Tag: Josh Bynes

Former Auburn legendary QB weighing all options in NFL Free Agency

Former Auburn Quarterback not rushing to make a decision on his future in the NFL

Former Auburn quarterback and NFL free agent [autotag]Cam Newton[/autotag] has yet to make a decision on where he will play next season.

According to NFL insider Adam Schefter, Cam Newton is remaining patient with the entire signing process. Newton stated, “I have teams that are interested in signing me. I am waiting on the best fit as it pertains to winning a championship and getting a fair chance to play.” There has been no speculation as to what teams are interested in Newton.

Last season, Newton started in five games for the Carolina Panthers. He passed for 684 yards with four touchdowns. Along with that, he also rushed for 230 yards for five touchdowns. Although his production hasn’t been the same since his first stint with the Panthers, he has still been somewhat productive as a backup over the years.

The three-time Pro Bowler and 2015 MVP is among several former Tigers that are still available in free agency. Some of the players still available with Auburn roots are [autotag]Peyton Barber[/autotag], [autotag]Josh Bynes[/autotag], [autotag]Brandon King[/autotag], and [autotag]Darren Bates[/autotag].

Some teams to keep an eye on when it comes to landing Newton are the Commanders, 49ers, Browns, and Broncos. It is also worth noting that Newton has been made aware that the Panthers are open to re-signing him. As of now, he is exploring all of his options before making the best decision for himself. Whether he is a backup or a starter, he certainly will look to revitalize his career. It will be interesting to see who signs Newton and the role that he will have on the team that he chooses.

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Ravens have six players on list of top-200 free agents in 2022 by Pro Football Focus

The Ravens have six players on a list of the top 200 free agents of 2022 by Pro Football Focus

The Baltimore Ravens have plenty of their own players that are slated to hit free agency in the next few weeks. The team could look extremely different depending on who stays and who goes, making the team’s moves very important as they look to keep up with the rest of the NFL.

When putting together a list of the top 200 free agents of 2022, Pro Football Focus had Baltimore well represented throughout, with six players on the list. There were two offensive players selected as well as four defensive names for the Ravens, with each of them being extremely talented and contributing to the club in some way over the course of 2021. The rankings for Baltimore players are as follows.

  • No. 30: DL Calais Campbell
  • No. 37: OLB Justin Houston
  • No. 94: C Bradley Bozeman
  • No. 112: WR Sammy Watkins
  • No. 123: S DeShon Elliott
  • No. 191: ILB Josh Bynes

Mysteriously omitted from the list is cornerback Anthony Averett, who many would consider a shoe-in among the top 200 available free agents in 2022. For the players actually on the list, Campbell and Houston made a solid veteran tandem on the Ravens’ front seven, while Bozeman established himself as a premium center option. Watkins and Elliott dealt with different forms of injuries over the year, and Bynes was arguably the savior of Baltimore’s defense.

It remains to be seen how many of these players the Ravens will be able to bring back. It’s unlikely that they all return, but it does show that despite how many injuries they suffered in 2021, Baltimore did have some talented contributors on their team that performed well and helped themselves by having strong contract years.

Ravens ILB Josh Bynes describes how 2021 season will sit with him over next few months

Ravens inside linebacker Josh Bynes discussed how the 2021 season will sit with him over the next few months

The Baltimore Ravens went through a very tough 2021 season, finishing the year at 8-9 and out of the playoff race after starting it at 8-3 and in first place in the AFC. They suffered though countless injuries, a COVID-19 outbreak and more as the magic that they found in the first half of the season quickly went away in the second half.

When Baltimore inside linebacker Josh Bynes was asked about how the 2021 year would sit with him for the next few months, he talked about how it’s bothersome, but it will sit and help them be better in the long run.

“It definitely bothers you. It bothers this team because the expectation level here is tremendous. We know what kind of a team we’re capable of. We know the Ravens, who we are, what we build and what we … Our expectation level [is] to be in the playoffs and be a Super Bowl winning team – that’s first and foremost. Obviously, we didn’t accomplish that this year, and to make excuses and say it was injuries and this and that … But even despite that, the depth we had on this team was proving that we still could have made things happen this year. Unfortunately, we came up short. This will definitely sit, because at the end of the day, like I said before, the expectation level of this team is high – period. Obviously, everybody is going to go get their mindset ready to go and will take the time off as needed, but for sure, guys are going to be locked in and ready to go, because when it comes April or really training camp, it’s time to go and build that foundation for the 2022 season.”

Ravens ILB Patrick Queen thanks ILB Josh Bynes for helping him throughout 2021 season

Ravens inside linebacker Patrick Queen thanked fellow inside linebacker Josh Bynes for helping him throughout the 2021 season

The Baltimore Ravens saw inside linebacker Patrick Queen go through a very up-and down 2021 season that included struggles in the first half but exceptional play in the second half. He ended up being Baltimore’s leading tackler over the course of the year with improved tackling, energy, and other factors contributing to his turnaround.

A player that impacted Queen during the latter part of the year was inside linebacker Josh Bynes, who was thrust into a much bigger role early on in the year. Queen was helped by the insertion of Bynes into the starting lineup, and when asked about how much the veteran served as a calming presence, the second-year linebacker thanked Bynes.

“Josh [Bynes] – great leader, great guy, a great role model. He talks to me every day. The first day he came in, he talked to me and tried to lead me straight and stuff, [and he was] just always coaching me up on little details here and there and just tried to level out my game. So, it’s just nothing but love and thanks for him. Like I said, he’s a great guy and just really calmed everything down for me from the beginning of the season to [the] end of the season. So, I just want to say, I thank him, I love him.”

Bynes said that he is “beyond interested” in returning to Baltimore, and the team should seriously consider bring him back for the 2022 season. He was a great veteran leader, and won the hearts of many in the Ravens’ locker room, including Queen.

Ravens ILB Josh Bynes talks about maturation of ILB Patrick Queen during 2021 season

Ravens inside linebacker Josh Bynes gave his thoughts on the maturation of inside linebacker Patrick Queen over the 2021 season

The Baltimore Ravens suffered through a six-game losing streak to end their 2021 season, finishing the year with an 8-9 record. The team went through a countless amount of injuries, and that forced them to rely on both young players and veterans to pick up the slack left by their injured stars.

Two of those players were the inside linebacker duo of Patrick Queen and Josh Bynes. Queen struggled mightily over the first half of season, but had a tremendous second half of the year with Bynes playing next to him. When Bynes was asked to explain what he saw out of Queen from a maturation perspective over the course of the year, the veteran explained just how impressed he was with the second-year linebacker.

“He’s matured so well, just as far as knowing how to make the plays that come to him and dial in when he needs to dial in. Obviously, you can see that he still has the huge, big-play ability. Instead of trying to make them all happen at once, it’s [taking] the ones that actually come to him. And he’s still growing; he’s only, damn, 22. So, he has a whole world ahead of him, especially in this league. But to see the transformation from how he was the first part of the season to where he is now is lightyears ahead. The upside is tremendous, and I can’t wait to see him continue to bloom and blossom in this league.”

Bynes was signed to the Baltimore practice squad in early September, and earned a full-time roster spot just a few weeks later. He was a steadying presence in the middle of the Ravens’ defense and seemed to help Queen as a running mate.

Bynes is scheduled to hit free agency in 2022, and many believe that it would be wise to re-sign a player that made such a positive impact. Queen now has another offseason to hone his craft and improve his game, and he can take the momentum that he accumulated in the second half of 2021 and use it to his advantage.

Ravens ILB Josh Bynes ‘beyond interested’ in returning to Baltimore

Ravens inside linebacker Josh Bynes said that he’s “beyond interested” in returning to the team

The Baltimore Ravens had multiple players step up and perform at a high level in 2021 that didn’t begin the season with the team. They needed to find contributors from outside of the organization with how many injuries they went through, and because of that they found some diamonds in the rough, whether they were young players or veterans.

One of the guys who came in mid-season and played extremely well was inside linebacker Josh Bynes. When asked about how much longer he’d like to play in the NFL and if he’s interested in staying in Baltimore, Bynes said he’s “beyond interested” in continuing his career with the Ravens, also citing that his body feels great.

“I am beyond interested. (laughter) No, I feel like I have a lot of ball left in me. I feel like I proved that this season. It’s not like I feel like I have one more in me kind of thing. No, I feel like I have two, three [or] four – whatever amount is given to me, because I put in that work in the offseason, take care of myself throughout the year and just know how to prepare myself week-in and week-out. That’s what it’s all about in this league, just making sure that you can keep your level of play up. I feel like I’ve done that consistently these last three years, practically – [2019] here, then last year in Cincy [Cincinnati] and then being here again. So, I want to continue that as long as I can, because I feel amazing. My body feels great, and I would love, obviously, the first thing to be back in Baltimore. This is home for me.”

Bynes made an instant impact once he was signed by the team, posting 76 total tackles, four passes defended and two sacks in 14 games. He also was a great leader in the locker room, especially for players such as fellow inside linebacker Patrick Queen, who benefitted form having a veteran next to him on the field.

It wouldn’t be shocking to see Bynes return to Baltimore in 2022, as the linebacker’s third stint with the team was extremely successful. He wouldn’t demand bank-breaking money, and certainly earned another deal to play football, whether it’s with the Ravens or another team.

Ravens ILB Josh Bynes explains what two-point try vs. Steelers says about John Harbaugh as a coach

Ravens inside linebacker Josh Bynes detailed what the two-point conversion attempt in Week 13 says about John Harbaugh as a coach

The Baltimore Ravens suffered a 20-19 defeat at the hands of the Pittsburgh Steelers during Week 13 of the 2021 season. The loss dropped Baltimore to 8-4, while Pittsburgh moved to 6-5-1.

The Ravens were down by seven points late in the game, but scored a touchdown with under 30 seconds to go in the contest. However, Baltimore head coach John Harbaugh elected to try to win the game on a two-point conversion instead of kicking an extra point to go to overtime. The attempt failed, and the Ravens lost the game. When Baltimore inside linebacker Josh Bynes was asked about what the decision said about Harbaugh as a coach, the defender praised his aggressive nature, talking about how the move would have been received in different situations.

“He’s aggressive. He wanted to win the game. He wanted to put us in the right position. Like I said before, if we converted that two-point conversion, it’d be a whole different conversation we’d be having right now. I appreciate Coach [Harbaugh] for everything and then some. He wanted to be aggressive. He knew it was such a big game, especially in the AFC North, and [wanted] to come out victorious. It’s aggressive. Like I said, if we converted it, we’d be having this conversation about how Coach [Harbaugh] is brilliant and all these other things that you guys say. Now that we didn’t convert it, now it’s all crap that’s going to come out, or whatever. So, we just want to … In the end, we just have to find ways to win games so we wouldn’t be in that situation from the get-go – that’s what it’s all about.”

Bynes is correct in the fact that if the Ravens were successful in their attempt to win the game, the mood surrounding the team would be a lot different. The linebacker clearly conveyed his appreciation for his coach and the decision that he made. As Bynes also talks about, hopefully moving forward the team can put themselves in situations where a game doesn’t have to be decided on a two-point conversion, instead winning the contest far before that point.

Ravens release final injury report for Week 12 matchup vs. Browns

The Ravens released their final injury report for their Week 12 matchup against the Browns

The Baltimore Ravens have dealt with many different injuries throughout the course of the 2021 season. Not only have they lost countless stars for the season, but also have had to deal with a multitude of multi-week and multi-month ailments.

On Friday ahead of their Week 12 matchup with the Cleveland Browns, Baltimore released their final injury report of the week. The team ruled out three players in wide receiver Miles Boykin, offensive tackle Cedric Ogbuehi, and safety Ar’Darius Washington while also listing 10 players as questionable, including two defensive lineman and four cornerbacks.

The good news for the Ravens is that quarterback Lamar Jackson is not listed on the final injury report after practicing fully for all three days. wide receiver Devin Duvernay and inside linebacker Josh Bynes are also not listed.

Baltimore gave two of their players rest days to nurse and recover from some of their injuries in tight end Nick Boyle and defensive lineman Brandon Williams. Boyle played his first game in over a year in Week 11, so a rest day isn’t out of the ordinary while Williams has been nursing a shoulder injury for the last few weeks.

Should the Ravens make any trades at the deadline?

The Ravens should think about making a move to help improve the team to make a playoff run

The 2021 NFL trade deadline is quickly approaching, with the last day to make trades coming on November 2nd. A key questions that’s been asked by many is if Eric DeCosta will make any moves that could improve the Baltimore Ravens for the rest of the season, as there are plenty of reasons both for and against the team making a deadline deal.

Last season, DeCosta traded a 2021 third-round draft pick and a 2022 conditional fifth-round pick to acquire DE/OLB Yannick Ngakoue.  This season, the Baltimore have some needs to address due to injuries on both sides of the ball that happened in training camp and during the season.

With the signing of offensive tackle Cedric Ogbuehi to the practice squad, the Ravens probably don’t need to address that position at the deadline since they will also seemingly be getting tight end Nick Boyle back from injured reserve sooner rather than later, which would also help the offensive line.

Another position that Baltimore could look to get help at via trade is at running back. The veteran trio of Latavius Murray, Devonta Freeman and Le’Veon Bell has been a bit underwhelming through seven weeks, so if the team feels like a player such as James Robinson from the Jacksonville Jaguars or Marlon Mack from the Indianapolis Colts could help, they could certainly make that move.

On defense, the two positions that make the most sense to acquire a player in a trade at are at inside linebacker and also in the secondary. The Ravens have defensive lineman Derek Wolfe returning from injury hopefully sooner rather than later, so the defensive line is already getting reinforcements. The outside linebacker group is deep as well.

If DeCosta were to make any moves during the NFL trade deadline, the linebacker and maybe running back position should be the main focus of his attention. If he can add a good tackling linebacker to help play next to Patrick Queen, Malik Harrison, and Josh Bynes then the defense as a whole should improve.

Ravens DT Justin Madubuike calls ILB Josh Bynes ‘a great teammate’

Baltimore Ravens defensive tackle Justin Madubuike said that inside linebacker Josh Bynes is “a great teammate”

The Baltimore Ravens have a great group of leaders who have not only helped guide the younger players on the team, but also have played at a very high level. One of those players is inside linebacker Josh Bynes, who has made a huge impact during his time on the field so far in 2021.

When defensive tackle Justin Madubuike was asked about what Bynes brings to the team, he had a lot of praise for the linebacker, calling him “a great teammate.”

“Josh [Bynes] brings a lot of communication. He’s an older guy; he’s been there, done that. He definitely knows the playbook in and out, so you can ask him any questions, and he has the right answers to them. He just brings the defense more collectively together on the same page. He’s a great teammate, and he’s doing great for us.”

In his first start of the 2021 season, Bynes ended up tying the team lead in tackles with six while flying around the field and playing sound football overall. He also seemed to make life easier for fellow linebacker Patrick Queen, who looked faster and more confident on the field.

Bynes is currently on his third stop in Baltimore, and each time he’s been with the team he’s made an impact. Now a wily veteran, Bynes is not only passing knowledge off to his teammates, but playing at a high level also.