Ladies and Gentlemen, we made it. After months of waiting and a long training camp, football is back. The season kicked off last night with Detroit’s upset of KC, and it’s almost time for the rest of the slate, including your Baltimore Ravens.
As we look forward to a brand new season, it is important to remember just how far we have come from a potential disaster of an offseason.
Eric DeCosta was at the movies with his boys when a text came in.
“I think we’ve got a shot.”
How one of the most challenging offseasons in franchise history gave way to a regular season of big expectations.
($1 per month sub deal avail) https://t.co/cFcqViZB2K— Jeff Zrebiec (@jeffzrebiec) September 7, 2023
Think about this: Five to six months ago, we were sitting here with no QB, hearing stories about Ken Francis and how Steve Saunders ruined the Ravens with EDC looking down the barrel of losing his franchise quarterback. Now we are here with Lamar Jackson signed long-term, new weapons, and, for the first time in a while, hope for this offense.
We have come a long way from those dark days in April.
Speaking of the offense, Todd Monken has high expectations for Sunday:
Todd Monken: “I’m excited about our guys and the versatility that we have.” pic.twitter.com/S3IEaAhl9m
— Jeff Zrebiec (@jeffzrebiec) September 7, 2023
The days of getting quotes like “The Vault” are so over. Having someone who understands a passing game and can talk to the media without making everyone hate him is quite refreshing. Monken has got to be cooking something special up for Sunday, and whatever it is, I can’t wait to see it.
In terms of Injuries, there wasn’t much to report on:
For second straight day, only one player missing at Ravens practice: CB Marlon Humphrey.
TE Mark Andrews (quad) came jogging out of the facility during the special teams phase of practice and did a lot of running before practice started.— Jeff Zrebiec (@jeffzrebiec) September 7, 2023
Mark Andrews did speak to the media and said that he feels fine and wants to play, but with a weaker opponent coming up, it wouldn’t be shocking to see the team hold him out to get rested for the Bengals. They have great depth at tight end, but I’m unsure how they will handle this. Harbaugh did say he expected Andrews to play, but has that changed?
Still, seeing so few injuries on the report is great—just some vets taking it easy headed into the game, like OBJ and Stanley.
The Texans will be without three of their starters on the O-line, so this pass rush has no excuses not to eat on Sunday.
Ravens DC Mike Macdonald said that OLB David Ojabo is having a nice week of practice. His advice to Ojabo ahead of Sunday: "Get lined up and let's roll. Throw your fastball. Go make them block you."
— Jeff Zrebiec (@jeffzrebiec) September 7, 2023
This team could really use David Ojabo turning into that eight to nine sack guy. With an already injured OL, and a rookie quarterback who tends to hold the ball for a long time, the Ravens might smell blood in the water. It would be great to see Ojabo and the rest get off to a fast start.
To finish this off, the Ravens are doing something special for Sunday. This year is the 25th anniversary of The Bank, and the team has something cool planned.
Ravens will celebrate 25th anniv. of M&T Bank Stadium's inaugural '98 season Sunday. Some of players expected to participate in festivities: Banks, Boulware, Marlon Brown, Byner, Heap, Leach, Ja. Lewis, Jer. Lewis, McAlister, McCrary, Mulitalo, Ngata, J.O, Pitta, Rice (cont'd)
— Jeff Zrebiec (@jeffzrebiec) September 7, 2023
Get in your seats early on Sunday for this one. It is cool to see some of these people again, and while some on this list are around and come to games, others haven’t been around in a while.
Football is back, so let’s enjoy it – in an alternate universe, Ravens fans are headed into 2023 with out Lamar or any clear direction.
