The latest news covering the Baltimore Ravens.
The latest and greatest content covering the Baltimore Ravens.
What are the Top 10 front offices in NFL? Here’s how 40 executives and coaches voted
Jeff How, Mike Sando, Mike Jones, Dianna Russini, The Athletic
Total points: 259 (15 first-place votes, appeared on 36 ballots)
Owner: Steve Bisciotti
General manager: Eric DeCosta
Head coach: John Harbaugh
It’s been more than five years since Ozzie Newsome stepped down as Baltimore’s GM. His disciples have kept the Ravens in contention nearly every year since.
DeCosta, who was a player personnel intern for the Ravens’ inaugural season in 1996 and has been with the organization ever since, took the reins from Newsome in 2019, and Baltimore’s 56 victories over his first five seasons were tied for the third-most in the league.
DeCosta handled quarterback Lamar Jackson’s complicated contract situation, working past a trade request to execute a five-year, $260 million extension in 2023. Jackson then won his second MVP award last season.
From a talent acquisition standpoint, DeCosta has steered the Ravens toward the trade for linebacker Roquan Smith, has a strong track record in the first (safety Kyle Hamilton, wide receiver Zay Flowers) and middle rounds (defensive tackle Nnamdi Madubuike, tight end Isaiah Likely), landed a priority free agent in running back Derrick Henry and created an environment where a veteran like linebacker Kyle Van Noy can thrive. Of course, those are just a handful of examples.
Ravens vs. Bills scouting report for Week 4: Who has the edge?
Childs Walker, The Baltimore Sun
Ravens passing game vs. Bills pass defense
Lamar Jackson threw infrequently but efficiently (averaging 12.1 yards on 15 attempts) as the Ravens leaned on their ground game to beat Dallas. He didn’t generally have to throw into tight windows, though he did fire a third-down completion to a well-covered Zay Flowers to help clinch the victory. The Ravens neutralized the Cowboys’ pass rush by scheming quick throws, several of which turned into catch-and-runs that went more than 20 yards. They stuck with Patrick Mekari at right tackle and Daniel Faalele at right guard. Both avoided major mistakes, allowing a pair of hurries each in 18 pass blocking snaps, per Pro Football Focus. The Ravens will take that, but their overhauled offensive line will face a sterner test from the Bills, who attack with productive pass rushers from the edge and the interior. They sacked Trevor Lawrence five times and hit him nine times in blowing out the Jaguars. Defensive end Gregory Rousseau and outside linebacker Von Miller have three sacks each. Ed Oliver and DaQuan Jones push the pocket from inside. Three Ravens starting linemen, Mekari (neck), center Tyler Linderbaum (knee) and left guard Andrew Vorhees (ankle), did not practice Wednesday.
Jackson hasn’t locked in on a favorite target. In the first game, it was tight end Isaiah Likely. In the second, it was Flowers. Against Dallas, Jackson spread his 12 completions to seven receivers. The one major surprise is tight end Mark Andrews ranking fifth on the team with a mere eight targets. He played just 21 of 63 offensive snaps against the Cowboys as the Ravens largely turned away from their aerial attack. With the Bills missing their top inside linebacker, Matt Milano, this could be a week for Andrews and Likely to go off in the middle of the field.
EDGE: Even
Lamar Jackson not in playful mood with the way Ravens are playing
Todd Karpovich, Baltimoresports.com
A video surfaced of Ravens cornerback Marlon Humphrey in a celebratory mood filming players on the plane from Dallas.
The Ravens earned a 28-25 victory, but only after squandering a 22-point fourth-quarter lead.
Jackson was not happy about the way the fourth quarter unfolded and did not want to be on camera.
“We got the [win], we gonna keep stacking them,” Jackson told him. “You shouldn’t even be on live right now.”
The two players had another exchange about Humphrey dropping an interception.
There’s another side to Jackson the public does not often see. He is ultra-competitive and his main focus has been winning a Super Bowl since the Ravens selected him in the first round of the 2018 NFL draft.
After the team finished its first practice in preparation for Sunday night’s game against the undefeated Buffalo Bills, Jackson said there was no animosity with Humphrey.
However, Jackson wants the team to stay focused and not joke when they don’t play well … even if they win.