OTL: Fans Should Just R-E-L-A-X as Trade Deadline Nears

Though Roquan Smith gave us a bit of a scare on Wednesday, showing up on the injury report as having had missed with a shoulder injury, he was back to full participation on Thursday, and reassured us at his locker.

Roquan Smith: “You’ll see me out there” Sunday.

— Jeff Zrebiec (@jeffzrebiec) October 26, 2023

Phew.

The full quote is even better:

“I told the guys: ‘As long as the sun rises on Sunday and the NFL don’t cancel any games, you’ll see me out there.”

Smith wants nothing more than to win football games, and he is an absolute maniac about it. The dude has a passion that continues to evoke memories of Ray Lewis through his words and play. Can’t you just imagine that being a Ray quote from 2008 or something? The only difference is that Ray, fully embracing his role as General, would have probably said “my guys,” rather than “the guys.” Smith can still get there.

We are close to the anniversary of Smith being traded here, and at this point it’s hard to even imagine the team without him in the middle of that defensive huddle. He has brought a complete culture change on that side of the ball, and you trade that second-round pick every day of the week for him because he fits so perfectly here.

Speaking of the trade deadline, news and rumors are starting to fly more furiously.

𝗥𝗘𝗣𝗢𝗥𝗧: It’s “probably” going to take a 2nd or 3rd round pick to get Chase Young or Montez Sweat from the #Commanders in a trade, says @Schultz_Report

Schultz thinks that if the price is right, Washington will consider moving one of them.

The Commanders likely won’t be… pic.twitter.com/JS7PxUrMba

— JPAFootball (@jasrifootball) October 25, 2023

The Roquan trade was amazing because we got a great fit All-Pro for less than a first-round pick. If these big-name edge rushers are available for less than a first-round pick, would they fit as well?

A second or a third doesn’t seem like a lot to us, the fans, but it is a decent amount for the Ravens, who have a ton of re-signing to do as it is and are looking down the barrel of losing talent on all three levels of the defense. Add in Chase Young, who also has to get paid following the season, and that could just add another to the list of pending impact free agents on defense.

While the Ravens would get a comp pick for Young if he walks, remember, it isn’t as easy as it is in Madden. We are now working under the cap of a highly-paid quarterback, and the wallet is a bit tighter. So, is it worth it to give up premium picks to go for it now while risking losing more talent on defense with little to no premium picks to replace said talent? It’s not as easy as it seems, right?

Now, let’s take that thought and apply it to a position that doesn’t seem to be that big of a need:

I’ve been here before relying on these unfamiliar reports….you can not fool me and get my hopes up anymore https://t.co/W9JbWSJnvX

— RAMEY (@HoodieRamey) October 26, 2023

Derrick Henry is a flashy name, but do we even need him? Yes, Henry is better than the backs currently on the roster, but does he fit the scheme, culture, or locker room? It seems like a pipe dream, and if you need more depth at RB, throw a sixth-round pick at one on the day of the trade deadline.

The point is that the trade deadline isn’t Madden. A GM has to take into account the person as well. How does said person feel about playing for the Ravens, and how would he accept his new role? We, as fans, can’t know this, but the Ravens know, and if they feel that a player is right, they will move; if they don’t, then expect a move but not something huge. It is impossible to predict what will happen at this point, and it is up to EDC to make these determinations of what to do.

Focusing back to Sunday’s game, it seems like a certain quarterback is healthy for the Cardinals:

Mike Macdonald says the Ravens have to be ready for Kyler Murray in case he plays Sunday. Murray was a full participant yesterday, though expectations are that the Cardinals will take his return slowly.

— Ryan Mink (@ryanmink) October 26, 2023

This does not mean Kyler Murray is playing, but he is off the injury report and has no designation. According to the team, they are taking it slow, which might mean they don’t want Murray’s first game to be against one of the best defenses in the NFL, or they are legitimately trying to give him more time to get healthy.

Even with Kyler, this Cardinals team doesn’t scare me at all. Baltimore should be able to handle their business with or without Murray.

To end this, I’d recommend fans take Todd Monken’s quote about the offense and apply it to their own feelings on the trade deadline:

Ravens OC Todd Monken on effort for Lions: “That’s the way it should look. … Now, we’re moving forward.” pic.twitter.com/0QWlP5QO3N

— Jeff Zrebiec (@jeffzrebiec) October 26, 2023

If the Ravens get a good player that fits them, fine; if not, you have got to move forward. This team is really good and is getting better by the day. Will a big trade make them better? One hundred percent, but again, it isn’t always about getting the best player. It is about getting the best fit. If that fit is out there, then EDC will push for it; if not, please don’t overreact because this team has enough already to get the job done.