Ravens DC Zach Orr discusses what Eddie Jackson brings to the secondary

Ravens defensive coordinator Zach Orr discussed what safety Eddie Jackson brings to the team’s secondary

The Baltimore Ravens have been known for their signings late in the offseason throughout their franchise history. They always find ways to identify which veteran players can help their team and get the best out of them more often than not.

Baltimore signed former Chicago Bears safety Eddie Jackson to a one-year, $1.5 million deal last month, widely considered a steal across the league. Ravens defensive coordinator Zach Orr believes Jackson can help his unit in multiple ways, praising his smarts and athletic ability.

“You can see [that Eddie Jackson] has played a lot of football, and he’s made a lot of plays. I think [in] his first day, he had a pick-six. He’s a really smart player, he still can play, he can still move at a high level, and he’s picking up the defense pretty well so far. So, I think, just like a lot of guys in that room, he’s going to be able to help us.”

Jackson will factor into Baltimore’s defense as their third safety behind stars Kyle Hamilton and Marcus Williams. That role should help Jackson play to his strengths and still allow him to play time in multiple defensive back packages.

NFL Preseason Week 1: Can the Ravens defend the Eagles passing game?

Baltimore Ravens rookie Nate Wiggins will tested by Philadelphia Eagles WR’s Johnny Wilson and Ainias Smith in their upcoming exhibition game.

The Baltimore Ravens intentionally drafted to replenish their depth chart at the defensive back position earlier this spring. They’ll get a chance to see the implications of the 2024 NFL draft when they face the Philadelphia Eagles in their preseason opener tonight.

Ravens’ rookie Nate Wiggins will tested by Eagles’ rookie wide receivers, including Johnny Wilson and former Texas A&M speedster Ainias Smith. Earlier this spring, I suggested that the Ravens draft Smith because his upside makes him an asset in special teams even if he does not make the frequent rotation needed in the 11-man personnel on offense. Nevertheless, Wilson’s game is a little different from Smith’s. Standing six feet six inches tall, Wilson creates an offensive nightmare for defensive backs, and with Ravens’ rookie wide receiver Devontez Walker already terrorizing Wiggins at practice, Wilson may excel in week 1 of the NFL preseason.

For the Ravens, not much of an update has surfaced on Iowa State draftee defensive back T.J Tampa. Consequently, Ravens’ fans may see heavy playing time given to defensive back Jalyn Armour-Davis and 22-year-old safety Sanoussi Kane in the preseason debut.

Ultimately, it is presumptuous to assume the Ravens will be the same defensive powerhouse they were a season ago with zero evidence. In the preseason, veteran safety Eddie Jackson and defensive back Brandon Stephens may see extra reps to assist the second-string players with adjusting to the tenacity at the NFL level.

Eddie Jackson wants to prove that he can still make plays during 2024 season

Ravens safety Eddie Jackson shared what he’s looking to show during the 2024 season

The Baltimore Ravens already have two of the best safeties in the NFL, Kyle Hamilton and Marcus Williams. The pair makes up one of the best safety duos in the NFL and is a force to be reckoned with weekly.

A few weeks ago, Baltimore added to their safety riches when they signed former Chicago Bears defensive back Eddie Jackson. The veteran was asked what he’s looking to show during the 2024 season, mentioning that he wants to prove that he’s still the type of player he knows he is.

“[I want to show] that I’m still the type of player that I know I am, that I still can go out there. I can compete, I can fly around [and] make plays. Just things like that. I can come in and contribute to a team. I know the type of person I am off the field as well. I just want to show that around the league and to everyone.”

Jackson has plenty of accolades on the football field but has dealt with chatter regarding his current play and his effectiveness at this point in his career. He’ll be looking to silence his doubters on a new team this year, with plenty of motivation behind his goals.

Eddie Jackson excited to reunite with Roquan Smith on the Ravens

Ravens safety Eddie Jackson is excited to reunite with inside linebacker Roquan Smith in Baltimore

The Baltimore Ravens signed safety Eddie Jackson to a one-year deal a few weeks ago. The move provided the team with quality safety depth, something they needed with the departure of Geno Stone.

Jackson came to Baltimore from Chicago, where he spent every season before leaving this offseason. He discussed reuniting with former Bears teammate Roquan Smith, expressing his excitement to be back with a player with whom he had so much success.

“Man, it’s fun. I played with ‘Ro’ [Roquan Smith] for five years. Just knowing the type of person he is, the type of player he is, the type of leader he is and what he brings to the team, as well as to the defense every Sunday when he steps on the field. Just knowing his mentality – him going out there flying around, making plays, wanting to put everything on his shoulders, wanting everybody to follow him and kind of mirror him and how he plays the game. It’s something special just to be back with him and be reunited. It’s cool.”

Jackson and Smith played a crucial role in Chicago’s defense during their time with the Bears. However, the duo will look to replicate their synergy in Baltimore, where the team’s defense is expected to be a top-five unit once again.

Eddie Jackson compares Derrick Henry to reated player in a video game

Ravens safety Eddie Jackson compared running back Derrick Henry to a created player in a video game

The Baltimore Ravens signed running back Derrick Henry from the Tennessee Titans to a two-year, $16 million deal. He will represent an upgrade over the other rushers that Baltimore has had over the years, bringing a different dynamic to the team’s dominant rushing offense.

When asked about Henry, newly-signed safety Eddie Jackson compared his former Alabama teammate to that of a created player in a video game. He said that it doesn’t surprise him when he sees the rusher’s incredible build, saying, “That’s just D-Hen”

“‘Man that’s just ‘D-Hen’ [Derrick Henry]. He was looking like that since high school, so it doesn’t surprise me. I was talking to the guys today – when ‘D-Hen’ first walked on the field when I [saw] him at [The University of] Alabama I couldn’t believe how big he was. You know, you’ve seen the film, him being a Florida guy. Then [when] you see him in person, it’s like he’s a created player off a game.”

Baltimore notoriously only ran the ball six times with their running backs in their devastating AFC Championship loss to the Kansas City Chiefs. That type of split likely won’t happen with Henry around, and he’ll look to make an impact in multiple facets of the game in 2024.

Eddie Jackson on joining the Ravens: ‘It just felt natural’

Ravens safety Eddie Jackson said joining the Ravens felt natural

The Baltimore Ravens signed safety Eddie Jackson to a bargain of a deal. The total amount of the contract is $1.5 million, a steal for a player of his caliber.

Jackson was asked about his fit in Baltimore and had nothing but good things to say. He talked about how he’s coming into his new situation to work, saying that joining the Ravens felt like a natural fit for him.

“Just come in here and work. Keep your head down. Blinders on and just continue to work. Like I said, it’s a great group of guys in that locker room, so everyone is so open [armed] and so [welcoming]. It [feels] like I’m right at home. I know a lot of the guys – I grew up with a lot of the guys from the same place [in south Florida]. Like I said, it just felt natural. Even the staff, everyone around the building [has] been treating me so well. Everyone’s been so welcoming. It’s easy.”

Jackson has many connections to his new teammates from his life experiences, including Lamar Jackson, Roquan Smith, and others. Baltimore seems to be treating Jackson well so far, and that trend will hopefully continue throughout the season.

Lamar Jackson describes the Ravens’ defense as a ‘throwback’

Lamar Jackson describes the Ravens’ defense as a ‘throwback’

The Baltimore Ravens finished the 2023 season with one of the league’s top defenses and one of the best in the franchise’s history. The unit will be looking to keep the momentum going this season as Zach Orr takes over the role of defensive coordinator from Mike Macdonald.

Reigning MVP quarterback Lamar Jackson was asked what he has seen from Orr’s defense so far in training camp.

Man, those guys [on defense] look like the throwback Ravens defense,” Jackson said.[It’s] bloodshed, a lot of smack talk and a lot of big hits. We’re seeing it all from our defense. Guys are actually tackling out there – I don’t think we should be – but we’re looking good. I’m loving it.

Alongside replacing Macdonald, the Ravens will have several new contributors on defense attempting to replicate the production of players such as inside linebacker Patrick Queen, outside linebacker Jadeveon Clowney, and free safety Geno Stone, who all departed in free agency. Second-year linebacker Trenton Simpson is in line to get the first shot next to Roquan Smith at inside linebacker. At the same time, veteran safety Eddie Jackson was recently signed and could fill the role left by Stone on the backend of the defense. Replacing Clowney’s production will likely come from multiple sources, such as outside linebacker and along the defensive line.

I believe iron sharpens iron,” Jackson said. “We’ve got one of the best defenses in this league. We’re talking trash to those guys, [and] those guys are talking trash to us. We [are] just going after each other, [and] I believe that’s what builds a great team.

Ravens coach John Harbaugh shares his early impressions of Eddie Jackson

Ravens head coach John Harbaugh shared his first impressions of safety Eddie Jackson

The Baltimore Ravens signed former Chicago Bears safety Eddie Jackson to a one-year deal a little over a week ago. The move was regarded as shrewd by many, with multiple pundits calling it a “Ravens-like signing”.

Jackson has wasted no time fitting in with his new team, both on and off of the field. Head coach John Harbaugh had plenty of praise when describing his first impressions of Jackson, saying he’s a pro and has a great demeanor.

“[He’s] a pro [and has a] great demeanor. Eddie Jackson, it seems like he’s picking up the defense. I mean, he’s only been here for a little over 24 hours or so, and he didn’t make any mistakes today that I saw. But he’s going to be digging in that playbook really hard, and he looks good.”

Jackson will slot in as the No. 3 safety on the team behind Kyle Hamilton and Marcus Williams. His skillset fits exactly what Baltimore needed out of a depth piece on the backend as he will replace Geno Stone, who signed with a divisional rival in the Cincinnati Bengals.

Ravens DB Kyle Hamilton shares first impression of new teammate Eddie Jackson

The Baltimore Ravens added some needed depth at the safety position at the start of training camp by signing veteran Eddie Jackson. Jackson is known as a ballhawk from his time with the Chicago Bears and will have the chance to see the field …

The Baltimore Ravens added some needed depth at the safety position at the start of training camp by signing veteran Eddie Jackson. Jackson is known as a ballhawk from his time with the Chicago Bears and will have the chance to see the field frequently this season in place of Geno Stone, who departed in free agency to sign with the Cincinnati Bengals.

All-Pro safety Kyle Hamilton was asked about his first impression of Jackson.

Well [in his] first practice, he went out there and got a pick-six, which was fire,Hamilton said. “He’s a really cool dude. It’s always fun to hear him tell stories about college [at the University of Alabama] – [about] Marlon [Humphrey] and how wild he was; he’s kind of toned it down a little bit now. He’s another vet – we seem to do this all the time – just get these vets that come here and do so much for us during the season. It’s going to be so big for us to have him as a part of the team. With the other guys in the DB room – we’re just so deep in that room – we can never get tired, we can never have somebody that’s on the field that’s a liability. It’s just such a disadvantage for the offense to trot out the same people and have us rotating guys. I think it’s really special to have him here.

Hamilton and Marcus Williams will serve as the team’s two starting safeties, but considering how much Hamilton is moved around the field, there will be plenty of opportunities for Jackson to play on the backend of the defense this season.

Eddie Jackson has high praise for Lamar Jackson: I’ve always been a fan of his game

Eddie Jackson says he’s always been a fan of Lamar Jackson’s game

Eddie Jackson spent seven seasons in Chicago, but after being without a team for months, he’s feeling like he joined a family after signing a one-year deal with the Ravens.

Jackson grew up about 15 minutes away from MVP quarterback Lamar Jackson in Lauderdale Lakes, Florida. They competed against each other in youth football. Sharing the same name, Eddie liked to call Lamar his cousin.

After his second practice with the team, Jackson told Ravens media that he’s always been a fan of the star quarterback’s game.

Lamar Jackson was absent from the first three training camp practices after he was sent home with an illness on Saturday.

Jackson had been at the Under Armour Performance Center practicing since July 15, when quarterbacks and injured veterans reported to training.

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