pick in there, they probably could make it happen. And with Young, the Ravens could have one of the most electric pass rushes in the game.
The EDGE is one of the few question marks in Mike MacDonald’s defense. Adding Chase Young would seriously change that.
At the back end of the defense, many fans are clamoring for an additional CB. For me, you have to let the young names develop a bit. In Marlon Humphrey, you have one of the best at his position in the game, despite where PFF ranks him here
In Rock Ya-Sin, you’ve added an experienced veteran. Furthermore, there’s guys like Kyle Hamilton or Brandon Stephens that could move from Safety to play in the slot. I don’t see Kyle Fuller changing the makeup of the defense. However, if Pepe Williams or Jalyn Armour-Davis takes off in 2023, that would.
I said it a few weeks back, I thought Pepe did some nice things earlier in the season. He also looked lost at times. But he has the footwork & toughness you’d like. More of a matchup play & adds versatility along with what they have planned for Kyle Hamilton. #Ravens https://t.co/D4ptNQF2xw
— Dev Panchwagh (@devpanchwagh) July 11, 2023
Hey, you never know.
On the other side of the ball, where even are the holes? The receiving room is stacked, the running backs are returning with full health, and let’s not forget, Baltimore still has Mark Andrews:
Man Mark Andrews going crazy this year pic.twitter.com/c9bQbC6wPr
— The Ravens Realm (@RealmRavens) July 11, 2023
Andrews, as always, is poised for a big year. But another guy that I think is so often overlooked is Gus Edwards. Check out his historical yards per carry next to some of the all-time greats:
Gus Edwards has averaged 5.2 YPC on 501 career carries.
That is the 4th highest average since the merger for RBs with 500+ carries.
He has some good company on that list:#Ravensflock #NFL pic.twitter.com/LXIlPyQocn
— Ken McKusick (@FilmstudyRavens) July 11, 2023
He’s a short yardage and closing back, not a bell-cow, but that’s still mighty impressive. I’m looking forward to seeing him at full strength again this season.
