Tag: James Proche II

Ravens QB Lamar Jackson discusses how proud he is of WRs Devin Duvernay, James Proche II

Lamar Jackson discussed how proud he is of wide receivers Devin Duvernay and James Proche II

The Baltimore Ravens have a plethora of talented wide receivers on their roster this season. Marquise Brown, Sammy Watkins and Rashod Bateman are regarded as the top-three of the group, but there are others who have made positive impacts so far this year, especially with the absence of Bateman due to injury.

Two of those under-the-radar receiver are second-year wideouts Devin Duvernay and James Proche II. They have both stepped up when they’ve heard their numbers called in a big way, providing outstanding value. When quarterback Lamar Jackson was asked about how proud he is of the pair, he gushed about the duo.

“I’m very proud. I was proud of them last year. Last year, we played the Chiefs at home with no fans in the crowd, [and] ‘Duv’ [Devin Duvernay] ran a kick return back. I was proud of him then. James [Proche II] had been getting in on special teams stuff like that and doing what he can do. Now, he’s worked his way up this year. He’s been doing a tremendous job. Even in practice, those guys are working so hard. James is always the first one out there doing his own thing. I tell him, ‘I don’t know how you do that.’ (laughter) We have practice on top of practice, and before practice, we have pre-practice. So, it’s like, ‘You’re practicing before all of that?’ It’s dope. It’s great to see him making plays out here on the field. We just have to keep it going.”

Proche had a career-high five receptions on six targets for 74 yards against the Denver Broncos in Week 4, while Duvernay currently leads all punt returners with a 18.9 yards per punt return average. Both players were expected to take big leaps heading into the 2021 season, and they’ve both done just that. However, as Jackson says now the pair just has to keep it going, and both have the potential to continue to contribute at a high level.

Ravens ST coordinator Chris Horton expresses confidence in Devin Duvernay, James Proche II as punt returners

Ravens special teams coordinator Chris Horton expressed confidence in Devin Duvernay and James Proche II to return punts

The Baltimore Ravens had two rookies do the heavy lifting at punt returner for them during the 2020 season. Wide receivers Devin Duvernay and James Proche II were asked to return punts, and both did an admirable job. Proche started the year having full ownership of the duties, but when active roster space became harder to come by, Duvernay took over towards the very end of the year.

When asked about the pair and the decision of who gets to return puts this season for Baltimore, special teams coordinator Chris Horton said that he trusts both players and thinks both can have success for the Ravens on the special teams side of things.

“I think it’s all comfort level, and I trust both of the guys. I think any guy we call upon will go out and get the job done, but it’s [better] to have two than not have any. We’ve got two guys that are, still, again, fairly young, but they can go out, [and] you trust them catching the football. I think both of those guys, as we move forward, will have success for us.”

In 2020, Duvernay averaged 11.5 yards per punt return on four returns, while Proche averaged 8.6 yards per return on 23 returns. Both players are capable of taking big steps forward as punt returners, and it will be interesting to see who Baltimore puts out at the position in Week 1 against the Las Vegas Raiders.

Ravens WR James Proche II fined for unsportsmanlike conduct after TD celebration

Ravens WR James Proche II was fined for unsportsmanlike conduct after his TD celebration against the Washington Football Team

The Baltimore Ravens put on a dominant performance during Week 3 of the 2021 preseason as they defeated the Washington Football Team by the final score of 37-3. Quarterback Tyler Huntley led the way for Baltimore has he threw four touchdowns, one of which went to wide receiver James Proche II.

On his touchdown, Proche made an incredible 20-yard catch where he skied over the defender, had his helmet ripped off, and still came down with the football. He got up and stared at the Washington defensive back before going to pick up his helmet. He was not penalized for taunting on the play, but one week later the NFL made sure to send a message to Proche, fining him for unsportsmanlike conduct for the celebration.

The league has made it a point to crack down on taunting and unsportsmanlike conduct this season, but it feels like they are expecting players to act like robots. In reality, football is a game where emotion is extremely present, so asking players to tone down their excitement is a very unfair ask. There are certain actions that cross the line, but what Proche did was not nearly as disrespectful as some of the other actions we’ve seen from players before.

It will be an interesting year in the NFL if the league continues to crack down on “taunting” the way that it has so far. Proche should not have been penalized for his celebration, but it feels like even much less than what the receiver did will be called throughout the year.

Stock up, stock down from Ravens’ 37-3 preseason win over Washington Football Team

Which Ravens increased or decreased their stock during their 37-3 win over the Washington Football Team?

The Baltimore Ravens were able to secure a 37-3 win over the Washington Football Team in the team’s final preseason game of 2021. Baltimore dominated for all four quarters, and multiple players stepped up in hopes of earning a roster spot.

Saturday night’s game was the last time before cut down day that players could impress the Ravens’ coaching staff and decision makers, so everything was left on the field, and it showed with the near flawless performance that Baltimore was able to put together.

Below we take a look at players who increased their stock in the Ravens’ win over Washington, as well as some who saw their stock fall.

Instant analysis of Ravens’ 37-3 preseason win over Washington Football Team

The Baltimore Ravens wrapped up their 2021 preseason in dominant fashion

The Baltimore Ravens secured their record-breaking 20th-straight preseason win on Saturday with a dominant 37-3 victory over the Washington Football Team. Baltimore’s offense dominated for the whole night, and the Ravens’ defense stonewalled Washington’s offense for much of the contest.

On the night, quarterback Tyler Huntley was spectacular, finishing the game completing 24 of 33 passes for 285 yards and four passing touchdowns, as well as picking up 14 yards and another touchdown on six carries. He is the clear winner of Baltimore’s backup quarterback job, earning it with phenomenal play throughout all three preseason weeks.

Other standouts from the game include running backs Ty’Son Williams and Nate McCrary, as well as wide receivers Binjimen Victor and James Proche II. However, the story of the game unfortunately came in the first quarter with a huge part of the Ravens’ offense going down with a potentially serious injury.

J.K. Dobbins caught a screen pass and was hit low, which caused him to immediatly grab at his knee. He wasn’t able to put any weight on his leg, and was carted to the locker room. There’s always a risk of getting injured in football, and Baltimore now awaits MRI results on Dobbins.

On defense there were plenty of solid contributors including Chris Smith and Nigel Warrior. It was an all around effort for the defense, which held Washington to just three points and 1-of-11 on third down.

After ending the preseason with a bang, the Ravens will now shift their attention to cut down day as they will have to trim their roster to 53 players. Once that task is complete, the team will look to start the regular season with the same dominance that they ended the preseason with, taking on the Las Vegas Raiders in a Week 1 primetime matchup.

Watch: Tyler Huntley and James Proche II combine for impressive touchdown

Tyler Huntley and James Proche II combined for an incredible touchdown

The Baltimore Ravens are on their way to securing a record breaking 20th-straight preseason win in Week 3 against the Washington Football Team. Lamar Jackson and most of the starters got to play one series as they got in game reps, but after that it’s been mostly the second and third stringers who have gotten action.

Quarterback Tyler Huntley has had a great game, and he connected with wide receiver James Proche II on phenomenal 20-yard touchdown catch, where Huntley threw off balance into the corner of the end zone and Proche elevated over a Washington defender and hauled in the pass in impressive fashion.

Proche also let the Washington defensive back know what had just happened, staring him down.

Proche has been one of the stars of training camp for Baltimore, but hasn’t seen that success translate over to game action yet. That changed with his incredible touchdown, and he’ll hope to continue making plays throughout the regular season, as it seems very likely that he’ll make the final 53-man roster.

Ronnie Stanley goes through full practice on Monday, James Proche II leaves early

Ronnie Stanley went through his first full practice since suffering his ankle injury, while James Proche II left the field early

The Baltimore Ravens kicked off another week of practice on Monday as they gear up to take on the Washington Football team in their final game of the 2021 preseason. It was mostly a good day for Baltimore, especially because tackle Ronnie Stanley went through a full practice for the first time since suffering a serious ankle injury in the middle of the 2020 season. However, James Proche II did leave early with what head coach John Harbaugh classified as cramps.

Aside from that injury news, it was reportedly a rough day for the offensive unit, but some players did impress.

Stanley going through a full practice for the first time is huge news, especially with Week 1 of the regular season quickly approaching. Proche leaving the field early is unfortunate, but with Harbaugh saying it’s just cramping, hopefully he can be out there in the next few days, as the Ravens are getting extremely thin at the wide receiver position.

Ty’Son Williams, James Proche II among standouts against Panthers at Wednesday’s joint practice

Ty’Son Williams, Mark Andrews among standouts against Panthers at Wednesday’s joint practice

Ahead of their Saturday preseason matchup, the Baltimore Ravens began their joint practices with the Carolina Panthers on Wednesday. It was good for both teams to add some intensity to their practices while going up against different players instead of their teammates.

During Wednesday’s practice, running back Ty’Son Williams and wide receiver James Proche II were among the standouts who impressed. Proche has put together a great training camp so far, so his success comes as no surprise. Williams has emerged as a true candidate for the third running back spot on the team, which many believed Justice Hill would be this year.

Here are some notes from the first day of the joint practices.

Williams has taken advantage of Justice Hill not being available over the last few days, which is a good sign for his chances of making the final roster. Other standouts besides Williams and Proche included Lamar Jackson, Sammy Watkins (in limited action) Mark Andrews, Justin Madubuike, Marcus Peters and Ar’Darius Washington.

8 players to watch during Ravens’ Week 1 preseason game vs. Saints

8 players to watch during Ravens’ Week 1 preseason game vs. Saints

The Baltimore Ravens will soon have a great chance to see how some of their practice standouts will perform in live game action. The team will face the New Orleans Saints on Saturday in their first preseason game of the 2021 season, which is another step to figuring out who will make Baltimore’s 53-man roster.

There will be plenty of players to keep an eye on over the course of the preseason, especially those who are on the roster bubble. Through a few weeks of training camp practices there have been those who have helped their stock and those who have hurt it.

Let’s dive into eight players to keep an eye on during the Ravens’ Saturday preseason game against New Orleans.

James Proche II continues scorching start to training camp during Wednesday’s practice

James Proche II continues scorching start to training camp during Wednesday’s practice

The Baltimore Ravens have seen wide receiver James Proche II get off to an extremely hot start during 2021 training camp. The wideout was considered on the bubble heading into practices this year due to Baltimore’s depth at receiver, but has quickly shown that he is more than deserving of a roster spot.

Proche has stacked great practice after great practice, and that didn’t change on Wednesday. The former SMU star stood out once again, coming up with multiple big plays.

Proche continued his dominant training camp, as did cornerback Chris Westry, who has come on strong himself. Lamar Jackson also had a good day of practice, so overall it was a good day despite it being extremely hot out. However, many players missed practice due to veteran days or injuries. Players like wide receiver Sammy Watkins and tackle Alejandro Villanueva got their vet days, but a new development was rookie edge rusher Odafe Oweh missing practice.

With the Ravens set to take on the New Orleans Saints in their first preseason action of 2021, they’ll get to see plenty of their players in action. However, the team might be a bit short handed due to the injures that many of their players have sustained. Nonetheless, players like Proche, Westry and others will look to translate their play on the practice field over to live game action.