December 19, 2025 • 35 mins
Ravens safety Ar'Darius Washington joins team insiders Ryan Mink and Garrett Downing to talk about his path back from a torn Achilles in just seven months, his mentality being back on the field during the stretch run, takeaways from Ed Reed's talk to the defensive backs, and more. Plus, the guys get you ready for 'Sunday Night Football' against the New England Patriots.
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Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:04):
Welcome into a lounge presented by DraftKings. I'm Ryan Man
here with Garrett Towning and we are thrilled to sit
down with our Darius Washington, fresh off his return his
debut this season. So, ad, you know, you come back
from the Achilles and miraculous return seven months and we
get a shutout in the first game.
Speaker 2 (00:22):
Coincidence, I think not that that game had to be
pretty special for you given all you've gone through.
Speaker 3 (00:30):
Man, uh No, I love football, you know sing.
Speaker 4 (00:32):
I love to find around being around the guys and
everything like that that comes with it. So man, I
mean that game meant a lot. Damn come back and
we shut them out. I mean, credit to those guys
that did all the hard work for sure.
Speaker 2 (00:42):
Well you did. You did some hard work yourself. Yeah, yeah,
I did a little bit.
Speaker 1 (00:46):
And so the one the tackle that stood out to
me was your first one back and you took on
Tanner Hudson or Drew Sample. I'm sorry, they're six foot five,
two hundred and sixty pounds tight end.
Speaker 2 (00:55):
That's a big that's a big dude. Came up and
thumped him.
Speaker 1 (00:58):
That that tackle had to kind of gets you back
in football a little bit.
Speaker 4 (01:02):
Man, that felt good. Once I got that first one,
I was like, yeah, I'm ready to go still football.
So I got that when I was like, you know,
I'm trying. It's time to play now.
Speaker 1 (01:09):
What goes through your mind? You like, have no fear
hitting these big views. I remember the Steelers set in
there on Washington last year. What goes through your mind
when you see one of these big dudes catch the
ball and you're like, all right, it's I'm up.
Speaker 4 (01:22):
Honestly, it just be like I got to get him
before he get me, you know what I mean. So
it's like, you know who else gonna make it? You
know what I'm saying, I'm in a position to make it,
and I'm like, it don't really matter what side. Like
I said, man, I've been about five five nine my
whole life, you feeling so everybody big to me don't
even matter. So that's kind of what goes to my head,
you know, I said, just go ahead and take my
(01:43):
shot and shoot it right?
Speaker 5 (01:44):
Ardarius? Was it emotional before the game warm ups? Like
when you take the field. What was going through your
mind in that moment?
Speaker 4 (01:51):
Honestly, it was just more like my juices was flowing
you know what I'm saying. I was just ready to
get out there and hit somebody and stuff like that. Man,
it was just more so like being back in this position,
and like and I kind of already knew, Like even
when I had got hurt, I knew I'll be back playing,
you know what I mean. I had that faith for sure,
you know what I mean. So I prayed about it.
You know what I'm saying. That only comes from the
man above, you know what I mean. So I kind
(02:12):
of already knew I'll be back in this position. So
I was kind of just all taking it in, you
know what i mean, going out there and just having
no justice flowing, Like yeah, it's time now, Like I'm
finally here.
Speaker 3 (02:20):
That's cool.
Speaker 5 (02:21):
So to take our listeners and viewers back, just to
explain the whole process. You tore your achilles back in
the spring doing the conditioning drill, right, take us through
that moment that day, How you handle that? What was
going through your mind as that all happened.
Speaker 4 (02:40):
Oh so going to that man, it was just like
when I did it. When I did it, I instantly
already knew that I did it, you know what I mean,
Soon as I did it, they trainers came running over
and everything like that. And so when they came running over,
they was like, you know, you're okay. I'm like, bro,
it's toring. It's my achilles. It's my achilles. I kept saying.
He was like, how do you know? I was like,
(03:00):
cause I just felt it. I know, it's my achilles.
So anyway, so I got up wall and then we
went and did the MRI came back the images and
everything like that. It's torn. And then I think it
was hard. So yeah, it was hard. So as I'm leaving,
everybody's kind of like going from the facility. As I'm leaving,
carts was coming back there to check on me and
everything like that. And I had a conversation with him
talking about it, you know, and I was just like bomb,
(03:22):
you know what I mean, like going into that, well,
going into this year, you know what I mean, Like
coming off a year I had just had everything's finally clicking,
finally rolling. Now I'm like, all right, it's time to
like put it all together, like from day one on through,
and then like that happened, so like I was just
more frustrated. I was just more frustrated than anything. And
(03:42):
then after the surgery, I said, like that day, I
was just kind of I told my mom, told my agent,
that's kind of the only person I had talked to
or whatever or not. And then so like a couple
days later, that's when it kind of hit the media
and everybody started reaching out and everything like that, and
the surgery came about. So when the surgery came about,
came flew back in and I had sat down with
Ad and it had a calendar all planned out and everything,
(04:05):
and he was like, uh, the injury seven to nine
months processed, and he was like mapping out the schedule
like this we played week one and like before this
just what we're gonna do first month, second month, third month,
and so forth and so forth. And as we're going
through that process, I'm just like, I ain't trying to
hear all the first month, second month? What game you
think I'll be able to play?
Speaker 3 (04:25):
You know what I'm saying. So I'm like, I'm we
jumped to the back of it.
Speaker 4 (04:29):
And so I'm like I'm just jumped to the back
of and I was like, this game right here will
be right at like seven months, seven eight months, right here,
this and third they kind of was like nine months,
and I was like, nah's seven months, you know what
I mean? He was like allright, all right, And I
was like, no, We're gonna try for that one right here,
you know what I mean. So that's kind of what's
the plan, you know what I'm saying. That's what we
(04:49):
stuck with. And he was like, if I'm be able
to be back in seven months, you know, we gotta
be in here every day, work really hard, you know,
and I honestly have faith and believe in God, you
know what I mean.
Speaker 3 (04:58):
So that's kind of what it was.
Speaker 1 (05:00):
Can you you talk about the conversation with Harbes when
it first happened. Can you kind of share a little
bit of what that conversation was like?
Speaker 4 (05:06):
And he was just like bomb, Like, bro, we really
was like kind of lost for words. We had like
a probably like a five or eight minute conversation, you
know what I mean. We just kind of was just
kind of repeating, repeating each other, like, man, we can't
believe it happened.
Speaker 3 (05:18):
Like no, you know what I'm saying.
Speaker 4 (05:19):
He told me he loved me, Like, you know, you're
gonna bounce back from this, I told him right then
and there, like coach, I'll be back this year. He
was like really, I was like, coach won't be back,
you know what I mean. So that's kind of what
the conversation was. Like we were both bond. Like I
can see it all over his face. He was like
he couldn't believe it. You know what I'm saying. None
of the guys, none of us could believe it. Kyle
came in, he checked on me and everything like he's
ready to go. He was like, I'm done, and I'm like,
(05:41):
you man, about the finished working out, you know what
I mean. So, I mean we was just bond, you
know what I'm saying, and telling me he loved me
and he how great of a player.
Speaker 3 (05:48):
I am and I'll overcome it.
Speaker 5 (05:50):
Is that meaningful to you?
Speaker 3 (05:52):
Oh yeah?
Speaker 4 (05:52):
A hundred percent numbercent? That was definitely was very meaningful
and like encouraged me to get back, you know what
I'm saying. See, of course that wants you to get
back and wants you to be part of something like that.
That meant a lot.
Speaker 1 (06:02):
And just to remind listeners, you know, you're an undrafted
guy who came to this league scrapping and calling for
for everything that you got and and and I mean
even when you first stepped on the field, everybody could
tell like, oh, this is a player, like we got
we got a guy here. But then, you know, injuries
even before this Achilles kind of held you back early
in your career. Last year, come on in the second
(06:23):
half of the season as a as a starter, and
really like wow, everybody got to see it, you know,
for the first time. And then you were you were
a stricter free agent, signed a one year deal, you know,
and to have that injury after all of that that
you've gone through and the kind of climbing your way
to the mountaintop and having that and being in a
contract year, how much and how quickly does that flash
(06:45):
into the forefront of your mind, like dang man.
Speaker 4 (06:48):
So I'll say, uh, it probably hit me probably a
couple months after the surgery that, you know what I'm saying,
like all that, Yeah, it kind of hit me like
in that moment, it was just more so about surgery,
like what's next, So what's the next process, what's the
next step. I'll say a little bit later, that's kind
of when it hit me, like, dang, it was a
contract year, you know what I'm saying.
Speaker 3 (07:07):
Like all that type of thing.
Speaker 4 (07:08):
Like I just got here, you know what I mean now,
and this happened, and so then I just kind of
put it into perspective. It's just more so about it,
like I feel like God was just teaching me patients.
You know what I'm saying, don't be in the rest
for anything. You know what I'm saying, Everything's gonna come
in time, right time. And I hate they had to
be the injury because, like you said, like I had
injuries before, and that's kind of what I was bummed about,
cause like damn, br Like now another injury is you
(07:31):
know what I'm saying, So like why now?
Speaker 3 (07:32):
You know what I mean? So I just like as
I took it, as I took it, as to just
be patient.
Speaker 5 (07:37):
Right, So going back to the conversation with the training
staff and they're pulling out the the agenda and the
and the timeline and all that stuff. Of course, every
player is gonna say I want to be I want
the early end of that timeline. But it's not easy
necessarily to make that happen. Why do you think you
were able to achieve the seven month timeline not the
nine month timeline?
Speaker 4 (07:57):
I understand I honestly feel like sometimes want to, you
know what I mean. I feel like you want to,
you put your mind to something, like you can do it,
you know what I mean. I feel like that had
played a big part in it, you know what I'm saying.
You going to workouts or going to your rehab every day,
doing everything like that that you're supposed to do. I
feel like that's what prepared me to do it, you
know what I mean, to come back earlier. Then they
(08:17):
said Sis did it. You know what I'm saying. Sis,
They said he did it. He came back early. So
and I was like, I'm way less than him, and
you know what i.
Speaker 2 (08:24):
Mean, way less, right, there's less strain on it. Interesting.
Speaker 4 (08:27):
Yeah, I'm like, I know it could be possible, it
can be done, you know what I mean. So, and
I wanted to, you know what i mean. So I
had my mind made up to it, and I knew
it could be done because someone else done it.
Speaker 3 (08:37):
So I was like, I know I can do it too.
So that's what it was.
Speaker 1 (08:40):
I was wondering about that because Sis came back. That
was a Super Bowl year too, So you know, I
was wondering if you would realize the connection there and
he came I think late October. It was like a
crazy timeline. So it's funny that trainers brought that up with.
Speaker 3 (08:53):
You, sin Man. I love football, you know what I'm saying.
Speaker 4 (08:55):
So it's more like want to and that's that's why
I feel like I was able to and to surgeon.
Speaker 3 (09:00):
He did a great job.
Speaker 2 (09:01):
Well.
Speaker 5 (09:01):
I remember when when coach Harball announced the injury back
in the spring and he said, there's a chance you
could come back this year. Honestly, I felt like a
lot of people were kind of like, okay, yeah.
Speaker 3 (09:11):
Yeah they did. I know they did for sure.
Speaker 4 (09:13):
I was seeing it, so they were like yeah whatever.
Speaker 3 (09:17):
I was like, all right, So you know, so is it.
Speaker 1 (09:20):
Like every day like take us through kind of what
what does your routine look like every day?
Speaker 2 (09:25):
Yeah? Like what did your rehab routine look like? Yeah?
Speaker 4 (09:28):
So it so at the beginning it was slow, man,
Like at the beginning, it was just like real slow.
I'll come in, try to do some ankle mobility stuff
like that. That's really what's it for real? Like it
really won't much. So I'll just kind of take you
through when the cast and everything and I was kind
of walking, I'll take you through that process, like how
that went. And so first I started off by walking
(09:50):
and everything. Once I got that, I had a heallift
about a six inch here lifting and we just slowly
walking every day and stuff like that, and we're doing
like leg curls, hampstream stuff, you know what I'm saying,
kind of getting that strengthen all around it, and we're
doing like little caf raises I guess you can say
cap raises and stuff like that. That was kind of it,
and we do like maintenance work, you know what I mean.
(10:12):
And then after that that's kind of like that was
my day, you know what I mean. That was my
day for a minute until I guess you can say
when I got the hair lifts off and everything like that,
that's when it really cranked up, you know what I'm saying.
It was downhill from there, like black days twice a day,
you know what I mean. So we was getting a through.
Speaker 3 (10:31):
It for sure.
Speaker 5 (10:32):
Do you remember the first day you ran the first.
Speaker 3 (10:34):
Day I ran?
Speaker 4 (10:35):
Yeah, No, I don't actually remember the first actual day
I ran.
Speaker 5 (10:39):
I would have thought that would have been like a
big hurdle.
Speaker 4 (10:43):
So I actually started off on the autog first, So
like when I first started running, it was actually on
the Ultra G And when I started that that was
a big Actually I think I had posted it my
first day, I want to say, I think I had
posted it like my first day or something like a
UTG or something like that. But now that definitely was
a big hurdle for me, you know what I'm saying,
(11:04):
getting on the UTG and starting and running again, and
it felt great. It didn't feel like bad or anything.
It was kind of a little tight a little bit,
but it was the UTIG, you know what I mean. So,
but on the first day of pheel, honestly, I don't
remember when that was.
Speaker 3 (11:17):
But it happened pretty quickly though.
Speaker 5 (11:19):
Yeah. Like I say, when talking to some guys who've
gone through these these like major recoveries Achilles or knee
or those types of things, like they talk a lot
about just the mental kind of wear and tear and
like needing to stay regimented and confident and optimistic. Like
was that part of the challenge for you too, and
having to deal with the mental side.
Speaker 3 (11:39):
Uh, yeah, it was.
Speaker 4 (11:41):
Uh, But for me, it's just like I knew my endgo,
you know what I mean, I knew where I wanted
to be, so I kind of didn't let that be
like the barrier, I guess you can say, to prepail
me to the next step, you know what I mean.
So I'll say it was more so like when I
go out there and I have those days where like
it didn't feel so great or anything like that, Like
I'll be down, like why it don't feel great today?
Speaker 3 (12:01):
And then yesterday, you know what I mean.
Speaker 4 (12:03):
So it's just like I kind of had those days,
but and then I had Mike and Anthony and all
them out there talking to me, and everything's like, man,
you're gonna be okay, like this part of the process,
you know what I'm saying. Like, so if it's bothering
you today, it's like it's okay, go go and treat it,
you know what I'm saying. It was like one or
two days. Honestly, I don't even think it was like
a lot. It was like one of two days where
I did have to like stop, you know what I mean,
(12:25):
go get treatment or something like that. But it wasn't
as crazy. I just stayed positive, you know what I mean.
Like I said, I knew my endgo and I knew
when I wanted to come back, so that when I
actually started running, putting on clean that's when like and
I started doing dress and everything.
Speaker 3 (12:42):
I was going like and so they had to.
Speaker 4 (12:44):
Tell me, like, you know, this is your first day,
like calm down, Like it's the first day. You don't
need to be all out, you know what I mean.
So because once I get in those white lives one
hundred percent, you know what I mean. So they had
to actually tell me, like the calm down. They was
actually pretty amazed, you know what I mean. It's like,
while he doing that already, this is first started doing
this drill again, you know what I mean. He's stopping,
he's breaking, he's going. So that's when I kind of
(13:05):
knew like I was ahead of the curve.
Speaker 2 (13:07):
That's cool.
Speaker 3 (13:07):
Yeah, that's well.
Speaker 1 (13:08):
I feel like several guys last week we're saying how
your return to practice like really brought a different energy
to to the defensive unit and like that you made
a difference last week preparing for that game. So what
happened in practice, Like what kind of what kind of
juice were your bringing last week?
Speaker 4 (13:25):
You just go out there, you know the energy, you know,
just talking to everybody, you know what i'm saying, being joyful,
you know what I'm saying, being yourself, you know what
I'm saying, Not trying to be anything, you know what
I'm saying, anything like that. But when you make plays,
you know, you celebrate, celebrating out there making making plays,
jumping around, having fun with your teammates, you know, So
that's kind of the energy, and that's what it was.
Speaker 1 (13:42):
Does an injury like that give you a different perspective
on the game or appreciation for the game?
Speaker 4 (13:47):
One hundred percent? Man, that like just like I know
it's so cliche. I know everybody said, but man, don't
never take it from granted, you know what I'm saying,
because like it would be cool, Like you know, we
go through these seasons and it's three months, you know
what I'm saying.
Speaker 3 (13:59):
We're playing football over whatever.
Speaker 4 (14:00):
It is, and you go through it and you're kind
of just like, man, I'm tired of this, Like I
don't feel like doing it today or this and the third.
But until you not doing it, you know what I mean,
for several months, for seven months, until you not doing it,
you know what I'm saying, Definitely put a different perspective, Like, man,
don't take it for granted because you never know what
that could be your last snap. Like it'll be cool
for like the first two months, like you doing nothing
or whatever, but after that, like, man, you want to
(14:23):
be out there. You want to be out there to
camaraderie with the guys and everything like that, and you want,
like you love football, you want to play football. You know,
you want to be out there making plays and everything
like that, and you know, helping the team get to
the championship.
Speaker 3 (14:34):
So he don't take it for granted for sure.
Speaker 5 (14:37):
Yeah, what's it like stepping into the safety group? Now,
you got Cayle Hamilton, you got Malachi Starks, you know, rookie,
first time pick, you got a lot who Gilman is
coming here, really played. Well, what's it like stepping into
this group? And what do you want to bring to
the unit?
Speaker 4 (14:48):
I mean, them guys rolling, you know what I'm saying.
They already you know they kind of fixed like early
on in the season. You know it was little wrinkles
they had to fix it. Now like later on in
the season, the boys start picking it up, you know
what I'm saying. So I'm just trying to jump right
on in with those guys. You know what I'm and
fill in flow, braining energy, you know what I'm saying,
going out there and make plays and talking and communicating
and having fun with those guys, and.
Speaker 5 (15:07):
You, like last year you were one of the guys.
Like this year, the defense struggled a little bit early on.
Last year struggled early on, you stepped into the lineup
and kind of helped turn things around. This year it's
you know, again Rocky out of the gate, but then
figured itself out. How much for you, like, as you
come to step into this mix here, do you feel
like you can just continue to elevate this to even
(15:29):
another level knowing what you did last year with.
Speaker 3 (15:31):
The set percent You know what I'm saying, I'm a playmaker,
you know what I'm saying. That's what I do.
Speaker 4 (15:34):
So like jumping in, going out there making plays. You see,
got other guys making plays. You want to make plays too.
And then on top of that, the communication, you know
what I'm saying, The knowledge of expecting this and knowing
when it's going to happen and stuff like that, you
know what I'm saying, So that brings another level of
intensity to the game.
Speaker 3 (15:50):
For sure.
Speaker 1 (15:51):
We'll speaking of playmakers and knowledge of the game. Ed
Reid visited the Defense last week. Can you kind of
share what Ed Reid's message was to the team.
Speaker 4 (16:01):
I mean, he a legend and man from Louisiana, so
when he speaks, to listen, you know what I mean. So, like,
you know, he came in there, he talked to us,
and like a lot of guys said, bro, he jumped
on the DB's instantly.
Speaker 3 (16:14):
You know what I'm saying.
Speaker 4 (16:14):
I don't think it was his plan to come in
and taught to us anyways, you know what i mean.
He just kind of was popping in saying what's up?
And then you know, of course he gave us a message.
You know what I'm saying, DB's first, you know what
I'm saying. He was like, yeah, the snacks gotta go
this and the there and all that. You know, So
that's kind of with his message, you know what I'm saying.
You know what I'm saying, locking, You know what I'm saying,
Communication around and have fun, you know what i mean.
(16:36):
You can talk about the ex's zone, this and the third,
but we gotta go out there and play and have
fun and do it together.
Speaker 3 (16:41):
Right. It's kind of was his whole message.
Speaker 1 (16:43):
So when he says the snacks gotta go and he
leaves the room or is everybody look at each other,
You're like, I guess we'll push this into the.
Speaker 3 (16:48):
Trash, like we don't even eating potato chips no more.
How he was, you know, so definitely.
Speaker 5 (16:54):
When you say that, he jumps on the DB's first.
Obviously he was a DV of course, but when he
challenge you, like, does that everybody kind of set up
in the chair straight when your.
Speaker 4 (17:04):
Man, You got guys, some guys taking those here, like
you know, you're looking at him out of eye like yeah, okay,
you know what I'm saying.
Speaker 3 (17:08):
You sucking to every information that he's saying. You know
what I mean? Then, like we had that was that Friday,
and we had a Friday practice. You know what I'm saying.
Speaker 4 (17:15):
We all flying around, you know what I'm saying, Like
he was at practice for a little bit and you
know what I'm saying, you want to impress him, You
want to impress ad.
Speaker 3 (17:21):
You know what I'm saying. To go, you know what
I'm saying. So we out there flying around and doing it.
Speaker 2 (17:24):
Yeah, that's awesome.
Speaker 1 (17:26):
So heading into a big game here against the Patriots
and the defense coming off a shutout.
Speaker 2 (17:31):
You know, you can't get any better than the shutout.
Speaker 1 (17:34):
What's kind of the mentality going into this game against
the townsed offense and Drake May.
Speaker 3 (17:37):
I mean, just keep it rolling, you know what I'm saying.
Speaker 4 (17:39):
They have a great offense over there, But thing is
for us, like we feel like we're a great defense,
you know what I mean. So like, you know, go
out there and try to do this immulate and do
the same thing, you know what I'm saying. So no
matter who we play or what's going on other side
of about anything like that, Like, bro, We're gonna go
out there and play our game of football. So that's
the mindset going into this one.
Speaker 5 (17:58):
I know you want to win every game, competitive guy,
of course, but knowing the road that you've had to
travel to get to this point. The scene is obviously
fighting for playoff spot right now, and you're kind of
in playoff mode right now, knowing all that you had
to overcome just to get back for the season. How
driven are you to help us team get to a
playoff spot.
Speaker 4 (18:16):
I'm gonna keep this thing very much driven, man, Like
like you said, going like going through what I'm going
through and now being in this position, I mean, it
couldn't line up in no better way.
Speaker 3 (18:26):
Like we must win games, like you must play good.
Speaker 2 (18:29):
He get dropped in, you can't lose, you know what
I'm saying.
Speaker 3 (18:32):
So it's like me coming out there.
Speaker 4 (18:34):
Every time I step on the field, I know what
those guys fighting for, and I know what I'm fighting for,
you know what I mean. So like every time I
step on the field, I know what we're fighting for.
Speaker 3 (18:41):
Yeah. So like for me stepping into this, I'm like,
it's just gonna make the story even better. So go
out there and.
Speaker 4 (18:46):
Make players and we're gonna make the story even better
for me even coming back so early for sure.
Speaker 2 (18:51):
Awesome. Well, artists, thanks for joining us. Man, Yeah, it's
been a pleasure.
Speaker 5 (18:54):
We're excited to have you back.
Speaker 3 (18:55):
Oh nah, I appreciate it.
Speaker 5 (18:57):
Well, big thanks to our Darius for joining us here
in the Seek Week studio. We also want to mention
our partners with DraftKings Sportsbook. They are an official sports
betting partner of the Baltimore Ravens Draftking Sports Book. The
Crown is yours. So as we look ahead to this
game coming up against the new England Patriots hits a
massive game. Obviously, the Ravens are in a situation here,
just to reset the table here for listeners and for viewers,
(19:20):
the Ravens are in a situation where they basically have
to keep pace with the Pittsburgh Steelers in the AFC
North Race. There's three games left to play. Quickly running
through the scenarios. With the Ravens win all three, they're
AFC North champs. They are back in the playoffs. If
the Ravens split these next two games and the Steelers
split these next two games. If they lose one of
their next two the Steelers played this weekend before the
(19:42):
Ravens against the Detroit Lions, they play next weekend against
the Cleveland Browns, and then of course the two teams
face off in Week eight. Team If both the Ravens
and the Steelers split these next two games, then it's
a Week eighteen play and get in game winning get
in games game seven. Basically for the regular season scenario,
which is probably the least likely of the three scenarios,
(20:03):
is that both teams the Steelers lose each of their
next two games. The Ravens lose each of the next
two games, and then you're still in a win and
get in game in Week eighteen. I cover it all.
Speaker 2 (20:16):
You got it, you got it. Well, it's a lot
to keep trend.
Speaker 1 (20:19):
And honestly, if the Ravens pool even with the Steelers
going into that final week, it's still winners takes all
in that game, right, even if the Ravens come in
with the same records. So you have to either stay
just one game behind the Steelers or pool even with
them to force that game seven.
Speaker 5 (20:37):
Yeah, for sure, So a lot on the line. Again,
the Steelers play before the Ravens this week. They play
Detroit four o'clock on Sunday. Ravens are the Sunday night
primetime game. The Ravens would know going into that game
on Sunday night what the stakes are, and if the
Steelers lose, then the Ravens know they just have to
win that game and then it's Week eighteen, win and
get in suddenly week seventeen. If that's the case, is irrelevant.
(21:01):
But a lot of things we're playing things out here
down the string. But I think that the Ravens focus, certainly,
and this has been the tone all week, is like
the playoffs are here, you got to win out. We
got to win every game and that includes this weekend
against the Patriots. Tough opponent.
Speaker 1 (21:16):
Yeah, that's gonna be a tough job. Patriots have been
one of the resurgent teams and best stories of the
NFL season. They're eleven and three atop the AFC East.
Not a lot of people expected this kind of turnaround
for them in Mike Rabel's first year as head coach
and so, but the Ravens are not all that surprise.
Speaker 2 (21:36):
They know Mike Vrabel very well.
Speaker 1 (21:38):
DeAndre Hopkins played a year with Mike Rabel in Tennessee
and had was very complimentary of him. So you know,
the question is, all right, can the Ravens kind of
dump cold water on what has been a magical Patriots season.
Speaker 5 (21:53):
That's the question. I think it's gonna be. Look at
a big picture level, like it's gonna be a really
good environment for the Ravens in this matchup home game,
and we've said this a million times. There's I firmly
believe that there's no better environment in the NFL than
a night game at mty Bak Stadium, and I would
expect that to be the case again for this week.
(22:13):
Ye and so there's gonna be energy in that building
the Ravens are really focused on. Like, the Ravens have
been one of the best teams in the league taking
care of their home turf throughout the John Harbaugh Era,
third best in the league, third best record in the league.
Defensive wise, they've been really the best defense, fewest points in,
a fewest yards allowed in the Harbaugh Era. At home
this year, it's been a tougher story. They're three and
(22:34):
five at home this year. And so a lot of
players talked this week about wanting to protect their home
turf and the importance of that, And I think that's
kind of a subplot of this game. And there's like
a belief that they're coming into our house. We need
to make sure that we take care of business in
front of our home crowd.
Speaker 1 (22:51):
Yeah, you might need to win this regular season home
finale in order to force another game at mm ANDT
Banks Stadium in the playoffs. And yeah, the Ravens just
haven't played their best ball in front of Ravens fans,
which has you know, been tough. Part of that's been
they've had really tough opponents in those games. Uh, and
they had injured they were very beaten up. There's some
(23:13):
of those stretch in Texans and Rams games they were
very u injury riddled and then but really the toughest
ones to swallow were the most recent. You know, you
lose on Thanksgiving night to the Bengals and then come
back the following week and lose to your rival Steelers
at home, and so those are tough pills to swallow,
and I think the Ravens definitely are coming into this
(23:34):
game looking to kind of avenge that a little bit
and put together a better showing for their fans.
Speaker 5 (23:39):
Yeah, So to get into some of the schematics, I
guess of this game, when you look at this Patriots teams, look,
it's as an offense led by Drake Man his second season,
who's put himself in the MVP conversation like he's one
of the best young quarterbacks in the game, and so
he he's right there in the thick, which kind of
a three man race for MVP is Drake May's, Josh
Allen and Matthew Stafford is leading the way right now.
It's those three guys at the top of the race.
(24:03):
But Drake May has that offense operating at a high level.
He can move a little bit with his feet. Stefan
Diggs is a go to guy obviously in that offense.
What stands out to you about how the Ravens could
attack that group.
Speaker 2 (24:14):
Drake may is really good.
Speaker 1 (24:15):
Been very impressed with him in his second season, And
the interesting thing about him is he's taking shots down field,
pushing the ball down the field. He leads the NFL
and adjusted yards per attempt right almost nine yards per attempt,
but he also leads the NFL in completion percentage over
seventy percent. So usually you know it's those kind of
dink and dunk quarterbacks that are completing a lot of passes,
(24:37):
just not for a lot of yards. Well, they're they're
pushing the ball down the field, and he's completing a
lot of passes. So that's what's really made him in
this offense dangerous, and to me, it reminds me a
little bit of the way that the Steelers wanted to
attack the Ravens, and that's taking shots outside of numbers,
you know, pushing the ball down the field and really
testing the Ravens cornerbacks. So I think that it's a
(24:58):
really big game in that way for the Ravens. Perimeter corners,
you know, going up against a guy like Stefan Diggs,
that's gonna be a key matchup. But also to me,
it's imperative for the Ravens to get pressure on Drake May.
He's taken the fourth most sacks in the league. That
that is, you know, one way to get after their offense.
And if he wants to take shots down the field,
(25:19):
you got it. You gotta get pressure on him to
nip that in the bud. The Ravens did that well
with Joe Burrow especially not blitzing, not having to commit
extra guys to it. And part of it is was
kind of this new trio that is formed with Draymont Jones,
the return of Tavis Robinson and then inside with Travis Jones.
Speaker 2 (25:38):
If those three.
Speaker 1 (25:39):
Guys in addition to you know, Kyle van Noy and
some of these other pasts Mike Green, like, if they
can get after Drake May, I think that they'll have
some success.
Speaker 5 (25:47):
Yeah, it's kind of an interesting question of like, this
defense is coming off the best game of the season.
They just shut out this high powered offense to Cincinnati.
Is that the group that we're gonna be able to see, Like,
does that roll forward and.
Speaker 2 (26:00):
We are hard to imagine a shutout again.
Speaker 5 (26:03):
But yeah, I'd like to shut out.
Speaker 2 (26:05):
I'll take this shutout like that.
Speaker 5 (26:06):
That's pretty tough, the shutout, high buss scoring more points
than the opposing offense. I like that game plan. Yeah,
it is tough. I think that like that type of
expectation is probably a bit unrealistic, but in terms of
getting pressure after the quarterback and then not giving up
any of the big plays like Alohi Gilman was the
AFC Defensive Player of the Week this week. He had
(26:26):
a great game. He had the long touchdown where he
obviously took it from van Ney and then and then
took it to the house, but also had a couple
of pass breakups, eight tackles, so just had a strong
game overall. And he's like he's one of those guys
that take takes things away deep. Him and Malachi stars
really on the back end of this defense, and so
you need those guys to play well. But on terms
(26:47):
of the shots, you also need your corners to hold up.
You need Marlin Humphrey to play well, Nate Wiggins. The
other point worth noting on the on the deep shot
piece is Chido o. Woozy is dealing with a foot
injury and we'll see if he's able player not and
what his status is for this game. That's kind of
a big question mark going into this matchup as to
whether or not he'll be able to be there on
(27:08):
the field.
Speaker 3 (27:08):
Yep.
Speaker 1 (27:09):
And of course with any young quarterback, you know, disguises
and trying to kind of make him hold the ball
a little bit longer, and that's part of his forty
three sacks that he's taken this year. But you know,
I think that's another key element. The Ravens have traditionally
had a lot of success against rookie quarterbacks, young quarterbacks
and kind of changing up the picture on them.
Speaker 2 (27:29):
Drake may has been excellent in that regard.
Speaker 1 (27:32):
You know, his high completion percentage speaks to that he's
reading defense as well and getting the ball to where
it needs to go.
Speaker 2 (27:38):
But you know, that'll be an element of this game
as well.
Speaker 5 (27:41):
The other thing, too, is like this is a Mike
Vrabel coach team. And of course he had Derek Hendry
for all those years in Tennessee, but whenever the Ravens
played those big games against the Titans when Rabel was
the head coach, which they had some big ones over
the years. You knew that, like their identity was going
to be established the run. And they've got a really
good rookie running back in traving On Henderson, and as
much as Drake may is in the MVP conversation, at
(28:04):
their core, they still want to be a team that
can also run the football. So I think that that's
definitely going to be an important piece of a game plan,
slowing down Henderson and keeping them from finding themselves in
a spot where they can work the play action game
and then take some of those deep shots off of
play action.
Speaker 1 (28:17):
When Trevon Henderson's been kind of a big play guy
for them. You know, he's in three of the past
four games, he's been held under seventy yards, but went
off for a buck forty eight and two touchdowns last week,
in part because he had a really long touchdown run.
So you know, he he if you don't tackle, well,
he's the guy that can burn you. So yeah, that's
another key element of this game is making sure they
(28:39):
don't let him get loose for a long touchdown. I
think that you know, if you make them earn it,
no big plays take away the big plays in the
passing game and then the running game. It's going to
be a tougher sledding for these Patriots.
Speaker 5 (28:52):
Well that was, honestly like the recipe that the Ravens
had against the Bengals. Like they took away the big play.
The Bengals had long drives, they moved the football, but
then the Ravens came up with some key stops on
four downs and turnovers.
Speaker 1 (29:02):
We when they've been the Ravens defense has been really
good in the red zone. Yeah, very good in the
red zone here this past couple months.
Speaker 5 (29:08):
Well, I mean, let's flip it to the other side
of red zone conversation. Yeah, for the Ravens offense. Ravens
offense has struggled in the red zone this year, and
that's been one of the things, Like we've talked about
a lot Patriots defense has struggled in the red zone. Yeah,
one of these things is going to break this week.
Speaker 2 (29:23):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (29:23):
That's the kind of the crazy part about this Patriots defense.
As you look at it, they're seventh overall, they're seventh
in points allowed at nineteen point seven, but they're last
in the league in red zone defense. Like usually you
don't have a defense that's not giving up many points
or yards and they're bad in the red zone, which
to me speaks to the fact that they haven't.
Speaker 2 (29:45):
Not a lot of teams are getting to the red zone,
you know what I mean.
Speaker 1 (29:48):
But when they have, they've they've scored at a high rate,
score touchdowns. So could this be a get right game
for the Ravens red zone offense? That will be a
key element of this game. Well, Like when you look at.
Speaker 5 (29:59):
The offense this year, how many times we said, like, man,
they moved the ball, well, but the bugaboo was once
they got into inside the red zone. Like there's been
many games where that's been the narrative coming out of it.
And so if they're able to get into the red zone,
I think you feel pretty good about their opportunities to
punch it in. And I'll tell you what, Like when
I went back and looked at the game from Cincinnati,
something that stood out to me, like Derek Henry, he
(30:21):
looked great, and I think that he is He's ready
to roll, Like this is this is his time. December football.
It's not gonna be that cold Sunday night is certainly
not as cold as it was Sunday in Cincinnati, but
like December Football, he's a tough guy to tackle. Mike
Vrabel has seen the other side of that for You
saw the other side of that for a long time
during their tenure together in Tennessee, and I just feel
(30:44):
like there's gonna be you want to be able to
lean on that as an offensive standpoint. I think that
helps you in the red zone, but it just helps
your offense overall. And like that just seems to be
the simple recipe for this offense to have a big day. Yeah.
Speaker 1 (30:58):
I mean, but the Patriots run defense is fifth best
in the league. They've been holding opponents under one hundred
yard rushing yards per game. So that's you know, again
to a Vrabel, that's kind of the way they play.
They they want to play hard nos football, stop the run,
run the ball, you know, similar to John Harbaugh and
how this team is structured. And so it's kind of
a testament of Wills in that regard Ken the Ravens
(31:20):
run against what's a pretty good defensive front.
Speaker 5 (31:23):
Yeah, and that's that will be the question. Like I think,
I think it's gonna be what we saw against the Bengals,
And one of the things I've liked, especially as we
got into the second half of the season. Like you,
there's a SETI diet of Henry that's gonna that's going
to continue, and Keaton Mitchell is now being worked in
more and more, and like the thunder and lightning thing
with those two guys, I think is real and it
keeps defenses off off balance a little bit when Keaton
(31:47):
comes into the game and he can provide that speed
and he also could run between the tackles. And then
the other factor, of course, is like this this passing game.
Zay Flowers has had some some big moments over the
past couple of games. Got a ton of targets against
the Steelers, came up with a touchdown last week against
the Bengals. He's flirting with a thousand yards. He's right there.
(32:07):
Like my my big prediction, which isn't that big of
a prediction, is that he hits a thousand yard mark
in this game. Yeah, he's right there. He's knocking on
the door.
Speaker 2 (32:14):
Yeah, yeah, I think I think that could very well happen.
Speaker 5 (32:17):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (32:17):
You know, they have a really good cornerback in Christian Gonzales,
and so you know, if if Zay's kind of the guy,
I think you have to spread the ball around because
he that he's a very talented player who can really
kind of put the clamps on some wide receivers. I
don't know that he's gonna be able to do it
against a Flowers, but it's not kind of I don't
(32:38):
think for the Ravens the recipe is to really hone
in on Zay Flowers and Zay Flowers only.
Speaker 5 (32:42):
Yeah, and the thing with gonz I mean, this is
a former first round pick. He's one of the one
of the top young emersion corners.
Speaker 3 (32:48):
Yeah. In the game.
Speaker 5 (32:49):
The thing that's unique about Zay in comparison to some
of the other receivers that kind of fit like that
number one receiver mole, like Jamar Chase or Justin Jefferson, Like,
the Ravens run so many short routes with Zay, like
the screen stuff, And how is that a way to
neutralize a really good corner like Christian Gonzalez. I would
think so. I'll be curious to see if the Ravens
try to lean on that in this game.
Speaker 2 (33:10):
Yeah, yeah, it'll be very interesting.
Speaker 1 (33:11):
I think what's, you know, big picture, what's kind of
interesting about this game is do Mike Rabel and Drake
may bring back the Ravens Patriots rivalry that we saw
for so many years, you know, back at during the
Super Bowl heyday and with Tom Brady and Bill Belichick.
You know, I think certainly they have a long way
to go to get to that mantle of multiple Super Bowls,
(33:35):
But like they've they've put the Patriots back in position
as one of the AFC leaders, and it's probably going
to be a team that the Ravens are gonna have
to reckon with here for years to come, is the
way it looks right now at least. And so it's
this is the first taste of that of what could
be kind of a renewed rivalry between these two teams.
Speaker 5 (33:55):
I've always said that in order for a rivalry rivalry
to really mean something, you have to play like big, significant,
meaningful games.
Speaker 2 (34:01):
This is one of those.
Speaker 5 (34:02):
Is one of those. Yeah, Like, and that's why I
think the Bills Ravens rivalry has accelerated in recent years.
Same thing with the Chiefs, same thing with the Bengals
and those Patriots, Like those were the biggest games. Back
to back GAFC championships, multiple playoff games against each other, right, Like,
those were the types of games that kind of define
(34:22):
your team and your organization and so and.
Speaker 2 (34:25):
It hasn't been that in recent years.
Speaker 1 (34:26):
The last time the Ravens faced the Patriots was in
twenty twenty two, Kyle Hailton's rookie year. He had a
big sack, you know, forced fumble up in New England.
But like Mac Jones was the starting quarterback, you know,
the Patriots weren't the Patriots.
Speaker 2 (34:40):
Yeah, that we've all known for so long.
Speaker 5 (34:42):
Well, like with raybel that Titans rivalry became exactly pretty
for it was pretty hot. That was very years in
nineteen and twenty like that was that was a red
hot rivalry for a short period of time, but it
was it was definitely there. Yeah, And so yeah, I
think that those things can. I think they happen organically.
(35:02):
And if these two teams end up being two of
the top teams in the AFC for the foreseeable future,
then I think that you could definitely.
Speaker 3 (35:09):
Have that yep.
Speaker 1 (35:09):
Yeah, So it'll be interesting when it's gonna be rocking
at M and T Banks Stadium. We have a lot
of game day entertainment coming your way.
Speaker 5 (35:16):
Yeah, make sure you're one of the first fifteen thousand
people in the stadium. You can get one of our
thirtiest season scarfs, which I know will come in handy
on a chili night. Yeah, not gonna be blistering cold,
but a chili night in December. And make sure you're
in your seats by eight pm. We have offensive introduction,
so you know you want to see Lamar Jackson run
out of that tunnel and that's gonna happen again. Be
in your seat by eight pm for that on Sunday night.
(35:39):
It's gonna be just a great atmosphere. As I said,
there's like no better place in the league than Mt.
Bak Stadium for a primetime football game. So Sunday Night
Football at the Bank. Can't wait for it. Thank you
so much for listening, and we will be back with
you after that game this week.
Welcome into a lounge presented by DraftKings. I'm Ryan Man
here with Garrett Towning and we are thrilled to sit
down with our Darius Washington, fresh off his return his
debut this season. So, ad, you know, you come back
from the Achilles and miraculous return seven months and we
get a shutout in the first game.
Speaker 2 (00:22):
Coincidence, I think not that that game had to be
pretty special for you given all you've gone through.
Speaker 3 (00:30):
Man, uh No, I love football, you know sing.
Speaker 4 (00:32):
I love to find around being around the guys and
everything like that that comes with it. So man, I
mean that game meant a lot. Damn come back and
we shut them out. I mean, credit to those guys
that did all the hard work for sure.
Speaker 2 (00:42):
Well you did. You did some hard work yourself. Yeah, yeah,
I did a little bit.
Speaker 1 (00:46):
And so the one the tackle that stood out to
me was your first one back and you took on
Tanner Hudson or Drew Sample. I'm sorry, they're six foot five,
two hundred and sixty pounds tight end.
Speaker 2 (00:55):
That's a big that's a big dude. Came up and
thumped him.
Speaker 1 (00:58):
That that tackle had to kind of gets you back
in football a little bit.
Speaker 4 (01:02):
Man, that felt good. Once I got that first one,
I was like, yeah, I'm ready to go still football.
So I got that when I was like, you know,
I'm trying. It's time to play now.
Speaker 1 (01:09):
What goes through your mind? You like, have no fear
hitting these big views. I remember the Steelers set in
there on Washington last year. What goes through your mind
when you see one of these big dudes catch the
ball and you're like, all right, it's I'm up.
Speaker 4 (01:22):
Honestly, it just be like I got to get him
before he get me, you know what I mean. So
it's like, you know who else gonna make it? You
know what I'm saying, I'm in a position to make it,
and I'm like, it don't really matter what side. Like
I said, man, I've been about five five nine my
whole life, you feeling so everybody big to me don't
even matter. So that's kind of what goes to my head,
you know, I said, just go ahead and take my
(01:43):
shot and shoot it right?
Speaker 5 (01:44):
Ardarius? Was it emotional before the game warm ups? Like
when you take the field. What was going through your
mind in that moment?
Speaker 4 (01:51):
Honestly, it was just more like my juices was flowing
you know what I'm saying. I was just ready to
get out there and hit somebody and stuff like that. Man,
it was just more so like being back in this position,
and like and I kind of already knew, Like even
when I had got hurt, I knew I'll be back playing,
you know what I mean. I had that faith for sure,
you know what I mean. So I prayed about it.
You know what I'm saying. That only comes from the
man above, you know what I mean. So I kind
(02:12):
of already knew I'll be back in this position. So
I was kind of just all taking it in, you
know what i mean, going out there and just having
no justice flowing, Like yeah, it's time now, Like I'm
finally here.
Speaker 3 (02:20):
That's cool.
Speaker 5 (02:21):
So to take our listeners and viewers back, just to
explain the whole process. You tore your achilles back in
the spring doing the conditioning drill, right, take us through
that moment that day, How you handle that? What was
going through your mind as that all happened.
Speaker 4 (02:40):
Oh so going to that man, it was just like
when I did it. When I did it, I instantly
already knew that I did it, you know what I mean,
Soon as I did it, they trainers came running over
and everything like that. And so when they came running over,
they was like, you know, you're okay. I'm like, bro,
it's toring. It's my achilles. It's my achilles. I kept saying.
He was like, how do you know? I was like,
(03:00):
cause I just felt it. I know, it's my achilles.
So anyway, so I got up wall and then we
went and did the MRI came back the images and
everything like that. It's torn. And then I think it
was hard. So yeah, it was hard. So as I'm leaving,
everybody's kind of like going from the facility. As I'm leaving,
carts was coming back there to check on me and
everything like that. And I had a conversation with him
talking about it, you know, and I was just like bomb,
(03:22):
you know what I mean, like going into that, well,
going into this year, you know what I mean, Like
coming off a year I had just had everything's finally clicking,
finally rolling. Now I'm like, all right, it's time to
like put it all together, like from day one on through,
and then like that happened, so like I was just
more frustrated. I was just more frustrated than anything. And
(03:42):
then after the surgery, I said, like that day, I
was just kind of I told my mom, told my agent,
that's kind of the only person I had talked to
or whatever or not. And then so like a couple
days later, that's when it kind of hit the media
and everybody started reaching out and everything like that, and
the surgery came about. So when the surgery came about,
came flew back in and I had sat down with
Ad and it had a calendar all planned out and everything,
(04:05):
and he was like, uh, the injury seven to nine
months processed, and he was like mapping out the schedule
like this we played week one and like before this
just what we're gonna do first month, second month, third month,
and so forth and so forth. And as we're going
through that process, I'm just like, I ain't trying to
hear all the first month, second month? What game you
think I'll be able to play?
Speaker 3 (04:25):
You know what I'm saying. So I'm like, I'm we
jumped to the back of it.
Speaker 4 (04:29):
And so I'm like I'm just jumped to the back
of and I was like, this game right here will
be right at like seven months, seven eight months, right here,
this and third they kind of was like nine months,
and I was like, nah's seven months, you know what
I mean? He was like allright, all right, And I
was like, no, We're gonna try for that one right here,
you know what I mean. So that's kind of what's
the plan, you know what I'm saying. That's what we
(04:49):
stuck with. And he was like, if I'm be able
to be back in seven months, you know, we gotta
be in here every day, work really hard, you know,
and I honestly have faith and believe in God, you
know what I mean.
Speaker 3 (04:58):
So that's kind of what it was.
Speaker 1 (05:00):
Can you you talk about the conversation with Harbes when
it first happened. Can you kind of share a little
bit of what that conversation was like?
Speaker 4 (05:06):
And he was just like bomb, Like, bro, we really
was like kind of lost for words. We had like
a probably like a five or eight minute conversation, you
know what I mean. We just kind of was just
kind of repeating, repeating each other, like, man, we can't
believe it happened.
Speaker 3 (05:18):
Like no, you know what I'm saying.
Speaker 4 (05:19):
He told me he loved me, Like, you know, you're
gonna bounce back from this, I told him right then
and there, like coach, I'll be back this year. He
was like really, I was like, coach won't be back,
you know what I mean. So that's kind of what
the conversation was. Like we were both bond. Like I
can see it all over his face. He was like
he couldn't believe it. You know what I'm saying. None
of the guys, none of us could believe it. Kyle
came in, he checked on me and everything like he's
ready to go. He was like, I'm done, and I'm like,
(05:41):
you man, about the finished working out, you know what
I mean. So, I mean we was just bond, you
know what I'm saying, and telling me he loved me
and he how great of a player.
Speaker 3 (05:48):
I am and I'll overcome it.
Speaker 5 (05:50):
Is that meaningful to you?
Speaker 3 (05:52):
Oh yeah?
Speaker 4 (05:52):
A hundred percent numbercent? That was definitely was very meaningful
and like encouraged me to get back, you know what
I'm saying. See, of course that wants you to get
back and wants you to be part of something like that.
That meant a lot.
Speaker 1 (06:02):
And just to remind listeners, you know, you're an undrafted
guy who came to this league scrapping and calling for
for everything that you got and and and I mean
even when you first stepped on the field, everybody could
tell like, oh, this is a player, like we got
we got a guy here. But then, you know, injuries
even before this Achilles kind of held you back early
in your career. Last year, come on in the second
(06:23):
half of the season as a as a starter, and
really like wow, everybody got to see it, you know,
for the first time. And then you were you were
a stricter free agent, signed a one year deal, you know,
and to have that injury after all of that that
you've gone through and the kind of climbing your way
to the mountaintop and having that and being in a
contract year, how much and how quickly does that flash
(06:45):
into the forefront of your mind, like dang man.
Speaker 4 (06:48):
So I'll say, uh, it probably hit me probably a
couple months after the surgery that, you know what I'm saying,
like all that, Yeah, it kind of hit me like
in that moment, it was just more so about surgery,
like what's next, So what's the next process, what's the
next step. I'll say a little bit later, that's kind
of when it hit me, like, dang, it was a
contract year, you know what I'm saying.
Speaker 3 (07:07):
Like all that type of thing.
Speaker 4 (07:08):
Like I just got here, you know what I mean now,
and this happened, and so then I just kind of
put it into perspective. It's just more so about it,
like I feel like God was just teaching me patients.
You know what I'm saying, don't be in the rest
for anything. You know what I'm saying, Everything's gonna come
in time, right time. And I hate they had to
be the injury because, like you said, like I had
injuries before, and that's kind of what I was bummed about,
cause like damn, br Like now another injury is you
(07:31):
know what I'm saying, So like why now?
Speaker 3 (07:32):
You know what I mean? So I just like as
I took it, as I took it, as to just
be patient.
Speaker 5 (07:37):
Right, So going back to the conversation with the training
staff and they're pulling out the the agenda and the
and the timeline and all that stuff. Of course, every
player is gonna say I want to be I want
the early end of that timeline. But it's not easy
necessarily to make that happen. Why do you think you
were able to achieve the seven month timeline not the
nine month timeline?
Speaker 4 (07:57):
I understand I honestly feel like sometimes want to, you
know what I mean. I feel like you want to,
you put your mind to something, like you can do it,
you know what I mean. I feel like that had
played a big part in it, you know what I'm saying.
You going to workouts or going to your rehab every day,
doing everything like that that you're supposed to do. I
feel like that's what prepared me to do it, you
know what I mean, to come back earlier. Then they
(08:17):
said Sis did it. You know what I'm saying. Sis,
They said he did it. He came back early. So
and I was like, I'm way less than him, and
you know what i.
Speaker 2 (08:24):
Mean, way less, right, there's less strain on it. Interesting.
Speaker 4 (08:27):
Yeah, I'm like, I know it could be possible, it
can be done, you know what I mean. So, and
I wanted to, you know what i mean. So I
had my mind made up to it, and I knew
it could be done because someone else done it.
Speaker 3 (08:37):
So I was like, I know I can do it too.
So that's what it was.
Speaker 1 (08:40):
I was wondering about that because Sis came back. That
was a Super Bowl year too, So you know, I
was wondering if you would realize the connection there and
he came I think late October. It was like a
crazy timeline. So it's funny that trainers brought that up with.
Speaker 3 (08:53):
You, sin Man. I love football, you know what I'm saying.
Speaker 4 (08:55):
So it's more like want to and that's that's why
I feel like I was able to and to surgeon.
Speaker 3 (09:00):
He did a great job.
Speaker 2 (09:01):
Well.
Speaker 5 (09:01):
I remember when when coach Harball announced the injury back
in the spring and he said, there's a chance you
could come back this year. Honestly, I felt like a
lot of people were kind of like, okay, yeah.
Speaker 3 (09:11):
Yeah they did. I know they did for sure.
Speaker 4 (09:13):
I was seeing it, so they were like yeah whatever.
Speaker 3 (09:17):
I was like, all right, So you know, so is it.
Speaker 1 (09:20):
Like every day like take us through kind of what
what does your routine look like every day?
Speaker 2 (09:25):
Yeah? Like what did your rehab routine look like? Yeah?
Speaker 4 (09:28):
So it so at the beginning it was slow, man,
Like at the beginning, it was just like real slow.
I'll come in, try to do some ankle mobility stuff
like that. That's really what's it for real? Like it
really won't much. So I'll just kind of take you
through when the cast and everything and I was kind
of walking, I'll take you through that process, like how
that went. And so first I started off by walking
(09:50):
and everything. Once I got that, I had a heallift
about a six inch here lifting and we just slowly
walking every day and stuff like that, and we're doing
like leg curls, hampstream stuff, you know what I'm saying,
kind of getting that strengthen all around it, and we're
doing like little caf raises I guess you can say
cap raises and stuff like that. That was kind of it,
and we do like maintenance work, you know what I mean.
(10:12):
And then after that that's kind of like that was
my day, you know what I mean. That was my
day for a minute until I guess you can say
when I got the hair lifts off and everything like that,
that's when it really cranked up, you know what I'm saying.
It was downhill from there, like black days twice a day,
you know what I mean. So we was getting a through.
Speaker 3 (10:31):
It for sure.
Speaker 5 (10:32):
Do you remember the first day you ran the first.
Speaker 3 (10:34):
Day I ran?
Speaker 4 (10:35):
Yeah, No, I don't actually remember the first actual day
I ran.
Speaker 5 (10:39):
I would have thought that would have been like a
big hurdle.
Speaker 4 (10:43):
So I actually started off on the autog first, So
like when I first started running, it was actually on
the Ultra G And when I started that that was
a big Actually I think I had posted it my
first day, I want to say, I think I had
posted it like my first day or something like a
UTG or something like that. But now that definitely was
a big hurdle for me, you know what I'm saying,
(11:04):
getting on the UTG and starting and running again, and
it felt great. It didn't feel like bad or anything.
It was kind of a little tight a little bit,
but it was the UTIG, you know what I mean. So,
but on the first day of pheel, honestly, I don't
remember when that was.
Speaker 3 (11:17):
But it happened pretty quickly though.
Speaker 5 (11:19):
Yeah. Like I say, when talking to some guys who've
gone through these these like major recoveries Achilles or knee
or those types of things, like they talk a lot
about just the mental kind of wear and tear and
like needing to stay regimented and confident and optimistic. Like
was that part of the challenge for you too, and
having to deal with the mental side.
Speaker 3 (11:39):
Uh, yeah, it was.
Speaker 4 (11:41):
Uh, But for me, it's just like I knew my endgo,
you know what I mean, I knew where I wanted
to be, so I kind of didn't let that be
like the barrier, I guess you can say, to prepail
me to the next step, you know what I mean.
So I'll say it was more so like when I
go out there and I have those days where like
it didn't feel so great or anything like that, Like
I'll be down, like why it don't feel great today?
Speaker 3 (12:01):
And then yesterday, you know what I mean.
Speaker 4 (12:03):
So it's just like I kind of had those days,
but and then I had Mike and Anthony and all
them out there talking to me, and everything's like, man,
you're gonna be okay, like this part of the process,
you know what I'm saying. Like, so if it's bothering
you today, it's like it's okay, go go and treat it,
you know what I'm saying. It was like one or
two days. Honestly, I don't even think it was like
a lot. It was like one of two days where
I did have to like stop, you know what I mean,
(12:25):
go get treatment or something like that. But it wasn't
as crazy. I just stayed positive, you know what I mean.
Like I said, I knew my endgo and I knew
when I wanted to come back, so that when I
actually started running, putting on clean that's when like and
I started doing dress and everything.
Speaker 3 (12:42):
I was going like and so they had to.
Speaker 4 (12:44):
Tell me, like, you know, this is your first day,
like calm down, Like it's the first day. You don't
need to be all out, you know what I mean.
So because once I get in those white lives one
hundred percent, you know what I mean. So they had
to actually tell me, like the calm down. They was
actually pretty amazed, you know what I mean. It's like,
while he doing that already, this is first started doing
this drill again, you know what I mean. He's stopping,
he's breaking, he's going. So that's when I kind of
(13:05):
knew like I was ahead of the curve.
Speaker 2 (13:07):
That's cool.
Speaker 3 (13:07):
Yeah, that's well.
Speaker 1 (13:08):
I feel like several guys last week we're saying how
your return to practice like really brought a different energy
to to the defensive unit and like that you made
a difference last week preparing for that game. So what
happened in practice, Like what kind of what kind of
juice were your bringing last week?
Speaker 4 (13:25):
You just go out there, you know the energy, you know,
just talking to everybody, you know what i'm saying, being joyful,
you know what I'm saying, being yourself, you know what
I'm saying, Not trying to be anything, you know what
I'm saying, anything like that. But when you make plays,
you know, you celebrate, celebrating out there making making plays,
jumping around, having fun with your teammates, you know, So
that's kind of the energy, and that's what it was.
Speaker 1 (13:42):
Does an injury like that give you a different perspective
on the game or appreciation for the game?
Speaker 4 (13:47):
One hundred percent? Man, that like just like I know
it's so cliche. I know everybody said, but man, don't
never take it from granted, you know what I'm saying,
because like it would be cool, Like you know, we
go through these seasons and it's three months, you know
what I'm saying.
Speaker 3 (13:59):
We're playing football over whatever.
Speaker 4 (14:00):
It is, and you go through it and you're kind
of just like, man, I'm tired of this, Like I
don't feel like doing it today or this and the third.
But until you not doing it, you know what I mean,
for several months, for seven months, until you not doing it,
you know what I'm saying, Definitely put a different perspective, Like, man,
don't take it for granted because you never know what
that could be your last snap. Like it'll be cool
for like the first two months, like you doing nothing
or whatever, but after that, like, man, you want to
(14:23):
be out there. You want to be out there to
camaraderie with the guys and everything like that, and you want,
like you love football, you want to play football. You know,
you want to be out there making plays and everything
like that, and you know, helping the team get to
the championship.
Speaker 3 (14:34):
So he don't take it for granted for sure.
Speaker 5 (14:37):
Yeah, what's it like stepping into the safety group? Now,
you got Cayle Hamilton, you got Malachi Starks, you know, rookie,
first time pick, you got a lot who Gilman is
coming here, really played. Well, what's it like stepping into
this group? And what do you want to bring to
the unit?
Speaker 4 (14:48):
I mean, them guys rolling, you know what I'm saying.
They already you know they kind of fixed like early
on in the season. You know it was little wrinkles
they had to fix it. Now like later on in
the season, the boys start picking it up, you know
what I'm saying. So I'm just trying to jump right
on in with those guys. You know what I'm and
fill in flow, braining energy, you know what I'm saying,
going out there and make plays and talking and communicating
and having fun with those guys, and.
Speaker 5 (15:07):
You, like last year you were one of the guys.
Like this year, the defense struggled a little bit early on.
Last year struggled early on, you stepped into the lineup
and kind of helped turn things around. This year it's
you know, again Rocky out of the gate, but then
figured itself out. How much for you, like, as you
come to step into this mix here, do you feel
like you can just continue to elevate this to even
(15:29):
another level knowing what you did last year with.
Speaker 3 (15:31):
The set percent You know what I'm saying, I'm a playmaker,
you know what I'm saying. That's what I do.
Speaker 4 (15:34):
So like jumping in, going out there making plays. You see,
got other guys making plays. You want to make plays too.
And then on top of that, the communication, you know
what I'm saying, The knowledge of expecting this and knowing
when it's going to happen and stuff like that, you
know what I'm saying, So that brings another level of
intensity to the game.
Speaker 3 (15:50):
For sure.
Speaker 1 (15:51):
We'll speaking of playmakers and knowledge of the game. Ed
Reid visited the Defense last week. Can you kind of
share what Ed Reid's message was to the team.
Speaker 4 (16:01):
I mean, he a legend and man from Louisiana, so
when he speaks, to listen, you know what I mean. So, like,
you know, he came in there, he talked to us,
and like a lot of guys said, bro, he jumped
on the DB's instantly.
Speaker 3 (16:14):
You know what I'm saying.
Speaker 4 (16:14):
I don't think it was his plan to come in
and taught to us anyways, you know what i mean.
He just kind of was popping in saying what's up?
And then you know, of course he gave us a message.
You know what I'm saying, DB's first, you know what
I'm saying. He was like, yeah, the snacks gotta go
this and the there and all that. You know, So
that's kind of with his message, you know what I'm saying.
You know what I'm saying, locking, You know what I'm saying,
Communication around and have fun, you know what i mean.
(16:36):
You can talk about the ex's zone, this and the third,
but we gotta go out there and play and have
fun and do it together.
Speaker 3 (16:41):
Right. It's kind of was his whole message.
Speaker 1 (16:43):
So when he says the snacks gotta go and he
leaves the room or is everybody look at each other,
You're like, I guess we'll push this into the.
Speaker 3 (16:48):
Trash, like we don't even eating potato chips no more.
How he was, you know, so definitely.
Speaker 5 (16:54):
When you say that, he jumps on the DB's first.
Obviously he was a DV of course, but when he
challenge you, like, does that everybody kind of set up
in the chair straight when your.
Speaker 4 (17:04):
Man, You got guys, some guys taking those here, like
you know, you're looking at him out of eye like yeah, okay,
you know what I'm saying.
Speaker 3 (17:08):
You sucking to every information that he's saying. You know
what I mean? Then, like we had that was that Friday,
and we had a Friday practice. You know what I'm saying.
Speaker 4 (17:15):
We all flying around, you know what I'm saying, Like
he was at practice for a little bit and you
know what I'm saying, you want to impress him, You
want to impress ad.
Speaker 3 (17:21):
You know what I'm saying. To go, you know what
I'm saying. So we out there flying around and doing it.
Speaker 2 (17:24):
Yeah, that's awesome.
Speaker 1 (17:26):
So heading into a big game here against the Patriots
and the defense coming off a shutout.
Speaker 2 (17:31):
You know, you can't get any better than the shutout.
Speaker 1 (17:34):
What's kind of the mentality going into this game against
the townsed offense and Drake May.
Speaker 3 (17:37):
I mean, just keep it rolling, you know what I'm saying.
Speaker 4 (17:39):
They have a great offense over there, But thing is
for us, like we feel like we're a great defense,
you know what I mean. So like, you know, go
out there and try to do this immulate and do
the same thing, you know what I'm saying. So no
matter who we play or what's going on other side
of about anything like that, Like, bro, We're gonna go
out there and play our game of football. So that's
the mindset going into this one.
Speaker 5 (17:58):
I know you want to win every game, competitive guy,
of course, but knowing the road that you've had to
travel to get to this point. The scene is obviously
fighting for playoff spot right now, and you're kind of
in playoff mode right now, knowing all that you had
to overcome just to get back for the season. How
driven are you to help us team get to a
playoff spot.
Speaker 4 (18:16):
I'm gonna keep this thing very much driven, man, Like
like you said, going like going through what I'm going
through and now being in this position, I mean, it
couldn't line up in no better way.
Speaker 3 (18:26):
Like we must win games, like you must play good.
Speaker 2 (18:29):
He get dropped in, you can't lose, you know what
I'm saying.
Speaker 3 (18:32):
So it's like me coming out there.
Speaker 4 (18:34):
Every time I step on the field, I know what
those guys fighting for, and I know what I'm fighting for,
you know what I mean. So like every time I
step on the field, I know what we're fighting for.
Speaker 3 (18:41):
Yeah. So like for me stepping into this, I'm like,
it's just gonna make the story even better. So go
out there and.
Speaker 4 (18:46):
Make players and we're gonna make the story even better
for me even coming back so early for sure.
Speaker 2 (18:51):
Awesome. Well, artists, thanks for joining us. Man, Yeah, it's
been a pleasure.
Speaker 5 (18:54):
We're excited to have you back.
Speaker 3 (18:55):
Oh nah, I appreciate it.
Speaker 5 (18:57):
Well, big thanks to our Darius for joining us here
in the Seek Week studio. We also want to mention
our partners with DraftKings Sportsbook. They are an official sports
betting partner of the Baltimore Ravens Draftking Sports Book. The
Crown is yours. So as we look ahead to this
game coming up against the new England Patriots hits a
massive game. Obviously, the Ravens are in a situation here,
just to reset the table here for listeners and for viewers,
(19:20):
the Ravens are in a situation where they basically have
to keep pace with the Pittsburgh Steelers in the AFC
North Race. There's three games left to play. Quickly running
through the scenarios. With the Ravens win all three, they're
AFC North champs. They are back in the playoffs. If
the Ravens split these next two games and the Steelers
split these next two games. If they lose one of
their next two the Steelers played this weekend before the
(19:42):
Ravens against the Detroit Lions, they play next weekend against
the Cleveland Browns, and then of course the two teams
face off in Week eight. Team If both the Ravens
and the Steelers split these next two games, then it's
a Week eighteen play and get in game winning get
in games game seven. Basically for the regular season scenario,
which is probably the least likely of the three scenarios,
(20:03):
is that both teams the Steelers lose each of their
next two games. The Ravens lose each of the next
two games, and then you're still in a win and
get in game in Week eighteen. I cover it all.
Speaker 2 (20:16):
You got it, you got it. Well, it's a lot
to keep trend.
Speaker 1 (20:19):
And honestly, if the Ravens pool even with the Steelers
going into that final week, it's still winners takes all
in that game, right, even if the Ravens come in
with the same records. So you have to either stay
just one game behind the Steelers or pool even with
them to force that game seven.
Speaker 5 (20:37):
Yeah, for sure, So a lot on the line. Again,
the Steelers play before the Ravens this week. They play
Detroit four o'clock on Sunday. Ravens are the Sunday night
primetime game. The Ravens would know going into that game
on Sunday night what the stakes are, and if the
Steelers lose, then the Ravens know they just have to
win that game and then it's Week eighteen, win and
get in suddenly week seventeen. If that's the case, is irrelevant.
(21:01):
But a lot of things we're playing things out here
down the string. But I think that the Ravens focus, certainly,
and this has been the tone all week, is like
the playoffs are here, you got to win out. We
got to win every game and that includes this weekend
against the Patriots. Tough opponent.
Speaker 1 (21:16):
Yeah, that's gonna be a tough job. Patriots have been
one of the resurgent teams and best stories of the
NFL season. They're eleven and three atop the AFC East.
Not a lot of people expected this kind of turnaround
for them in Mike Rabel's first year as head coach
and so, but the Ravens are not all that surprise.
Speaker 2 (21:36):
They know Mike Vrabel very well.
Speaker 1 (21:38):
DeAndre Hopkins played a year with Mike Rabel in Tennessee
and had was very complimentary of him. So you know,
the question is, all right, can the Ravens kind of
dump cold water on what has been a magical Patriots season.
Speaker 5 (21:53):
That's the question. I think it's gonna be. Look at
a big picture level, like it's gonna be a really
good environment for the Ravens in this matchup home game,
and we've said this a million times. There's I firmly
believe that there's no better environment in the NFL than
a night game at mty Bak Stadium, and I would
expect that to be the case again for this week.
(22:13):
Ye and so there's gonna be energy in that building
the Ravens are really focused on. Like, the Ravens have
been one of the best teams in the league taking
care of their home turf throughout the John Harbaugh Era,
third best in the league, third best record in the league.
Defensive wise, they've been really the best defense, fewest points in,
a fewest yards allowed in the Harbaugh Era. At home
this year, it's been a tougher story. They're three and
(22:34):
five at home this year. And so a lot of
players talked this week about wanting to protect their home
turf and the importance of that, And I think that's
kind of a subplot of this game. And there's like
a belief that they're coming into our house. We need
to make sure that we take care of business in
front of our home crowd.
Speaker 1 (22:51):
Yeah, you might need to win this regular season home
finale in order to force another game at mm ANDT
Banks Stadium in the playoffs. And yeah, the Ravens just
haven't played their best ball in front of Ravens fans,
which has you know, been tough. Part of that's been
they've had really tough opponents in those games. Uh, and
they had injured they were very beaten up. There's some
(23:13):
of those stretch in Texans and Rams games they were
very u injury riddled and then but really the toughest
ones to swallow were the most recent. You know, you
lose on Thanksgiving night to the Bengals and then come
back the following week and lose to your rival Steelers
at home, and so those are tough pills to swallow,
and I think the Ravens definitely are coming into this
(23:34):
game looking to kind of avenge that a little bit
and put together a better showing for their fans.
Speaker 5 (23:39):
Yeah, So to get into some of the schematics, I
guess of this game, when you look at this Patriots teams, look,
it's as an offense led by Drake Man his second season,
who's put himself in the MVP conversation like he's one
of the best young quarterbacks in the game, and so
he he's right there in the thick, which kind of
a three man race for MVP is Drake May's, Josh
Allen and Matthew Stafford is leading the way right now.
It's those three guys at the top of the race.
(24:03):
But Drake May has that offense operating at a high level.
He can move a little bit with his feet. Stefan
Diggs is a go to guy obviously in that offense.
What stands out to you about how the Ravens could
attack that group.
Speaker 2 (24:14):
Drake may is really good.
Speaker 1 (24:15):
Been very impressed with him in his second season, And
the interesting thing about him is he's taking shots down field,
pushing the ball down the field. He leads the NFL
and adjusted yards per attempt right almost nine yards per attempt,
but he also leads the NFL in completion percentage over
seventy percent. So usually you know it's those kind of
dink and dunk quarterbacks that are completing a lot of passes,
(24:37):
just not for a lot of yards. Well, they're they're
pushing the ball down the field, and he's completing a
lot of passes. So that's what's really made him in
this offense dangerous, and to me, it reminds me a
little bit of the way that the Steelers wanted to
attack the Ravens, and that's taking shots outside of numbers,
you know, pushing the ball down the field and really
testing the Ravens cornerbacks. So I think that it's a
(24:58):
really big game in that way for the Ravens. Perimeter corners,
you know, going up against a guy like Stefan Diggs,
that's gonna be a key matchup. But also to me,
it's imperative for the Ravens to get pressure on Drake May.
He's taken the fourth most sacks in the league. That
that is, you know, one way to get after their offense.
And if he wants to take shots down the field,
(25:19):
you got it. You gotta get pressure on him to
nip that in the bud. The Ravens did that well
with Joe Burrow especially not blitzing, not having to commit
extra guys to it. And part of it is was
kind of this new trio that is formed with Draymont Jones,
the return of Tavis Robinson and then inside with Travis Jones.
Speaker 2 (25:38):
If those three.
Speaker 1 (25:39):
Guys in addition to you know, Kyle van Noy and
some of these other pasts Mike Green, like, if they
can get after Drake May, I think that they'll have
some success.
Speaker 5 (25:47):
Yeah, it's kind of an interesting question of like, this
defense is coming off the best game of the season.
They just shut out this high powered offense to Cincinnati.
Is that the group that we're gonna be able to see, Like,
does that roll forward and.
Speaker 2 (26:00):
We are hard to imagine a shutout again.
Speaker 5 (26:03):
But yeah, I'd like to shut out.
Speaker 2 (26:05):
I'll take this shutout like that.
Speaker 5 (26:06):
That's pretty tough, the shutout, high buss scoring more points
than the opposing offense. I like that game plan. Yeah,
it is tough. I think that like that type of
expectation is probably a bit unrealistic, but in terms of
getting pressure after the quarterback and then not giving up
any of the big plays like Alohi Gilman was the
AFC Defensive Player of the Week this week. He had
(26:26):
a great game. He had the long touchdown where he
obviously took it from van Ney and then and then
took it to the house, but also had a couple
of pass breakups, eight tackles, so just had a strong
game overall. And he's like he's one of those guys
that take takes things away deep. Him and Malachi stars
really on the back end of this defense, and so
you need those guys to play well. But on terms
(26:47):
of the shots, you also need your corners to hold up.
You need Marlin Humphrey to play well, Nate Wiggins. The
other point worth noting on the on the deep shot
piece is Chido o. Woozy is dealing with a foot
injury and we'll see if he's able player not and
what his status is for this game. That's kind of
a big question mark going into this matchup as to
whether or not he'll be able to be there on
(27:08):
the field.
Speaker 3 (27:08):
Yep.
Speaker 1 (27:09):
And of course with any young quarterback, you know, disguises
and trying to kind of make him hold the ball
a little bit longer, and that's part of his forty
three sacks that he's taken this year. But you know,
I think that's another key element. The Ravens have traditionally
had a lot of success against rookie quarterbacks, young quarterbacks
and kind of changing up the picture on them.
Speaker 2 (27:29):
Drake may has been excellent in that regard.
Speaker 1 (27:32):
You know, his high completion percentage speaks to that he's
reading defense as well and getting the ball to where
it needs to go.
Speaker 2 (27:38):
But you know, that'll be an element of this game
as well.
Speaker 5 (27:41):
The other thing, too, is like this is a Mike
Vrabel coach team. And of course he had Derek Hendry
for all those years in Tennessee, but whenever the Ravens
played those big games against the Titans when Rabel was
the head coach, which they had some big ones over
the years. You knew that, like their identity was going
to be established the run. And they've got a really
good rookie running back in traving On Henderson, and as
much as Drake may is in the MVP conversation, at
(28:04):
their core, they still want to be a team that
can also run the football. So I think that that's
definitely going to be an important piece of a game plan,
slowing down Henderson and keeping them from finding themselves in
a spot where they can work the play action game
and then take some of those deep shots off of
play action.
Speaker 1 (28:17):
When Trevon Henderson's been kind of a big play guy
for them. You know, he's in three of the past
four games, he's been held under seventy yards, but went
off for a buck forty eight and two touchdowns last week,
in part because he had a really long touchdown run.
So you know, he he if you don't tackle, well,
he's the guy that can burn you. So yeah, that's
another key element of this game is making sure they
(28:39):
don't let him get loose for a long touchdown. I
think that you know, if you make them earn it,
no big plays take away the big plays in the
passing game and then the running game. It's going to
be a tougher sledding for these Patriots.
Speaker 5 (28:52):
Well that was, honestly like the recipe that the Ravens
had against the Bengals. Like they took away the big play.
The Bengals had long drives, they moved the football, but
then the Ravens came up with some key stops on
four downs and turnovers.
Speaker 1 (29:02):
We when they've been the Ravens defense has been really
good in the red zone. Yeah, very good in the
red zone here this past couple months.
Speaker 5 (29:08):
Well, I mean, let's flip it to the other side
of red zone conversation. Yeah, for the Ravens offense. Ravens
offense has struggled in the red zone this year, and
that's been one of the things, Like we've talked about
a lot Patriots defense has struggled in the red zone. Yeah,
one of these things is going to break this week.
Speaker 2 (29:23):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (29:23):
That's the kind of the crazy part about this Patriots defense.
As you look at it, they're seventh overall, they're seventh
in points allowed at nineteen point seven, but they're last
in the league in red zone defense. Like usually you
don't have a defense that's not giving up many points
or yards and they're bad in the red zone, which
to me speaks to the fact that they haven't.
Speaker 2 (29:45):
Not a lot of teams are getting to the red zone,
you know what I mean.
Speaker 1 (29:48):
But when they have, they've they've scored at a high rate,
score touchdowns. So could this be a get right game
for the Ravens red zone offense? That will be a
key element of this game. Well, Like when you look at.
Speaker 5 (29:59):
The offense this year, how many times we said, like, man,
they moved the ball, well, but the bugaboo was once
they got into inside the red zone. Like there's been
many games where that's been the narrative coming out of it.
And so if they're able to get into the red zone,
I think you feel pretty good about their opportunities to
punch it in. And I'll tell you what, Like when
I went back and looked at the game from Cincinnati,
something that stood out to me, like Derek Henry, he
(30:21):
looked great, and I think that he is He's ready
to roll, Like this is this is his time. December football.
It's not gonna be that cold Sunday night is certainly
not as cold as it was Sunday in Cincinnati, but
like December Football, he's a tough guy to tackle. Mike
Vrabel has seen the other side of that for You
saw the other side of that for a long time
during their tenure together in Tennessee, and I just feel
(30:44):
like there's gonna be you want to be able to
lean on that as an offensive standpoint. I think that
helps you in the red zone, but it just helps
your offense overall. And like that just seems to be
the simple recipe for this offense to have a big day. Yeah.
Speaker 1 (30:58):
I mean, but the Patriots run defense is fifth best
in the league. They've been holding opponents under one hundred
yard rushing yards per game. So that's you know, again
to a Vrabel, that's kind of the way they play.
They they want to play hard nos football, stop the run,
run the ball, you know, similar to John Harbaugh and
how this team is structured. And so it's kind of
a testament of Wills in that regard Ken the Ravens
(31:20):
run against what's a pretty good defensive front.
Speaker 5 (31:23):
Yeah, and that's that will be the question. Like I think,
I think it's gonna be what we saw against the Bengals,
And one of the things I've liked, especially as we
got into the second half of the season. Like you,
there's a SETI diet of Henry that's gonna that's going
to continue, and Keaton Mitchell is now being worked in
more and more, and like the thunder and lightning thing
with those two guys, I think is real and it
keeps defenses off off balance a little bit when Keaton
(31:47):
comes into the game and he can provide that speed
and he also could run between the tackles. And then
the other factor, of course, is like this this passing game.
Zay Flowers has had some some big moments over the
past couple of games. Got a ton of targets against
the Steelers, came up with a touchdown last week against
the Bengals. He's flirting with a thousand yards. He's right there.
(32:07):
Like my my big prediction, which isn't that big of
a prediction, is that he hits a thousand yard mark
in this game. Yeah, he's right there. He's knocking on
the door.
Speaker 2 (32:14):
Yeah, yeah, I think I think that could very well happen.
Speaker 5 (32:17):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (32:17):
You know, they have a really good cornerback in Christian Gonzales,
and so you know, if if Zay's kind of the guy,
I think you have to spread the ball around because
he that he's a very talented player who can really
kind of put the clamps on some wide receivers. I
don't know that he's gonna be able to do it
against a Flowers, but it's not kind of I don't
(32:38):
think for the Ravens the recipe is to really hone
in on Zay Flowers and Zay Flowers only.
Speaker 5 (32:42):
Yeah, and the thing with gonz I mean, this is
a former first round pick. He's one of the one
of the top young emersion corners.
Speaker 3 (32:48):
Yeah. In the game.
Speaker 5 (32:49):
The thing that's unique about Zay in comparison to some
of the other receivers that kind of fit like that
number one receiver mole, like Jamar Chase or Justin Jefferson, Like,
the Ravens run so many short routes with Zay, like
the screen stuff, And how is that a way to
neutralize a really good corner like Christian Gonzalez. I would
think so. I'll be curious to see if the Ravens
try to lean on that in this game.
Speaker 2 (33:10):
Yeah, yeah, it'll be very interesting.
Speaker 1 (33:11):
I think what's, you know, big picture, what's kind of
interesting about this game is do Mike Rabel and Drake
may bring back the Ravens Patriots rivalry that we saw
for so many years, you know, back at during the
Super Bowl heyday and with Tom Brady and Bill Belichick.
You know, I think certainly they have a long way
to go to get to that mantle of multiple Super Bowls,
(33:35):
But like they've they've put the Patriots back in position
as one of the AFC leaders, and it's probably going
to be a team that the Ravens are gonna have
to reckon with here for years to come, is the
way it looks right now at least. And so it's
this is the first taste of that of what could
be kind of a renewed rivalry between these two teams.
Speaker 5 (33:55):
I've always said that in order for a rivalry rivalry
to really mean something, you have to play like big, significant,
meaningful games.
Speaker 2 (34:01):
This is one of those.
Speaker 5 (34:02):
Is one of those. Yeah, Like, and that's why I
think the Bills Ravens rivalry has accelerated in recent years.
Same thing with the Chiefs, same thing with the Bengals
and those Patriots, Like those were the biggest games. Back
to back GAFC championships, multiple playoff games against each other, right, Like,
those were the types of games that kind of define
(34:22):
your team and your organization and so and.
Speaker 2 (34:25):
It hasn't been that in recent years.
Speaker 1 (34:26):
The last time the Ravens faced the Patriots was in
twenty twenty two, Kyle Hailton's rookie year. He had a
big sack, you know, forced fumble up in New England.
But like Mac Jones was the starting quarterback, you know,
the Patriots weren't the Patriots.
Speaker 2 (34:40):
Yeah, that we've all known for so long.
Speaker 5 (34:42):
Well, like with raybel that Titans rivalry became exactly pretty
for it was pretty hot. That was very years in
nineteen and twenty like that was that was a red
hot rivalry for a short period of time, but it
was it was definitely there. Yeah, And so yeah, I
think that those things can. I think they happen organically.
(35:02):
And if these two teams end up being two of
the top teams in the AFC for the foreseeable future,
then I think that you could definitely.
Speaker 3 (35:09):
Have that yep.
Speaker 1 (35:09):
Yeah, So it'll be interesting when it's gonna be rocking
at M and T Banks Stadium. We have a lot
of game day entertainment coming your way.
Speaker 5 (35:16):
Yeah, make sure you're one of the first fifteen thousand
people in the stadium. You can get one of our
thirtiest season scarfs, which I know will come in handy
on a chili night. Yeah, not gonna be blistering cold,
but a chili night in December. And make sure you're
in your seats by eight pm. We have offensive introduction,
so you know you want to see Lamar Jackson run
out of that tunnel and that's gonna happen again. Be
in your seat by eight pm for that on Sunday night.
(35:39):
It's gonna be just a great atmosphere. As I said,
there's like no better place in the league than Mt.
Bak Stadium for a primetime football game. So Sunday Night
Football at the Bank. Can't wait for it. Thank you
so much for listening, and we will be back with
you after that game this week.
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