June 18, 2025 • 27 mins
Team insiders Ryan Mink and Garrett Downing share their notes from practice, including a day with multiple interceptions, as well as what stood out from Lamar Jackson's first meeting with reporters since last season ended, and what's standing out with DeAndre Hopkins.
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Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:04):
Welcome into the Lounge presented by DraftKings.
Speaker 2 (00:06):
I'm Ryan Mink here with Garrett Downing, and we are
going to break down what we saw from day one
of Raven's mini camp, as well as what we heard
after practice from Lamar Jackson and DeAndre Hopkins. So, Garrett,
the return of Lamar Jackson obviously was the headline today
back on the field after you know, he was here
at the beginning of OTA's but this is the first
(00:27):
time seeing him in a little bit. So you know,
obviously when he steps on the field, there's a different energy.
There's just everything's a little bit different with Lamar.
Speaker 3 (00:36):
Yeah, oh, no doubt. I mean when he's on the field, the.
Speaker 4 (00:39):
Tempo, the pace, the energy, the excitement, like it's just
all elevated with him.
Speaker 2 (00:45):
The expectations, right you, Lamar, if there's any incompletion, you
got Lamar just dang.
Speaker 3 (00:50):
You know, he practices hard.
Speaker 4 (00:51):
He gets mad when things don't go right, and like
everybody else feels that, and so I think that when
he's out there, practice is just more fun to watch
with Lamar Jackson, to be honest with.
Speaker 1 (01:00):
You, football is more fun to watch with Lamar Jackson's.
Speaker 4 (01:03):
Exactly and so so I thought it was a solid
day from him. I think that, like I was interested
to see it seemed like two guys in particular, the
connection that he had with them. One was Mark Andrews,
which that's never going anywhere. That's like no secret there,
but also DeAndre Hopkins. I liked what I saw from
him getting Hopkins going in this offense and building that chemistry.
(01:24):
I think that's off to a really strong start. We
said the same thing coming out of the Ota practice
that we watched previously with Lamar and DeAndre Hopkins. I
thought today it was just another really nice step for
the two of them.
Speaker 2 (01:33):
One to hear we heard from Lamar Jackson after practice
and hear him talk about DeAndre Hopkins, it was evident
how much he really likes that edition so far. And
Hopkins made a sliding kind of one armed cradle kind
of catch during practice today that was really impressive. And
there's another throw it's just like a short to the
sticks kind of move the sticks throw that was a
(01:55):
laser and you just heard that thing just pop into
DeAndre Hopkins his hands and.
Speaker 3 (02:01):
Just yeah, didn't adjust at all, no wiggle.
Speaker 2 (02:05):
I was like, no, it's like those strong hands, like
you could he almost hear the strong hands on de
Andandre Hopkins.
Speaker 1 (02:11):
So it's cool to see those guys really hit it
off early.
Speaker 4 (02:14):
That one catch that you referenced, the one handed sliding catch,
like that was a third down play in practice, and
that was right at the sticks to move the chains.
Speaker 3 (02:22):
It was like a.
Speaker 4 (02:22):
Four yard catch. But like, those are the types of
catches that I expect him to make this year. He'll
have some bigger catches than four yard gains over the middle,
no doubt. But like the critical third down tough catch,
one handed grab, that's what he's here for. That that's
the type of play that the Ravens are hoping he
can make, and that kept that drive alive and the
Raves ended up getting in the end zone on that
on that series. And so I just think that that
(02:46):
type of critical tough catch is an element that he's
going to add to this offense. And then even like
I just think it's good with Hopkins, he gives really
good work to this receiving cores like or this this
sorry this the secondary. There was at one point he
was matched up against Nate Waggins and he beat Wagans
off the line for completion. But like, that's great work
(03:07):
for Date Wagans to go up against DeAndre Hopkins and
one on one.
Speaker 1 (03:11):
You're talking about like the slant. It was kind of
a strong It.
Speaker 4 (03:14):
Wasn't like a big play, but it was just like, Okay,
you want to you want to go up against like
a veteran wide receiver who's got all these moves on Clemson.
Speaker 3 (03:20):
Yeah, good Clemson connection.
Speaker 4 (03:22):
I just think that it's really good work for the
secondary to have a veteran like that, who's who's seen
it all done at all.
Speaker 1 (03:27):
Yeah, Yeah, I agree.
Speaker 2 (03:28):
In the secondary had some moments of its own, including
I thought particularly the inside linebackers during seven on seven
trolls and and kind of the blemish on Lamar's day
was he got picked off by Trenton Simpson during seven
on seven's multiple guys getting their hands on the ball.
Teddy Buchanan also came up with an interception. Uh, and
then what's Jake Hummel got his hands on one nearly
(03:52):
had a pick too. So the inside linebackers showing off
in coverage today.
Speaker 4 (03:56):
Yeah, I think it's good for Trent and Simpson to
make a play like that. This is a big year
for him. We've talked about that, like he's he has
an opportunity here to to etch out his starting job.
It's he's got a competition the rookie Teddy Buchan, who's
going to push him. This is the first time we've
seen Jake Hummel on the field. You know, you think
that Humble is probably more of a special team He.
Speaker 1 (04:14):
Was on the last last week of o t AS.
Speaker 4 (04:15):
But yeah, but like this is this is the time
to you know, this is good a time for Trent
Simpson to earn himself that starting job. He did a
coming out of camp last year and then the Ravens
ended up switching it out and going with Malie Harrison
and Chris Bord down the stretch last year. But I
think it's that's that's big for for Trenton to have
a play like that and uh in these early practices
(04:36):
and that's encouraging.
Speaker 3 (04:37):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (04:37):
I talked to Trenton at the end of OTAs and
he really talked about how how much the game has
slowed down for him now this offseason. How much you know,
pre snap especially he's able to kind of see what
the offense might be might be doing, and a lot
of that is a testament to his offseason work with
Roquan Smith. Roquand came back in March and spent the
(04:57):
entire March all the way through till now with Trenton
and those two guys working out watching film and they
were kind of joined at the hip this offseason. I
think that makes a big difference. And then also Tyler Santucci,
the Ravens new inside linebackers coach, give him credit, and
I think he's doing a really good job with Trenton
as well. And Trenton just feels you can almost see
(05:19):
last season which is really you know, basically his rookie
year because he didn't really play as a rookie. You know,
the wheels were really turning and kind of diagnosing things
and getting the right run fits and just it was
a lot. It just seemed like it was too much
at times, and that's why he ended up, you know,
seating his starting job to the veterans. But you know,
(05:42):
to hear him say, he feels so much more confident
and he knows what's going on, you know, pre snap
he's communicating so much more. Zach Or talked about how
he's become one of the biggest communicators on the team.
I think all that is it's you know, it's really
a good sign for trent and Simpson. And then it's
plays like this in mini camp that kind of boost
that confidence even more and say all right, I'm ready.
Speaker 4 (06:02):
You know, Trenton's been a guy that I think he's
an easy guy to root for. He works really hard,
he's like one of he's like classic, like first guy
in the building, last.
Speaker 1 (06:10):
Guy out, one of the team, one.
Speaker 3 (06:12):
Of the nicest guys.
Speaker 4 (06:12):
Like I just like everything that you see about him,
So you want to see him transition that to the field,
and I think that like he's got the work ethic.
I think that he's got more of an understanding of
what's happening all around him just from experience, and now
you want to see it translate to place like that's
what happened today, Like that's the next step for him.
Speaker 3 (06:30):
And so that was that was encouraging and it was
great to see it.
Speaker 1 (06:32):
Yep, Yep.
Speaker 4 (06:33):
Another guy that I'll point to on defense who just
like continues to catch my eye when watching practice is
a DAFA way, Like I just look at the guy physically,
like we've talked about him, adding twenty pounds this offseason.
It it's it's almost jarring, honestly when you see him,
and I still think he's still moving really well.
Speaker 3 (06:52):
Like that's the that's the thing that you worry about.
Speaker 2 (06:54):
There's one play that that I thought illustrated that from practice,
and that was the Ravens ran this kind of bootleg
out and it looked like it was going to be
a boot like short pass to the running back to
Justicilla I think in the flats and Oway just kind
of crashed down on Lamar, made Lamar pull it down,
and then you see Lamar kind of dancing and juking,
and he'll juke many outside linebackers to that, but always
(07:15):
stayed square on him and like would have had the sack,
which is saying a lot on Lamar in the open field,
but like to see him twenty pounds heavier and still
be able to adjust like that and keep his balance,
that was a really good sign because in part, you know,
I think why o'dafe hasn't necessarily gotten as many sacks
and now he was double jed sack guy is you know,
(07:37):
he hasn't had the balance, the power at the top
of his rush to really finish, Like there's been so
many cases of man o'dafe it was this close, right,
And to be able to have like that balance, that
power at the top to kind of finish that sack.
Speaker 1 (07:50):
I think now he's got that.
Speaker 4 (07:52):
Yeah, And so like Lamar versus anybody at the open fields,
like basically an impossible assignment. It's really hard for an
outside linebacker. But that was that was like kind of
a telling moment for me. Yeah, I agree, how's this guy.
Speaker 3 (08:06):
Gonna look bigger? And because we see this, you see
it all the.
Speaker 4 (08:10):
Time around the league, where like a guy gets bigger,
guy gets lighter, and like it sounds good in theory
at times, but then how can you still do the
things that you could do previously?
Speaker 3 (08:19):
And sometimes you can, sometimes.
Speaker 1 (08:20):
You can more, there's supposed to be a reason.
Speaker 4 (08:24):
So like I think that he'll be able to hold
up even better on the edge, and I don't think
that he's sacrificing the agility and speed that made him
such a unique player.
Speaker 3 (08:31):
Yeah, And I thought that was encouraging to see that today.
Speaker 2 (08:34):
Now I know you before we get to training camp,
really like you don't even watch the trenches at all.
You just see I'm over here. It's just like, do
I even put these guys on the field. Let's just
go seven on seven. But I will say I thought, no,
I'm the mat of BK today at practice made a
few places. Yeah he did, and and he kind of
really stood out to me. And what is you know,
(08:54):
I think last year didn't individually go as well as
he probably wanted it to, coming off of the previous
year where he put up monster numbers. And some of
that was like he just finished sacks at a really
high rate the year before, like an unusually high rate
considering you look at pressure rate versus sacks. He just
had a lot of sacks in comparison to his pressure rate.
His pressu rate was still very good. Last year, just
(09:16):
didn't result in necessarily as many sacks. I expect that
to even out more this year and him be more
in that eight to double digit sack range.
Speaker 1 (09:26):
And so but I'll.
Speaker 2 (09:28):
Tell you, he looks really good here in mini camp,
and I think it's a good sign for what he's
gonna do this year.
Speaker 3 (09:35):
I was watching the trenches as well.
Speaker 1 (09:36):
You know, no, you are deep.
Speaker 3 (09:38):
I already mentioned O way, I mean that's that's semi
trenches that's the.
Speaker 1 (09:40):
Edge of the trenches interior guests.
Speaker 4 (09:44):
But another guy who's also on the edge who I
thought flashed one particular play today was David a Jabo.
He blew by the right tackle on a play, got
by noteboom and then got into the backfield for what
would have been a sack and Chuck Smith pass rush
coach is pretty fired up about that. I gave him
some big props as a Jabo came over of the sideline,
So it was it was encouraging to see like that
(10:04):
play to me was like that's why a Jabo was
would have been a first round pick without the injury.
Like it was like this burst off the edge, get
to the backfield, and he's another guy Like when he
does get to the quarterback, he has a good track
record of getting the ball out and finishing. Yeah, he's
just really good when he gets around the quarterback. So
if he can if he can get around the quarterback more, yeah,
Like basically, I mean, if if he can, say on
(10:25):
the field, that's a big thing for him his health.
But then once he's on the field, if he can
make some of these plays and have that burst off
the edge that he had in college, like that. That
would be like if a job we can develop into
that player, man, that that's gonna be an embarrassment of
riches for the Ravens from the mast rush stamping.
Speaker 2 (10:41):
And that's a weird not to go too far into
the leads here, but I mean the outside linebacker competition
right now is I did the numbers game before practice
started today, and when you're putting together the fifty three
man roster, you got some tough decisions at outside linebacker.
I mean because you got a da Fe Van neu
or Lock, Mike Green, Tavius locks.
Speaker 1 (11:02):
That's four locks right there.
Speaker 2 (11:04):
And I'm then on top of it, you have a
Jabo and Aedsa, right, so you're keeping six.
Speaker 1 (11:10):
Yeah, that's a lot outside linebackers. But got lee.
Speaker 2 (11:12):
They're all talented. You know, Lisa's third round pick in
his second year. I want to see what he's got
And if a Jabo keeps making plays like that getting
into the backfield, then you know, I still am intrigued
at what he will bring I could bring. So I
think it's it's clearly a very big summer for David
(11:33):
Ajabo to kind of prove that he's worth waiting more
waiting longer for him to become that guy.
Speaker 4 (11:40):
Yeah, totally agree, Andy, other big notes from what you
saw it on the practice field.
Speaker 1 (11:44):
Well, you know this Ruben Lowry guy, I know he
does make plays. Is his third interception?
Speaker 2 (11:49):
Yeah he got another one? Ye undrafted rookie safety.
Speaker 3 (11:54):
You gotta explain it. I don't know if the fans
know right off the top.
Speaker 2 (11:57):
Lounge listeners now don't sell lounge listeners short, they know
that they were watching the trenches.
Speaker 1 (12:02):
I'll tell you our listeners more football guys.
Speaker 3 (12:05):
Than you mentioning a safety here, you're talking about a safety.
I know.
Speaker 2 (12:08):
I'm just saying there, they're football piece. They're in the
weeds with me. We're in the weeds, Camo Old Night.
So yeah, I think you know, I love our fans.
I know our fans love talking about undrafted rookies. Undrafted
rookie Ruben Lowry, you know, and can he can he
be kind of a He's a smaller guy. He's in
the Ardarius Washington. You look at him, You're like, see
(12:30):
bigger than ard Arius? Is he about the same size Ardarius?
But hey, Ardarius was an undrafted rookie dB safety, you know,
and Lowry's was more of a corner in college, but
can he play a little safety?
Speaker 1 (12:42):
Can he be that kind of versatile guy.
Speaker 3 (12:43):
I don't.
Speaker 1 (12:44):
It's still very much a long shot, but just saying.
Speaker 4 (12:47):
The Ravens have had a nice track record of finding
some of those late round or undrafted DB's at safety,
Like Bo Braid made the team last year as an
undrafted rookie of safety. Lucy Kane was the seventh round pick.
So like those both those guys and they're and they're
now competing for larger roles and spots and all that.
But yeah, like sometimes you see that, you see a
(13:09):
guy make plays, and like having consistency with it is
the key for somebody like Lowry to carve out a
spot on the fifty three or on the practice squad.
But yeah, you keep making interceptions, the coaches are going
to notice, and that's like what happened. That's I remember
that happening with Geno Stone, and I remember that happening
with our Darius Washington. Like those are guys that like
were just making plays and you're like, man, this guy
he's got something right. So if you get going, it's
(13:31):
like Harball has said many times, like make a play
a day, make a play a day, and that's going
to catch the attention to the coaches.
Speaker 3 (13:37):
And he's doing a nice job with that.
Speaker 2 (13:38):
Well, he didn't mention arguably the play of the day
that CJ. Tampa's interception in the back of the end
zone was pretty took it off was Daton Wade's helmet
basically and toe tap in the back of the end zone.
Speaker 1 (13:54):
Yeah, that was a pretty impressive interception.
Speaker 3 (13:55):
Yeah, do not want to leave that one out. That
was a nice play.
Speaker 4 (13:58):
Another guy who's got he's fighting for a spot and
a job, you know, in a role.
Speaker 1 (14:03):
Yeah, and it's a kind of roll yeah. Yeah.
Speaker 2 (14:06):
And so the corner is the other tough spot, especially
when you have a couple of six round rookies that
I think are talented guys. It's the it's a numbers
game and you know, we'll get to this after the
break here. But is there the possibility that could they
could add another corner so it's pro Bowl corner, yes,
So you know, yeah, I think TJ. Tampa also has
work cut out for him. He's got to prove himself
(14:28):
this same.
Speaker 4 (14:28):
Yeah, but taking taking an interception off of receiver's hands
and to tap into the back of the end zone.
Speaker 3 (14:33):
That's going to help your.
Speaker 1 (14:33):
Case, yep, for sure.
Speaker 3 (14:34):
So we'll take a quick break.
Speaker 4 (14:35):
When we come back, we'll dive into what we heard
from Lamar Jackson and DeAndre Hopkins and give you some
other thoughts from the first day of mandatory camp. You're
listening to the Lunch podcast. We are coming to you
from the Seat Geek Studio. We also want to mention
our partners at Draft Kings Sports Book. There an official
sports betting partner of the Baltimore Ravens Draft King Sports Book.
The Crown is yours. So in addition to seeing Lamar
Jackson on the field, we also got a chance to
(14:56):
hear from him, which a lot of people were excited about.
This is the first time that we've talked with him
since last season ended, and so we did. Unfortunately, there
were lots of questions about the Buffalo game, so we
had to relive that a little bit. But a couple
of things that stood out to me from what I
heard Lamar say is he did say that like we're
going to come back with a vengeance, and I think
(15:19):
that he is definitely a player who is driven by disappointments.
He even said that I don't get over any loss,
Like there's still losses that he took in youth football
that still agitate him. And so he is motivated by
that stuff and driven by it. And I think that
other players feel that as well. It's only natural. But
I think that the fact that Lamar is driven by
(15:39):
that kind of thing, I think is only a tone
setter for this group. And him saying like we're gonna
come back with a vengeance, I think is gives you
an indication of his mindset.
Speaker 1 (15:49):
Yeah, you know.
Speaker 2 (15:50):
I think also at the same time, he doesn't want
to kind of get ahead of himself. You know, you
have to pace yourself. It's mini camp. Yeah, and you
know I was asking. I asked him. With all these
weapons around you, you know, do you kind of look
around in the offensive line, should be better year another
year under their belts, kind of mature as a group, Uh,
you know, do you look around and say, hey man,
(16:11):
we're capable of some special things. And he's like, honestly, like,
I just don't even I don't want to get ahead
of myself, Like let's wait, we'll see, we'll see, you know.
But it's clear that he is delighted with with what
he has around him, of course, for Shan Bateman, Zay
Flowers and now de Hop and the Ravens offense is
(16:31):
in a very good position. Lamar happy, Lamar Jackson is
a happy man.
Speaker 4 (16:34):
The other thing that he said that certainly caught my
attention was he gave a little defense of Mark Andrews.
Speaker 1 (16:41):
And of course I'm prompted it was not asked about this.
Speaker 4 (16:44):
Yeah, like and and of course we all know the
season and for the team and from Marked and end
the way that he wanted with that game in Buffalo.
And there's a lot of speculation about him really the
entire offseason.
Speaker 3 (16:55):
Do the Ravens trade him? Is he going to be back?
Speaker 4 (16:57):
And all this stuff, and you know he's obviously going
to be back on the team this year. He's back
and the Ravens have big expectations and goals for him.
Speaker 3 (17:07):
But for Lamar to just go out there and say, like, I.
Speaker 1 (17:09):
Didn't like that, Yeah, I didn't like all that talk.
Speaker 4 (17:12):
And like that, that's the point he may is, I
didn't like that. Managers are still managers. Mark is still Mark,
and like he's gonna He's done great things for the team.
He's going to continue to do great things for the team.
And I didn't like seeing that talk. I don't like
hearing that talk. And that gives you, like an indication
of what Lamar thinks of Mark Andrews and how important
he is, and he has clearly not even thought about
(17:33):
losing any shred of confidence.
Speaker 2 (17:35):
Well, I think it also might give you an indication
of part of the reason why Mark is still on
this team. Yeah, when your franchise quarterback, the star player
of your team, when you know that's how he feels
about Mark Andrews.
Speaker 4 (17:48):
And that's why when there was conversation this offseason about
with the Ravens move on from him, like that's why
I never thought it would happen. It was one like
Mark's a great player, and I think that, like as
Eric Acosta said, like we're of the business of keeping
great players. So that's the first part. But the second part,
to me, and it's maybe equally as important, it's like
Lamar Jackson and Mark and just have this special connection.
(18:09):
They've been at the sing since day one together and.
Speaker 2 (18:12):
Part of the same draft class together since the start.
Speaker 4 (18:15):
And and like that is their dynamic on the field
and off the field is special and unique and I
just didn't think that the Ravens will want to break
that up.
Speaker 2 (18:26):
Yeah, I think it would have taken a very very,
very very hefty offer, if anything.
Speaker 4 (18:31):
Right, And so I'm glad that Mark is still here.
Clearly Lamar is glad that Mark is still here. And
and you know, I think we're finally putting any of
that talk to Ben.
Speaker 2 (18:41):
Well talking about contracts and whatnot, Lamar Jackson was asked
about the potential of a contract extension.
Speaker 3 (18:48):
It was really to dive into that.
Speaker 1 (18:50):
You want to give it a full quote.
Speaker 3 (18:52):
Yours quote was, I'm not talking about it. I never
talked about my contract exactly.
Speaker 1 (18:56):
That he almost got baded into.
Speaker 2 (18:58):
There's the follow up of well, John Carlo says, whenever
you do sign that contract, it's gonna be the biggest
one out there that you gotta like that, and He's like, yeah,
I take that baby either.
Speaker 1 (19:08):
I'm sure, yeah.
Speaker 3 (19:10):
Great. Lamar's like, hey, everybody, we've done this.
Speaker 1 (19:13):
Before, right, We've been we've done this dance.
Speaker 4 (19:15):
Have I ever gotten up here and talked about my contract?
And uh, he was not looking to do that today.
And so I don't, you know, like I think that
whole situation we'll see where that goes. I think it's
only a matter of time when he gets another contract.
Of course, he's still on a he's still under contract
for several more years. But the reason it's even a
(19:36):
conversation right now is because a salary cap takes a
huge jump next year to a point where it's really
kind of untenable, and so you would want to get
a deal done before next season. That's why we're even
talking about it, only two years into a five year deal.
But again, I think it's only a matter of time
for when that happens. And and you know, Lamar wants
(19:58):
to be here. The Ravens of course want Lamar. So
it's just funny to see the conversation come up again
and Lamar say, yeah, I'm not talking about.
Speaker 1 (20:04):
It, right.
Speaker 2 (20:05):
It's pretty pretty cool to see Lamar presented with the
PFWA MVP Award, that's the Pro Football Writers' Association Award.
It's the third time that he's won that MVP Award.
So at least these these writers the PFWA, give them credit.
Speaker 1 (20:20):
They got it right.
Speaker 3 (20:21):
Yeah, they got it right.
Speaker 4 (20:22):
They got it right. So, you know, not in the
MVP that we all expected him to win. Back at
the NFL Honors in February. But this is a very
well deserved honor nonetheless, so congratulations to Lamar on that one.
The other big thing from Lamar was the question of
and we tease this back in the first segment, but
was the question of cornerback Jaiyir Alexander. Yeah, previously other
(20:46):
Green Bay Packers Pro Bowl cornerback.
Speaker 1 (20:48):
And before that of the Louisville Cardinals.
Speaker 4 (20:50):
Yes, they were teammates together in Louisville, and Lamar was
asked about the possibility of.
Speaker 3 (20:56):
Adding Jaiyr Alexander, and you want to give the.
Speaker 1 (20:59):
Quote on that one said go get Americ.
Speaker 2 (21:03):
He he was very you know, in contrast with what
he said about his contract, Lamar was very very clear
about what he wanted on that front. Yeah, go get
Americ was the quote. And so said he's reached out
to Alexander about the possibility. And so I think that
certainly adds more juice to this narrative that this could
(21:28):
be a move. I mean, I've been kind of saying
it from the beginning. It's a move that to me
makes a whole lot of sense. I think obviously, the
dollars has to work out and all those things, and
he's got to be healthy in the medical portion of this,
and the Ravens, you know, the Ravens have to want
him to beyond Lamar Jackson, right, But on the surface,
(21:49):
like I know that there's injury questions with the Jayira Alexander,
but I think that to me, he's a guy that
he's worth taking that kind of air quotes risk on
of like you you know, you don't know because you
also have Cheatabay o Woozier, right, and so like, Okay,
great if Jaira Lexander can give me seventeen games, awesome
(22:12):
if he can give me fifteen and cheatah Bay takes
two or whatever. So if the two of those guys
together can give you seventeen, like we're in a good spot.
You know the issue Cheat Obay's also had injury issues
over the years. Like if cheat Obay goes down, now
you're kind of in a more difficult scenario. You know,
you're Jaylen Armor Davis, who we know, I like, you
(22:33):
know TJ. Tampa Lake, but you're getting a little further down.
I'd feel better about the situation if you have Jaiyir
and cheat o Bay kind of ye Cheetoh.
Speaker 3 (22:41):
Was a guy like who he had a pass break
up today, which was he.
Speaker 2 (22:45):
Had a good He had a good day. He's actually
a guy that we should have mentioned at the top
of this. He had he had a pass breakup and
he came flying downhill on a run stop too, and
it was just good to see him out there. He
got kind of nicked up in the third week of OTA,
so yeah, he had a good day.
Speaker 4 (23:00):
Yeah, So neither of us are closing the book on
Cheeto being an important piece of the defense this year.
Speaker 3 (23:05):
But like, you just need depth of corner and and
you have a.
Speaker 2 (23:08):
Top flight guy when he's healthy and on the playing
it's a Pro Bowl kind of player who maybe you
can get him on a team friendly deal because of
all the injuries and all that stuff. Like this just
it just we've been here long enough. It just smells
like a Raven's kind of move. It just smells like
a Javian Clowney kind esque move, right.
Speaker 4 (23:29):
And then then when you have your your franchise quarterback
saying that he wants him, that only adds fuel to
the fire.
Speaker 1 (23:36):
Yep.
Speaker 4 (23:37):
So yeah, we'll see what happens on that front. And
and if you know The other part of the course
that we have no idea of is what JayR Alexander wants.
Where does he have any you know, desire, where he
wants to play and all that stuff.
Speaker 3 (23:49):
We have no idea there. But certainly that was a
big takeaway from today.
Speaker 2 (23:53):
I can't imagine any defender out there, any player out there,
looks at the Ravens says nah, I don't want to
go play with Lamar Jackson on a team that's knocking
on the.
Speaker 3 (24:02):
Door, especially when Lamar says I want you here exactly.
Speaker 1 (24:05):
I can't imagine anybody be like.
Speaker 3 (24:06):
I'll pass. Yeah, And then it comes to again, dollars
and cents.
Speaker 2 (24:11):
Yeah, that's always that's always part of it, you know.
But the Ravens have enough salary cap flexibility in room
right now that, like on paper, it seems like a
move they could make. It's not one of these situations,
these far fetched things that people throw out there.
Speaker 1 (24:25):
There's just no way, you know what I mean. So,
but we don't know, we don't know.
Speaker 2 (24:28):
I think a lot of it it's what's the market
for him, Like, is there some team out there that like,
is willing to pay him way more than the Ravens
would be willing to pay because, like whatever, they have
a ton of salary cap space and they're like, hey,
it's you're Alexander, let's go.
Speaker 4 (24:41):
Yeah, you know, maybe, yeah, it's possible. We also heard
from DeAndre Hopkins today, which was good to hear from him.
It's the first time we've talked with him since he
signed his contract earlier this offseason, so he's had some
practices under his belt. We already talked about the impact
that he's making out there on the field, you.
Speaker 3 (24:57):
Know, and he and and the thing. A couple of
things that stood out to me.
Speaker 4 (25:00):
One you actually asked him about what's been the thing
that's like really been his biggest takeaway so far, and
he said the camaraderie of this team. And I thought
that was pretty telling for a veteran player that's been
a number of different places in the league a long
time for him to come in and just feel like
the camaraderie of this team is something special.
Speaker 3 (25:15):
I think that says something.
Speaker 2 (25:16):
Yeah, I agree, Yeah, he's seen it all. He's he's
been in a lot of different locker rooms like you're
talking about, So I think that's cool. And you know,
I think I think also like the communication aspect, and
you know, he said the key between he and Lamar
is going to be communication, communication, communication. And also we
heard from quarterbacks coach te Martin and he talked about
(25:37):
how Lamar his biggest growth over the past couple of
years and this continues to be an area where he
continues to grow is his communication. Yeah, and you know,
welcome guys wide receivers, tight ends coming into the quarterbacks
room and those guys having those smaller sessions to get
on the same page and talk through what they like
and how they see things and whatnot. Like, I just
(25:58):
think that Lamar, how much communication he has with his teammates,
including de Hop, it just it's a great thing to
see that continue to evolve.
Speaker 4 (26:07):
Yeah, and I've said this, but every time I see
him at practice, like I'm even more convinced that d
Hop has plenty of gas in the tank. Like he's
moving well, man, he's he's got burst. There was one
play where he caught it and just turned up field
and you're like, oh, he's still got plenty of juice.
Speaker 3 (26:21):
And he said that as well. He's like, yeah, I'm
still plenty fast.
Speaker 4 (26:24):
He posted on Instagram a couple of weeks ago, he
had one of the fastest times out of practice.
Speaker 3 (26:29):
In terms of how he was running.
Speaker 4 (26:31):
And because they track all that they have, they're wearing
you know, trackers, so they're able to see exactly how
fast guys are moving.
Speaker 3 (26:36):
He was one of the fastest. And so he still
feels that way.
Speaker 4 (26:38):
Like he said that to it, he still feels like
he's plenty fast and watching practice he looks at as.
Speaker 2 (26:43):
Well, Yeah, I'm impressed to the hoop and I like
his energy. He's he brings that vet energy. Man, he's
just like chill and I think he's gonna fit in
well here.
Speaker 3 (26:52):
Yeah.
Speaker 4 (26:53):
So it was a good productive day of Minny camp.
Lamar said it was the best thing he's done this
offseason was working out here with the guys. So I'll
set and that it was. It was good to see
these guys working in a really productive day. So one
more day of mandatory camp before the break here and
then it's the long the long break of the off
season before training camp.
Speaker 3 (27:12):
But one more day it works.
Speaker 4 (27:13):
So we're gonna come back again tomorrow and you are
full breakdown of everything that we see out there on
the practice field. As always, you can email us at
the lounge at Ravens dot NFL dot net. Thank you
for listening. Make sure you subscribe and we will talk
with you again tomorrow
Welcome into the Lounge presented by DraftKings.
Speaker 2 (00:06):
I'm Ryan Mink here with Garrett Downing, and we are
going to break down what we saw from day one
of Raven's mini camp, as well as what we heard
after practice from Lamar Jackson and DeAndre Hopkins. So, Garrett,
the return of Lamar Jackson obviously was the headline today
back on the field after you know, he was here
at the beginning of OTA's but this is the first
(00:27):
time seeing him in a little bit. So you know,
obviously when he steps on the field, there's a different energy.
There's just everything's a little bit different with Lamar.
Speaker 3 (00:36):
Yeah, oh, no doubt. I mean when he's on the field, the.
Speaker 4 (00:39):
Tempo, the pace, the energy, the excitement, like it's just
all elevated with him.
Speaker 2 (00:45):
The expectations, right you, Lamar, if there's any incompletion, you
got Lamar just dang.
Speaker 3 (00:50):
You know, he practices hard.
Speaker 4 (00:51):
He gets mad when things don't go right, and like
everybody else feels that, and so I think that when
he's out there, practice is just more fun to watch
with Lamar Jackson, to be honest with.
Speaker 1 (01:00):
You, football is more fun to watch with Lamar Jackson's.
Speaker 4 (01:03):
Exactly and so so I thought it was a solid
day from him. I think that, like I was interested
to see it seemed like two guys in particular, the
connection that he had with them. One was Mark Andrews,
which that's never going anywhere. That's like no secret there,
but also DeAndre Hopkins. I liked what I saw from
him getting Hopkins going in this offense and building that chemistry.
(01:24):
I think that's off to a really strong start. We
said the same thing coming out of the Ota practice
that we watched previously with Lamar and DeAndre Hopkins. I
thought today it was just another really nice step for
the two of them.
Speaker 2 (01:33):
One to hear we heard from Lamar Jackson after practice
and hear him talk about DeAndre Hopkins, it was evident
how much he really likes that edition so far. And
Hopkins made a sliding kind of one armed cradle kind
of catch during practice today that was really impressive. And
there's another throw it's just like a short to the
sticks kind of move the sticks throw that was a
(01:55):
laser and you just heard that thing just pop into
DeAndre Hopkins his hands and.
Speaker 3 (02:01):
Just yeah, didn't adjust at all, no wiggle.
Speaker 2 (02:05):
I was like, no, it's like those strong hands, like
you could he almost hear the strong hands on de
Andandre Hopkins.
Speaker 1 (02:11):
So it's cool to see those guys really hit it
off early.
Speaker 4 (02:14):
That one catch that you referenced, the one handed sliding catch,
like that was a third down play in practice, and
that was right at the sticks to move the chains.
Speaker 3 (02:22):
It was like a.
Speaker 4 (02:22):
Four yard catch. But like, those are the types of
catches that I expect him to make this year. He'll
have some bigger catches than four yard gains over the middle,
no doubt. But like the critical third down tough catch,
one handed grab, that's what he's here for. That that's
the type of play that the Ravens are hoping he
can make, and that kept that drive alive and the
Raves ended up getting in the end zone on that
on that series. And so I just think that that
(02:46):
type of critical tough catch is an element that he's
going to add to this offense. And then even like
I just think it's good with Hopkins, he gives really
good work to this receiving cores like or this this
sorry this the secondary. There was at one point he
was matched up against Nate Waggins and he beat Wagans
off the line for completion. But like, that's great work
(03:07):
for Date Wagans to go up against DeAndre Hopkins and
one on one.
Speaker 1 (03:11):
You're talking about like the slant. It was kind of
a strong It.
Speaker 4 (03:14):
Wasn't like a big play, but it was just like, Okay,
you want to you want to go up against like
a veteran wide receiver who's got all these moves on Clemson.
Speaker 3 (03:20):
Yeah, good Clemson connection.
Speaker 4 (03:22):
I just think that it's really good work for the
secondary to have a veteran like that, who's who's seen
it all done at all.
Speaker 1 (03:27):
Yeah, Yeah, I agree.
Speaker 2 (03:28):
In the secondary had some moments of its own, including
I thought particularly the inside linebackers during seven on seven
trolls and and kind of the blemish on Lamar's day
was he got picked off by Trenton Simpson during seven
on seven's multiple guys getting their hands on the ball.
Teddy Buchanan also came up with an interception. Uh, and
then what's Jake Hummel got his hands on one nearly
(03:52):
had a pick too. So the inside linebackers showing off
in coverage today.
Speaker 4 (03:56):
Yeah, I think it's good for Trent and Simpson to
make a play like that. This is a big year
for him. We've talked about that, like he's he has
an opportunity here to to etch out his starting job.
It's he's got a competition the rookie Teddy Buchan, who's
going to push him. This is the first time we've
seen Jake Hummel on the field. You know, you think
that Humble is probably more of a special team He.
Speaker 1 (04:14):
Was on the last last week of o t AS.
Speaker 4 (04:15):
But yeah, but like this is this is the time
to you know, this is good a time for Trent
Simpson to earn himself that starting job. He did a
coming out of camp last year and then the Ravens
ended up switching it out and going with Malie Harrison
and Chris Bord down the stretch last year. But I
think it's that's that's big for for Trenton to have
a play like that and uh in these early practices
(04:36):
and that's encouraging.
Speaker 3 (04:37):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (04:37):
I talked to Trenton at the end of OTAs and
he really talked about how how much the game has
slowed down for him now this offseason. How much you know,
pre snap especially he's able to kind of see what
the offense might be might be doing, and a lot
of that is a testament to his offseason work with
Roquan Smith. Roquand came back in March and spent the
(04:57):
entire March all the way through till now with Trenton
and those two guys working out watching film and they
were kind of joined at the hip this offseason. I
think that makes a big difference. And then also Tyler Santucci,
the Ravens new inside linebackers coach, give him credit, and
I think he's doing a really good job with Trenton
as well. And Trenton just feels you can almost see
(05:19):
last season which is really you know, basically his rookie
year because he didn't really play as a rookie. You know,
the wheels were really turning and kind of diagnosing things
and getting the right run fits and just it was
a lot. It just seemed like it was too much
at times, and that's why he ended up, you know,
seating his starting job to the veterans. But you know,
(05:42):
to hear him say, he feels so much more confident
and he knows what's going on, you know, pre snap
he's communicating so much more. Zach Or talked about how
he's become one of the biggest communicators on the team.
I think all that is it's you know, it's really
a good sign for trent and Simpson. And then it's
plays like this in mini camp that kind of boost
that confidence even more and say all right, I'm ready.
Speaker 4 (06:02):
You know, Trenton's been a guy that I think he's
an easy guy to root for. He works really hard,
he's like one of he's like classic, like first guy
in the building, last.
Speaker 1 (06:10):
Guy out, one of the team, one.
Speaker 3 (06:12):
Of the nicest guys.
Speaker 4 (06:12):
Like I just like everything that you see about him,
So you want to see him transition that to the field,
and I think that like he's got the work ethic.
I think that he's got more of an understanding of
what's happening all around him just from experience, and now
you want to see it translate to place like that's
what happened today, Like that's the next step for him.
Speaker 3 (06:30):
And so that was that was encouraging and it was
great to see it.
Speaker 1 (06:32):
Yep, Yep.
Speaker 4 (06:33):
Another guy that I'll point to on defense who just
like continues to catch my eye when watching practice is
a DAFA way, Like I just look at the guy physically,
like we've talked about him, adding twenty pounds this offseason.
It it's it's almost jarring, honestly when you see him,
and I still think he's still moving really well.
Speaker 3 (06:52):
Like that's the that's the thing that you worry about.
Speaker 2 (06:54):
There's one play that that I thought illustrated that from practice,
and that was the Ravens ran this kind of bootleg
out and it looked like it was going to be
a boot like short pass to the running back to
Justicilla I think in the flats and Oway just kind
of crashed down on Lamar, made Lamar pull it down,
and then you see Lamar kind of dancing and juking,
and he'll juke many outside linebackers to that, but always
(07:15):
stayed square on him and like would have had the sack,
which is saying a lot on Lamar in the open field,
but like to see him twenty pounds heavier and still
be able to adjust like that and keep his balance,
that was a really good sign because in part, you know,
I think why o'dafe hasn't necessarily gotten as many sacks
and now he was double jed sack guy is you know,
(07:37):
he hasn't had the balance, the power at the top
of his rush to really finish, Like there's been so
many cases of man o'dafe it was this close, right,
And to be able to have like that balance, that
power at the top to kind of finish that sack.
Speaker 1 (07:50):
I think now he's got that.
Speaker 4 (07:52):
Yeah, And so like Lamar versus anybody at the open fields,
like basically an impossible assignment. It's really hard for an
outside linebacker. But that was that was like kind of
a telling moment for me. Yeah, I agree, how's this guy.
Speaker 3 (08:06):
Gonna look bigger? And because we see this, you see
it all the.
Speaker 4 (08:10):
Time around the league, where like a guy gets bigger,
guy gets lighter, and like it sounds good in theory
at times, but then how can you still do the
things that you could do previously?
Speaker 3 (08:19):
And sometimes you can, sometimes.
Speaker 1 (08:20):
You can more, there's supposed to be a reason.
Speaker 4 (08:24):
So like I think that he'll be able to hold
up even better on the edge, and I don't think
that he's sacrificing the agility and speed that made him
such a unique player.
Speaker 3 (08:31):
Yeah, And I thought that was encouraging to see that today.
Speaker 2 (08:34):
Now I know you before we get to training camp,
really like you don't even watch the trenches at all.
You just see I'm over here. It's just like, do
I even put these guys on the field. Let's just
go seven on seven. But I will say I thought, no,
I'm the mat of BK today at practice made a
few places. Yeah he did, and and he kind of
really stood out to me. And what is you know,
(08:54):
I think last year didn't individually go as well as
he probably wanted it to, coming off of the previous
year where he put up monster numbers. And some of
that was like he just finished sacks at a really
high rate the year before, like an unusually high rate
considering you look at pressure rate versus sacks. He just
had a lot of sacks in comparison to his pressure rate.
His pressu rate was still very good. Last year, just
(09:16):
didn't result in necessarily as many sacks. I expect that
to even out more this year and him be more
in that eight to double digit sack range.
Speaker 1 (09:26):
And so but I'll.
Speaker 2 (09:28):
Tell you, he looks really good here in mini camp,
and I think it's a good sign for what he's
gonna do this year.
Speaker 3 (09:35):
I was watching the trenches as well.
Speaker 1 (09:36):
You know, no, you are deep.
Speaker 3 (09:38):
I already mentioned O way, I mean that's that's semi
trenches that's the.
Speaker 1 (09:40):
Edge of the trenches interior guests.
Speaker 4 (09:44):
But another guy who's also on the edge who I
thought flashed one particular play today was David a Jabo.
He blew by the right tackle on a play, got
by noteboom and then got into the backfield for what
would have been a sack and Chuck Smith pass rush
coach is pretty fired up about that. I gave him
some big props as a Jabo came over of the sideline,
So it was it was encouraging to see like that
(10:04):
play to me was like that's why a Jabo was
would have been a first round pick without the injury.
Like it was like this burst off the edge, get
to the backfield, and he's another guy Like when he
does get to the quarterback, he has a good track
record of getting the ball out and finishing. Yeah, he's
just really good when he gets around the quarterback. So
if he can if he can get around the quarterback more, yeah,
Like basically, I mean, if if he can, say on
(10:25):
the field, that's a big thing for him his health.
But then once he's on the field, if he can
make some of these plays and have that burst off
the edge that he had in college, like that. That
would be like if a job we can develop into
that player, man, that that's gonna be an embarrassment of
riches for the Ravens from the mast rush stamping.
Speaker 2 (10:41):
And that's a weird not to go too far into
the leads here, but I mean the outside linebacker competition
right now is I did the numbers game before practice
started today, and when you're putting together the fifty three
man roster, you got some tough decisions at outside linebacker.
I mean because you got a da Fe Van neu
or Lock, Mike Green, Tavius locks.
Speaker 1 (11:02):
That's four locks right there.
Speaker 2 (11:04):
And I'm then on top of it, you have a
Jabo and Aedsa, right, so you're keeping six.
Speaker 1 (11:10):
Yeah, that's a lot outside linebackers. But got lee.
Speaker 2 (11:12):
They're all talented. You know, Lisa's third round pick in
his second year. I want to see what he's got
And if a Jabo keeps making plays like that getting
into the backfield, then you know, I still am intrigued
at what he will bring I could bring. So I
think it's it's clearly a very big summer for David
(11:33):
Ajabo to kind of prove that he's worth waiting more
waiting longer for him to become that guy.
Speaker 4 (11:40):
Yeah, totally agree, Andy, other big notes from what you
saw it on the practice field.
Speaker 1 (11:44):
Well, you know this Ruben Lowry guy, I know he
does make plays. Is his third interception?
Speaker 2 (11:49):
Yeah he got another one? Ye undrafted rookie safety.
Speaker 3 (11:54):
You gotta explain it. I don't know if the fans
know right off the top.
Speaker 2 (11:57):
Lounge listeners now don't sell lounge listeners short, they know
that they were watching the trenches.
Speaker 1 (12:02):
I'll tell you our listeners more football guys.
Speaker 3 (12:05):
Than you mentioning a safety here, you're talking about a safety.
I know.
Speaker 2 (12:08):
I'm just saying there, they're football piece. They're in the
weeds with me. We're in the weeds, Camo Old Night.
So yeah, I think you know, I love our fans.
I know our fans love talking about undrafted rookies. Undrafted
rookie Ruben Lowry, you know, and can he can he
be kind of a He's a smaller guy. He's in
the Ardarius Washington. You look at him, You're like, see
(12:30):
bigger than ard Arius? Is he about the same size Ardarius?
But hey, Ardarius was an undrafted rookie dB safety, you know,
and Lowry's was more of a corner in college, but
can he play a little safety?
Speaker 1 (12:42):
Can he be that kind of versatile guy.
Speaker 3 (12:43):
I don't.
Speaker 1 (12:44):
It's still very much a long shot, but just saying.
Speaker 4 (12:47):
The Ravens have had a nice track record of finding
some of those late round or undrafted DB's at safety,
Like Bo Braid made the team last year as an
undrafted rookie of safety. Lucy Kane was the seventh round pick.
So like those both those guys and they're and they're
now competing for larger roles and spots and all that.
But yeah, like sometimes you see that, you see a
(13:09):
guy make plays, and like having consistency with it is
the key for somebody like Lowry to carve out a
spot on the fifty three or on the practice squad.
But yeah, you keep making interceptions, the coaches are going
to notice, and that's like what happened. That's I remember
that happening with Geno Stone, and I remember that happening
with our Darius Washington. Like those are guys that like
were just making plays and you're like, man, this guy
he's got something right. So if you get going, it's
(13:31):
like Harball has said many times, like make a play
a day, make a play a day, and that's going
to catch the attention to the coaches.
Speaker 3 (13:37):
And he's doing a nice job with that.
Speaker 2 (13:38):
Well, he didn't mention arguably the play of the day
that CJ. Tampa's interception in the back of the end
zone was pretty took it off was Daton Wade's helmet
basically and toe tap in the back of the end zone.
Speaker 1 (13:54):
Yeah, that was a pretty impressive interception.
Speaker 3 (13:55):
Yeah, do not want to leave that one out. That
was a nice play.
Speaker 4 (13:58):
Another guy who's got he's fighting for a spot and
a job, you know, in a role.
Speaker 1 (14:03):
Yeah, and it's a kind of roll yeah. Yeah.
Speaker 2 (14:06):
And so the corner is the other tough spot, especially
when you have a couple of six round rookies that
I think are talented guys. It's the it's a numbers
game and you know, we'll get to this after the
break here. But is there the possibility that could they
could add another corner so it's pro Bowl corner, yes,
So you know, yeah, I think TJ. Tampa also has
work cut out for him. He's got to prove himself
(14:28):
this same.
Speaker 4 (14:28):
Yeah, but taking taking an interception off of receiver's hands
and to tap into the back of the end zone.
Speaker 3 (14:33):
That's going to help your.
Speaker 1 (14:33):
Case, yep, for sure.
Speaker 3 (14:34):
So we'll take a quick break.
Speaker 4 (14:35):
When we come back, we'll dive into what we heard
from Lamar Jackson and DeAndre Hopkins and give you some
other thoughts from the first day of mandatory camp. You're
listening to the Lunch podcast. We are coming to you
from the Seat Geek Studio. We also want to mention
our partners at Draft Kings Sports Book. There an official
sports betting partner of the Baltimore Ravens Draft King Sports Book.
The Crown is yours. So in addition to seeing Lamar
Jackson on the field, we also got a chance to
(14:56):
hear from him, which a lot of people were excited about.
This is the first time that we've talked with him
since last season ended, and so we did. Unfortunately, there
were lots of questions about the Buffalo game, so we
had to relive that a little bit. But a couple
of things that stood out to me from what I
heard Lamar say is he did say that like we're
going to come back with a vengeance, and I think
(15:19):
that he is definitely a player who is driven by disappointments.
He even said that I don't get over any loss,
Like there's still losses that he took in youth football
that still agitate him. And so he is motivated by
that stuff and driven by it. And I think that
other players feel that as well. It's only natural. But
I think that the fact that Lamar is driven by
(15:39):
that kind of thing, I think is only a tone
setter for this group. And him saying like we're gonna
come back with a vengeance, I think is gives you
an indication of his mindset.
Speaker 1 (15:49):
Yeah, you know.
Speaker 2 (15:50):
I think also at the same time, he doesn't want
to kind of get ahead of himself. You know, you
have to pace yourself. It's mini camp. Yeah, and you
know I was asking. I asked him. With all these
weapons around you, you know, do you kind of look
around in the offensive line, should be better year another
year under their belts, kind of mature as a group, Uh,
you know, do you look around and say, hey man,
(16:11):
we're capable of some special things. And he's like, honestly, like,
I just don't even I don't want to get ahead
of myself, Like let's wait, we'll see, we'll see, you know.
But it's clear that he is delighted with with what
he has around him, of course, for Shan Bateman, Zay
Flowers and now de Hop and the Ravens offense is
(16:31):
in a very good position. Lamar happy, Lamar Jackson is
a happy man.
Speaker 4 (16:34):
The other thing that he said that certainly caught my
attention was he gave a little defense of Mark Andrews.
Speaker 1 (16:41):
And of course I'm prompted it was not asked about this.
Speaker 4 (16:44):
Yeah, like and and of course we all know the
season and for the team and from Marked and end
the way that he wanted with that game in Buffalo.
And there's a lot of speculation about him really the
entire offseason.
Speaker 3 (16:55):
Do the Ravens trade him? Is he going to be back?
Speaker 4 (16:57):
And all this stuff, and you know he's obviously going
to be back on the team this year. He's back
and the Ravens have big expectations and goals for him.
Speaker 3 (17:07):
But for Lamar to just go out there and say, like, I.
Speaker 1 (17:09):
Didn't like that, Yeah, I didn't like all that talk.
Speaker 4 (17:12):
And like that, that's the point he may is, I
didn't like that. Managers are still managers. Mark is still Mark,
and like he's gonna He's done great things for the team.
He's going to continue to do great things for the team.
And I didn't like seeing that talk. I don't like
hearing that talk. And that gives you, like an indication
of what Lamar thinks of Mark Andrews and how important
he is, and he has clearly not even thought about
(17:33):
losing any shred of confidence.
Speaker 2 (17:35):
Well, I think it also might give you an indication
of part of the reason why Mark is still on
this team. Yeah, when your franchise quarterback, the star player
of your team, when you know that's how he feels
about Mark Andrews.
Speaker 4 (17:48):
And that's why when there was conversation this offseason about
with the Ravens move on from him, like that's why
I never thought it would happen. It was one like
Mark's a great player, and I think that, like as
Eric Acosta said, like we're of the business of keeping
great players. So that's the first part. But the second part,
to me, and it's maybe equally as important, it's like
Lamar Jackson and Mark and just have this special connection.
(18:09):
They've been at the sing since day one together and.
Speaker 2 (18:12):
Part of the same draft class together since the start.
Speaker 4 (18:15):
And and like that is their dynamic on the field
and off the field is special and unique and I
just didn't think that the Ravens will want to break
that up.
Speaker 2 (18:26):
Yeah, I think it would have taken a very very,
very very hefty offer, if anything.
Speaker 4 (18:31):
Right, And so I'm glad that Mark is still here.
Clearly Lamar is glad that Mark is still here. And
and you know, I think we're finally putting any of
that talk to Ben.
Speaker 2 (18:41):
Well talking about contracts and whatnot, Lamar Jackson was asked
about the potential of a contract extension.
Speaker 3 (18:48):
It was really to dive into that.
Speaker 1 (18:50):
You want to give it a full quote.
Speaker 3 (18:52):
Yours quote was, I'm not talking about it. I never
talked about my contract exactly.
Speaker 1 (18:56):
That he almost got baded into.
Speaker 2 (18:58):
There's the follow up of well, John Carlo says, whenever
you do sign that contract, it's gonna be the biggest
one out there that you gotta like that, and He's like, yeah,
I take that baby either.
Speaker 1 (19:08):
I'm sure, yeah.
Speaker 3 (19:10):
Great. Lamar's like, hey, everybody, we've done this.
Speaker 1 (19:13):
Before, right, We've been we've done this dance.
Speaker 4 (19:15):
Have I ever gotten up here and talked about my contract?
And uh, he was not looking to do that today.
And so I don't, you know, like I think that
whole situation we'll see where that goes. I think it's
only a matter of time when he gets another contract.
Of course, he's still on a he's still under contract
for several more years. But the reason it's even a
(19:36):
conversation right now is because a salary cap takes a
huge jump next year to a point where it's really
kind of untenable, and so you would want to get
a deal done before next season. That's why we're even
talking about it, only two years into a five year deal.
But again, I think it's only a matter of time
for when that happens. And and you know, Lamar wants
(19:58):
to be here. The Ravens of course want Lamar. So
it's just funny to see the conversation come up again
and Lamar say, yeah, I'm not talking about.
Speaker 1 (20:04):
It, right.
Speaker 2 (20:05):
It's pretty pretty cool to see Lamar presented with the
PFWA MVP Award, that's the Pro Football Writers' Association Award.
It's the third time that he's won that MVP Award.
So at least these these writers the PFWA, give them credit.
Speaker 1 (20:20):
They got it right.
Speaker 3 (20:21):
Yeah, they got it right.
Speaker 4 (20:22):
They got it right. So, you know, not in the
MVP that we all expected him to win. Back at
the NFL Honors in February. But this is a very
well deserved honor nonetheless, so congratulations to Lamar on that one.
The other big thing from Lamar was the question of
and we tease this back in the first segment, but
was the question of cornerback Jaiyir Alexander. Yeah, previously other
(20:46):
Green Bay Packers Pro Bowl cornerback.
Speaker 1 (20:48):
And before that of the Louisville Cardinals.
Speaker 4 (20:50):
Yes, they were teammates together in Louisville, and Lamar was
asked about the possibility of.
Speaker 3 (20:56):
Adding Jaiyr Alexander, and you want to give the.
Speaker 1 (20:59):
Quote on that one said go get Americ.
Speaker 2 (21:03):
He he was very you know, in contrast with what
he said about his contract, Lamar was very very clear
about what he wanted on that front. Yeah, go get
Americ was the quote. And so said he's reached out
to Alexander about the possibility. And so I think that
certainly adds more juice to this narrative that this could
(21:28):
be a move. I mean, I've been kind of saying
it from the beginning. It's a move that to me
makes a whole lot of sense. I think obviously, the
dollars has to work out and all those things, and
he's got to be healthy in the medical portion of this,
and the Ravens, you know, the Ravens have to want
him to beyond Lamar Jackson, right, But on the surface,
(21:49):
like I know that there's injury questions with the Jayira Alexander,
but I think that to me, he's a guy that
he's worth taking that kind of air quotes risk on
of like you you know, you don't know because you
also have Cheatabay o Woozier, right, and so like, Okay,
great if Jaira Lexander can give me seventeen games, awesome
(22:12):
if he can give me fifteen and cheatah Bay takes
two or whatever. So if the two of those guys
together can give you seventeen, like we're in a good spot.
You know the issue Cheat Obay's also had injury issues
over the years. Like if cheat Obay goes down, now
you're kind of in a more difficult scenario. You know,
you're Jaylen Armor Davis, who we know, I like, you
(22:33):
know TJ. Tampa Lake, but you're getting a little further down.
I'd feel better about the situation if you have Jaiyir
and cheat o Bay kind of ye Cheetoh.
Speaker 3 (22:41):
Was a guy like who he had a pass break
up today, which was he.
Speaker 2 (22:45):
Had a good He had a good day. He's actually
a guy that we should have mentioned at the top
of this. He had he had a pass breakup and
he came flying downhill on a run stop too, and
it was just good to see him out there. He
got kind of nicked up in the third week of OTA,
so yeah, he had a good day.
Speaker 4 (23:00):
Yeah, So neither of us are closing the book on
Cheeto being an important piece of the defense this year.
Speaker 3 (23:05):
But like, you just need depth of corner and and
you have a.
Speaker 2 (23:08):
Top flight guy when he's healthy and on the playing
it's a Pro Bowl kind of player who maybe you
can get him on a team friendly deal because of
all the injuries and all that stuff. Like this just
it just we've been here long enough. It just smells
like a Raven's kind of move. It just smells like
a Javian Clowney kind esque move, right.
Speaker 4 (23:29):
And then then when you have your your franchise quarterback
saying that he wants him, that only adds fuel to
the fire.
Speaker 1 (23:36):
Yep.
Speaker 4 (23:37):
So yeah, we'll see what happens on that front. And
and if you know The other part of the course
that we have no idea of is what JayR Alexander wants.
Where does he have any you know, desire, where he
wants to play and all that stuff.
Speaker 3 (23:49):
We have no idea there. But certainly that was a
big takeaway from today.
Speaker 2 (23:53):
I can't imagine any defender out there, any player out there,
looks at the Ravens says nah, I don't want to
go play with Lamar Jackson on a team that's knocking
on the.
Speaker 3 (24:02):
Door, especially when Lamar says I want you here exactly.
Speaker 1 (24:05):
I can't imagine anybody be like.
Speaker 3 (24:06):
I'll pass. Yeah, And then it comes to again, dollars
and cents.
Speaker 2 (24:11):
Yeah, that's always that's always part of it, you know.
But the Ravens have enough salary cap flexibility in room
right now that, like on paper, it seems like a
move they could make. It's not one of these situations,
these far fetched things that people throw out there.
Speaker 1 (24:25):
There's just no way, you know what I mean. So,
but we don't know, we don't know.
Speaker 2 (24:28):
I think a lot of it it's what's the market
for him, Like, is there some team out there that like,
is willing to pay him way more than the Ravens
would be willing to pay because, like whatever, they have
a ton of salary cap space and they're like, hey,
it's you're Alexander, let's go.
Speaker 4 (24:41):
Yeah, you know, maybe, yeah, it's possible. We also heard
from DeAndre Hopkins today, which was good to hear from him.
It's the first time we've talked with him since he
signed his contract earlier this offseason, so he's had some
practices under his belt. We already talked about the impact
that he's making out there on the field, you.
Speaker 3 (24:57):
Know, and he and and the thing. A couple of
things that stood out to me.
Speaker 4 (25:00):
One you actually asked him about what's been the thing
that's like really been his biggest takeaway so far, and
he said the camaraderie of this team. And I thought
that was pretty telling for a veteran player that's been
a number of different places in the league a long
time for him to come in and just feel like
the camaraderie of this team is something special.
Speaker 3 (25:15):
I think that says something.
Speaker 2 (25:16):
Yeah, I agree, Yeah, he's seen it all. He's he's
been in a lot of different locker rooms like you're
talking about, So I think that's cool. And you know,
I think I think also like the communication aspect, and
you know, he said the key between he and Lamar
is going to be communication, communication, communication. And also we
heard from quarterbacks coach te Martin and he talked about
(25:37):
how Lamar his biggest growth over the past couple of
years and this continues to be an area where he
continues to grow is his communication. Yeah, and you know,
welcome guys wide receivers, tight ends coming into the quarterbacks
room and those guys having those smaller sessions to get
on the same page and talk through what they like
and how they see things and whatnot. Like, I just
(25:58):
think that Lamar, how much communication he has with his teammates,
including de Hop, it just it's a great thing to
see that continue to evolve.
Speaker 4 (26:07):
Yeah, and I've said this, but every time I see
him at practice, like I'm even more convinced that d
Hop has plenty of gas in the tank. Like he's
moving well, man, he's he's got burst. There was one
play where he caught it and just turned up field
and you're like, oh, he's still got plenty of juice.
Speaker 3 (26:21):
And he said that as well. He's like, yeah, I'm
still plenty fast.
Speaker 4 (26:24):
He posted on Instagram a couple of weeks ago, he
had one of the fastest times out of practice.
Speaker 3 (26:29):
In terms of how he was running.
Speaker 4 (26:31):
And because they track all that they have, they're wearing
you know, trackers, so they're able to see exactly how
fast guys are moving.
Speaker 3 (26:36):
He was one of the fastest. And so he still
feels that way.
Speaker 4 (26:38):
Like he said that to it, he still feels like
he's plenty fast and watching practice he looks at as.
Speaker 2 (26:43):
Well, Yeah, I'm impressed to the hoop and I like
his energy. He's he brings that vet energy. Man, he's
just like chill and I think he's gonna fit in
well here.
Speaker 3 (26:52):
Yeah.
Speaker 4 (26:53):
So it was a good productive day of Minny camp.
Lamar said it was the best thing he's done this
offseason was working out here with the guys. So I'll
set and that it was. It was good to see
these guys working in a really productive day. So one
more day of mandatory camp before the break here and
then it's the long the long break of the off
season before training camp.
Speaker 3 (27:12):
But one more day it works.
Speaker 4 (27:13):
So we're gonna come back again tomorrow and you are
full breakdown of everything that we see out there on
the practice field. As always, you can email us at
the lounge at Ravens dot NFL dot net. Thank you
for listening. Make sure you subscribe and we will talk
with you again tomorrow
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