Team insiders Ryan Mink and Garrett Downing share their insight on Kyle Hamilton's record-setting deal, talk about who could be next to get an extension, and discuss key practice squad additions.
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Speaker 1 (00:04):
Welcome into the Lounge presented by DraftKings. I'm Ryan mink
here with Garrett Downing and we had big news news.
Speaker 2 (00:12):
Todayken Wilds's I heard one of those.
Speaker 1 (00:13):
This feels good with the Kyle Hamilton four year contract extension,
making him the highest paid safety in the NFL. It's
a record setting contract and well deserved for a record
setting player. How do you like that? I like it.
Kyle Hamilton's awesome and really good to see him get paid.
Speaker 3 (00:33):
Look, this is I think there's a couple of things
that this says. One is, obviously the Ravens love Kyle Hamilton.
He's been a great player. He just finished his third season.
This was the earliest possibility of from an eligibility standpoint.
He just became eligible to get this contract extension this offseason.
He was technically under contract for two more years. So like,
there was not an urgency on paper to get this
(00:55):
thing done, but the Ravens wanted to get it done,
and I and Hamilton of course would like to get
it done and give you security a lot of money.
Speaker 1 (01:01):
He said it was a priority to him. He wanted
to get that deal done.
Speaker 2 (01:04):
He wanted to get it done.
Speaker 3 (01:05):
But like I think that this shows that, like there was,
Kyle Hamilton is a player that checks every single box
on and off the field. He's everything that you want
in a player. He's the Ravens drafted him with the
fourteenth pick. He's coming here. He's been a Pro Bowl player,
at an All Pro player, He's been a great guy
on and off the field, a leader on this team.
You just look at it and you're like, there's no
(01:26):
doubt that we're going to give him a contract, Like
that's going to happen. The price only goes up the
longer that you wait, but still like getting it done
after three years when you had him under contract for
two more years. I just think speaks to the commitment
that the Ravens had and knowing like he's our guy,
he's one of the franchise players. Let's just get it
(01:46):
done and put the thing to rest.
Speaker 1 (01:47):
Right. The Ravens have a lot of players that are
in line for contract extensions and they all deserve one.
The Ravens unfortunately won't be able to give all of
them contract extensions most likely, but they all they deserve
them from somebody, Kyle Hamilton was a no doubter. Yeah,
it was just it was a no doubter, had had
(02:08):
to had to get it done. And credit to him,
his agents and the Ravens, you know, and Kyle was
pretty transparent when we heard from him about like the
negotiations that, like they were just really interesting and well
well handled by all sides involved. And yeah, it's just
really plaud its to everybody involved because Kyle Hamilton is
(02:30):
a centerpiece kind of player because of a how good
he is not only just how good, but how good
he is at multiple positions. Like the dude plays free safety,
strong safety, linebacker, nickel corner, outside corner, like he plays everywhere,
and he plays level outside linebacker.
Speaker 2 (02:51):
Sometimes you put him down to the line scrim.
Speaker 1 (02:53):
He's got snaps according to Pro Football Focus as a
d lineman and he plays them.
Speaker 3 (02:58):
All well, yeah, he's a unicorn. Like and you listen
to other players talk about him and like everybody, his teammates, opponents, everybody's.
Speaker 2 (03:07):
Like, this guy is one of one in terms of
what he can do.
Speaker 3 (03:10):
Like I go back to when we had Malachi Starks
on the podcast after the Ravens drafted him, and like
Malachi was just like gushing about all the different things
that Kyle Hamilton does, and how he can learn from him,
and how he was watching his film before he even
got drafted by the Ravens, and like that's the level
of respect that.
Speaker 2 (03:27):
He has around the league.
Speaker 3 (03:29):
And do you talk about the negotiations on that front.
A couple of things that were interesting to me on
that one is over the last three like three weeks,
things really accelerated, and Kyle said, like he was very
much involved in the process. Some guys are like, which, honestly,
that is at.
Speaker 1 (03:45):
Least all the emails.
Speaker 3 (03:47):
He was copied on all the emails and and a
lot of times guys say, like, I let my agent
handle that. But Kyle like he was reading the emails
and he was involved in the process, and I think
that speaks to the type of guy he is.
Speaker 1 (03:59):
Yeah, what's interesting about that is, like negotiations can be
difficult emotionally because when each side is trying to get
the most right, like things can be said that can
ruffle feathers. Right, Like an agent can come in at
this number and they're like, nah, we don't think you're
worth that. We think you're worth this, and like that
can be tough to read or hear as a player
(04:20):
and I imagine that like some agents tell the player, hey,
you don't want to see this stuff, Like this is
why you pay me is so you don't have to
see that stuff that might kind of bother you, right,
and like this is my job. I shield you from
that and we get you the best deal and you
feel happy, just good vibes. And then like there's Kyle
Hamilton who's like, actually I have a think enough skin
that like I want to see that, and he was
(04:41):
and he even said that like some of the emails,
he's like all right, you know you could take it
a certain way, like not that he said it was
like well done and even some humor in the emails
and like you know that it was like professional and
just good emails, but like, yeah, it can be kind
of tough to somebody's ego sometimes.
Speaker 3 (05:00):
Yeah, he really gave credits to both sides, both his
agent and the Ravens. Just said like the entire negotiation
was kind of like a no nonsense, all business yeah,
like very direct and like I think that like honestly,
they both sides were like, Okay, we know this is
going to happen, like we're getting a deal done.
Speaker 1 (05:17):
Let's folly some numbers back and forth.
Speaker 3 (05:19):
Let's say, let's go around the horn here and figure
out like a number that makes sense. But like we
know when we walk out of the room, the deal's
going to get done. And I think that, like that's
a good place to start.
Speaker 1 (05:29):
And but it's it's just it was really cool because
a you don't usually hear players talk about the intricacies
of the negotiation to this level or anybody, you know,
Eric Kausas certainly doesn't detail this stuff, and so it
was even for insiders, you know, teamployees, like we don't need,
we don't know, and so it was interesting to hear it.
I think it reflects Kyle's maturity, you know, like the
(05:52):
kind just which is also part of the reason that
I think the Ravens feel comfortable investing one hundred million
dollars in him. Is like the maturity that this guy has.
You know, no matter what, Kyle Hamilton's gonna his head's
on straight, and he's this very smart guy. Like mentally,
you never have to worry about that guy, right, and
(06:13):
you don't have to worry about money changing him, you
don't have to worry about any of that, and him
playing hard after he gets paid all that, like he's
going to and and yeah. And I thought it was
also reflected well upon the Ravens organization because you just
you see all these other teams and the negotiations that
(06:35):
they are having with their star players, and it didn't
sound like what Kyle Hamilton's talking about.
Speaker 2 (06:39):
Yeah, yeah, it ain't.
Speaker 1 (06:40):
Going that much more. It can be much more adversarial, yeah, exactly,
And it did not seem like that. So like that's
a credit to the Ravens front office because like, I
feel like they've just always been straight up with guys,
is what it feels like. And you know, they're not
always going to give a player their agent the answer
that they wont but like, how do you handle it matter?
(07:03):
How you handle that matters so much. And it feels
like this was unique insight into why another reason why
the Ravens have such continued success, Well.
Speaker 3 (07:14):
You talk about the process. I think a point that
speaks to that is Eric Taicasta walked out to his
press conference today. He was already scheduled to talk with
the media today. He was scheduled to talk and he
walks out there and kind of starts delivering an opening
statement and then in the midst of that opening statement,
it's like, oh, yeah, we got some news here. We
just got a contract extentially don Kyle Hamilton signed in
an hour GOO. And so he broke the news during
(07:36):
his press conference, And that does not happen very often.
A lot of times these things are out there and leaked.
But Tacosta made the point in his press conference where
he covered a lot of ground, and we're going to
get into some of the other points of that here
in a little bit, But he made the point in
that press conference, like I like to operate in silence
and work in silence in a lot of ways. I'm
like we have seen this time and time again that
(07:58):
he has the ability to work with players and with
agents to get these deals done. Not hearing anything like
publicly doesn't necessarily mean that there's no action taking place.
And like I go back to the when the Lamar
deal happened, that like they'd obviously been going back and forth,
but then like when it when we finally announced, it
was kind of out of nowhere, and like that was
the same way today. So they've been able to keep
(08:20):
a lot of these negotiations respectful certainly, but in house.
And and then they come out to a good alcoholic both.
Speaker 2 (08:29):
Sides are happy.
Speaker 1 (08:30):
Eric said, I like to work in the dark. Yeah,
you know, I like to work quietly.
Speaker 3 (08:34):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (08:34):
Yeah, that's generally works out better.
Speaker 3 (08:36):
Yeah. And then the other point too, like you talk
about Cayle Hamilton being a guy you don't need to
worry about. He had a good quote during his pressor
where he said, my mom always told me growing up,
like money just makes you more of who you are.
And that was something that you know, was instilled in
him at a young age. And I think that he
embodies that, like he's not like he's it's not going
to change him.
Speaker 2 (08:56):
The contract is not going to change him.
Speaker 3 (08:57):
So and he he even said, like actively he's he
wants to make sure that it doesn't change his mindset,
the way he plays, like attitude on and off the field,
all of it. Like he doesn't he doesn't want it
to change him.
Speaker 1 (09:08):
Of course, the one of the first questions is always
what are you going to do with your signing? Boo? Yeah,
he said, you know, might buy a watch. Yeah, the
rest goes in the piggy bank. He did divulge that
he also might get a new driver. Golf club discounted
though he said he was working, he was angling for
the discount, which was really my favorite part of the
press conference. As a guy who loves a bargain. Yeah,
that was I love that. It doesn't matter. You just
(09:30):
said a million contract. You're like, I wouldn't need that
five percent off?
Speaker 2 (09:34):
Can you knock one hundred bucks off the driver?
Speaker 1 (09:37):
I respect it?
Speaker 2 (09:37):
Yeah, I respect the heck of that.
Speaker 3 (09:39):
Yeah, it's it's kind of like what when Flacco signed
his contract and he ran through McDonald's afterwards.
Speaker 1 (09:44):
That was an all time class. That was a classic moment,
riding the free shuttle to the.
Speaker 2 (09:50):
Yeah, so good.
Speaker 1 (09:53):
That was great. So yeah, congrats to Kyle. I mean,
the other the other the exciting thing on the field
is like you just look at this team beyond like
Eric and Eric Kass was clear about it, talking about
keeping the super Bowl window open. He never wants to
be a GM of a team that where the super
Bowl window is closed. And you look at this defense
(10:13):
and now you have he and Malachi Starks patrolling the
back end of this defense for a long time coming, Like,
feel pretty darn good about that. Yeah, And and the
guy on the other side of the ball, and you know,
Kyle Hamilton was pretty clear about this. You feel good
about signing long term extension with the ball Fromore Ravens
when you know Lamar Jackson is gonna be here, Like
(10:34):
you're playing with Lamar Jackson in the in the prime
of his career. Yeah, like you got And Kyle point
blank said, you got a chance to win the Super
Bowl every single year when Lamar Jackson is back there.
So that's another part of the reason why the selling
point for the Ravens is Lamar totally.
Speaker 3 (10:50):
I mean, how many times have we heard guys talk
about that, like wanting Derrick Henry when he signed his
contact session DeAndre Hopkins, and like when you look at
when you look at the moves that the Ravens made
this off season, I really do give Eric to Costa
a lot of credit for what he's been able to
pull off this offseason. Brings in DeAndre Hopkins, extends Derrick Henry,
retains Ronnie Stanley when a lot of people thought that
(11:11):
Ronnie could end up leaving, extends for Sean Bateman, gets
an extension done with Kyle Hamilton, and I know there's
other moves that I'm missing, brings in Jaire Alexander, like yeah,
like Cheeto, yep, adding him to the secondary. Think a
really good draft. All signs are looking really good at
the draft. Class looks good going into the season. So
(11:32):
like those are moves that are that that speak to
guys wanting to be here, keeping that window open, and
like the Ravens have always been a draft and developed team,
like generally speaking, and they've been able to to really
reinvest in some of their core pieces this offseason. And
Hamilton really at the top of that list.
Speaker 1 (11:52):
Yep, absolutely so. Eric to Coasta also did talk about
other pending contract extensions and Lamar Jackson.
Speaker 3 (12:01):
Just as I note is always kind of funny. It's like, hey,
you got Kyle dnaw that was that was good?
Speaker 2 (12:04):
What else you got for me?
Speaker 1 (12:06):
That's kind of the state of how things are right now.
I mean, as I said, there's a long line of guys.
I mean, let's run through the list, Lamar Jackson, Isaiah Likely,
Travis Jones, odafe O Way, Tyler Lin, Tyler Linderbaum, who
else am I missing? I feel like there's other guys.
Speaker 3 (12:23):
Kyle Van Noys in the last year. Then you have
like some veteran players that are going into like last
year's of their contracts, like Kyle van Noy or Mark
Andrews or Molin Humphrey, like guys who are like have
been here and have signed additional contracts, but are veteran
players at Ricard, Yeah, Petrick Carr, like you have some
guys and more on that in that mix.
Speaker 2 (12:41):
So there's a lot of guys that.
Speaker 3 (12:42):
Are coming up towards the end of deals yep o
the rookie or at extension.
Speaker 1 (12:48):
And so basically the question is how many of these
can you get done? And I thought that Eric Coasa
was pretty frank about it, as I said, you know,
not all of them are going to get done. He said,
like fans should expect to see good young players playing
for other teams in the coming years. Like, sorry, that's
unfortunately just how the business works. Like you just you can't.
(13:10):
I think the question is how many can you get done?
But you can't get them all done? And you know,
he brought up the twenty nineteen offseason, which was his
first offseason as general manager, and how difficult that those
first few months were you lost CJ. Mosley, Eric Weddley,
(13:30):
you didn't retain Zadarius Smith and Terrell Suggs right all
out the door and like how painful that off season
was for him, and so basically you try to like
minimize the damage. You hope it doesn't get to that level.
But we'll see, you know. And obviously Lamars deal is
(13:51):
one big piece of that puzzle. But he did say
that it's not that doesn't necessarily preclude them from getting
other deals done. You know, it's not like that domino
has to fall for next Kyle Hamilton's kiss in point. So,
but it'll be interesting to see which ones he can
get done.
Speaker 3 (14:11):
They've also he's also been active in getting deals done
prior to them expiring, like Henry Derek Henry as an example,
like he was under contract this year, contract extension done.
Kyle had two more years contract extension done. There's been
a lot of those that have been. Rashad Bateman had
multiple years left on his deal.
Speaker 1 (14:28):
Right, It's kind of been the ones that like you
didn't see coming as much, you know what I mean,
Like the ones that almost were a little bit further off.
He got ahead of those, right, And.
Speaker 3 (14:37):
There's gonna be guys that come up, but like they're
not going to work out extensions with all the guys
who are gonna be free agents to saft Sea since
you're talking about so like there will be a point
months from now where we're talking about this guy's going
to hit free agency, So like that's going to happen
and they can't keep everyone. But that's the nature of
like being a draft and developed team, Like you draft
good young players. You have a quarterback and a that's paid,
(15:01):
and now you got to re reinvigorate the team with
like good young talent. And they're doing that through really
quality drafts and I think, like I said, they're really
excited about the rookie class as well.
Speaker 1 (15:10):
Yeah, this is Eric Costas said, you know, it's a
blessing and a curse, and it's a blessing and a
curse that thirty one other NFL teams would love to have. Yeah,
it's a.
Speaker 3 (15:22):
Much better situation than like being like, which of these
guys that we want to.
Speaker 1 (15:25):
Keep for I don't Yeah, I don't let them all
walk and we'll take the Ravens free agent.
Speaker 3 (15:29):
Yeah, Like, I think it's a much better situation to
be like, we can't keep all these guys.
Speaker 1 (15:33):
Well, I mean, heck, just look at the Ravens roster cuts.
I mean that's another case in point, like the Ravens
had a bunch of good players that they unfortunately had
to cut. Three of them got claimed off waivers. Like
we haven't seen the final waiver claims, but like how
many other teams had three players get claimed off waivers? Right? Well,
you know, one of which Jaylen Arma Davis by the Titans,
(15:53):
who I think were first in line for the waiver
claims because they had the first overall pick. I don't
know if he was the very first player claimed, right
was basically like he was the best player that got cut, yeah,
you know, and then CJ. Ravenel also the Titans and
Bo Braids the Giants, and so like people want the
Ravens players because the Ravens have good players. Yeah, yeah,
point blank.
Speaker 3 (16:14):
And they've been a really good team obviously, and like
they have a great track record of developing young talent
and finding it and so I think that's that speaks
to the coaching and it speaks to the personnel department
in terms of bringing those guys in.
Speaker 1 (16:26):
Specifically, just circling back to the contract negotiations with Lamar Jackson,
because that's the big one that you know, that's the
big one. Eric Kassa is not going to shed much
light on that and where that stands and all that stuff,
like that's how Lamar wants it. Lamar has also been
clear that he does not want to talk about his
contract extension. Eric Costa respects that and is just like said,
(16:48):
they're ongoing negotiations with these guys, but like not sharing
details on that.
Speaker 3 (16:54):
Yeah, And also did make the point that like, whatever
happens with that, it doesn't necessarily flu them, for it's.
Speaker 2 (17:01):
Not like everything's on hold.
Speaker 1 (17:02):
It's not the dominant that needs to fall exactly exactly.
Speaker 3 (17:04):
So and Lamar A just to be clear here, like
he does have three more years left on his contract.
The thing is next year the cap hit takes a
big jump up to a report of seventy million dollars.
So like the cap hit next year is a massive increase.
And so that's why, like there's all this talk of
in speculation and urgency to some extent around getting an
extension done there yep, yep. So anything else to cost
(17:27):
to stand out to you in the conversation with him,
I mean I thought it was it was a good chance.
This is he does this press conference right before the
season and then we don't hear from him again until
after the season.
Speaker 1 (17:35):
Sorry, Emery Jones. Yeah, the Ravens third round rookie expected back.
It sounds like not too long from now, he said,
in the near future, in the near future, and so
that like he'll be able to contribute, you know, he'll
be in a backup role his rookie year, and especially
after getting off to such a late start here. He
hasn't practiced yet, but like they're still very excited for
his potential and not surprised by anything. He had surgery
(17:58):
after the combine. The Ravens knew it, knew what they
were signing up for when they drafted him. They seem
very still, you know, confident about the player he will become. Yeah,
I mean, and that this isn't like a lost rookie
year basically.
Speaker 3 (18:10):
Yeah, Like he even said like he could you know,
he's got to get on the field and we'll see, basically,
but like seems to think that there's potential that he
could he could contribute this season, Like he has that
type of ability, And DaCosta talked about him being a
physical type player who's like just a mauling guy can
get in there and compete at guard, if you know,
depending on how his recovery progresses. So I think the
(18:32):
Ravens are are encouraged by what they're going to have
from him when he finally does get back on the field.
Speaker 1 (18:37):
Yeah, and and just talking about roster decisions, you know,
Eric to Costa talked about basically the challenge that they
had making those roster cuts down to fifty three. And
as we mentioned, Jalen armor Davis is really one of
those guys. And you know, said Eric Costa said, they
agonized over that decision of whether to release Jalen armor
(18:57):
Davis or not. Ultimately went with the undrafted rookie Keon
Martin cornerback. And you know, one thing that we hadn't
talked about in our breakdown of that, that I hadn't
really hit me was the contract situations and how that
played into it. Air the constum made it pretty clear
that you know, here's Joel Armadavis going to his fourth year.
We just got done talking about all the guys the
(19:19):
Ravens have to pay. You know, Joel arma Davis is
not probably super high, is not high on that list.
So like probably was gonna walk. Maybe you could have
brought him back on a deal, a smaller deal or whatever,
but like probably gonna walk. You probably weren't gonna get
like some big compick for him or Something's not like
you're gonna get a third round compick if he departed,
(19:40):
if you kept him and then he left him free
agency after this year, So you keep the younger guy,
the rookie who you have under contract for four years.
Like as we talk about the extensions and all the
different deals the Raves want to get done, well, you
got to trim the fat somewhere, and like every dollar
kind of counts, and so the are saying for the
(20:00):
next four years, we're gonna have this rookie on his
rookie deal, and like that makes a difference.
Speaker 3 (20:05):
Yeah, I think that that's And he even the Costa
even was like open about it, saying like, hopefully this
is a good decision.
Speaker 2 (20:13):
Like it's a tough decision.
Speaker 1 (20:14):
It's a really tough.
Speaker 3 (20:15):
Call, and like, uh, Jalen Art they felt good about
Jalen armor Davis, like they like him, and they like
it was tough to see him go, and they're like
hopefully we you know, we don't regret that basically, but
like at the end of the day, these undrafted rookies
who were all so excited about like they earned it,
they earned their spot, and there's only fifty three of them,
so you have to make some of those tough calls.
Speaker 1 (20:34):
And I think to some degree it's a it's a
little bit of a roll of the dice that like this,
guys stay healthy enough. I mean, you have four top
flight corners yeap, like Marlon Humphrey, Nate Wiggins, Jay R
Alexander and Cheetah bay Ouzie. Like you hope that that's enough.
And then if you know, if you need to because
probably the fifth guy, if you're just putting somebody out
(20:58):
there would be a between jay On, Norma Davis, and TJ. Tampa.
It'd be tight, you know, like which one of those
guys would be the first one up after them? Who
was number five? But TJ. Tampa is in the second
year of his contract, whereas you know, like if you
you you're not only you're also looking for beyond this
year and hopefully you don't get down to your fifth corner,
(21:19):
Like hopefully your fourth corner isn't really playing anything but
special teams. Yeah, that's the hope. Yeah, and so and
to a degree, and some of those guys have had
injury history, but to a degree, you're kind of rolling
the dice.
Speaker 3 (21:30):
And the last point on that is the Ravens DA
Costa really liked the two rookie six round picks who
ended up on injured reserve. Their seasons are over and
be A and Robert Longerbeam like, they looked good and
the Ravens really liked them. But so they're not going
to be a factor this season. But as you projected out,
like those guys they think are going to be players
who are in the mix in that second era.
Speaker 2 (21:50):
They like those guys.
Speaker 1 (21:51):
Yeah, Cone's got a pretty big reab assignment ahead of him.
Reports or that that was a major knee injury. Yeah,
but like you know, assuming he can come back from that,
then yeah, I think those are guys that will certainly
compete for depth positions next year in the secondary.
Speaker 3 (22:07):
YEP. So we're gonna take a quick break when we
come back, we'll dive into the practice squad. It's not
just the active roster. The practice squad also has been
filled out. So we're gonna dive into that conversation and
give you some of our takeaways. You're listening to the
Lounge podcast. We are coming to you from the Seat
Geek Studio. We also want to mention our partners at
Draftking Sportsbook. They are an official sports betting partner of
the Baltimore Ravens Draftking Sportsbook. The Crown is yours. So
(22:30):
the fifty three man roster was set on Tuesday, and
on Wednesday, the team fills out the practice squad, and
so I'm going to run through the practice squad here
just to give everyone an update on what this looks like,
and then we'll have conversations about some of the individual
guys here. I think the headliner on the practice squad
is a familiar name, somebody that a lot of Ravens
(22:51):
fans were excited to see end up back here in Baltimore.
That's quarterback Tyler Huntley. He ends up on the practice squad.
Of course, spent some time with the Browns this summer,
but Snoop is back in Baltimore. I'll run through the
rest of this year.
Speaker 1 (23:05):
We got Snoop and Loop. We got Snoop a Loop.
Speaker 2 (23:08):
There you go.
Speaker 1 (23:08):
It's pretty good.
Speaker 3 (23:09):
You can start something there, pretty elite. All right, let
me run through this list here. The Ravens have running
back de Ernest Johnson. They also brought back wider severs
Keith Kirkwood and Anthony Miller. They also brought back Brent
Urban obviously has been here for a long time, running
back Lucas Scott, center, Nick seymac defensive end Camon Rutger,
defensive back Marquise Robinson, guard Jared Penning, tight end a Zayir,
(23:33):
Mitchell Paydon, linebacker Chandler Martin, defensive back DeAndre Jackson, linebacker
Malik Ham, defensive back Thomas Graham, and then lastly offensive
tackle girod Christian Lichtenhon. And then they have an international
practice squad signing of Basil Akoye, a defensive tackle. So
there's your practice squad that's in place for the upcoming season.
(23:56):
Of course, like the practice squad changes pretty rapidly over
the course of a season, but that's your initial practice squad.
Just as a reminder, teams can use three elevations for
guys on the practice squad to come up and play
on the active roster while they remain on the practice squad.
And so what after those three the team has to
make the decision either bring them up to the fifty
(24:17):
three or not and so I'm sure that will be
part of the equation for some of the guys on
that list, But what stands out to you and looking
at that list overall, Yeah.
Speaker 1 (24:28):
I think it's a good list.
Speaker 3 (24:30):
You know.
Speaker 1 (24:30):
Unfortunately the Ravens didn't get some guys that they would
have liked on their practice squad. Bo Braid exactly went
to the New York Giants. You know. The other interesting
one here is Garrett dellingger the seventh round offensive lineman,
is not on their initial practice squad, so we'll see
on that. Have not seen reports yet of where he's going,
(24:52):
but that's kind of of note. But I really like,
in particular Gerrod Christian Lichtenhan. I thought that he was
he was good. I really liked what I saw from
him in practice, and it wouldn't surprise me. Eric Takasa said,
you know, we had three undrafted rookies that made the
fifty three, and we had really five that we felt
(25:12):
like were good enough to be on the fifty three. Honestly,
wouldn't surprise me if Girod was one of those guys.
I thought he's a big, tall, tough offensive tackle. And
when you look at the reports of who the Ravens
paid how they paid their guys. When they first recruited
him as un rookies, he was one of the top ones.
(25:32):
So I think it's good that they got him back.
I like Malke Cam guy continues to just like make
plays in preseason games like he's been He was one
of the great stories. Baltimore kid grew up a Ravens fan,
made the fifty three man roster originally, and has suffered
back to back knee injuries that have cost them really
(25:52):
the season. And so to see him like come back,
play well and stick with the team. Happy to see that.
Speaker 3 (26:01):
I mean two years ago when he made the team
as an undrafted rookie, like he was the guy that
we were talking about and the excitement around this and
the story and all that. Yep, and injuries have have
derailed him, but it's good to see him stick here
on the practice squad for the time being.
Speaker 1 (26:15):
I like Chandler Martin inside linebacker. I thought he you know,
when you were talking about Chandler Martin versus Jay Higgins,
like that was you know, they were pushing each other.
I thought both both played pretty darn well. Marquis Robinson,
big tall defensive back, he impressed me. Rutger can get
after the quarterback Nick same ac. I'm really happy that
they were able to retain him seventh round pick from
(26:36):
year ago, like just continue to develop him and give
you some more depth on the interior. They ended up
going with Corey Bullock as that he kind of beat
out Nick same act, but I'm glad they were able
to keep him.
Speaker 2 (26:48):
Also with like same act there.
Speaker 3 (26:50):
Like Bullock's a good example, like he was on the
practice squad last year and then he just continued to
improve and work and then earned his spot on the
fifty three. And like there's no reason that couldn't be
saying Mac next year, like that he could that he
could just continue to work and develop and approve and
find his way out of the city three meters roster
this year or beyond exactly.
Speaker 1 (27:09):
Yeah, I mean they're gonna have openings at guard next year.
Ben Cleveland's on a one year deal. I'm pretty sure
fought Lele is going into his fourth year, so there's
gonna be opportunities. Yeah, Emery Jones will be competing that anyway.
Getting down in the rabbit hole here, Lucas Scott, I
am glad they kept Lucas Scott fullback with a great
backstory coming from Army. Dude like played everything at Army
(27:34):
and has come here and kind of been the protege
for pat Ricard and and uh yeah, I thought, I
think he flashed to me in the preseason games. So
when you kind of project out to this team, you know,
we love pat Ricard and and uh, you know, I
hope he's here for a long time. He resigned on
a one year deal this past this offseason, could Lucas
(27:58):
Scott potentially, you know, a long term replacement for pat someday.
I think that possibility exists.
Speaker 3 (28:05):
So then the other guys, I was, I'm glad the
Rams were able to keep Anthony Miller Keith Kirkwood.
Speaker 2 (28:12):
Like those guys. I've said this before.
Speaker 3 (28:14):
Anthony Miller was playing snaps down the stretch in the
playoff game in Buffalo.
Speaker 1 (28:17):
And Keith Kirkwood like just makes plays in practice too,
Like I was pretty good. Like the one thing that
kind of gets overlooked is the importance of a practice
squad on on just like sharpening your team over the
course of a regular season, Like, those guys are important.
The better your practice squad is, the more they test
(28:39):
your starters, yeah, and who they're practicing against, and and
like when they're trying to simulate some great you know,
Jamar Chase or whatever, like or T Higgins. Wait, like
here's Keith Kirkwood, who's a big body dude. Like they
I don't know, I don't know if this is the case,
but they might be like, you're T Higgins this week,
(28:59):
like out there and simulate him. And the best impression
that you can give, the better the defensive back is
going to be for it.
Speaker 2 (29:06):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (29:06):
And so like having good players on your practice squad
matters for that as well as just depth in case
you have injuries and whatnot. Anthony Miller is a great
example getting caught up last year and played well yeah
when he came up to the game. So I was
happy to see those guys land back too. Then the
other real purpose of the practice squad is to also
develop guys. Right, Like some of these prospects on here,
(29:29):
they're just developmental players, young undrafted rookies or whatnot. But
you know, you also talk about guys who are ready
to step up and play in case you need it.
And Thomas Graham the cornerback, here's a guy that has
twelve games under his belt. Right, So like when you
talk about John armor Davis and the decision to part
(29:50):
with him, well you didn't just keep a bunch of
undrafted rookies behind him. You also keep Thomas Graham on
your practice squad who has NFL game experience in case
you need to activate somebody for game there or whatnot,
to just like get another kind of more veteran cornerback
up on your your game day roster. So I think
that's another like practice squad move that makes sense for
(30:12):
the now.
Speaker 3 (30:14):
And then Brent Urban, as I said on our fifty
three Maniac, I don't even think Brant turned in his
key card. You know, it's just like you can keep that.
I bet exactly, buddy, you're gonna be back here tomorrow.
We'll see you and it won't surprise me if I
mentioned like the three call ups, like if he's a guy,
it could be situation dependent on Like, Okay, this is
(30:34):
a team that we feel like, matchup wise, we really
want you on the field, and.
Speaker 1 (30:37):
They run the ball a lot, right, they would go
a little heavier on the D line.
Speaker 3 (30:41):
Exactly like I could see him. I could certainly see
him on the fifty three before the season's over and
playing games prior to that point and getting called up.
Dearanus Johnson was a guy they were able to sign
late in training camp and then like he ran hard
in the preseason, so like you just bring in another
veteran running back. He's done it in this league and
you know, I thought he look pretty good in the preseason.
Speaker 2 (31:02):
Snoop. It's it's fun to have him back.
Speaker 3 (31:03):
I mean, like he's a guy like I saw him today,
a big smile on his face and wrapped him up and.
Speaker 1 (31:09):
Like like he never left.
Speaker 2 (31:10):
Yeah, it felt that way.
Speaker 3 (31:11):
It just felt like this the guy that's never left,
and like I've always liked him. He's got a great
relationship with Lamar Jackson and as another Florida guy, they've
known each other forever, and like it's just I like
having him around here. I think he's you know, he's
played well when he's been thrown into action, and I
just think that, like he's got a great mindset and
energy and it's nice to have Snoop back.
Speaker 1 (31:31):
Yeah, totally agree.
Speaker 3 (31:32):
So there's your practice squad and a lot happening here
for the Ravens again. Uh, Kyle Hamilton signed to hear
from Eric's Costa Today practice squad UH built out. Now
there's a little bit of a break. Players get a
little long weekend here for Labor Day weekend before UH
really diving into game week prep for the Buffalo Bills
starting on Monday, and then Week one is off and rolling.
(31:55):
So it's exciting to get this thing started. And as
always you can email us at the lounge at Ravens
dot NFL dot net. Thank you so much for listening
and we will be back with you again on Monday
when we sit down with Ravens a veteran outside linebacker
Kyle Bennoy.
Speaker 2 (32:09):
Thank you for listening.
Speaker 3 (32:10):
Talk to you again on Monday,
Welcome into the Lounge presented by DraftKings. I'm Ryan mink
here with Garrett Downing and we had big news news.
Speaker 2 (00:12):
Todayken Wilds's I heard one of those.
Speaker 1 (00:13):
This feels good with the Kyle Hamilton four year contract extension,
making him the highest paid safety in the NFL. It's
a record setting contract and well deserved for a record
setting player. How do you like that? I like it.
Kyle Hamilton's awesome and really good to see him get paid.
Speaker 3 (00:33):
Look, this is I think there's a couple of things
that this says. One is, obviously the Ravens love Kyle Hamilton.
He's been a great player. He just finished his third season.
This was the earliest possibility of from an eligibility standpoint.
He just became eligible to get this contract extension this offseason.
He was technically under contract for two more years. So like,
there was not an urgency on paper to get this
(00:55):
thing done, but the Ravens wanted to get it done,
and I and Hamilton of course would like to get
it done and give you security a lot of money.
Speaker 1 (01:01):
He said it was a priority to him. He wanted
to get that deal done.
Speaker 2 (01:04):
He wanted to get it done.
Speaker 3 (01:05):
But like I think that this shows that, like there was,
Kyle Hamilton is a player that checks every single box
on and off the field. He's everything that you want
in a player. He's the Ravens drafted him with the
fourteenth pick. He's coming here. He's been a Pro Bowl player,
at an All Pro player, He's been a great guy
on and off the field, a leader on this team.
You just look at it and you're like, there's no
(01:26):
doubt that we're going to give him a contract, Like
that's going to happen. The price only goes up the
longer that you wait, but still like getting it done
after three years when you had him under contract for
two more years. I just think speaks to the commitment
that the Ravens had and knowing like he's our guy,
he's one of the franchise players. Let's just get it
(01:46):
done and put the thing to rest.
Speaker 1 (01:47):
Right. The Ravens have a lot of players that are
in line for contract extensions and they all deserve one.
The Ravens unfortunately won't be able to give all of
them contract extensions most likely, but they all they deserve
them from somebody, Kyle Hamilton was a no doubter. Yeah,
it was just it was a no doubter, had had
(02:08):
to had to get it done. And credit to him,
his agents and the Ravens, you know, and Kyle was
pretty transparent when we heard from him about like the
negotiations that, like they were just really interesting and well
well handled by all sides involved. And yeah, it's just
really plaud its to everybody involved because Kyle Hamilton is
(02:30):
a centerpiece kind of player because of a how good
he is not only just how good, but how good
he is at multiple positions. Like the dude plays free safety,
strong safety, linebacker, nickel corner, outside corner, like he plays everywhere,
and he plays level outside linebacker.
Speaker 2 (02:51):
Sometimes you put him down to the line scrim.
Speaker 1 (02:53):
He's got snaps according to Pro Football Focus as a
d lineman and he plays them.
Speaker 3 (02:58):
All well, yeah, he's a unicorn. Like and you listen
to other players talk about him and like everybody, his teammates, opponents, everybody's.
Speaker 2 (03:07):
Like, this guy is one of one in terms of
what he can do.
Speaker 3 (03:10):
Like I go back to when we had Malachi Starks
on the podcast after the Ravens drafted him, and like
Malachi was just like gushing about all the different things
that Kyle Hamilton does, and how he can learn from him,
and how he was watching his film before he even
got drafted by the Ravens, and like that's the level
of respect that.
Speaker 2 (03:27):
He has around the league.
Speaker 3 (03:29):
And do you talk about the negotiations on that front.
A couple of things that were interesting to me on
that one is over the last three like three weeks,
things really accelerated, and Kyle said, like he was very
much involved in the process. Some guys are like, which, honestly,
that is at.
Speaker 1 (03:45):
Least all the emails.
Speaker 3 (03:47):
He was copied on all the emails and and a
lot of times guys say, like, I let my agent
handle that. But Kyle like he was reading the emails
and he was involved in the process, and I think
that speaks to the type of guy he is.
Speaker 1 (03:59):
Yeah, what's interesting about that is, like negotiations can be
difficult emotionally because when each side is trying to get
the most right, like things can be said that can
ruffle feathers. Right, Like an agent can come in at
this number and they're like, nah, we don't think you're
worth that. We think you're worth this, and like that
can be tough to read or hear as a player
(04:20):
and I imagine that like some agents tell the player, hey,
you don't want to see this stuff, Like this is
why you pay me is so you don't have to
see that stuff that might kind of bother you, right,
and like this is my job. I shield you from
that and we get you the best deal and you
feel happy, just good vibes. And then like there's Kyle
Hamilton who's like, actually I have a think enough skin
that like I want to see that, and he was
(04:41):
and he even said that like some of the emails,
he's like all right, you know you could take it
a certain way, like not that he said it was
like well done and even some humor in the emails
and like you know that it was like professional and
just good emails, but like, yeah, it can be kind
of tough to somebody's ego sometimes.
Speaker 3 (05:00):
Yeah, he really gave credits to both sides, both his
agent and the Ravens. Just said like the entire negotiation
was kind of like a no nonsense, all business yeah,
like very direct and like I think that like honestly,
they both sides were like, Okay, we know this is
going to happen, like we're getting a deal done.
Speaker 1 (05:17):
Let's folly some numbers back and forth.
Speaker 3 (05:19):
Let's say, let's go around the horn here and figure
out like a number that makes sense. But like we
know when we walk out of the room, the deal's
going to get done. And I think that, like that's
a good place to start.
Speaker 1 (05:29):
And but it's it's just it was really cool because
a you don't usually hear players talk about the intricacies
of the negotiation to this level or anybody, you know,
Eric Kausas certainly doesn't detail this stuff, and so it
was even for insiders, you know, teamployees, like we don't need,
we don't know, and so it was interesting to hear it.
I think it reflects Kyle's maturity, you know, like the
(05:52):
kind just which is also part of the reason that
I think the Ravens feel comfortable investing one hundred million
dollars in him. Is like the maturity that this guy has.
You know, no matter what, Kyle Hamilton's gonna his head's
on straight, and he's this very smart guy. Like mentally,
you never have to worry about that guy, right, and
(06:13):
you don't have to worry about money changing him, you
don't have to worry about any of that, and him
playing hard after he gets paid all that, like he's
going to and and yeah. And I thought it was
also reflected well upon the Ravens organization because you just
you see all these other teams and the negotiations that
(06:35):
they are having with their star players, and it didn't
sound like what Kyle Hamilton's talking about.
Speaker 2 (06:39):
Yeah, yeah, it ain't.
Speaker 1 (06:40):
Going that much more. It can be much more adversarial, yeah, exactly,
And it did not seem like that. So like that's
a credit to the Ravens front office because like, I
feel like they've just always been straight up with guys,
is what it feels like. And you know, they're not
always going to give a player their agent the answer
that they wont but like, how do you handle it matter?
(07:03):
How you handle that matters so much. And it feels
like this was unique insight into why another reason why
the Ravens have such continued success, Well.
Speaker 3 (07:14):
You talk about the process. I think a point that
speaks to that is Eric Taicasta walked out to his
press conference today. He was already scheduled to talk with
the media today. He was scheduled to talk and he
walks out there and kind of starts delivering an opening
statement and then in the midst of that opening statement,
it's like, oh, yeah, we got some news here. We
just got a contract extentially don Kyle Hamilton signed in
an hour GOO. And so he broke the news during
(07:36):
his press conference, And that does not happen very often.
A lot of times these things are out there and leaked.
But Tacosta made the point in his press conference where
he covered a lot of ground, and we're going to
get into some of the other points of that here
in a little bit, But he made the point in
that press conference, like I like to operate in silence
and work in silence in a lot of ways. I'm
like we have seen this time and time again that
(07:58):
he has the ability to work with players and with
agents to get these deals done. Not hearing anything like
publicly doesn't necessarily mean that there's no action taking place.
And like I go back to the when the Lamar
deal happened, that like they'd obviously been going back and forth,
but then like when it when we finally announced, it
was kind of out of nowhere, and like that was
the same way today. So they've been able to keep
(08:20):
a lot of these negotiations respectful certainly, but in house.
And and then they come out to a good alcoholic both.
Speaker 2 (08:29):
Sides are happy.
Speaker 1 (08:30):
Eric said, I like to work in the dark. Yeah,
you know, I like to work quietly.
Speaker 3 (08:34):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (08:34):
Yeah, that's generally works out better.
Speaker 3 (08:36):
Yeah. And then the other point too, like you talk
about Cayle Hamilton being a guy you don't need to
worry about. He had a good quote during his pressor
where he said, my mom always told me growing up,
like money just makes you more of who you are.
And that was something that you know, was instilled in
him at a young age. And I think that he
embodies that, like he's not like he's it's not going
to change him.
Speaker 2 (08:56):
The contract is not going to change him.
Speaker 3 (08:57):
So and he he even said, like actively he's he
wants to make sure that it doesn't change his mindset,
the way he plays, like attitude on and off the field,
all of it. Like he doesn't he doesn't want it
to change him.
Speaker 1 (09:08):
Of course, the one of the first questions is always
what are you going to do with your signing? Boo? Yeah,
he said, you know, might buy a watch. Yeah, the
rest goes in the piggy bank. He did divulge that
he also might get a new driver. Golf club discounted
though he said he was working, he was angling for
the discount, which was really my favorite part of the
press conference. As a guy who loves a bargain. Yeah,
that was I love that. It doesn't matter. You just
(09:30):
said a million contract. You're like, I wouldn't need that
five percent off?
Speaker 2 (09:34):
Can you knock one hundred bucks off the driver?
Speaker 1 (09:37):
I respect it?
Speaker 2 (09:37):
Yeah, I respect the heck of that.
Speaker 3 (09:39):
Yeah, it's it's kind of like what when Flacco signed
his contract and he ran through McDonald's afterwards.
Speaker 1 (09:44):
That was an all time class. That was a classic moment,
riding the free shuttle to the.
Speaker 2 (09:50):
Yeah, so good.
Speaker 1 (09:53):
That was great. So yeah, congrats to Kyle. I mean,
the other the other the exciting thing on the field
is like you just look at this team beyond like
Eric and Eric Kass was clear about it, talking about
keeping the super Bowl window open. He never wants to
be a GM of a team that where the super
Bowl window is closed. And you look at this defense
(10:13):
and now you have he and Malachi Starks patrolling the
back end of this defense for a long time coming, Like,
feel pretty darn good about that. Yeah, And and the
guy on the other side of the ball, and you know,
Kyle Hamilton was pretty clear about this. You feel good
about signing long term extension with the ball Fromore Ravens
when you know Lamar Jackson is gonna be here, Like
(10:34):
you're playing with Lamar Jackson in the in the prime
of his career. Yeah, like you got And Kyle point
blank said, you got a chance to win the Super
Bowl every single year when Lamar Jackson is back there.
So that's another part of the reason why the selling
point for the Ravens is Lamar totally.
Speaker 3 (10:50):
I mean, how many times have we heard guys talk
about that, like wanting Derrick Henry when he signed his
contact session DeAndre Hopkins, and like when you look at
when you look at the moves that the Ravens made
this off season, I really do give Eric to Costa
a lot of credit for what he's been able to
pull off this offseason. Brings in DeAndre Hopkins, extends Derrick Henry,
retains Ronnie Stanley when a lot of people thought that
(11:11):
Ronnie could end up leaving, extends for Sean Bateman, gets
an extension done with Kyle Hamilton, and I know there's
other moves that I'm missing, brings in Jaire Alexander, like yeah,
like Cheeto, yep, adding him to the secondary. Think a
really good draft. All signs are looking really good at
the draft. Class looks good going into the season. So
(11:32):
like those are moves that are that that speak to
guys wanting to be here, keeping that window open, and
like the Ravens have always been a draft and developed team,
like generally speaking, and they've been able to to really
reinvest in some of their core pieces this offseason. And
Hamilton really at the top of that list.
Speaker 1 (11:52):
Yep, absolutely so. Eric to Coasta also did talk about
other pending contract extensions and Lamar Jackson.
Speaker 3 (12:01):
Just as I note is always kind of funny. It's like, hey,
you got Kyle dnaw that was that was good?
Speaker 2 (12:04):
What else you got for me?
Speaker 1 (12:06):
That's kind of the state of how things are right now.
I mean, as I said, there's a long line of guys.
I mean, let's run through the list, Lamar Jackson, Isaiah Likely,
Travis Jones, odafe O Way, Tyler Lin, Tyler Linderbaum, who
else am I missing? I feel like there's other guys.
Speaker 3 (12:23):
Kyle Van Noys in the last year. Then you have
like some veteran players that are going into like last
year's of their contracts, like Kyle van Noy or Mark
Andrews or Molin Humphrey, like guys who are like have
been here and have signed additional contracts, but are veteran
players at Ricard, Yeah, Petrick Carr, like you have some
guys and more on that in that mix.
Speaker 2 (12:41):
So there's a lot of guys that.
Speaker 3 (12:42):
Are coming up towards the end of deals yep o
the rookie or at extension.
Speaker 1 (12:48):
And so basically the question is how many of these
can you get done? And I thought that Eric Coasa
was pretty frank about it, as I said, you know,
not all of them are going to get done. He said,
like fans should expect to see good young players playing
for other teams in the coming years. Like, sorry, that's
unfortunately just how the business works. Like you just you can't.
(13:10):
I think the question is how many can you get done?
But you can't get them all done? And you know,
he brought up the twenty nineteen offseason, which was his
first offseason as general manager, and how difficult that those
first few months were you lost CJ. Mosley, Eric Weddley,
(13:30):
you didn't retain Zadarius Smith and Terrell Suggs right all
out the door and like how painful that off season
was for him, and so basically you try to like
minimize the damage. You hope it doesn't get to that level.
But we'll see, you know. And obviously Lamars deal is
(13:51):
one big piece of that puzzle. But he did say
that it's not that doesn't necessarily preclude them from getting
other deals done. You know, it's not like that domino
has to fall for next Kyle Hamilton's kiss in point. So,
but it'll be interesting to see which ones he can
get done.
Speaker 3 (14:11):
They've also he's also been active in getting deals done
prior to them expiring, like Henry Derek Henry as an example,
like he was under contract this year, contract extension done.
Kyle had two more years contract extension done. There's been
a lot of those that have been. Rashad Bateman had
multiple years left on his deal.
Speaker 1 (14:28):
Right, It's kind of been the ones that like you
didn't see coming as much, you know what I mean,
Like the ones that almost were a little bit further off.
He got ahead of those, right, And.
Speaker 3 (14:37):
There's gonna be guys that come up, but like they're
not going to work out extensions with all the guys
who are gonna be free agents to saft Sea since
you're talking about so like there will be a point
months from now where we're talking about this guy's going
to hit free agency, So like that's going to happen
and they can't keep everyone. But that's the nature of
like being a draft and developed team, Like you draft
good young players. You have a quarterback and a that's paid,
(15:01):
and now you got to re reinvigorate the team with
like good young talent. And they're doing that through really
quality drafts and I think, like I said, they're really
excited about the rookie class as well.
Speaker 1 (15:10):
Yeah, this is Eric Costas said, you know, it's a
blessing and a curse, and it's a blessing and a
curse that thirty one other NFL teams would love to have. Yeah,
it's a.
Speaker 3 (15:22):
Much better situation than like being like, which of these
guys that we want to.
Speaker 1 (15:25):
Keep for I don't Yeah, I don't let them all
walk and we'll take the Ravens free agent.
Speaker 3 (15:29):
Yeah, Like, I think it's a much better situation to
be like, we can't keep all these guys.
Speaker 1 (15:33):
Well, I mean, heck, just look at the Ravens roster cuts.
I mean that's another case in point, like the Ravens
had a bunch of good players that they unfortunately had
to cut. Three of them got claimed off waivers. Like
we haven't seen the final waiver claims, but like how
many other teams had three players get claimed off waivers? Right? Well,
you know, one of which Jaylen Arma Davis by the Titans,
(15:53):
who I think were first in line for the waiver
claims because they had the first overall pick. I don't
know if he was the very first player claimed, right
was basically like he was the best player that got cut, yeah,
you know, and then CJ. Ravenel also the Titans and
Bo Braids the Giants, and so like people want the
Ravens players because the Ravens have good players. Yeah, yeah,
point blank.
Speaker 3 (16:14):
And they've been a really good team obviously, and like
they have a great track record of developing young talent
and finding it and so I think that's that speaks
to the coaching and it speaks to the personnel department
in terms of bringing those guys in.
Speaker 1 (16:26):
Specifically, just circling back to the contract negotiations with Lamar Jackson,
because that's the big one that you know, that's the
big one. Eric Kassa is not going to shed much
light on that and where that stands and all that stuff,
like that's how Lamar wants it. Lamar has also been
clear that he does not want to talk about his
contract extension. Eric Costa respects that and is just like said,
(16:48):
they're ongoing negotiations with these guys, but like not sharing
details on that.
Speaker 3 (16:54):
Yeah, And also did make the point that like, whatever
happens with that, it doesn't necessarily flu them, for it's.
Speaker 2 (17:01):
Not like everything's on hold.
Speaker 1 (17:02):
It's not the dominant that needs to fall exactly exactly.
Speaker 3 (17:04):
So and Lamar A just to be clear here, like
he does have three more years left on his contract.
The thing is next year the cap hit takes a
big jump up to a report of seventy million dollars.
So like the cap hit next year is a massive increase.
And so that's why, like there's all this talk of
in speculation and urgency to some extent around getting an
extension done there yep, yep. So anything else to cost
(17:27):
to stand out to you in the conversation with him,
I mean I thought it was it was a good chance.
This is he does this press conference right before the
season and then we don't hear from him again until
after the season.
Speaker 1 (17:35):
Sorry, Emery Jones. Yeah, the Ravens third round rookie expected back.
It sounds like not too long from now, he said,
in the near future, in the near future, and so
that like he'll be able to contribute, you know, he'll
be in a backup role his rookie year, and especially
after getting off to such a late start here. He
hasn't practiced yet, but like they're still very excited for
his potential and not surprised by anything. He had surgery
(17:58):
after the combine. The Ravens knew it, knew what they
were signing up for when they drafted him. They seem
very still, you know, confident about the player he will become. Yeah,
I mean, and that this isn't like a lost rookie
year basically.
Speaker 3 (18:10):
Yeah, Like he even said like he could you know,
he's got to get on the field and we'll see, basically,
but like seems to think that there's potential that he
could he could contribute this season, Like he has that
type of ability, And DaCosta talked about him being a
physical type player who's like just a mauling guy can
get in there and compete at guard, if you know,
depending on how his recovery progresses. So I think the
(18:32):
Ravens are are encouraged by what they're going to have
from him when he finally does get back on the field.
Speaker 1 (18:37):
Yeah, and and just talking about roster decisions, you know,
Eric to Costa talked about basically the challenge that they
had making those roster cuts down to fifty three. And
as we mentioned, Jalen armor Davis is really one of
those guys. And you know, said Eric Costa said, they
agonized over that decision of whether to release Jalen armor
(18:57):
Davis or not. Ultimately went with the undrafted rookie Keon
Martin cornerback. And you know, one thing that we hadn't
talked about in our breakdown of that, that I hadn't
really hit me was the contract situations and how that
played into it. Air the constum made it pretty clear
that you know, here's Joel Armadavis going to his fourth year.
We just got done talking about all the guys the
(19:19):
Ravens have to pay. You know, Joel arma Davis is
not probably super high, is not high on that list.
So like probably was gonna walk. Maybe you could have
brought him back on a deal, a smaller deal or whatever,
but like probably gonna walk. You probably weren't gonna get
like some big compick for him or Something's not like
you're gonna get a third round compick if he departed,
(19:40):
if you kept him and then he left him free
agency after this year, So you keep the younger guy,
the rookie who you have under contract for four years.
Like as we talk about the extensions and all the
different deals the Raves want to get done, well, you
got to trim the fat somewhere, and like every dollar
kind of counts, and so the are saying for the
(20:00):
next four years, we're gonna have this rookie on his
rookie deal, and like that makes a difference.
Speaker 3 (20:05):
Yeah, I think that that's And he even the Costa
even was like open about it, saying like, hopefully this
is a good decision.
Speaker 2 (20:13):
Like it's a tough decision.
Speaker 1 (20:14):
It's a really tough.
Speaker 3 (20:15):
Call, and like, uh, Jalen Art they felt good about
Jalen armor Davis, like they like him, and they like
it was tough to see him go, and they're like
hopefully we you know, we don't regret that basically, but
like at the end of the day, these undrafted rookies
who were all so excited about like they earned it,
they earned their spot, and there's only fifty three of them,
so you have to make some of those tough calls.
Speaker 1 (20:34):
And I think to some degree it's a it's a
little bit of a roll of the dice that like this,
guys stay healthy enough. I mean, you have four top
flight corners yeap, like Marlon Humphrey, Nate Wiggins, Jay R
Alexander and Cheetah bay Ouzie. Like you hope that that's enough.
And then if you know, if you need to because
probably the fifth guy, if you're just putting somebody out
(20:58):
there would be a between jay On, Norma Davis, and TJ. Tampa.
It'd be tight, you know, like which one of those
guys would be the first one up after them? Who
was number five? But TJ. Tampa is in the second
year of his contract, whereas you know, like if you
you you're not only you're also looking for beyond this
year and hopefully you don't get down to your fifth corner,
(21:19):
Like hopefully your fourth corner isn't really playing anything but
special teams. Yeah, that's the hope. Yeah, and so and
to a degree, and some of those guys have had
injury history, but to a degree, you're kind of rolling
the dice.
Speaker 3 (21:30):
And the last point on that is the Ravens DA
Costa really liked the two rookie six round picks who
ended up on injured reserve. Their seasons are over and
be A and Robert Longerbeam like, they looked good and
the Ravens really liked them. But so they're not going
to be a factor this season. But as you projected out,
like those guys they think are going to be players
who are in the mix in that second era.
Speaker 2 (21:50):
They like those guys.
Speaker 1 (21:51):
Yeah, Cone's got a pretty big reab assignment ahead of him.
Reports or that that was a major knee injury. Yeah,
but like you know, assuming he can come back from that,
then yeah, I think those are guys that will certainly
compete for depth positions next year in the secondary.
Speaker 3 (22:07):
YEP. So we're gonna take a quick break when we
come back, we'll dive into the practice squad. It's not
just the active roster. The practice squad also has been
filled out. So we're gonna dive into that conversation and
give you some of our takeaways. You're listening to the
Lounge podcast. We are coming to you from the Seat
Geek Studio. We also want to mention our partners at
Draftking Sportsbook. They are an official sports betting partner of
the Baltimore Ravens Draftking Sportsbook. The Crown is yours. So
(22:30):
the fifty three man roster was set on Tuesday, and
on Wednesday, the team fills out the practice squad, and
so I'm going to run through the practice squad here
just to give everyone an update on what this looks like,
and then we'll have conversations about some of the individual
guys here. I think the headliner on the practice squad
is a familiar name, somebody that a lot of Ravens
(22:51):
fans were excited to see end up back here in Baltimore.
That's quarterback Tyler Huntley. He ends up on the practice squad.
Of course, spent some time with the Browns this summer,
but Snoop is back in Baltimore. I'll run through the
rest of this year.
Speaker 1 (23:05):
We got Snoop and Loop. We got Snoop a Loop.
Speaker 2 (23:08):
There you go.
Speaker 1 (23:08):
It's pretty good.
Speaker 3 (23:09):
You can start something there, pretty elite. All right, let
me run through this list here. The Ravens have running
back de Ernest Johnson. They also brought back wider severs
Keith Kirkwood and Anthony Miller. They also brought back Brent
Urban obviously has been here for a long time, running
back Lucas Scott, center, Nick seymac defensive end Camon Rutger,
defensive back Marquise Robinson, guard Jared Penning, tight end a Zayir,
(23:33):
Mitchell Paydon, linebacker Chandler Martin, defensive back DeAndre Jackson, linebacker
Malik Ham, defensive back Thomas Graham, and then lastly offensive
tackle girod Christian Lichtenhon. And then they have an international
practice squad signing of Basil Akoye, a defensive tackle. So
there's your practice squad that's in place for the upcoming season.
(23:56):
Of course, like the practice squad changes pretty rapidly over
the course of a season, but that's your initial practice squad.
Just as a reminder, teams can use three elevations for
guys on the practice squad to come up and play
on the active roster while they remain on the practice squad.
And so what after those three the team has to
make the decision either bring them up to the fifty
(24:17):
three or not and so I'm sure that will be
part of the equation for some of the guys on
that list, But what stands out to you and looking
at that list overall, Yeah.
Speaker 1 (24:28):
I think it's a good list.
Speaker 3 (24:30):
You know.
Speaker 1 (24:30):
Unfortunately the Ravens didn't get some guys that they would
have liked on their practice squad. Bo Braid exactly went
to the New York Giants. You know. The other interesting
one here is Garrett dellingger the seventh round offensive lineman,
is not on their initial practice squad, so we'll see
on that. Have not seen reports yet of where he's going,
(24:52):
but that's kind of of note. But I really like,
in particular Gerrod Christian Lichtenhan. I thought that he was
he was good. I really liked what I saw from
him in practice, and it wouldn't surprise me. Eric Takasa said,
you know, we had three undrafted rookies that made the
fifty three, and we had really five that we felt
(25:12):
like were good enough to be on the fifty three. Honestly,
wouldn't surprise me if Girod was one of those guys.
I thought he's a big, tall, tough offensive tackle. And
when you look at the reports of who the Ravens
paid how they paid their guys. When they first recruited
him as un rookies, he was one of the top ones.
(25:32):
So I think it's good that they got him back.
I like Malke Cam guy continues to just like make
plays in preseason games like he's been He was one
of the great stories. Baltimore kid grew up a Ravens fan,
made the fifty three man roster originally, and has suffered
back to back knee injuries that have cost them really
(25:52):
the season. And so to see him like come back,
play well and stick with the team. Happy to see that.
Speaker 3 (26:01):
I mean two years ago when he made the team
as an undrafted rookie, like he was the guy that
we were talking about and the excitement around this and
the story and all that. Yep, and injuries have have
derailed him, but it's good to see him stick here
on the practice squad for the time being.
Speaker 1 (26:15):
I like Chandler Martin inside linebacker. I thought he you know,
when you were talking about Chandler Martin versus Jay Higgins,
like that was you know, they were pushing each other.
I thought both both played pretty darn well. Marquis Robinson,
big tall defensive back, he impressed me. Rutger can get
after the quarterback Nick same ac. I'm really happy that
they were able to retain him seventh round pick from
(26:36):
year ago, like just continue to develop him and give
you some more depth on the interior. They ended up
going with Corey Bullock as that he kind of beat
out Nick same act, but I'm glad they were able
to keep him.
Speaker 2 (26:48):
Also with like same act there.
Speaker 3 (26:50):
Like Bullock's a good example, like he was on the
practice squad last year and then he just continued to
improve and work and then earned his spot on the
fifty three. And like there's no reason that couldn't be
saying Mac next year, like that he could that he
could just continue to work and develop and approve and
find his way out of the city three meters roster
this year or beyond exactly.
Speaker 1 (27:09):
Yeah, I mean they're gonna have openings at guard next year.
Ben Cleveland's on a one year deal. I'm pretty sure
fought Lele is going into his fourth year, so there's
gonna be opportunities. Yeah, Emery Jones will be competing that anyway.
Getting down in the rabbit hole here, Lucas Scott, I
am glad they kept Lucas Scott fullback with a great
backstory coming from Army. Dude like played everything at Army
(27:34):
and has come here and kind of been the protege
for pat Ricard and and uh yeah, I thought, I
think he flashed to me in the preseason games. So
when you kind of project out to this team, you know,
we love pat Ricard and and uh, you know, I
hope he's here for a long time. He resigned on
a one year deal this past this offseason, could Lucas
(27:58):
Scott potentially, you know, a long term replacement for pat someday.
I think that possibility exists.
Speaker 3 (28:05):
So then the other guys, I was, I'm glad the
Rams were able to keep Anthony Miller Keith Kirkwood.
Speaker 2 (28:12):
Like those guys. I've said this before.
Speaker 3 (28:14):
Anthony Miller was playing snaps down the stretch in the
playoff game in Buffalo.
Speaker 1 (28:17):
And Keith Kirkwood like just makes plays in practice too,
Like I was pretty good. Like the one thing that
kind of gets overlooked is the importance of a practice
squad on on just like sharpening your team over the
course of a regular season, Like, those guys are important.
The better your practice squad is, the more they test
(28:39):
your starters, yeah, and who they're practicing against, and and
like when they're trying to simulate some great you know,
Jamar Chase or whatever, like or T Higgins. Wait, like
here's Keith Kirkwood, who's a big body dude. Like they
I don't know, I don't know if this is the case,
but they might be like, you're T Higgins this week,
(28:59):
like out there and simulate him. And the best impression
that you can give, the better the defensive back is
going to be for it.
Speaker 2 (29:06):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (29:06):
And so like having good players on your practice squad
matters for that as well as just depth in case
you have injuries and whatnot. Anthony Miller is a great
example getting caught up last year and played well yeah
when he came up to the game. So I was
happy to see those guys land back too. Then the
other real purpose of the practice squad is to also
develop guys. Right, Like some of these prospects on here,
(29:29):
they're just developmental players, young undrafted rookies or whatnot. But
you know, you also talk about guys who are ready
to step up and play in case you need it.
And Thomas Graham the cornerback, here's a guy that has
twelve games under his belt. Right, So like when you
talk about John armor Davis and the decision to part
(29:50):
with him, well you didn't just keep a bunch of
undrafted rookies behind him. You also keep Thomas Graham on
your practice squad who has NFL game experience in case
you need to activate somebody for game there or whatnot,
to just like get another kind of more veteran cornerback
up on your your game day roster. So I think
that's another like practice squad move that makes sense for
(30:12):
the now.
Speaker 3 (30:14):
And then Brent Urban, as I said on our fifty
three Maniac, I don't even think Brant turned in his
key card. You know, it's just like you can keep that.
I bet exactly, buddy, you're gonna be back here tomorrow.
We'll see you and it won't surprise me if I
mentioned like the three call ups, like if he's a guy,
it could be situation dependent on Like, Okay, this is
(30:34):
a team that we feel like, matchup wise, we really
want you on the field, and.
Speaker 1 (30:37):
They run the ball a lot, right, they would go
a little heavier on the D line.
Speaker 3 (30:41):
Exactly like I could see him. I could certainly see
him on the fifty three before the season's over and
playing games prior to that point and getting called up.
Dearanus Johnson was a guy they were able to sign
late in training camp and then like he ran hard
in the preseason, so like you just bring in another
veteran running back. He's done it in this league and
you know, I thought he look pretty good in the preseason.
Speaker 2 (31:02):
Snoop. It's it's fun to have him back.
Speaker 3 (31:03):
I mean, like he's a guy like I saw him today,
a big smile on his face and wrapped him up and.
Speaker 1 (31:09):
Like like he never left.
Speaker 2 (31:10):
Yeah, it felt that way.
Speaker 3 (31:11):
It just felt like this the guy that's never left,
and like I've always liked him. He's got a great
relationship with Lamar Jackson and as another Florida guy, they've
known each other forever, and like it's just I like
having him around here. I think he's you know, he's
played well when he's been thrown into action, and I
just think that, like he's got a great mindset and
energy and it's nice to have Snoop back.
Speaker 1 (31:31):
Yeah, totally agree.
Speaker 3 (31:32):
So there's your practice squad and a lot happening here
for the Ravens again. Uh, Kyle Hamilton signed to hear
from Eric's Costa Today practice squad UH built out. Now
there's a little bit of a break. Players get a
little long weekend here for Labor Day weekend before UH
really diving into game week prep for the Buffalo Bills
starting on Monday, and then Week one is off and rolling.
(31:55):
So it's exciting to get this thing started. And as
always you can email us at the lounge at Ravens
dot NFL dot net. Thank you so much for listening
and we will be back with you again on Monday
when we sit down with Ravens a veteran outside linebacker
Kyle Bennoy.
Speaker 2 (32:09):
Thank you for listening.
Speaker 3 (32:10):
Talk to you again on Monday,
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