Tag: Justin Tucker

Ravens vs. Packers: Top photos from preseason finale at Lambeau Field

We’re looking at the top photos from the Baltimore Ravens preseason loss to the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field

It’s only the preseason, but the Ravens will head towards the 53-man roster cutdown date with a sour taste after a 30-7 loss to the Packers at Lambeau Field on Saturday afternoon. Josh Johnson was 5-7 for 71 yards and one passing touchdown, while Michael Pratt led Green Bay in passing, going 8-12 for 80 yards and one touchdown. The Packers were dominant on the ground, amassing 193 rushing yards, as Ellis Merriweather led all ball carriers with 16 yards for 74 yards. The Packers held the ball for nearly ten minutes longer than the Ravens and out-gained Baltimore by 326 yards to 177 for John Harbaugh’s bunch. With Baltimore now turning its attention toward the Chiefs, here’s an instant analysis of the loss. ***

Ravens vs. Falcons: Top photos from Baltimore’s 13-12 win in preseason Week 2

We’re looking at the top photos from the Baltimore Ravens 13-12 win over the Atlanta Falcons in the preseason Week 2 matchup

Backup quarterback Josh Johnson was perfect on the afternoon, and rookie Emory Jones added a 56-yard touchdown throw to Dayton Wade in the second half to lift the Baltimore Ravens to a 13-12 victory over the Atlanta Falcons on Saturday at M&T Bank Stadium.  The Ravens snapped a three-game preseason losing streak, while Atlanta had 343 yards of total offense but was 4-13 on third downs. Baltimore had another putrid day on the ground, rushing for 71 yards on 30 attempts.  With the team set to start preparation for the preseason finale, here are the top photos from the win over Atlanta. ***

Ravens All-Pro Justin Tucker explains how he maintains his competitive edge

Despite turning 35 this midseason, Justin Tucker is still in his prime. However, his numbers from long distance were down last season. 

Thursday marked the final day of training camp, which was open to the public. From now on, practices will be closed to fans.

The day was also marked as Special Team Day for the media. The specialists, including placekicker Justin Tucker, talked to reporters on Thursday.

Tucker is regarded by most football experts, pundits, and observers to be the greatest kicker of all time. The G.O.A.T. label certainly applies, as Tucker is not just the most accurate kicker in NFL history (90.2%), but also the owner of the longest field goal made in history (66 yards).

But with all that he’s accomplished, Tucker is not slowing down. The concept of complacency doesn’t exist in his mind.

He knows that there are always new competitors out there, coming to take the top spot.

“I feel like I always have to [push that limit],” Tucker said.

“I know there are dudes out there that are coming for the top spot. Everybody in this league is competitive and wants to be the best.

“I have to keep that in my mind and keep making sure I’m playing at a level that we can all consider elite.”

Despite turning 35 this midseason, Tucker is still in his prime. However, his numbers from long distances went down last season.

The seven-time Pro Bowler knows what he needs to do to maintain a high level.

“Accuracy, distance, they all go hand in hand as far as I’m concerned,” he said.

“Developing every part of my game is just as important now as it ever was.”

Tucker, a 2010s NFL All-Decade Team member, has made 395 field goals and scored 1,649 points in his NFL career.

Top photos from Ravens 16-13 loss to Eagles in preseason opener

We’re looking at the top photos from the Baltimore Ravens 16-13 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles in the preseason opener at M&T Bank Stadium

The Ravens returned to the field for live game action for the first time since their heartbreaking, 17-10 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC title game.

Baltimore hosted Philadelphia at M&T Bank Stadium, with both teams on similar arcs, and championship paths. Starting quarterback Lamar Jackson sat out along with key starters on both sides of the football.

Eagles kicker Jake Elliott made a 49-yard field goal with no time remaining to give the Philadelphia Eagles a 16-13 victory after Baltimore quarterback Emory Jones — who had just entered the game — was sacked and fumbled on the next play.

The recovery by Patrick Johnson gave Elliott his final opportunity of the night.

With Baltimore set to start preparation for the Falcons in the second week of the preseason, we’re looking at the top photos from Friday night.

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Ravens training camp: Top photos from Day 5 of practice

We’re looking at the top photos from Day 5 of Baltimore Ravens training camp practices

The Ravens had a day off from training camp on Thursday but returned to the Under Armour Performance Center on Friday and Saturday for their first two full-padded summer practices. Lamar Jackson returned to the lineup after a medical evaluation for flu-like symptoms. At the same time, the team honored the late Jacoby Jones on the day that family and friends traveled to New Orleans for his funeral services. With Sunday’s practice quickly approaching, here are takeaways and notes from Saturday’s session. ***

Ravens initial 90-man roster arranged by uniform number ahead of training camp

Baltimore Ravens’ 90-man roster at the start of 2024 training camp

The Baltimore Ravens have officially reported to the Under Armour Performance Center for the start of training camp with the first practice scheduled for Sunday morning.

There will be starting jobs and roster spots up for grabs, which should make for some intriguing position battles throughout camp and the preseason.

Currently, the Ravens have 90 players on their roster, and that will be trimmed down to 53 ahead of the start of the regular season, and by August 27.

With training camp underway, here’s an updated look at the Ravenss’ initial 90-man roster at the start of training camp, organized by jersey number.

Derrick Henry, Justin Tucker make a list of the best NFL Players over 30

placekicker Justin Tucker and running back Derrick Henry are two guys who keep getting it done after age 30.

If 40 is supposedly the new 30, then what does that make 30—perhaps it’s the new 25? “The wrong side of 30” is a cliche we hear incessantly in sports, but some players, like placekicker Justin Tucker and running back Derrick Henry, keep getting it done at this age.

Both Baltimore Ravens players were named to the top 20 NFL players over the age of 30 list, composed by 33rd Team.

Tucker, 34, holds the NFL records for longest field goal made (66 yards) and career field goal percentage (90.2%). An eight-time All-Pro, Tucker is considered by many to be the most outstanding placekicker of all time.

He checks in at #20 on the list.

Henry, 30, comes in at #7. He’s led the league in rushing yards twice, including the 2020 season, when he joined the elusive 2,000-yard season. “The King” racked up 2,027 yards, to go along with 17 TDs, during that stellar season.

Seeing what he can do now when he’s paired with Lamar Jackson will be fascinating. Having these superstars in the same backfield should help them reach another gear.

As for the top spot on the list, it went to Kansas City Chiefs DT Chris Jones.

 

Tom Dempsey’s record-setting 63-yard field goal is the Saints Play of the Day

Tom Dempsey’s record-setting 63-yard field goal is the New Orleans Saints Play of the Day. He held that record for 43 years:

There are 63 days left on the calendar until the New Orleans Saints kick off their 2024 regular season, which makes Tom Dempsey’s record-setting 63-yard field goal the Saints Play of the Day.

Dempsey nailed the longest field goal in NFL history against the Detroit Lions in 1970, sending the game-winner through the upright as time expired — which was one of just two victories the Saints enjoyed that season. Having been born without toes on his right foot, Dempsey used a special box-toed boot that was later banned by the league.

His kick led to multiple NFL rules changes and stood as the record for 43 years. Several kickers tied him for distance, but Dempsey’s record wasn’t broken until Denver Broncos kicker Matt Prater made good from 64 yards (taking advantage of the thin air at altitude, though in below-freezing temperatures). They were both lapped by Baltimore Ravens fan favorite Justin Tucker in 2021, when he set a new record from 66 yards.

Still, Dempsey’s place in NFL history is secure. Generations of fans knew who set that record, and for many Saints fans it was the highlight of the team’s early days. He’ll be missed, having died in 2020, but Dempsey — and his achievements as someone to cheer for when New Orleans truly needed it — won’t be forgotten.

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Panthers K Eddy Piñeiro asked about his absences from offseason workouts

Did Panthers K Eddy Piñeiro answer questions about his earlier offseason absences?

So, why did Carolina Panthers kicker Eddy Piñeiro skip out on offseason workouts? Well, he’s not the guy to ask.

Piñeiro, who did not attend voluntary minicamp nor team organized team activities, returned to the squad for mandatory minicamp this week. When speaking to reporters for the first time since his reappearance, he was asked about the absences.

“My decision on that is kinda private right now between me and the Panthers,” Piñeiro replied on Wednesday. “So I’m not gonna comment on me missing anything.”

The 28-year-old also declined to comment on if the absences were related to his current contract, one that ranks 20th in average annual value amongst all kickers.

He did, though, note the importance of the past few and upcoming months leading into the final year of that pact.

“This is a big offseason for me,” Piñeiro added. “I have a lot of goals. I wanna have a great season this year. I’m the third-most accurate kicker in NFL history right now. My goal is to be No. 1. So, that’s how I’m gonna attack this offseason.”

Piñeiro has successfully converted on 89.0 percent of his career field goal attempts. As he stated, he sits third in that category—behind Baltimore’s Justin Tucker (90.2) and Kansas City’s Harrison Butker (89.1).

According to Joe Person of The Athletic, who was in attendance for this afternoon’s practice, Piñeiro went 2-for-4 on his field goal tries during team drills.

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Justin Tucker is bulking up and doing tackle drills for the first time since high school because of the NFL’s new kickoff rules

Justin Tucker is in the lab, folks 😤

The NFL’s new kickoff rules are about to change the lives of so many kickers around the league this season.

The league’s new (kind of weird!) kickoff rules emphasize a landing zone instead of having kickers boot the ball out of the back of the endzone.

That’ll lead to a lot more returned kicks and, with the kicking team’s players being lined up closer to the receiving team’s players, it’ll lead to more circumstances where the actual kicker will legitimately be the last line of defense on a play.

That’s why the Chiefs are considering benching their kicker on kickoffs and using a safety instead. For some kickers across the league, it’s a real “get with it or get lost” situation.

Justin Tucker is doing his best to get with it. The Ravens’ kicker said he’s been in the weight room a lot more than usual to try and adjust to the league’s new rules. He said he watched XFL film and noticed that kickers were involved in “20 to 25 percent” of the tackles.

Not only has he bulked up, but he’s also doing tackle drills for the first time since *checks notes* high school to get himself ready.

“I’ve mixed it up a couple of times. I’ve gotten in there. But, you know, I’ve got to get some more shrugs — get the traps going a little bit — you know, just to make sure I’m prepared for a little more contact.” 

Folks. This is not a drill. Justin Tucker is hitting the weight room. I can’t blame him — being the kicker who tries and fails to make a touchdown-saving tackle on a kick return has to be one of the most embarrassing things in football. It never looks good. Best to figure out how to tackle now than to be embarrassed by it down the line.