Tag: DeShon Elliott

6 bold predictions for Ravens vs. Raiders Week 1 matchup

We look at six bold predictions for the Ravens’ Week 1 matchup with the Raiders

The Baltimore Ravens will face off against the Las Vegas Raiders on Monday Night Football in their opening game of the 2021 season. It’s important that Baltimore gets off to a fast start this year, and doing it under the bright lights in Las Vegas will be a big test.

There are plenty of storylines to watch for ahead of this game, and many different types of predictions can be made after looking at both teams and how they stack up with each other. Both organizations took steps to get better during the 2021 offseason, and will be looking to show off their improved rosters, game plans and more.

Below we take a look at six bold predictions for the Ravens during their Week 1 matchup against the Raiders.

Instant analysis of Ravens’ 20-3 preseason win over Panthers

Instant analysis of Ravens’ 20-3 preseason win over Panthers

The Baltimore Ravens defeated the Carolina Panthers by the final score of 20-3, securing their 19th-straight preseason win, which ties the all-time record set by Vince Lombardi and the Green Bay Packers from 1959-1962.

It was a sloppy start for both teams, as turnovers, three-and-outs, and missed opportunities were extremely present. Quarterback Tyler Huntley played for the majority of the game, and after a slow start, he finished the game completing 24 of 34 passes for 187 yards and one interception, as well as rushing the ball seven times for 23 yards, further cementing his place as the backup quarterback to Lamar Jackson.

As for the rest of the offense, running backs Ty’Son Williams and Nate McCrary had great games, taking advantage of Justice Hill’s absence due to injury. Wide receiver Tylan Wallace and tight end Josh Oliver also had good games, although both had plays that they would certainly like back, as Oliver fumbled a ball and both players dropped passes. The offensive line also had a much better performance than in Week 1 against the New Orleans Saints, but they still have some work to do.

On defense, the unit was flying around the field from start to finish. Safeties DeShon Elliott and Chuck Clark both made huge plays, linebackers Patrick Queen and Malik Harrison played well in some extended run, and young playmakers in the secondary stepped up, including Nigel Warrior and Ar’Darius Washington.

The Ravens showed how deep of a team they are, especially without some of their stars playing on both sides of the ball. The team got multiple positive contributions from their starters and their backups, which is a great sign, as Baltimore is getting ready to rely on a plethora of players during the 2021 season.

Even after the game got off to a slow start, the Ravens responded and put together an overall solid performance. Baltimore will go for history next Saturday against the Washington Football Team, as they aim to win their 20th-straight preseason game.

Watch: Ravens force turnovers on first two defensive possessions of 2021 preseason

Watch: Ravens force turnovers on first two defensive possessions of preseason

The Baltimore Ravens got off to a fast start against the New Orleans Saints in their first preseason game of 2021. After starting the game on defense, the team gave up a few chunk plays to wide receiver Marquez Callaway, but deep in their own red zone, the unit stepped up and produced a turnover.

Inside linebacker Malik Harrison and defensive tackle Broderick Washington combined to force the fumble, while safety DeShon Elliott recovered it. Then, on Baltimore’s next defensive series, they turned the Saints over again, this time with an interception.

Safety Geno Stone got in on the action, diving for a bad pass by New Orleans quarterback Taysom Hill. The Ravens will look to continue their strong defensive start over the course of the rest of the game.

DeShon Elliott says speed of the game has slowed down for him

DeShon Elliott says speed of the game has slowed down for him

The Baltimore Ravens relied on safety DeShon Elliott in a big way during the 2020 season after the release of Earl Thomas III. The team had the former University of Texas star step into Thomas’ old role as the starting free safety with just a few weeks to go until the start of the regular season, which was a huge responsibility.

Elliott performed well during the year, finishing his first season as a starter with 80 total tackles and two forced fumbles. When asked about being more comfortable in his role as he heads into 2021, Elliott said that the game has slowed down for him, and even mentioned that he hoped his former teammate in Thomas is doing well.

“Well, first off, I hope Earl [Thomas III] is doing well. God bless him. But second, I just feel like last year, when I came into the role, it was more of a mindset of … Excuse my language; it was like, ‘Don’t [mess] up,’ and that was my job. So, I’m not competing for a spot on this team. I’m competing to be the best safety in the league. Now, I just feel like, being on this defense and having a year under my belt … I feel like I really didn’t grasp the speed of the game on the defense until like the playoffs, so I feel like coming out here – even in OTAs – I was moving faster, I can break on things quicker. I see it. I see it. The game has slowed down for me now, so now it’s time for me to go out here and do what I do.”

It looked like Elliott was getting more and more comfortable in his role with each game that he played during 2020. He was also able to make it through the entire season without any injuries, which was a big development for the safety. Elliott had only played in six games throughout his first two years as a professional, so hopefully his fully healthy year is a sign of good things to come.

Now that Elliott has had a full year to get used to what it’s like being a starter at the NFL level, he’ll most likely have even more responsibilities placed on his shoulders during 2021. He showed that he can handle the spotlight, and now it’s his time to continue to build and prove that he wasn’t a one-year wonder. Elliott has the tools and the mindset to become one of the best safeties in the league, and it wouldn’t be shocking to see him truly break out this season.

Ravens players begin recruiting Chandler Jones to Baltimore

Ravens players begin recruiting Chandler Jones to Baltimore

The Baltimore Ravens have improved their team in multiple areas over the course of the 2021 offseason. From their offensive line to their wide receiver room, it’s expected that Baltimore will get big contributions from many of their new additions. However, one position that has some people a bit concerned at the moment is edge defender.

On Sunday, it was reported by Jeremy Fowler of ESPN that Arizona Cardinals edge rusher Chandler Jones requested a trade at some point during the offseason, raising questions about his future.

After the news of Jones’ situation broke, many NFL players began to recruit the star on social media. That included multiple Ravens players such as Marlon Humphrey, Lamar Jackson, and DeShon Elliott. Humphrey posed a simple question, while Jackson and Elliott responded with an answers that got many excited.

If everything falls into place and Jones is acquired by the team, there’s no doubt that the veteran would be a phenomenal addition to Baltimore’s defense. He would be a perfect compliment to what the Ravens already have at the edge rusher position, and would give them a top pass rushing threat to go along with an elite secondary and excellent front-seven talent.

Jones has posted 97 sacks through nine NFL seasons, including 49 in a three-year span from 2017-2019. He was limited to just five games and accumulated just one sack in 2020 due to a serious biceps injury.

CBS Sports believes DeShon Elliott could be in line for big payday

CBS Sports believes DeShon Elliott could be in line for big payday

The Baltimore Ravens were put in a tough situation when they released veteran safety Earl Thomas III very late in the 2020 offseason. Instead of signing a proven veteran to fill the void, they decided to trust young safety DeShon Elliott to step into his role and perform at a high level, and he did just that.

When listing out one underrated player on each AFC team who could be on the verge of a big payday, Jordan Dajani said that Elliott could cash in with a big year in 2021.

“Elliott replaced Earl Thomas in the secondary for 2020, and CBS Sports NFL Insider Jason La Canfora even reported that the Ravens’ leadership council backed Elliott and urged Baltimore to cut ties with Thomas. The Texas product missed his rookie season due to a fractured forearm, and played in just six games in 2019. In his first season as a starter, however, he impressed. Elliott recorded 80 combined tackles, 2.5 sacks, four passes defensed and two forced fumbles in 16 games played. He’s entering the final year of his contract, and should really turn some heads if he builds on last season in 2021.”

In his first full year starting at the NFL level, Elliott was impressive while also playing in all 16 games for the team. Perhaps the most impressive thing about Elliott’s 2020 season is that in playing at free safety, he was playing a position that was rather new to him, as he had been primarily known as a strong safety. He seemed to gain more confidence with each game he was out there, and with a full offseason to prepare with a starters mindset while being around his teammates and his coaches, the fourth-year safety could have a true breakout season in a contract year and earn himself a good deal of money.

Patrick Queen switching to No. 6, ditches No. 48

Baltimore Ravens linebacker Patrick Queen switched his jersey number from No. 48 to No. 6. He’s the first Raven to change numbers in 2021

With the NFL easing jersey number restrictions for multiple positions, many began to speculate on who throughout the league could ditch their current numbers for new ones. The Baltimore Ravens have a few players who might look to switch to something that they think is better for them, and the first jersey change in Baltimore has officially happened.

A few weeks ago, Ravens linebacker Patrick Queen was on a mission to convince Lamar Jackson to give up his No. 8 jersey. Queen wore No. 8 in college, but after going back and forth with the quarterback on Twitter, he revealed that it was all just a joke.

However, not being able to pry No. 8 away from Jackson didn’t deter Queen from making a jersey change. The linebacker announced that he’d be making the switch from No. 48 to No. 6.

The Ravens confirmed the move, saying that Queen is indeed changing to a single-digit number.

Queen is officially the first Raven to take advantage of the NFL’s new jersey rules, as he leaves No. 48 behind after just one season. More number changes could be on the way in Baltimore, as even though DeShon Elliott revealed that he won’t be getting No. 4 from Sam Koch, other Ravens players who could make a number switch include Marquise Brown, James Proche, and others.

DeShon Elliott says Sam Koch wouldn’t give up No. 4, will stick with No. 32 ‘for life’

The Baltimore Ravens have a few players who could switch to new jersey numbers. However, DeShon Elliott won’t be getting No. 4 from Sam Koch

A few weeks ago, the NFL introduced a big change, easing restrictions on jersey numbers for many positions. This new rule allows for players all over the field to wear numbers that they weren’t allowed to wear in previous years, including single-digit numbers.

The Baltimore Ravens have a few players on their roster who could consider changing numbers, including safety DeShon Elliott, who took to Twitter a few weeks ago to see if punter Sam Koch would give up his No. 4 jersey. Elliott wore No. 4 in college at the University of Texas, so it makes sense that he would want to make the switch back to a number that he wore for a good amount of time.

However, it seems like Elliott won’t be getting Koch’s jersey number, as the former Longhorn posted on Twitter that the punter will be keeping his No. 4 jersey.

Elliott also mentions that he’ll be sticking with his current No. 32 jersey, “for life”. He chose that number because of his former teammate Eric Weddle, who Elliott said was a great mentor to him.

Despite Elliott not being able to work out a deal with Koch for No. 4, the No. 32 means a lot to the fourth-year safety for different reasons. Based off of his tweet, he’ll be sticking with his current jersey number for the rest of his career. He’ll hope to continue to make a name for himself in his No. 32 jersey, something that would make his mentor Weddle proud.

Three winners from the Ravens’ 2021 draft

The Baltimore Ravens were able to secure plenty of talent during the 2021 NFL draft. Here are three winners from the current roster

The Baltimore Ravens were able to improve their roster in a big way during the 2021 NFL draft, adding eight extremely talented players to their roster. They filled holes while also finding players who can make an impact for them immediately.

Even though there are plenty of new faces, players already on the team will still have very big roles to play. Lamar Jackson, J.K. Dobbins, Calais Campbell, Marlon Humphrey, and others will have massive roles in trying to help Baltimore achieve their goals. However, there were some players who entering the draft could have seen their playing time decrease due to a rookie coming in an challenging them for snaps.

With that being said, here are three winners from the Ravens’ 2021 draft.

Ravens players chime in on new jersey number rule change

The Baltimore Ravens could see a few of their players wearing new jersey numbers in 2021. Who could they be?

The Baltimore Ravens could see a few of their players change numbers this upcoming season. The NFL officially approved a rule proposed by the Kansas City Chiefs that will ease jersey number restrictions throughout the entire NFL, making it so different positions can choose from a much bigger set of numbers.

Plenty of players will be looking to change their numbers. They could choose to go after the number they wore in college or a number that they think suits them better than their current one. A few Baltimore players have already chimed in on the new rule, indicating that they’re excited about the possibility of switching to something different.

DeShon Elliott, who wore No. 4 in college at the University of Texas, said that the current holder of No. 4, Sam Koch, needs a Twitter account so that he can reach out about a potential swap.

After finding out that Koch already has a Twitter, Elliott reached out to him directly, and the punter responded.

Patrick Queen also took to Twitter to see if Lamar Jackson, the current holder of his college number, would be willing to part with No. 8 for a bit of cash.

Queen then indicated that he wasn’t being serious about the inquiry, as prying No. 8 from Jackson would be no easy task.

Marlon Humphrey, who has gone through a number switch himself, showed support for his defensive teammates, indicating that he is behind both Elliott and Queen in their quest for a new jersey.

Other Ravens who could look to update their number include J.K. Dobbins, James Proche, Devin Duvernay and Marquise Brown. Over the coming weeks and months, there should be plenty of players across the league donning new jerseys. A few of them might be from Baltimore.