Tuesday brought a fun press conference at The Castle, with some real staples of the 2024 Ravens roster at the podium. It was fitting, as legends of the team were guests for practice:
Legends were in the house today❗ pic.twitter.com/oFRGf6dCuo
— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) June 11, 2024
John Harbaugh said there were 80 former Ravens here for today’s practice. “Once a Raven, always a Raven. To me, that’s what it’s all about.” pic.twitter.com/PTcorw74aX
— Jeff Zrebiec (@jeffzrebiec) June 11, 2024
It’s always cool seeing pictures like this, reminiscing on memories each player provided. But hearing names like Ronnie Stanley, Roquan Smith and Baltimore’s newest arrival Derrick Henry has me eager for more preseason action and content this season:
Not hype for the season? We don’t know what to tell you pic.twitter.com/5VFd36yoCL
— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) June 10, 2024
Starting with the DPOY caliber linebacker in Smith, he spoke to the defense’s mentality heading into the season. Despite a few key losses, namely his former LB counterpart in Patrick Queen, Smith and his teammates are hungry:
“We hunt as a pack.” pic.twitter.com/kdKLcXrOFM
— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) June 11, 2024
Speaking of hunting as a pack, Smith will have more opportunity to be a mentor to his newest counterpart, Trenton Simpson:
Roquan Smith said he and Trenton Simpson are going to take a trip together before training camp.
— Jeff Zrebiec (@jeffzrebiec) June 11, 2024
We’ve heard a lot about Simpson’s progression from year one into year two, and by all accounts, he’s looking great. I’m curious to see how that translates when playing at 100%, but Smith is confident:
“He’s going to surprise a lot of people.” Roquan on Trenton Simpson: pic.twitter.com/J8fPukWQ9w
— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) June 11, 2024
Ultimately, it’ll all come down to the strength of new DC Zach Orr’s scheme. It seems that Smith’s relationship with his coordinator is strong, and the LB will be a key factor in bringing the rest of the unit along this season:
“He was very patient with me.” Roquan on his relationship with DC Zach Orr: pic.twitter.com/ZwMCIVk327
— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) June 11, 2024
A lot seems to be positive, but one potential red flag is the health of S Kyle Hamilton. Ravens Flock expects big things from the former Notre Dame stud, but he has missed some time and was out again Tuesday:
Ravens haven’t said anything about Kyle Hamilton dealing with injury but he wasn’t at OTAs last few weeks and he’s not participating today pic.twitter.com/blDxuh9NNz
— Jeff Zrebiec (@jeffzrebiec) June 11, 2024
Luckily, Harbaugh gave some context and a – surprisingly – firm timeline for Hamilton’s return. Either way, it’s something to monitor.
Coach Harbaugh gives an update on Kyle Hamilton: pic.twitter.com/swvj63kmSA
— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) June 11, 2024
On the flip side of the ball, everyone’s pumped for the arrival of the formerly fear-inducing RB Derrick Henry, who seems to be settling in well:
Derrick Henry on his first impressions of the Ravens
“It’s been cool. The culture is just like I expected. Work hard, togetherness, a brotherhood, everybody pushes each other on all sides of the ball. It’s been fun learning and getting to know everybody” pic.twitter.com/AlBsTcX69F
— Kevin Oestreicher (@koestreicher34) June 11, 2024
It’s hard to say for sure, but Henry may have taken a stab at Patrick Queen’s comments on Charm City a few weeks back. I didn’t expect to mention Queen twice in one article this offseason, but here we are:
🚨NEWS: New #Steelers LB Patrick Queen is happy he left the #Ravens
“It’s a better atmosphere here for me. Everybody is cool, the people are cool, THE FOOD SPOTS ARE BETTER, I’m more of a true food guy rather than a seafood guy, it’s just a better atmosphere for me here”
(NYT) pic.twitter.com/ZykD6zOrVN
— MLFootball (@_MLFootball) June 3, 2024
I’m here for any and all King Henry content:
That purple and black looks just right on @KingHenry_2. 😈 pic.twitter.com/qhesR5GXCG
— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) June 10, 2024
“@Lj_era8 hands it off to @KingHenry_2…” 👀🔥 pic.twitter.com/lcKsrN5VhB
— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) June 11, 2024
Aside from the RB himself, a critical part of Baltimore’s run game – and offense, for that matter – is the return of OT Ronnie Stanley. According to the other former Fighting Irishman, he hasn’t been healthier in years:
Getting Stanley back to 2020 health would be a huge win for the Ravens offense.
However I will continue to hammer home the point that even while not being all the way back health wise in 2022 and 2023, he is still arguably a top-third of the NFL pass blocking tackle. https://t.co/cVi85gEW6z
— Gordon McGuinness (@PFF_Gordon) June 11, 2024
A full year of high-quality play from Stanley could be the unlock for Baltimore, especially paired with the continued development of C Tyler Linderbaum. If Stanley returns to form, the Ravens should be strong along the O-Line, even with a question mark or two.
Stanley spoke to Linderbaum’s leadership, as well:
“Tyler’s always been a leader.” @megatronnie on @TLinderbaum: pic.twitter.com/d6wzlzbbXD
— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) June 11, 2024
With just a few months to go before the preseason kicks off and players hitting the field, Garrett Ferguson poses an interesting question:
If you could only pull TWO of these levers this season which would they be?
• David Ojabo major breakout season
• Ronnie Stanley returns to form
• Rashod Bateman has 1k+ yards
• Derrick Henry runs for 1.6k
• Nate Wiggins has a Sauce Gardner szn
• Kyle Hamilton DPOY— ⚡️Garrett Ferguson⚡️ (@GarrettSprints) June 11, 2024
For me, it’s got to be the first two options. All options would of course be great, but either are luxuries or could require drop-offs from others. Having a healthy and strong Stanley, as well as a breakout Ojabo, would provide jolts in key positions where there are questions. You can’t ask for much more than that.
Let me know your choices in the comments!
One Response
Between the X pull-outs, the ads and pop-ups, these sorts of columns are horrible to try to read. I’d prefer an old-school article. Sorry Aidan.