The Queen of Baltimore

Back in May the Ravens had to choose whether to exercise the $12.722M fifth-year option on Patrick Queen. They passed. Queen and the club discussed an extension, but they were never close according to a source with knowledge of those negotiations.

Seven months later, that fifth-year option looks like a bargain, but even with the benefit of hindsight, the numbers were never going to work, particularly after the team signed Queen’s sidekick, Roquan Smith, to a record-setting extension. Teams simply can’t invest all those cap resources in the position of off-the-ball linebacker.

The contractual impasse prompted Queen to scrub all Ravens’ affiliations from his social media accounts. The future in Baltimore for the team’s 2020 first-round pick seemed murky at best.

The four-year vet is just 24 years old. Perhaps emotions got the best of him during the social scrubbing. It would have surprised no one if Queen played the 2023 season with a chip on his shoulder, maybe even carry an edge that suggested “me” over “we”. But that hasn’t been the case. In fact, Queen has been all-in on the Ravens.

Queen’s social media accounts once again, proudly display his Ravens roots. He’s totally invested in the team’s success. When he takes to the podium to address the media, he does so professionally, with an emphasis on the team. He engages and encourages teammates. He speaks highly of the organization and the coaching staff when questioned on such things. Queen is completely immersed in all things Ravens – drenched in purple and black. His approach seems to be that of a player who just wants to ball out and let his accomplishments in 2023 do the talking for him at the bargaining table. That’s a lot easier said than done.

PQ has handshakes with everyone 😂@Patrickqueen_ #ProBowlVote
Wired tonight at 8 p.m. ➡️https://t.co/QAMrHDbpc4 pic.twitter.com/isWwZ8wc5H

— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) December 13, 2023

Given that an NFL player’s second contract is the launching pad for his financial future, the pressure must be enormous. Yet through it all, Queen has been exemplary in the way he’s handled his uncertain future. His play has been quite impressive. But the way he has responded to a potentially compromising situation has been awe-inspiring. Patrick will eventually get his bag, but it’s unlikely to be in Charm City.

When the Ravens passed on Queen’s fifth-year option, the writing was on the wall.

The Culture

Ravens Media does a terrific job, particularly with their production of Ravens Wired. In their most recent edition of Wired, I was reminded of the special vibe that envelopes the team, one that contributes greatly to the club’s organizational success. And the maestro of that culture is none other than John Harbaugh.

Perhaps a seemingly unnecessary Harbaugh red-flag challenge drives you up a wall. Maybe some of his in-game decisions inspire a profanity-laced soliloquy that could embarrass Andrew Dice Clay. I get it. But those things pale in comparison to the energy and spirit of the Ravens locker room that has been largely crafted by Harbaugh.

The Ties That Bind

The NFL season is long. It starts with OTA’s then ramps up during training camp. There are hours upon hours spent on the field scrimmaging; ample time in the classroom during positional breakout sessions; lifting; training; recovering; rehabbing if injured. The list goes on. These men who comprise the team, spend an ultra-amount of time together. Given their similar backgrounds and parallel interests while fighting together to secure their futures, individually and collectively, the bonds run deep. They are uncommon.

So, when a player like Patrick Queen dips into this communal pool of sorts, it must be somewhat intoxicating – in a great way. But then the realization that all of it could be gone in a matter of months when free agency arrives on March 13, 2024, it must be bittersweet.

From Ties to Tylan

If you need proof of the Ravens locker room and all its good feels, look no further than Tylan Wallace. Tylan put in the work this offseason and it showed during training camp. But despite his productive summer, he was largely regarded as not much more than an important contributor to special teams. And given the added talent in the wide receiver room, Wallace sat near, if not on the bubble when the Ravens pared down their roster to 53.

But he made the cut!

His work ethic commands respect. His personality draws you in. And if you need proof of either, watch the video below.

The locker room was HYPE🔥 pic.twitter.com/GGDnhssgq0

— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) December 10, 2023

Roasted GOAT

The popular streaming service Netflix is planning a series of celebrity roasts as part of their “Netflix is a Joke” comedy fest in early May. Among those being roasted is Tom Brady and The Hollywood Reporter has shared that the roast will include an assortment of Brady’s “famous friends and frenemies”.

This morning on Good Morning Football, the panel made suggestions on who they’d like to see included in the “famous friends and frenemies.”

Devin McCourty suggested some Patriots trainer. I can’t even tell you his name because my mind drifted. I pondered my own suggestion. His name?

Matt Cavanaugh.

During the 2000 NFL Draft, the Ravens wanted to draft a quarterback. They had two first-round picks and spent them on Jamal Lewis and Travis Taylor. Their next pick was the 75th overall selection in Round 3. The war room’s collective attention shifted towards a new signal caller.

Cavanaugh, the 1978 NFL Draft’s 50th overall pick out of the University of Pittsburgh, was drafted by the Patriots. In 2000, as the Ravens offensive coordinator, the former 13-year veteran quarterback voiced his opinion on the name that the Ravens should turn in for the 75th pick. His preference? None other than Tom Brady. But he was overruled and instead the Ravens submitted the card for Chris Redman.

Imagine if the room had listened to Cavanaugh.

Imagine if Art Modell had never fired Bill Belichick when the Browns moved to Baltimore.

Then, imagine how the history of the NFL would have changed, forever.