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New-ish NFL rules that allow vets like Dalvin Cook and Nick Vigil to join the Cowboys' practice squad are often painted as positive. But players will tell you reality is more nuanced.
A look at the "good and bad" of the new practice squad era:
#Ravens
coach John Harbaugh said the Eagles requested to interview TEs coach Bobby Engram and QBs coach James Urban and Baltimore granted the request, but both coaches pulled out and plan to stay with the Ravens.
Ronnie Stanley protects Lamar Jackson's blindside and sits next to him in the
#Ravens
' locker room. So what's the relationship like?
“I’m not afraid to give Lamar shit off the field, like joking around. But I ain’t letting no Joe Schmo run up on him."
Lamar Jackson, who turns 24 today, is a year younger than his franchise. But he already ranks second in
#Ravens
history in QB wins (30) and passing TDs (68) and third in rushing yards (2,906). He ranks first in passer rating (102.6), yards per attempt (7.5) and touchdown % (7.2).
#Ravens
practice wrapped up. They were in shorts and shells today. Play of the day came when undrafted rookie QB Tyler Huntley threw a bomb to Marquise Brown for a 54-yard TD. Ball flew at least 50 yards in the air.
Robert Griffin III is in, so Lamar Jackson ends his day with a 152.1 passer rating, well shy of his perfect 158.3 rating in last year's opener. Off to a rough start in 2020.
Gerald Willis began relaxing after a long day of training camp this week when his phone buzzed with a text from coach John Harbaugh. The message? "Keep doing what you're doing."
The undrafted rookie out of Miami is making an impression on the
#Ravens
:
#Ravens
QB Lamar Jackson says his team didn't like the Titans stomping on the logo and getting into it with John Harbaugh in November. LJ says they treat every other opponent with respect, but today: "There wasn't a reason for us to shake hands."
Lamar Jackson's best throw of today's
#Ravens
practice came on a rope to across the middle to Marquise Brown, who caught the pass on a deep slant between Anthony Levine and DeShon Elliott. Brown also got behind Marcus Peters for one long TD catch.
#Ravens
defensive end Calais Campbell says part of the the reason the team brought him, Patrick Queen and Derek Wolfe onto the team this offseason was because they can defend a stretch run scheme, like the one the Browns run.
More from Eric DeCosta on the
#Ravens
trading for Yannick Ngakoue: "Finally, we are not finished building this team, as we continue to chase our ultimate goals.”
Three years after they fled Nigeria, Justin Madubuike's parents watched a doctor in Texas lift their baby and declare he'd be a football star. At the time, they couldn't tell a fumble from a field goal.
The story of the
#Ravens
rookie is a unique one:
#Ravens
' Lamar Jackson: “Don’t really worry the naysayers, because they’re going to always be there, no matter what you achieve in life. It’s going to always be there, you just gotta keep going. And that’s how I’m going to play my game, and that’s how I’m going to live my life.”
Today’s
#Ravens
practice got a little chippy and chirpy. J.K. Dobbins did a lot of talking to DeShon Elliott and Nigel Warrior. At the end of practice, Jimmy Smith delivered a hit to Nick Boyle at the goal line to save a TD and the defense erupted in celebration.
Bengals cornerback Dre Kirkpatrick is down on the field and a cart is coming out for him.
#Ravens
RB Mark Ingram played with Kirkpatrick's at Alabama, and he's the player standing closest to the cart and consoling his former teammate.
The
#Ravens
' two big acquisitions, Michael Brockers and Calais Campbell, are versatile interior defensive linemen with pass-rushing ability. They've turned a weak spot from last season's roster into an on-paper strength in a matter of two days.
Mark Ingram introduces Lamar Jackson at the postgame press conference and calls him the “MVP frontrunner.”
“If anybody has something different to say, they can come see me,” Ingram says with a smile.
#Ravens
Wearing a gray sweatsuit,
#Ravens
kicker Justin Tucker just ran onto Heinz Field to celebrate his game-winning field goal, about an hour after it happened.
According to a list the
@NFLPA
released today,
#Ravens
QB Lamar Jackson ranked third in the NFL in 2019 in licensed product sales (things like jerseys and other gear). Here's the Top 5:
1) Patrick Mahomes
2) Tom Brady
3) Lamar Jackson
4) Ezekiel Elliott
5) Baker Mayfield
The NFL announced today that Lamar Jackson led all players in fan votes for the Pro Bowl. Six other
#Ravens
led their positions in fan voting for AFC players:
Pat Ricard
Mark Andrews
Marshal Yanda
Orlando Brown
Justin Tucker
Marcus Peters
An update that might make some of you happy: On third-and-7 in an 11-on-11 still,
#Ravens
safety DeShon Elliott provided tight coverage on tight end Mark Andrews and batted away a pass.
Hey everyone, a brief announcement: This was my last week covering the Ravens. I’m chasing
@TaliRichman
to Texas. Thanks so much for reading these past couple years!
Attracting attention was never Chris Board's thing. A top student and a drawer, Board transferred high schools his junior year, and his new coaches had no clue who he was.
But it's becoming harder and harder to ignore the
#Ravens
linebacker.
Cardinals coach Kliff Kingsbury tossed around the E word when discussing Lamar Jackson's Week 1 performance: "I knew he was very good. I think that kind of solidified just how elite of a quarterback he is in this league.”
#Ravens
Miles Boykin showed up at
#Ravens
practice today. Got open more often today in 11-on-11s and he leapt over Marlon Humphrey for one catch down the left side in a 7-on-7 drill.
Fitzmagic and a face mask leave the
#Ravens
in search of help.
Plenty of scenarios still exist in which the Ravens make the playoffs, but the Dolphins win means at least part of the equation remains out of their hands.
The
#Ravens
have wrapped up a practice that lasted about 90 minutes. Plenty of coverage to come, but energy was high, masks were on coaches and Lamar Jackson still likes to throw to Marquise Brown and Mark Andrews.
#Ravens
defensive coordinator Don "Wink" Martindale said the entire defensive staff gave GM Eric DeCosta a standing ovation when he delivered news of the Yannick Ngakoue trade.
The
#Ravens
announced they re-signed return specialist De’Anthony Thomas this morning. He’ll probably face some competition for the job in training camp.
This is true and is nuts. Derrick Henry rushed for 98 first downs this season and 12 last week alone. Didn't have a game all year with fewer than three first downs until today.
A source says the
#Ravens
have informed wide receiver Jaleel Scott he's been released. Scott was a fourth-round pick in 2018 with a ton of potential. Only played in three regular-season games.
#Ravens
kicker Justin Tucker finished the season with 141 points, which ties the franchise record he set in ... 2016, '17 and '18.
I know he values consistency, but this is getting nuts. (via
@pfref
)
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safety Earl Thomas said the team is excited about playing in primetime: “The black on black jerseys are going to be fire. The fans are going to be fired up. … Everybody in this locker room is excited about it.”
Now comes the time in the night where we must warn everyone about the dangers of Saturated Fats. Cheers for
#Foles
! Jeers for
#Poles
! It's a long way down, baby. Celebrate responsibly!
Dak Prescott, the MVP runner-up last year, said he hosted last year’s MVP, Lamar Jackson, on a visit at Mississippi State years back. They haven’t talked much since and have never played in the same NFL game, but “I’ve been a fan of him since Louisville,” Prescott said.
Both Ronnie Stanley and Matthew Judon are playing well enough in their fourth NFL seasons to warrant big paydays at some point soon. The question is whether the
#Ravens
can keep them both.
J.K. Dobbins made a twisting, toe-tap touchdown catch in the back of the end zone for the second straight day. The
#Ravens
running back has shown skills as a receiver all camp.
Tight end Charles Scarff also made a great grab on the sideline on a back shoulder throw.
When little kids draw pictures for
#Eagles
kicker Jake Elliott, he tapes them to the back of his locker, in part because his path to the NFL still seems hard to imagine:
Since Lamar Jackson took over as starter, the
#Ravens
have converted 37 of 72 third downs (51.4 percent), which would rank first in the NFL if it held for a full season. It's a combo of the running game creating manageable third downs + Jackson's playmaking. It's impressive.
Strong start for Lamar Jackson in 7-on-7 drills against the Jaguars. He completed 5 of 6 passes in the first session. Best throw was a deep ball to Jaleel Scott. Seth Roberts (2), Mark Andrews and Hayden Hurst also caught passes.
#Ravens
Statement from
@GovernorTomWolf
spokesman: “Pa. is proud of our Super Bowl champions and their contributions to our commonwealth on and off the field. No amount of political silliness in Washington will damper our enthusiasm or take away the victory for the Eagles or their fans.”
Marcus Peters talked with the media in Baltimore for the first time today. Said he was sad to leave his teammates in LA but had no hard feelings. Also said he feels ready to play for the
#Ravens
on Sunday. “I’m going to be Marcus Peters 24/7.”
It’s been fun watching Tony Jefferson and Mark Andrews square off in one-on-ones at
#Ravens
practices. Andrews won the matchup twice today, including on this snap.
The
#Ravens
have released tight end Charles Scarff, source says. The team entered regular-season practice mode this week and Scarff was one of a few cuts.
The
#Ravens
have a group of players in the building now and are finalizing contracts for the practice squad. Cornerback Terrell Bonds is among the players with a deal in place to join the 16-member practice squad, a source said.
Lamar Jackson wins AFC Offensive Player of the Week for the first time in his career, the team announced. Fives TDS and a perfect passer rating will do that for you.
#Ravens
The Raiders lead the Dolphins at halftime, 13-6.
If the Dolphins lose, the
#Ravens
would get into the playoffs with a Week 17 win over the Bengals — even if they don’t beat the Giants tomorrow.
The
#Ravens
will host the Chargers at 1:05 p.m. next Sunday. Here's the full wildcard round slate
Sat 4:35: IND/TEN vs. HOU
8:15 SEA vs DAL
1:05 LAC vs. BAL
4:30: PHI vs. CHI
If Marshal Yanda makes his eighth Pro Bowl tomorrow (which seems likely) he'll break a tie with Terrell Suggs and move into fourth place for most PB nods as a Raven. Right now the all-time list looks like this:
Lewis...13
Ogden...11
Reed...9
Yanda/Suggs...7
Snead would’ve been in line to hit unrestricted free agency in March, so this keeps the slot receiver tied to Baltimore for an extra year. The timing of the extension makes you wonder whether the
#Ravens
create some extra cap space here.
Trace McSorley finishes off another impressive drive with a 7-yard touchdown toss to Jaleel Scott. McSorley's 16 of 24 for 203 yards, 2 touchdowns and no picks. That's good for a 120.7 passer rating.
#Ravens
Miles Boykin, who’s back after missing a few days of practice, leapt to make an impressive catch across the middle on a ball that Lamar Jackson threw a bit high in 7-on-7s. Two Eagles defenders hit Boykin but he hung onto the ball. Great play.
#Ravens
Yo. Here’s a life/job update: I’m moving to Baltimore this week to begin covering the Ravens for
@PennLive
. It’s something new the company is trying, and I’m excited for the challenge.
#Ravens
safety Earl Thomas said the defense came out of Sunday’s game “feeling some type of way, because we didn’t dominate the way we wanted to dominate.” Said the secondary spotted issues on film and is confident it can make the fixes.
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coach John Harbaugh said Stefon Diggs is one that got away in the draft a couple years ago. Said Diggs is a main focus for the defense this week.
The NFL has been giving out FedEx Air and Ground Player of the Week awards for 17 years. Lamar Jackson today became the first QB ever to win Ground Player of the Week after he racked up 152 yards on 19 carries in a win over the Bengals.
#Ravens
rookie receiver James Proche made a couple impressive plays at practice today. He hauled in one contested catch across the middle in front of Anthony Averett and pulled in an over-the-shoulder grab against Earl Thomas in one-on-ones.
We have our best highlight of the day: In an 11-on-11 red zone drill, Lamar Jackson fired a 20-yard pass into a tight window and Mark Andrews leapt, turned and made an acrobatic touchdown catch over Myles Jack. Jack gave the “what was I supposed to do?” shoulder shrug.
#Ravens
#Ravens
defensive coordinator Don "Wink" Martindale on some of his defenders:
- Jimmy Smith is having a Pro Bowl season
- Justin Madubuike is getting better every time he sees the field
- Malik Harrison showed he "deserves more snaps" with 11 tackles vs. Colts.
Chris Board says he understands “the lineage” of undrafted free agent linebackers who turned into starters for the
#Ravens
. Board has a chance to be the next one. He’s been taking all the first-team reps at weak-side linebacker during camp.
By my count, we've seen reports of the
#Ravens
waiving seven players:
QB Tyler Huntley
RB Ty'son Williams
TE Eli Wolf
TE Charles Scarff
C Trystan Colon-Castillo
CB Terrell Bonds
S Nigel Warrior
Leaves the known roster at 69.
The
#Ravens
draft Justin Madubuike with the 71st overall pick. A raw but super explosive defensive tackle, Madubuike always made sense for Baltimore. He can learn behind three D-line starters, who are all in their 30s.
Pump the breaks on this.
The same source said the
#Ravens
informed Scarff they planned to release him this morning but then called him back in just a few minutes ago because of injury concerns with Eli Wolf. So Scarff is sticking around.
The
#Ravens
have released tight end Charles Scarff, source says. The team entered regular-season practice mode this week and Scarff was one of a few cuts.
Mark Andrews, Pat Ricard and Earl Thomas were all back at
#Ravens
practice today. Just two players missing: CB Jimmy Smith (knee) and S Brynden Trawick (arm).
“Chuck is probably the smartest guy in the DB room. DeShon is probably the most athletic."
With Tony Jefferson out for the year, the
#Ravens
prepare to send two young safeties into larger roles:
The
#Ravens
informed tight end Charles Scarff he'll be waived, source says. It's expected to stick this time, but he could still be a practice squad option.
Carson Wentz is back at the Linc. He's on the field now, but
#Eagles
coach Pederson said the QB won't be on the sideline for the game. It's unsafe with crutches, so Wentz will watch from a booth. (AP Photo)