June 19, 2025 • 27 mins
Team insiders Ryan Mink and Garrett Downing talk about how Jaire Alexander changes the Ravens defense, how Baltimore got a good deal, and what will be key for his success. Plus, they empty their notebooks on who stood out on the field on the second day of minicamp.
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Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:04):
Welcome into Lounge presented by DraftKings. I'm Ryan Mink here
with Garrett Downing and we had breaking news today, Garrett,
with the addition of two time Pro Bowl cornerback Jaire Alexander.
This is a huge signing that you know, we've talked about.
I think you and I we were on the record
saying that you know, this one, this one could happen,
(00:25):
and we would like to see it happen. And then
Lamar Jackson also went on the record with that same opinion.
Speaker 2 (00:31):
I think his opinion matters slightly more than ours.
Speaker 3 (00:33):
Just a little bit, just a little bit.
Speaker 1 (00:35):
And one day later, Eric got it done just like
Lamar asked, And so, uh, just a huge signing for
the Ravens. Really exciting to lock up. You know, one
of the best cornerbacks in the league when he's healthy.
And I think that this defense, you look at it
on paper as a whole and the secondary within that,
(00:57):
it is pretty dynamite.
Speaker 4 (00:58):
Yeah, I mean, Jayiy alex Xander is a top flight cornerback.
The only issue with him has been health that he's
He's been a bunch of games, you know, last year.
Speaker 3 (01:07):
Seven games ease of the past two seasons.
Speaker 4 (01:09):
Yeah, so, like he's battled those injuries. However, when he's
been healthy, he's been one of the league's best two
time Pro bowler.
Speaker 1 (01:16):
Like you said, well, Pro Football Focus he has the
second best coverage grade, second best in the whole league
among all NFL cornerbacks over the past three years. Now, again,
you know injuries have limited the sample size there a
little bit. But to that point, PFF also ranked him
going into this season as the ninth best corner in
(01:36):
the league.
Speaker 2 (01:37):
Yeah, yeah, which is like that tells you. That tells
you a lot.
Speaker 4 (01:40):
It's a premier player, right, He's a premier player, former
first round pick, He's got a big contracts, he's been
to Pro Bowls. He is a top flight player, and
he can come in and has the potential to start
right away. I mean, I think, like when we heard
from these the Ravens today, Ron Humphrey, Kyle Hamilton, the
clear feeling was you just can and have too many
(02:01):
good cover corners. Like that's been us. We've heard that
phrase a million times over Ravens history, and this is
just another example of that. Like the Ravens have their
they have Nate Wiggins, they have Moreland Humphrey and now
they have Jaire Alexander and these three cornerback sets who
can go out there and like those are three lockdown corners,
like lockdown corners when they're all playing at their best.
(02:23):
I don't know that there's a better three cornerback grouping
in the NFL. I think that's probably the best if
all those guys are healthy and playing at a high level.
Speaker 3 (02:31):
Yep.
Speaker 4 (02:31):
So, like that is saying something right there. You also
added chidoh Wuse this offseason, who is more than capable
of starting in his own right as well. Like prior
to this, we were all saying, like Cheeto, it could
be a starting corner no doubt.
Speaker 2 (02:42):
So he still has that ability to right.
Speaker 1 (02:44):
Plus you have the other young guys in jailn Arbor Davis. No,
he's a little bit more of a vet, but you
know TJ. Tampa, Yeah, you have a lot of depth cornerback.
Speaker 3 (02:53):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (02:53):
I put those guys into like the depth category.
Speaker 3 (02:55):
Yeah exactly.
Speaker 4 (02:55):
Those top four are more in like the they're going
to play a lot category.
Speaker 1 (02:59):
That's the correct and the nice thing here is that, yeah,
Jayir's dealt with injuries over his career.
Speaker 3 (03:06):
It's kind of similar to Cheeto.
Speaker 1 (03:08):
Right, He's also a really good corner when he's healthy,
but that's if right or a win, you know he's healthy,
that's a bit of a question mark. It's been a
bugaboo for him, just as it has been for Jaiyir.
So it's kind of like those two guys, You're like,
all right, I feel like we can get seventeen games
out of them combined, at least, you know what I mean,
Like even if one were to miss some time, you
(03:29):
have the other. So's it's almost like, certainly Jayr's not
an insurance policy, but like now you have almost cheatah cheat.
They can back each other up to a degree. I
think Jayir is in line to certainly be the starter.
He's that kind of player. But you feel also really
good that you also have Cheeto just in case Jair
gets bitten by the injury bug again. Yeah.
Speaker 4 (03:50):
Part of it is like you just want to add
good players for your team, and the other part is
you want to have depth in case you need it.
And like I think the addition of Alexander covers both
of those.
Speaker 1 (04:00):
You think about it, I mean from last year they
had Brandon Stevens and then they went out and still
you thought you had your starting corners, you had enough corners,
and then oh they went out and traded for Tredevious
wait at the deadline, and he ended up.
Speaker 2 (04:11):
Playing at a lot of ball.
Speaker 1 (04:13):
Right, Both those guys left in the off season. You
replaced one with Cheeto. Okay, now you got another corner.
Speaker 4 (04:19):
Yeah, that's I look at what I'm when I'm looking
at the same overall, I'm looking at it from an
overall secondary standpoint, and that is a huge piece of
the equation. You lost two corners who were playing like huge.
I mean Brandon Stevens I think played every snap against
Buffalo almost and then Tredevius White was on the field
for key plays in that playoff game. So like by
the end of the season, both those guys were playing
(04:39):
significant snaps in addition to Nate.
Speaker 2 (04:42):
Wig And and Marlin Humphrey.
Speaker 4 (04:43):
So they're both gone. You add Cheeto, But then, like
like you said, you still have that need. The other
piece is when you look at safety. Of course, our
Darius Washington went down this offseason. The Ravens added Malachi
Starks in the first round. But you want to have
depth and flexibility. What this allows the Ravens to do
is they can continue to use Marlon Huphrey in the
slot where they really like him, where he's an impact player,
(05:05):
and so you could have Alexander or Cheeto outside along
with Nate Wiggins and then and then still have that
flexibility in the secondary, like I think together.
Speaker 1 (05:17):
Jellen Armor Davis took some snaps at safety during this
these off season practice. Could he see a little bit
more action there? You know? I mean Marlon's even talked
to times about playing a little bit of safety, you know,
like I think that Marlon Humphrey today said we could
play anywhere.
Speaker 3 (05:34):
Yeah, these guys, we can play anywhere and everywhere.
Speaker 1 (05:37):
And so not that I expect a lot of snaps
to in that, you know, for them at safety, I
think it's going to be Kyle and Malachi predominantly, and
Snoozy has been really good Snooze Keane. But this, yes,
to your point, this gives the Ravens more versatility and
just quite frankly, another star out there. I mean, you
look at the Ravens secondary on paper, and it's first
round pick after first round pick, Kyle Hamilton, first round pick,
(06:00):
Malachi Starks, first round pick, Nate Wiggins, first round pick,
Marlon Humphrey first round pick, Jyu Alexander first round pick.
Yeah right, I mean it's ridiculous the amount of talent there.
So it's it's going to be a tough unit to
throw on.
Speaker 4 (06:13):
And like, going back to the point of flexibility and versatility,
the Ravens have said many times that they want to
have positionless football players, and like this continues to allow
them to have options and just really good players like
and so I don't know, I'm just excited about this movie.
The other piece of it too, I think it's just
is I think that character wise culturally, like he's a
(06:36):
good fit. You have Lamar Jackson who's like vouching for
him very publicly.
Speaker 1 (06:39):
Well, and yeah, he and Lamar Jackson are teammates at Louisville,
So for our listeners probably know that already, but that's
a big part of the equation. Yeah, you bring in
your former college teammate and good pal.
Speaker 4 (06:49):
Well, if you remember when both these guys got drafted
in twenty eighteen, both first round picks, both at the
draft in Dallas, and there was a cool moment where
Jayuy Alexander was doing some kind of media day type
stuff after getting draft, and then he saw the moment
where Lamar got drafted. Just a great video of him
reacting and you could see like the genuine enthusiasm. These
two guys are tight, like they they their their friends.
(07:10):
Lamar hit him up when he became available. Even Marlon
Humphrey talked at podium about how last year when the
Ravens and the Packers were having joint practices, he was
talking to Jaire Alexander like, it would be pretty sweet
to team up.
Speaker 2 (07:22):
I would I would like the opportunity.
Speaker 3 (07:24):
To team up with you guys still wearing a different uniform.
Speaker 4 (07:26):
Yeah, And they were like Marlin's like, well, I'm on
the raven John the Packers. I'm not sure that's gonna work,
but like I want to team up with you.
Speaker 2 (07:31):
I like the idea of that.
Speaker 4 (07:32):
So like you have well there are you know, players
saying like we want to play with this guy.
Speaker 1 (07:36):
Yeah, you know you know how else that Lamar and
Jaire are connected. Right twenty nineteen preseason Lamar Labar hurtled
him in that preseason game. It was like one of
the first like ridiculous Lamar Jackson highlights of his professional
career and didn't end up counting.
Speaker 3 (07:54):
But it was a pretty sick play. You got Jai
years but yeah, uh so, yeah that play.
Speaker 4 (07:59):
That play was funny. I actually remember the two of
those guys joking about it after the game. They were
laughing about it.
Speaker 3 (08:03):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (08:03):
I honestly think that this speaks to a lot of
things on the Raves behalf, because reportedly jay Or Alexander
turned down much more money from other teams, and they're
reportedly about a dozen teams that were interested in signing
him after the Packers released him and he turned down
more money. The Panthers were one of those teams that
(08:23):
were reportedly in the mix. And part of it is
because a Lamar Jackson is just a magnet, right, Like
people want to play with Lamar. It's part of DeAndre
Hopkins while you signed here, you know all of these things.
So it's Lamar and it's just the Ravens a they're
just winners, you know, They're always in contention. And this
is kind of to the crowd of like this is
(08:46):
part of the Ravens thought process when they say what
we want to do is always keep the window open.
Speaker 3 (08:51):
We always want to be in.
Speaker 1 (08:51):
Contention, and like we're not to go all in and
mortgage the future to go all in kind of team. Now, gosh,
they keep making these additions this off it feels he
feels pretty all in, right, But like part of it
is just to always be in contention because so you
are known as a team that's always fighting for a title,
and like that's alluring to these free agents when you're
(09:14):
picking between the Panthers and the Ravens and you, you know,
when you're a veteran who wants to win, it's pretty obvious.
And it's just like the culture everything the Ravens stand for. Like,
I think that that it goes a long way, and
they have a history of these veterans, veterans coming in
on one year deals, prove themselves and getting paid. And
Jayla Alexander, you know, it's a probly a one year deal.
(09:36):
He's going to be twenty nine years old and hitting
the free agency market potentially after this season. How many
guys have done this in Baltimore and it's worked out
pretty darn well well.
Speaker 4 (09:45):
I think that you do look at the track recket
of players who veteran players who have come here, especially
in recent years with Lamar being like that magnet Hopkins
is someone you mentioned, but Derek Henry last year was
clear that he wanted for sure Lamar Jackson, and so
here Alexander, even though he's on the other side of
the ball, just wants to be in Lamar's orbit. And
on this team, Odell Beckham Junior falls into that. Kettleory
(10:07):
wanted to play with Lamar Jackson and so like there's
a number, there's plenty of examples of that, and and
it's just it's exciting to have, like, I guess that
star that has that gravitational pool. Yes, like everyone's like
I want to be part of the action there, and
like I just think that Lamar lifts everything around him.
And like, of course there's what we see on the field,
(10:30):
but man, his his ability as a recruiter as like
just a gravitational force, like you said, I think, is
something that it's hard to totally quantify, but like we're
seeing it really come to life these last few years
with star players wanting to be on the Ravens in
part because of Lamar, and that is something that is rare.
Speaker 3 (10:50):
Yeah, and credit to Eric Tacosta. I mean, Jay R.
Speaker 1 (10:53):
Alexander was owed seventeen point five million dollars for the
Packers this season before they released him. Reports are that
the Ravens got him got hit Jaiyr for four million
with incentives that go up to six, which are based
on playing time. If he plays fifty percent of snaps,
it's six. When I reports first came out and it
was six, I was like, that's a great deal.
Speaker 2 (11:14):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (11:15):
Then I saw was flying four that could go up
to six. I was like, that's even better deal. Yeah,
And so like props to the Ravens front office too
for closing that deal.
Speaker 4 (11:24):
Well yeah, I think like also, by the way, I
loved I'm sure fans have seen it if they haven't, Like,
it was pretty awesome to see Lamar come into the
room with Surprise Jay when he was signing his contract
and signing the wall that everybody says after they signed
their deal. And then the picture that we got with Jaiir,
Lamar and Eric Costa together.
Speaker 2 (11:42):
So it was just like it shows.
Speaker 3 (11:44):
Look.
Speaker 4 (11:45):
Just the last point on Lamar is, like Eric has
talked before about when you have a star player at
a quarterback, a franchise quarterback, how they there's a partnership
that exists there, and like it's not like the Ravens
just signed Jaiyir Alexander solely because Lamar Jackson.
Speaker 1 (12:00):
It wasn't like they just called. The first phone call
probably occurred before Lamar jack I.
Speaker 2 (12:06):
Guess Lamar wants and we'll do that.
Speaker 4 (12:07):
Like it's not it's not that cut and dry here,
but but like him bouncing for him certainly carries weight.
Speaker 1 (12:12):
Well, I mean, it makes me wonder whether Lamar knew
that this was in the works, that he was maybe
coming coming into the building potentially for a visit and
say come on.
Speaker 3 (12:22):
Go get him, go get him.
Speaker 4 (12:23):
I mean, when you go back and watch the clip
of Lamar saying that, like he almost winks at the
at the at the camera like he's he knew something
was going on, seeming like he had an inclination that
something was in the worst.
Speaker 3 (12:36):
Yeah.
Speaker 4 (12:38):
So yeah, I just think that we always talk like
it's it'll be the first forty eight hours of free
agency and it'll be.
Speaker 2 (12:45):
Like, what's going on? Why you haven't you signed anybody?
And you know, do something?
Speaker 4 (12:50):
Memes and all that stuff and like and the Ravens
and Eric have a great, great history of like playing
the market in the game really well, being patient, strike
at the right time and also keeping like some cap
space available for when a guy like Jaya Alexander hits
the market, you can go and make a move and
that could be a free agent acquisition, that could be
(13:13):
a trade. We've seen them do that to great success
ro qwand Smith a few years ago. Like, they have
made these types of moves later in the process and
had a lot of success with it. Jadevion Clowney another
like move late in the process where they've had a
lot of success. So I put Alexander just as another
guy in that category. And I just think the Ravens
(13:33):
front office is such a good job of being patient,
being like thoughtful, and then they don't always pay huge
market money on the first forty eight hours of free agency,
but like they have a prudent approach and they often
end up getting many times even better players at a
better price.
Speaker 1 (13:52):
So Jay Alexander four million according to reports. Okay, let
me read some of the other cornerbacks that signed deals
this offseason. Paulson Adebo signed with the Giants average of
eighteen million dollars per year. Carlton Davis eighteen million dollars
with the Patriots.
Speaker 3 (14:08):
These are averages.
Speaker 1 (14:10):
Sharvarius Ward eighteen million dollars with the Colts, Bira Murphy
eighteen million dollars of the Vikings, Nate Hobbs twelve with
the Packers, DJ Reid sixteen with the Lions, Brandon Stevens twelve,
Jordan Lewis ten.
Speaker 3 (14:23):
I mean I can keep going.
Speaker 1 (14:25):
Yeah, okay, and like Darius slay a one year ten
with the Stealers.
Speaker 3 (14:31):
Yeah, I mean good corner.
Speaker 4 (14:33):
But yeah, there's yeah again and part of it again,
the health is the big question, and so that's the unknown.
But it's you could make that case for a lot
of players. Your health is never guaranteed for anybody, and
so that's the question. And that's why he was available.
That's why it comes at a discount. But you take that,
you take that perceived risk for the payout of a
(14:56):
guy being a Pro Bowl corner like that is. That's
a move and a bet the Ravens have made many
times before.
Speaker 1 (15:04):
And Javian Clowney was the same best he can't he
came tons of injuries to us, he ever gonna really
put it all together, and and he's guy's always injured
and he played i think all seventeen. Yeah, and best
season of his career, he had a great season and
then hit the market and got paid paid.
Speaker 3 (15:22):
The same thing could happen here.
Speaker 2 (15:23):
Yeah, totally agree.
Speaker 4 (15:24):
So I think obviously we're very much on board with
this move, and I think that it's gonna put this
I think, like just a conclusion on Alexander, Like, I
just think that this puts the Ravens in a position
where this defense and really the team overall has like
no holes. They have like no holes going into training camp,
and that's not the case for most teams in the NFL.
Of course, you have a couple of questions here and there,
(15:45):
but like from a big picture roster composition standpoint, there's
no glaring holes in need on this team.
Speaker 1 (15:50):
I don't think cornerback was a hole even before they
signed h year, but I do think you know, you
had Cheeto, who has his own injury history, and then
on top of that, the guys behind him Jayleen Armor
Davis injury history.
Speaker 3 (16:04):
TJ.
Speaker 1 (16:05):
Tampa missed most of his rookie season due to injuries.
So if you did have injuries at that position, including
with Cha, you could get into a dicey situation. So
this adds even more depth and top flight talent to
that group.
Speaker 4 (16:19):
So the Ravens are in a really good position and
that's exciting. So we're gonna take a quick break. When
we come back, we'll share our thoughts from the final
day of mandatory mini camp as the Ravens head off
to summer break. You're listening to the Lounge podcast. We
are coming to you from the Sea Geek Studio. We
also want to mention our partners with Draft King Sportsbook.
They are an official sports betting partner of the Baltimore
Ravens Draft King Sports Book. The Crown is yours. So
(16:39):
we spent all this time talking about Jaire Alexander and
obviously we're excited about that.
Speaker 2 (16:43):
Let's tell you what he was.
Speaker 4 (16:44):
So, first of all, he was not on the field
on Wednesday, did not practice. Signed his contract, you know,
about an hour before the team got out there on
the practice field.
Speaker 2 (16:52):
But so he was watching.
Speaker 1 (16:54):
He was watching practice, heat it up with everybody, Kyle Hamilton,
even Steve Bashatti. Yeah, he's chatting up with him all
the all the corners of course. Yeah, I mean he
stayed like the whole practice, which that was pretty cool.
Speaker 4 (17:06):
Yeah, But I will say so we're talking about Jaire
and all that all the secondary though, even without him
on the field, had a pretty good day.
Speaker 3 (17:13):
Yeah, exactly. You know those corners are like, yeah, we
would have been high. Yeah.
Speaker 1 (17:17):
And that's honestly been kind of the theme to Mini
camp is the secondary has gotten his hands on a
lot of passes, which is particularly noteworthy considering during OTA's
In mini camp, you're not really challenging the ball the
way you normally would, and you kind of back off
the last second unless you really feel like, yeah, I
got this, I'm making a play on the ball and
(17:38):
not on the player, right, And multiple interceptions. TJ Tampa
got a pick for the second straight practice. Both Mini
camp practice he got an interception. Nate Wiggins picked off
Lamar Jackson and and could have had a pick six potentially.
Speaker 2 (17:54):
I think that was six, pick six right, pick.
Speaker 1 (17:56):
Six right there, So really good plays by both of
those guys, and so it just I think the secondary
kind of showed up during Mini camp and and really
it goes to what Marlon Humphrey said after practice, which
is that is the focus for the defense this year.
It's kind of, you know, coming off the loss to
Buffalo in the playoffs and and really digging into how
(18:19):
How could that have happened?
Speaker 3 (18:20):
It seemed like we were so destined to go to
the Super Bowl.
Speaker 1 (18:23):
We had such a great team, we were doing everything right.
How did that happen? Boiled down to the turnovers. The
Bills got three of them, The Bill's defense got three,
the Ravens defense got zero, and conversely, the Ravens offense
committed three.
Speaker 3 (18:36):
Right, And so.
Speaker 1 (18:39):
That was Marlon Humphrey, you know, defensively, that's how Marlon
Humphrey looks at it.
Speaker 3 (18:42):
It is like, we got to get turnovers.
Speaker 2 (18:44):
He wasn't. Just to be clear, He's not like, well,
look the offense turned the ball.
Speaker 1 (18:47):
Yeah, exactly, He's he put it on the defense. He says,
we got to get the turnovers, like buffaloed it. And
and so that has been something that he said. They've
been really kind of banging that drum in the defensive
meeting rooms. And hey, we even heard from Ny Wiggins, right,
I mean when he came on the lounge said ten takeaways,
that's the goal. So that's the way they're thinking. And
(19:09):
we saw it on the practice field.
Speaker 4 (19:11):
Yeah, it was encouraging to see that another guy who
actually got his hands on the ball with an interception
was bo Braid and still seven and he's another guy.
Him and Sanoozy Kane. I thought I had you, Like
we talked at the start of these offseason practices like, hey,
this is big opportunity for both beau Braid and Sanoosy Kane.
I thought both of them had big, some nice moments,
but Brad missed a little bit of time it was
an ankle injury. But overall I thought that both of
(19:34):
those guys showed some encouraging signs during these offseason practices.
Speaker 1 (19:38):
Yeah, I think that when we were talking about holes
on the roster, you know, before the break, that would
have been the spot with our areas going down with
the achilles, it was kind of like, I think a
lot of people assume the Ravens are going to go
out and get a veteran safety, but first the Ravens
wanted to, I think, get a better evaluation and a
longer look at Sanoozy Kane and Beau Braid with the
(19:59):
first team defense and getting those reps and.
Speaker 3 (20:02):
Both guys played well.
Speaker 1 (20:04):
Yeah, I'm not gonna sit here and rule out the
possibility that the Ravens could still sign a veteran safety,
but I think that those guys showed up what made
a good case that it's not necessary.
Speaker 4 (20:14):
Yeah, and as we said, like you look at the
secondary as a whole, there's versatility with the addition of Alexandrew.
So I like what I saw from those guys. They
got a lot of run time in these off season practices.
And for bo Braid, like that was what he did
last year that earned him a spot on this team. Like,
he made plays and it was good to see him.
It was pretty nice, like running back. It was not
(20:35):
a gimmey interception that he came up with during that
seven on seven drill, So nice to see him come
up with that. And then another guy that'll point to
this is on the offensive side of the ball. I think,
just like showed up many times for me during these
off season practices was Tess Walker. Yep, Like I just thought,
I think he just continues to make plays and I'm
looking on like how does he find his way onto
(20:57):
the field, And it really crap outed receiver group with
Zay Flowers or Sean Baman and DeAndre Hopkins in front
of him, I don't know.
Speaker 3 (21:05):
Exactly, plus the tight ends, Plus there's.
Speaker 4 (21:08):
There's one ball to go around and it's hard to
see him really having a big role, but I do
think he made a number of plays and today he
had a nice big catch down the sidelines and John
Harball said he actually talked to the team afterwards because
tomorrow's birthday. So I just think that, yeah, it's it was.
It was nice to see him make some of those plays. Again,
hard to see what that role looks like, but I
(21:29):
think he's taking a nice step in year two.
Speaker 3 (21:31):
Well.
Speaker 1 (21:31):
To me, it's it's kind of a role that we
envisioned when the Ravens first drafted him, and it's kind
of a big slot, speed, speed driven, big slot is
what I could see him coming into and maybe getting
some snaps, right. I mean, you have the addition of Hopkins.
He's really your contested catch outside of numbers and and
short stuff, uh you know, move the chains kind of
(21:54):
ball winner, contested catch, ball winner. But Devantees I think
adds a different element. I mean, it's just not to
say that DeAndre isn't moving well, because he is, but
Devantas has another gear and it is evident watching mini
camp practice today. Throughout really throughout Ota is a mini camp,
but a couple of plays today really stood out to me.
One was a shallow crosser that he ran across the
(22:16):
field and when he got that caught that ball and
turned up a gear. I mean, it was like whoa,
you know, I mean, there's not a lot of players
that you watch. We've been we've been watching football for
a little while now, and you notice when somebody has
a different different gear. Keith Mitchell, same way you watch
him and you're just like wooh, tedz Walker has that
(22:39):
kind of speed. And to see him get that ball
and then just like take off up the sideline, it
was impressive to me. And then he made a deep,
really great grab, contested catch. It was close, tightly covered
down the sideline for a really long gain on a bomb.
And so I talked to Devantees after practice and to
kind of answer your question you, I.
Speaker 3 (22:59):
Was like, how old do you get the ball?
Speaker 1 (23:01):
Man? You know, you got a lot of guys and
he's just kind of I can't worry about that, you know,
I just have these these guys who are great role
models in front of me. I'm learning so much from
watching your shot Batman, from watching Zay Flowers and DeAndre
Hopkins that like, hey, man, if one of them can't
suit up some game.
Speaker 3 (23:17):
They got to be able to have confidence in me.
Speaker 1 (23:19):
Then I'm gonna go out there and make plays, right,
And I think that's the healthy approach. And he just
feels like he's so much more confident. He just knows
the offense and he's not thinking through all of his
routes and where do I get lined up? And now
he feels like he can actually play mentally as fast
as he is physically fast.
Speaker 4 (23:38):
Yeah, as I mentioned this, we had a chance to
talk to Kyle Hamilton after practice and he made the
point and when I talk about the roster just being
so kind of solid, he said he actually kind of
had a conversation with Hardball about that during practice and
made the point that, like you can see the trajectory
that we're on as a defense. He didn't want to
go too far or make too many like big claims,
(23:58):
but like he basically said, out I was talking to
Horrible at practice and like we're in good shape and
this defense has the chance to be really good. The team,
of course, has a chance to be really good. But
I think that there really is like for the veteran
players on this team who have been here the last
few years, there is a real sense and belief that
(24:18):
like the Ravens have it all. They've got all the
pieces here in place. Now it's a long road between
now and the end of the season, but like all
of the ingredients are there and now it's about putting
it all together and they're working on that.
Speaker 1 (24:34):
We said that this team was loaded before they signed
Jaiya Alexander, so it's even more loaded. I completely agree.
I just want to couple couple of other notes for
me from practice. I thought that the rookie defensive lineman
on nispebles flash for me a couple of times just
getting in the backfield one. I mean, he was just
(24:54):
that first step is pretty special that he has and
that's really why the Ravens drafted him to a large degree.
He is quick off the snap. Saw one where he
was immediately in the backfield and then he got his
hands on a ball later popped it up in the air,
almost turned around and got the interception. Yeah, so it's
it's kind of cool to see that. From the sixth round,
rookie dafe Away continues to look really good to me
(25:15):
in the backfield, Like.
Speaker 4 (25:16):
The same exact note that I said yesterday on the
podcast with him where he chased down Lamar and.
Speaker 3 (25:20):
Run it back.
Speaker 1 (25:21):
Yeah, now, Lamar kind of put a nice little spin
move on there. I don't know if the enough he
would have gotten him though.
Speaker 4 (25:26):
I don't know that'd be a debate between those two
guys whether he would have gotten it for the sack.
Speaker 1 (25:30):
Yeah, I bet I know where each one of them stands.
And Anthony Miller got to give him shout out a
pretty darn good grab between like two or three guys
on the sideline.
Speaker 3 (25:40):
I think he was ruled out of bounds. But I
like Anthony Miller. There's just something about that dude.
Speaker 2 (25:44):
Yeah.
Speaker 3 (25:44):
Well, he veteran wide receiver.
Speaker 2 (25:46):
I like he had.
Speaker 4 (25:47):
He carved out a role for himself last year and
lasted on the practice squad and played snaps in the.
Speaker 1 (25:50):
Playoffs, and I think it'd be tough for him. It's
gonna be tough for him to make the fifty three.
When you look at the wide receiver breakdown we already
talked about. You know, Davontez is the fourth guy there.
Re signed Tyler Wallace for a reason. He's gonna be
on the fifty three. And then really they're talking about
Lejonte West or the rookie being the primary punt returner.
So probably, you know, if Anthony Miller were gonna be
(26:13):
on the fifty three, you have to beat Lejonte out
for a punt return job. Yeah, and that's why they
drafted la Chante to a large screen. I've been impressed
with him too, so you know, we'll see.
Speaker 4 (26:24):
He was on the practice squad last year that exactly
and then got caught up exactly, got caught up and
played meaningful snaps.
Speaker 1 (26:29):
I think he's a good player, and Isaiah likely a
couple of good grabs. What's new there. So I just think, yeah,
this this team watching two practices in mini camp, Like,
I got the feeling to your point that, like, man,
they know, they know that this could be a special season,
and they're and they're building towards that.
Speaker 4 (26:50):
Yeah, which is very exciting. So it's a break for
the players. But I don't get the sense that many
of them were taking much time off. I think these
guys are going back.
Speaker 1 (26:57):
You know, Marlon Humphrey says he's just hanging out around
here looking for stuff to do. Yeah, we can count
on he and Broder crossing.
Speaker 3 (27:04):
Yeah, Yeah, they're gonna be here.
Speaker 4 (27:05):
They're gonna be here, but yeah, I think a lot
of these guys they may leave, but they're still working
and so it's gonna be uh, it's gonna be an
exciting season and we can't wait for training camp. So
we also want to let listeners know that coming up
on Monday, we have an episode of the podcast with
Rashad Bateman sat down with him for really just enjoyable interview.
He was open, transparent about just his whole career in
(27:26):
the new contract that he got, and so that's gonna
drop Monday morning, and I think listeners and viewers are
certainly going to enjoy that, So make sure you check
that out Monday morning. You can subscribe here. Also head
over to the Ravens press Pass feed and subscribe there
as well. Thanks for listening Talk with Againstign
Welcome into Lounge presented by DraftKings. I'm Ryan Mink here
with Garrett Downing and we had breaking news today, Garrett,
with the addition of two time Pro Bowl cornerback Jaire Alexander.
This is a huge signing that you know, we've talked about.
I think you and I we were on the record
saying that you know, this one, this one could happen,
(00:25):
and we would like to see it happen. And then
Lamar Jackson also went on the record with that same opinion.
Speaker 2 (00:31):
I think his opinion matters slightly more than ours.
Speaker 3 (00:33):
Just a little bit, just a little bit.
Speaker 1 (00:35):
And one day later, Eric got it done just like
Lamar asked, And so, uh, just a huge signing for
the Ravens. Really exciting to lock up. You know, one
of the best cornerbacks in the league when he's healthy.
And I think that this defense, you look at it
on paper as a whole and the secondary within that,
(00:57):
it is pretty dynamite.
Speaker 4 (00:58):
Yeah, I mean, Jayiy alex Xander is a top flight cornerback.
The only issue with him has been health that he's
He's been a bunch of games, you know, last year.
Speaker 3 (01:07):
Seven games ease of the past two seasons.
Speaker 4 (01:09):
Yeah, so, like he's battled those injuries. However, when he's
been healthy, he's been one of the league's best two
time Pro bowler.
Speaker 1 (01:16):
Like you said, well, Pro Football Focus he has the
second best coverage grade, second best in the whole league
among all NFL cornerbacks over the past three years. Now, again,
you know injuries have limited the sample size there a
little bit. But to that point, PFF also ranked him
going into this season as the ninth best corner in
(01:36):
the league.
Speaker 2 (01:37):
Yeah, yeah, which is like that tells you. That tells
you a lot.
Speaker 4 (01:40):
It's a premier player, right, He's a premier player, former
first round pick, He's got a big contracts, he's been
to Pro Bowls. He is a top flight player, and
he can come in and has the potential to start
right away. I mean, I think, like when we heard
from these the Ravens today, Ron Humphrey, Kyle Hamilton, the
clear feeling was you just can and have too many
(02:01):
good cover corners. Like that's been us. We've heard that
phrase a million times over Ravens history, and this is
just another example of that. Like the Ravens have their
they have Nate Wiggins, they have Moreland Humphrey and now
they have Jaire Alexander and these three cornerback sets who
can go out there and like those are three lockdown corners,
like lockdown corners when they're all playing at their best.
(02:23):
I don't know that there's a better three cornerback grouping
in the NFL. I think that's probably the best if
all those guys are healthy and playing at a high level.
Speaker 3 (02:31):
Yep.
Speaker 4 (02:31):
So, like that is saying something right there. You also
added chidoh Wuse this offseason, who is more than capable
of starting in his own right as well. Like prior
to this, we were all saying, like Cheeto, it could
be a starting corner no doubt.
Speaker 2 (02:42):
So he still has that ability to right.
Speaker 1 (02:44):
Plus you have the other young guys in jailn Arbor Davis. No,
he's a little bit more of a vet, but you
know TJ. Tampa, Yeah, you have a lot of depth cornerback.
Speaker 3 (02:53):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (02:53):
I put those guys into like the depth category.
Speaker 3 (02:55):
Yeah exactly.
Speaker 4 (02:55):
Those top four are more in like the they're going
to play a lot category.
Speaker 1 (02:59):
That's the correct and the nice thing here is that, yeah,
Jayir's dealt with injuries over his career.
Speaker 3 (03:06):
It's kind of similar to Cheeto.
Speaker 1 (03:08):
Right, He's also a really good corner when he's healthy,
but that's if right or a win, you know he's healthy,
that's a bit of a question mark. It's been a
bugaboo for him, just as it has been for Jaiyir.
So it's kind of like those two guys, You're like,
all right, I feel like we can get seventeen games
out of them combined, at least, you know what I mean,
Like even if one were to miss some time, you
(03:29):
have the other. So's it's almost like, certainly Jayr's not
an insurance policy, but like now you have almost cheatah cheat.
They can back each other up to a degree. I
think Jayir is in line to certainly be the starter.
He's that kind of player. But you feel also really
good that you also have Cheeto just in case Jair
gets bitten by the injury bug again. Yeah.
Speaker 4 (03:50):
Part of it is like you just want to add
good players for your team, and the other part is
you want to have depth in case you need it.
And like I think the addition of Alexander covers both
of those.
Speaker 1 (04:00):
You think about it, I mean from last year they
had Brandon Stevens and then they went out and still
you thought you had your starting corners, you had enough corners,
and then oh they went out and traded for Tredevious
wait at the deadline, and he ended up.
Speaker 2 (04:11):
Playing at a lot of ball.
Speaker 1 (04:13):
Right, Both those guys left in the off season. You
replaced one with Cheeto. Okay, now you got another corner.
Speaker 4 (04:19):
Yeah, that's I look at what I'm when I'm looking
at the same overall, I'm looking at it from an
overall secondary standpoint, and that is a huge piece of
the equation. You lost two corners who were playing like huge.
I mean Brandon Stevens I think played every snap against
Buffalo almost and then Tredevius White was on the field
for key plays in that playoff game. So like by
the end of the season, both those guys were playing
(04:39):
significant snaps in addition to Nate.
Speaker 2 (04:42):
Wig And and Marlin Humphrey.
Speaker 4 (04:43):
So they're both gone. You add Cheeto, But then, like
like you said, you still have that need. The other
piece is when you look at safety. Of course, our
Darius Washington went down this offseason. The Ravens added Malachi
Starks in the first round. But you want to have
depth and flexibility. What this allows the Ravens to do
is they can continue to use Marlon Huphrey in the
slot where they really like him, where he's an impact player,
(05:05):
and so you could have Alexander or Cheeto outside along
with Nate Wiggins and then and then still have that
flexibility in the secondary, like I think together.
Speaker 1 (05:17):
Jellen Armor Davis took some snaps at safety during this
these off season practice. Could he see a little bit
more action there? You know? I mean Marlon's even talked
to times about playing a little bit of safety, you know,
like I think that Marlon Humphrey today said we could
play anywhere.
Speaker 3 (05:34):
Yeah, these guys, we can play anywhere and everywhere.
Speaker 1 (05:37):
And so not that I expect a lot of snaps
to in that, you know, for them at safety, I
think it's going to be Kyle and Malachi predominantly, and
Snoozy has been really good Snooze Keane. But this, yes,
to your point, this gives the Ravens more versatility and
just quite frankly, another star out there. I mean, you
look at the Ravens secondary on paper, and it's first
round pick after first round pick, Kyle Hamilton, first round pick,
(06:00):
Malachi Starks, first round pick, Nate Wiggins, first round pick,
Marlon Humphrey first round pick, Jyu Alexander first round pick.
Yeah right, I mean it's ridiculous the amount of talent there.
So it's it's going to be a tough unit to
throw on.
Speaker 4 (06:13):
And like, going back to the point of flexibility and versatility,
the Ravens have said many times that they want to
have positionless football players, and like this continues to allow
them to have options and just really good players like
and so I don't know, I'm just excited about this movie.
The other piece of it too, I think it's just
is I think that character wise culturally, like he's a
(06:36):
good fit. You have Lamar Jackson who's like vouching for
him very publicly.
Speaker 1 (06:39):
Well, and yeah, he and Lamar Jackson are teammates at Louisville,
So for our listeners probably know that already, but that's
a big part of the equation. Yeah, you bring in
your former college teammate and good pal.
Speaker 4 (06:49):
Well, if you remember when both these guys got drafted
in twenty eighteen, both first round picks, both at the
draft in Dallas, and there was a cool moment where
Jayuy Alexander was doing some kind of media day type
stuff after getting draft, and then he saw the moment
where Lamar got drafted. Just a great video of him
reacting and you could see like the genuine enthusiasm. These
two guys are tight, like they they their their friends.
(07:10):
Lamar hit him up when he became available. Even Marlon
Humphrey talked at podium about how last year when the
Ravens and the Packers were having joint practices, he was
talking to Jaire Alexander like, it would be pretty sweet
to team up.
Speaker 2 (07:22):
I would I would like the opportunity.
Speaker 3 (07:24):
To team up with you guys still wearing a different uniform.
Speaker 4 (07:26):
Yeah, And they were like Marlin's like, well, I'm on
the raven John the Packers. I'm not sure that's gonna work,
but like I want to team up with you.
Speaker 2 (07:31):
I like the idea of that.
Speaker 4 (07:32):
So like you have well there are you know, players
saying like we want to play with this guy.
Speaker 1 (07:36):
Yeah, you know you know how else that Lamar and
Jaire are connected. Right twenty nineteen preseason Lamar Labar hurtled
him in that preseason game. It was like one of
the first like ridiculous Lamar Jackson highlights of his professional
career and didn't end up counting.
Speaker 3 (07:54):
But it was a pretty sick play. You got Jai
years but yeah, uh so, yeah that play.
Speaker 4 (07:59):
That play was funny. I actually remember the two of
those guys joking about it after the game. They were
laughing about it.
Speaker 3 (08:03):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (08:03):
I honestly think that this speaks to a lot of
things on the Raves behalf, because reportedly jay Or Alexander
turned down much more money from other teams, and they're
reportedly about a dozen teams that were interested in signing
him after the Packers released him and he turned down
more money. The Panthers were one of those teams that
(08:23):
were reportedly in the mix. And part of it is
because a Lamar Jackson is just a magnet, right, Like
people want to play with Lamar. It's part of DeAndre
Hopkins while you signed here, you know all of these things.
So it's Lamar and it's just the Ravens a they're
just winners, you know, They're always in contention. And this
is kind of to the crowd of like this is
(08:46):
part of the Ravens thought process when they say what
we want to do is always keep the window open.
Speaker 3 (08:51):
We always want to be in.
Speaker 1 (08:51):
Contention, and like we're not to go all in and
mortgage the future to go all in kind of team. Now, gosh,
they keep making these additions this off it feels he
feels pretty all in, right, But like part of it
is just to always be in contention because so you
are known as a team that's always fighting for a title,
and like that's alluring to these free agents when you're
(09:14):
picking between the Panthers and the Ravens and you, you know,
when you're a veteran who wants to win, it's pretty obvious.
And it's just like the culture everything the Ravens stand for. Like,
I think that that it goes a long way, and
they have a history of these veterans, veterans coming in
on one year deals, prove themselves and getting paid. And
Jayla Alexander, you know, it's a probly a one year deal.
(09:36):
He's going to be twenty nine years old and hitting
the free agency market potentially after this season. How many
guys have done this in Baltimore and it's worked out
pretty darn well well.
Speaker 4 (09:45):
I think that you do look at the track recket
of players who veteran players who have come here, especially
in recent years with Lamar being like that magnet Hopkins
is someone you mentioned, but Derek Henry last year was
clear that he wanted for sure Lamar Jackson, and so
here Alexander, even though he's on the other side of
the ball, just wants to be in Lamar's orbit. And
on this team, Odell Beckham Junior falls into that. Kettleory
(10:07):
wanted to play with Lamar Jackson and so like there's
a number, there's plenty of examples of that, and and
it's just it's exciting to have, like, I guess that
star that has that gravitational pool. Yes, like everyone's like
I want to be part of the action there, and
like I just think that Lamar lifts everything around him.
And like, of course there's what we see on the field,
(10:30):
but man, his his ability as a recruiter as like
just a gravitational force, like you said, I think, is
something that it's hard to totally quantify, but like we're
seeing it really come to life these last few years
with star players wanting to be on the Ravens in
part because of Lamar, and that is something that is rare.
Speaker 3 (10:50):
Yeah, and credit to Eric Tacosta. I mean, Jay R.
Speaker 1 (10:53):
Alexander was owed seventeen point five million dollars for the
Packers this season before they released him. Reports are that
the Ravens got him got hit Jaiyr for four million
with incentives that go up to six, which are based
on playing time. If he plays fifty percent of snaps,
it's six. When I reports first came out and it
was six, I was like, that's a great deal.
Speaker 2 (11:14):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (11:15):
Then I saw was flying four that could go up
to six. I was like, that's even better deal. Yeah,
And so like props to the Ravens front office too
for closing that deal.
Speaker 4 (11:24):
Well yeah, I think like also, by the way, I
loved I'm sure fans have seen it if they haven't, Like,
it was pretty awesome to see Lamar come into the
room with Surprise Jay when he was signing his contract
and signing the wall that everybody says after they signed
their deal. And then the picture that we got with Jaiir,
Lamar and Eric Costa together.
Speaker 2 (11:42):
So it was just like it shows.
Speaker 3 (11:44):
Look.
Speaker 4 (11:45):
Just the last point on Lamar is, like Eric has
talked before about when you have a star player at
a quarterback, a franchise quarterback, how they there's a partnership
that exists there, and like it's not like the Ravens
just signed Jaiyir Alexander solely because Lamar Jackson.
Speaker 1 (12:00):
It wasn't like they just called. The first phone call
probably occurred before Lamar jack I.
Speaker 2 (12:06):
Guess Lamar wants and we'll do that.
Speaker 4 (12:07):
Like it's not it's not that cut and dry here,
but but like him bouncing for him certainly carries weight.
Speaker 1 (12:12):
Well, I mean, it makes me wonder whether Lamar knew
that this was in the works, that he was maybe
coming coming into the building potentially for a visit and
say come on.
Speaker 3 (12:22):
Go get him, go get him.
Speaker 4 (12:23):
I mean, when you go back and watch the clip
of Lamar saying that, like he almost winks at the
at the at the camera like he's he knew something
was going on, seeming like he had an inclination that
something was in the worst.
Speaker 3 (12:36):
Yeah.
Speaker 4 (12:38):
So yeah, I just think that we always talk like
it's it'll be the first forty eight hours of free
agency and it'll be.
Speaker 2 (12:45):
Like, what's going on? Why you haven't you signed anybody?
And you know, do something?
Speaker 4 (12:50):
Memes and all that stuff and like and the Ravens
and Eric have a great, great history of like playing
the market in the game really well, being patient, strike
at the right time and also keeping like some cap
space available for when a guy like Jaya Alexander hits
the market, you can go and make a move and
that could be a free agent acquisition, that could be
(13:13):
a trade. We've seen them do that to great success
ro qwand Smith a few years ago. Like, they have
made these types of moves later in the process and
had a lot of success with it. Jadevion Clowney another
like move late in the process where they've had a
lot of success. So I put Alexander just as another
guy in that category. And I just think the Ravens
(13:33):
front office is such a good job of being patient,
being like thoughtful, and then they don't always pay huge
market money on the first forty eight hours of free agency,
but like they have a prudent approach and they often
end up getting many times even better players at a
better price.
Speaker 1 (13:52):
So Jay Alexander four million according to reports. Okay, let
me read some of the other cornerbacks that signed deals
this offseason. Paulson Adebo signed with the Giants average of
eighteen million dollars per year. Carlton Davis eighteen million dollars
with the Patriots.
Speaker 3 (14:08):
These are averages.
Speaker 1 (14:10):
Sharvarius Ward eighteen million dollars with the Colts, Bira Murphy
eighteen million dollars of the Vikings, Nate Hobbs twelve with
the Packers, DJ Reid sixteen with the Lions, Brandon Stevens twelve,
Jordan Lewis ten.
Speaker 3 (14:23):
I mean I can keep going.
Speaker 1 (14:25):
Yeah, okay, and like Darius slay a one year ten
with the Stealers.
Speaker 3 (14:31):
Yeah, I mean good corner.
Speaker 4 (14:33):
But yeah, there's yeah again and part of it again,
the health is the big question, and so that's the unknown.
But it's you could make that case for a lot
of players. Your health is never guaranteed for anybody, and
so that's the question. And that's why he was available.
That's why it comes at a discount. But you take that,
you take that perceived risk for the payout of a
(14:56):
guy being a Pro Bowl corner like that is. That's
a move and a bet the Ravens have made many
times before.
Speaker 1 (15:04):
And Javian Clowney was the same best he can't he
came tons of injuries to us, he ever gonna really
put it all together, and and he's guy's always injured
and he played i think all seventeen. Yeah, and best
season of his career, he had a great season and
then hit the market and got paid paid.
Speaker 3 (15:22):
The same thing could happen here.
Speaker 2 (15:23):
Yeah, totally agree.
Speaker 4 (15:24):
So I think obviously we're very much on board with
this move, and I think that it's gonna put this
I think, like just a conclusion on Alexander, Like, I
just think that this puts the Ravens in a position
where this defense and really the team overall has like
no holes. They have like no holes going into training camp,
and that's not the case for most teams in the NFL.
Of course, you have a couple of questions here and there,
(15:45):
but like from a big picture roster composition standpoint, there's
no glaring holes in need on this team.
Speaker 1 (15:50):
I don't think cornerback was a hole even before they
signed h year, but I do think you know, you
had Cheeto, who has his own injury history, and then
on top of that, the guys behind him Jayleen Armor
Davis injury history.
Speaker 3 (16:04):
TJ.
Speaker 1 (16:05):
Tampa missed most of his rookie season due to injuries.
So if you did have injuries at that position, including
with Cha, you could get into a dicey situation. So
this adds even more depth and top flight talent to
that group.
Speaker 4 (16:19):
So the Ravens are in a really good position and
that's exciting. So we're gonna take a quick break. When
we come back, we'll share our thoughts from the final
day of mandatory mini camp as the Ravens head off
to summer break. You're listening to the Lounge podcast. We
are coming to you from the Sea Geek Studio. We
also want to mention our partners with Draft King Sportsbook.
They are an official sports betting partner of the Baltimore
Ravens Draft King Sports Book. The Crown is yours. So
(16:39):
we spent all this time talking about Jaire Alexander and
obviously we're excited about that.
Speaker 2 (16:43):
Let's tell you what he was.
Speaker 4 (16:44):
So, first of all, he was not on the field
on Wednesday, did not practice. Signed his contract, you know,
about an hour before the team got out there on
the practice field.
Speaker 2 (16:52):
But so he was watching.
Speaker 1 (16:54):
He was watching practice, heat it up with everybody, Kyle Hamilton,
even Steve Bashatti. Yeah, he's chatting up with him all
the all the corners of course. Yeah, I mean he
stayed like the whole practice, which that was pretty cool.
Speaker 4 (17:06):
Yeah, But I will say so we're talking about Jaire
and all that all the secondary though, even without him
on the field, had a pretty good day.
Speaker 3 (17:13):
Yeah, exactly. You know those corners are like, yeah, we
would have been high. Yeah.
Speaker 1 (17:17):
And that's honestly been kind of the theme to Mini
camp is the secondary has gotten his hands on a
lot of passes, which is particularly noteworthy considering during OTA's
In mini camp, you're not really challenging the ball the
way you normally would, and you kind of back off
the last second unless you really feel like, yeah, I
got this, I'm making a play on the ball and
(17:38):
not on the player, right, And multiple interceptions. TJ Tampa
got a pick for the second straight practice. Both Mini
camp practice he got an interception. Nate Wiggins picked off
Lamar Jackson and and could have had a pick six potentially.
Speaker 2 (17:54):
I think that was six, pick six right, pick.
Speaker 1 (17:56):
Six right there, So really good plays by both of
those guys, and so it just I think the secondary
kind of showed up during Mini camp and and really
it goes to what Marlon Humphrey said after practice, which
is that is the focus for the defense this year.
It's kind of, you know, coming off the loss to
Buffalo in the playoffs and and really digging into how
(18:19):
How could that have happened?
Speaker 3 (18:20):
It seemed like we were so destined to go to
the Super Bowl.
Speaker 1 (18:23):
We had such a great team, we were doing everything right.
How did that happen? Boiled down to the turnovers. The
Bills got three of them, The Bill's defense got three,
the Ravens defense got zero, and conversely, the Ravens offense
committed three.
Speaker 3 (18:36):
Right, And so.
Speaker 1 (18:39):
That was Marlon Humphrey, you know, defensively, that's how Marlon
Humphrey looks at it.
Speaker 3 (18:42):
It is like, we got to get turnovers.
Speaker 2 (18:44):
He wasn't. Just to be clear, He's not like, well,
look the offense turned the ball.
Speaker 1 (18:47):
Yeah, exactly, He's he put it on the defense. He says,
we got to get the turnovers, like buffaloed it. And
and so that has been something that he said. They've
been really kind of banging that drum in the defensive
meeting rooms. And hey, we even heard from Ny Wiggins, right,
I mean when he came on the lounge said ten takeaways,
that's the goal. So that's the way they're thinking. And
(19:09):
we saw it on the practice field.
Speaker 4 (19:11):
Yeah, it was encouraging to see that another guy who
actually got his hands on the ball with an interception
was bo Braid and still seven and he's another guy.
Him and Sanoozy Kane. I thought I had you, Like
we talked at the start of these offseason practices like, hey,
this is big opportunity for both beau Braid and Sanoosy Kane.
I thought both of them had big, some nice moments,
but Brad missed a little bit of time it was
an ankle injury. But overall I thought that both of
(19:34):
those guys showed some encouraging signs during these offseason practices.
Speaker 1 (19:38):
Yeah, I think that when we were talking about holes
on the roster, you know, before the break, that would
have been the spot with our areas going down with
the achilles, it was kind of like, I think a
lot of people assume the Ravens are going to go
out and get a veteran safety, but first the Ravens
wanted to, I think, get a better evaluation and a
longer look at Sanoozy Kane and Beau Braid with the
(19:59):
first team defense and getting those reps and.
Speaker 3 (20:02):
Both guys played well.
Speaker 1 (20:04):
Yeah, I'm not gonna sit here and rule out the
possibility that the Ravens could still sign a veteran safety,
but I think that those guys showed up what made
a good case that it's not necessary.
Speaker 4 (20:14):
Yeah, and as we said, like you look at the
secondary as a whole, there's versatility with the addition of Alexandrew.
So I like what I saw from those guys. They
got a lot of run time in these off season practices.
And for bo Braid, like that was what he did
last year that earned him a spot on this team. Like,
he made plays and it was good to see him.
It was pretty nice, like running back. It was not
(20:35):
a gimmey interception that he came up with during that
seven on seven drill, So nice to see him come
up with that. And then another guy that'll point to
this is on the offensive side of the ball. I think,
just like showed up many times for me during these
off season practices was Tess Walker. Yep, Like I just thought,
I think he just continues to make plays and I'm
looking on like how does he find his way onto
(20:57):
the field, And it really crap outed receiver group with
Zay Flowers or Sean Baman and DeAndre Hopkins in front
of him, I don't know.
Speaker 3 (21:05):
Exactly, plus the tight ends, Plus there's.
Speaker 4 (21:08):
There's one ball to go around and it's hard to
see him really having a big role, but I do
think he made a number of plays and today he
had a nice big catch down the sidelines and John
Harball said he actually talked to the team afterwards because
tomorrow's birthday. So I just think that, yeah, it's it was.
It was nice to see him make some of those plays. Again,
hard to see what that role looks like, but I
(21:29):
think he's taking a nice step in year two.
Speaker 3 (21:31):
Well.
Speaker 1 (21:31):
To me, it's it's kind of a role that we
envisioned when the Ravens first drafted him, and it's kind
of a big slot, speed, speed driven, big slot is
what I could see him coming into and maybe getting
some snaps, right. I mean, you have the addition of Hopkins.
He's really your contested catch outside of numbers and and
short stuff, uh you know, move the chains kind of
(21:54):
ball winner, contested catch, ball winner. But Devantees I think
adds a different element. I mean, it's just not to
say that DeAndre isn't moving well, because he is, but
Devantas has another gear and it is evident watching mini
camp practice today. Throughout really throughout Ota is a mini camp,
but a couple of plays today really stood out to me.
One was a shallow crosser that he ran across the
(22:16):
field and when he got that caught that ball and
turned up a gear. I mean, it was like whoa,
you know, I mean, there's not a lot of players
that you watch. We've been we've been watching football for
a little while now, and you notice when somebody has
a different different gear. Keith Mitchell, same way you watch
him and you're just like wooh, tedz Walker has that
(22:39):
kind of speed. And to see him get that ball
and then just like take off up the sideline, it
was impressive to me. And then he made a deep,
really great grab, contested catch. It was close, tightly covered
down the sideline for a really long gain on a bomb.
And so I talked to Devantees after practice and to
kind of answer your question you, I.
Speaker 3 (22:59):
Was like, how old do you get the ball?
Speaker 1 (23:01):
Man? You know, you got a lot of guys and
he's just kind of I can't worry about that, you know,
I just have these these guys who are great role
models in front of me. I'm learning so much from
watching your shot Batman, from watching Zay Flowers and DeAndre
Hopkins that like, hey, man, if one of them can't
suit up some game.
Speaker 3 (23:17):
They got to be able to have confidence in me.
Speaker 1 (23:19):
Then I'm gonna go out there and make plays, right,
And I think that's the healthy approach. And he just
feels like he's so much more confident. He just knows
the offense and he's not thinking through all of his
routes and where do I get lined up? And now
he feels like he can actually play mentally as fast
as he is physically fast.
Speaker 4 (23:38):
Yeah, as I mentioned this, we had a chance to
talk to Kyle Hamilton after practice and he made the
point and when I talk about the roster just being
so kind of solid, he said he actually kind of
had a conversation with Hardball about that during practice and
made the point that, like you can see the trajectory
that we're on as a defense. He didn't want to
go too far or make too many like big claims,
(23:58):
but like he basically said, out I was talking to
Horrible at practice and like we're in good shape and
this defense has the chance to be really good. The team,
of course, has a chance to be really good. But
I think that there really is like for the veteran
players on this team who have been here the last
few years, there is a real sense and belief that
(24:18):
like the Ravens have it all. They've got all the
pieces here in place. Now it's a long road between
now and the end of the season, but like all
of the ingredients are there and now it's about putting
it all together and they're working on that.
Speaker 1 (24:34):
We said that this team was loaded before they signed
Jaiya Alexander, so it's even more loaded. I completely agree.
I just want to couple couple of other notes for
me from practice. I thought that the rookie defensive lineman
on nispebles flash for me a couple of times just
getting in the backfield one. I mean, he was just
(24:54):
that first step is pretty special that he has and
that's really why the Ravens drafted him to a large degree.
He is quick off the snap. Saw one where he
was immediately in the backfield and then he got his
hands on a ball later popped it up in the air,
almost turned around and got the interception. Yeah, so it's
it's kind of cool to see that. From the sixth round,
rookie dafe Away continues to look really good to me
(25:15):
in the backfield, Like.
Speaker 4 (25:16):
The same exact note that I said yesterday on the
podcast with him where he chased down Lamar and.
Speaker 3 (25:20):
Run it back.
Speaker 1 (25:21):
Yeah, now, Lamar kind of put a nice little spin
move on there. I don't know if the enough he
would have gotten him though.
Speaker 4 (25:26):
I don't know that'd be a debate between those two
guys whether he would have gotten it for the sack.
Speaker 1 (25:30):
Yeah, I bet I know where each one of them stands.
And Anthony Miller got to give him shout out a
pretty darn good grab between like two or three guys
on the sideline.
Speaker 3 (25:40):
I think he was ruled out of bounds. But I
like Anthony Miller. There's just something about that dude.
Speaker 2 (25:44):
Yeah.
Speaker 3 (25:44):
Well, he veteran wide receiver.
Speaker 2 (25:46):
I like he had.
Speaker 4 (25:47):
He carved out a role for himself last year and
lasted on the practice squad and played snaps in the.
Speaker 1 (25:50):
Playoffs, and I think it'd be tough for him. It's
gonna be tough for him to make the fifty three.
When you look at the wide receiver breakdown we already
talked about. You know, Davontez is the fourth guy there.
Re signed Tyler Wallace for a reason. He's gonna be
on the fifty three. And then really they're talking about
Lejonte West or the rookie being the primary punt returner.
So probably, you know, if Anthony Miller were gonna be
(26:13):
on the fifty three, you have to beat Lejonte out
for a punt return job. Yeah, and that's why they
drafted la Chante to a large screen. I've been impressed
with him too, so you know, we'll see.
Speaker 4 (26:24):
He was on the practice squad last year that exactly
and then got caught up exactly, got caught up and
played meaningful snaps.
Speaker 1 (26:29):
I think he's a good player, and Isaiah likely a
couple of good grabs. What's new there. So I just think, yeah,
this this team watching two practices in mini camp, Like,
I got the feeling to your point that, like, man,
they know, they know that this could be a special season,
and they're and they're building towards that.
Speaker 4 (26:50):
Yeah, which is very exciting. So it's a break for
the players. But I don't get the sense that many
of them were taking much time off. I think these
guys are going back.
Speaker 1 (26:57):
You know, Marlon Humphrey says he's just hanging out around
here looking for stuff to do. Yeah, we can count
on he and Broder crossing.
Speaker 3 (27:04):
Yeah, Yeah, they're gonna be here.
Speaker 4 (27:05):
They're gonna be here, but yeah, I think a lot
of these guys they may leave, but they're still working
and so it's gonna be uh, it's gonna be an
exciting season and we can't wait for training camp. So
we also want to let listeners know that coming up
on Monday, we have an episode of the podcast with
Rashad Bateman sat down with him for really just enjoyable interview.
He was open, transparent about just his whole career in
(27:26):
the new contract that he got, and so that's gonna
drop Monday morning, and I think listeners and viewers are
certainly going to enjoy that, So make sure you check
that out Monday morning. You can subscribe here. Also head
over to the Ravens press Pass feed and subscribe there
as well. Thanks for listening Talk with Againstign
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