Last week the NFL released its schedule and until the regular season kicks off on September 5 at 8:20 when the Chiefs host the Ravens, all 32 teams are tied for first. For the moment, hope springs eternal. Expectations can and do soar.
But with each new season comes surprises. Some teams, expected to be postseason participants, will fail. Maybe injuries grip their rosters. Maybe they just couldn’t handle the hype. The 2023 Jacksonville Jaguars come to mind.
And then there are other teams that will rise. The plans put in place a couple of years prior, begin to take shape. Rosters gel and seemingly out of the blue, a new contender appears. The Detroit Lions and the Houston Texans are prime examples.
Still, each offseason, the media will take wild swings following the schedule release, with insanely presumptuous power rankings that will change before a game is even played. Odds will be posted describing which teams stand the best chance of hoisting The Lombardi Trophy in New Orleans this coming February. Here’s such a post, courtesy of The Athletic.
War Room Rumblings
Seemingly after every pick made my every NFL team, the GM or head coach will make a comment that goes something like this:
“I couldn’t believe ‘Player X’ was still on the board.”
Maybe it’s hyperbole. Maybe it’s the truth. Judging from this reaction in the Ravens war room on Day 1 of the 2024 NFL Draft, the vibe before and after they selected Nate Wiggins is genuine.
More proof that it was always Nate Wiggins for the Ravens.
Also more evidence that the Ravens take BPA. Biggest need was OT, but they wanted Wiggins over Tyler Guyton, who went one spot earlier to Dallas. pic.twitter.com/fd7JExOKRH
— Ryan Mink (@ryanmink) May 21, 2024
Be sure to check out https://online-casinoau.com/reviews/
Safety Dance
According to Adam Schefter, the Ravens are entertaining a visit from free agent safety Jamal Adams, most recently with the Seahawks. Seattle did not go well for Adams – and Adams did not go well for Seattle.
The Seahawks gave up a 2021 1st-round pick, a 2021 3rd, a 2022 1st and S Bradley McDougald for Adams and a 2022 4th-round pick. Adams delivered in 2020 with 9 ½ sacks and an All-Pro season. But then he hit a wall. In the three seasons that followed, Adams dressed for just 22 games, recording just 2 interceptions and 0 sacks.
Injuries impeded his production and a surly attitude soon developed. Adams has never really been a ball hawk, contributing a total of 4 INT’s during his 7-year career. He’s best as an in-the-box safety who can fill the role of cover ILB in specific nickel and dime sub-packages.
Is that what the Ravens need to replace the departed Geno Stone?
Stone proved to be a ballhawk, picking off 7 passes in 2023 alone. Adams has limited range and given the way the Ravens use rising star Kyle Hamilton, it’s difficult to see them as complementary pieces in the Ravens defense.
Maybe Adams’ visit is simply a ploy to get another free agent safety who may be a better fit, to get off the proverbial pot. Maybe it’s simply a favor to an agent looking to drum up interest in his client. Maybe Adams is a desirable chess piece as a dime linebacker to support the inexperienced Trenton Simpson. But color me skeptical. Despite being only 28 years old, Adams is injury prone, is seemingly washed and a potential malcontent for a locker room that has had amazing solidarity.
Joint Practices
The Ravens have had joint practices with several teams over the years. Going against the same players day in and day out during training camp can be a bit monotonous. Introducing new competition heightens the competitive spirit and naturally, given that the practice foe is another team, it elevates the physicality as well. Last season the Ravens hosted the Commanders. This summer, they will travel to the thawed-out tundra of Green Bay, Wisconsin.
Yesterday via Packers Wire, Packers head coach Matt LaFleur made the announcement.
The Ravens travel to Green Bay for their final game on the preseason schedule slated for August 24. Prior to the game, most likely on August 22, the teams will go head-to-head in a joint practice session. As part of an effort to reduce the potential for fighting, the teams have agreed to schedule just one joint practice. In the past, league-wide, the second session of joint practice schedule seems to invite chippy behavior and unproductive fisticuffs.
More Personnel Hits
The Ravens have absorbed some offseason hits to their roster, coaching staff, scouting and analytics. Among the key departures are Jadeveon Clowney, Patrick Queen, Mike Macdonald, Anthony Weaver, Dennard Wilson and assistant GM Joe Hortiz. Add one more…
The Commanders are expected to hire Ravens Director of College Scouting David Blackburn as Director of Player Personnel, per source.
Reported the interest in Blackburn over the weekend with @jeffzrebiec.https://t.co/lMSxwHMh02
— Ben Standig (@BenStandig) May 20, 2024
Most observers focus on the player personnel hits that weaken a roster forcing replacements to step up to be as successful as the team was during the previous season. Overlooked are all the other contributors to success. The Ravens staff is undoubtedly weaker. The front office has taken hits. How this plays out remains to be seen but suffice it to say, it represents another challenge and additional pressure points for the entire organization.
A Fond Farewell
WMAR’s Jamie Costello is an icon here in Baltimore, although he’d be the last to admit it, and would reluctantly accept the accolade. But he is Charm City to the core and represents the best of us.
Whenever I’ve seen Jamie, he greets you with that booming voice and undeniably friendly smile that lights up any room he’s in. He’s been a friend to our efforts here at RSR for years and he even helped me to lighten the pain of a family that thanks in part to Jamie’s assistance, is now in a much happier place. (See video below)
Like many before him who have come and gone from local news programming – folks like Vince Bagli, Rod Daniels, Stan Stovall and countless others, saying goodbye to Jamie is like saying goodbye to an old, trusted and dear friend.
Thank you, Jamie, for your enthusiasm, your heart, your engaging personality, your commitment to our community and your gifted and unique way to navigate through tragedy and somehow, show us the silver lining – the light at the end of the tunnel, giving us all hope.
Speaking for all of us at RSR and I’m sure all of Baltimore, may success follow you to WSSC Water. I know it will. Our loss is WSSC’s gain. May they appreciate you like all of us from Baltimore do.
Godspeed, my friend…
5 Responses
I dont know of anyone that doesnt like J Costello. Just a class guy
Listening to Harbaugh today at the Wednesday Presser whe asked about Adams potential signing, he revealed that they had previously struck up a good friendship/relationship at a probowl or something and thus weeks meeting with Jamal Adams was good. Adams mindset was I’m the right place etc. I do see Adams working as potential Simpson backup plan/rotational Dimebacker in Dime&Nickel packages etc. We know based off his history he’s a down hill player. So he could be deployed as a chess piece to get 4-5 sacks aswell.
The down side is you say he gets hurt alot. That’s the risk with anybody.
Adam’s reminds of another former Seahawk, the lamented pushed around by Derrick Henry, Earl Thomas . Agree Tony, hope Ravens do a pass.
Yo Tony, you have any idea if the Ravens are getting new jerseys?
There’s been some talk about it but to my knowledge, nothing has been revealed.