Tag: Lamar Jackson

Roquan Smith says addition of Derrick Henry will ‘make us stick to what we do’

Roquan Smith says addition of Derrick Henry will make Ravens scary on offense

The Baltimore Ravens’ acquisition of veteran running back Derrick Henry in free agency has been exciting for fans and current players. All-Pro inside linebacker Roquan Smith was the latest to rave about the addition.

“I think it’s going to make us stick to what we do,” Smith said. “Having a guy like [Derrick Henry], any time you need a play with him and Lamar [Jackson] back there, it’s going to be crucial. I’m excited. It’s going to open up a lot for everyone. Going up against the guy, I know what kind of a threat he poses to other defenses. It’s going to be scary. I’m excited to see. As I always say, I’m glad [that] I’m on the defensive side and watching those guys, cheering them on play in and play out. I told a couple of my friends in the offseason, maybe I’ll have to get some popcorn on the sideline while I’m watching those guys go to work. So, I’m definitely excited. I think it’s a great piece added to us, and it’s going to help us get to where we want to be.”

Henry, 30, rushed for 1,167 yards on 280 attempts with the Tennessee Titans last season. While running backs typically decline around 30, Henry has yet to show noticeable signs of slowing down as he enters his ninth NFL season.

With Jackson and Henry at the helm of the offense, the Ravens should again finish with one of the best rushing attacks in the league.

Ravens RB Derrick Henry focused on holding up the Lombardi Trophy

Baltimore Ravens running back Derrick Henry says he really wants to hold up a Lombardi Trophy

Derrick Henry has logged close to 10,000 career rushing yards and is a multiple-time All-Pro, but he lacks what every NFL player covets.

A Lombardi Trophy and Super Bowl ring.

During the third day of Baltimore’s off-season workout program, Henry was asked why he chose the Ravens and his ultimate goal of winning a title.

A four-time Pro Bowl running back and future Hall of Famer, Henry gives Baltimore a home run threat at the running back position and a player who can take immediate pressure off quarterback Lamar Jackson.

Derrick Henry on participating in offseason workouts: “I wanted to show I’m committed”

Derrick Henry on Offseason workouts: “I wanted to make sure that I show my teammates, and this organization, that I’m here, I’m committed.”

Derrick Henry could have easily skipped the Ravens’ voluntary portion of the off-season workout program, and nobody at the Under Armour Performance Center would have shared any concerns.

Henry is one of the best-conditioned athletes on the planet.

During the offseason, he trains alongside Dr. Ashley Reichert, PT, DPT, at SandersFit in Dallas, Texas.

During his Wednesday media session, Henry was asked about reporting for off-season workouts and why it was so important.

Henry, 30, departs Tennessee after eight seasons and arrives in Baltimore as the perfect fit, complementing the game-breaking speed and elusiveness of quarterback Lamar Jackson.

Henry was a four-time Pro Bowler and two-time rushing champion with the Tennessee Titans from 2016 to 2023.

He’ll now look to get the Ravens over the Super Bowl hump.

Derrick Henry on Lamar Jackson: You can tell he’s a great leader

Baltimore Ravens running back Derrick Henry says he can tell Lamar Jackson is a great leader and players flock to him

Derrick Henry is officially a Raven after signing a two-year deal and reporting to the Under Armour Performance Center for the start of offseason workouts.

The Ravens are in Phase One of the program, and Henry has watched Jackson interact with teammates. He clearly understands why the two MVPs are so highly thought of in Baltimore.

Jackson returned to Baltimore about twenty pounds lighter, and he looked refreshed after entering the offseason without contract squabbles.

Baltimore led the NFL in rushing last season, and Henry has led the league in rushing yards (9,502) since he was drafted and entered the league in 2016.

Where Ravens players rank among the highest paid at their NFL positions

Roquan Smith is the boss of all bosses at off-ball linebacker.

An ESPN Staff article published earlier this week tracked the best-paid players at every position in the NFL. Citing the salary information found at Roster Management System, the piece listed three (and in some cases up to six) highest paid at 16 different positions- including the specialists.

They also sorted each position by two subcategories: three-year average (APY) and total guaranteed money. While Lamar Jackson spent much of 2023 as the highest compensated player in NFL history, his $52 million APY “only” lands him third among quarterbacks now, behind Joe Burrow ($62.9m) and Justin Herbert ($53.3m).

He’s down to sixth among QBs in total guaranteed money ($185m).

So, while Jackson is no longer first in his position regarding earning dead presidents, let’s look at the Ravens who are.

The only other Ravens offensive player to make the rich list in any capacity is Mark Andrews. His $37.6m in guaranteed money makes him the third-highest-earning tight end in the league.

On the defensive side of the ball, Roquan Smith is the boss of all bosses at off-ball linebacker. His $60m in guaranteed dough is 9 million more than the next highest earner, CJ Mosley of the Jets. His $20m APY is also tops.

The ROI (Return on Investment) has been good for Justin Tucker, one of the better kickers in the game. His $17.5m in guaranteed money is #1 for PKs, and likewise for his $6.2m APY.

 

Every move the Ravens have made so far this offseason

With the 2024 NFL Draft fast approaching, we’re looking at every move the Baltimore Ravens have made this off-season

The Ravens will look drastically different on both sides of the football field after undergoing massive changes in player personnel and the coaching staff.

Baltimore signed Justin Madubuike, one of the league’s best defensive linemen, to an extension. After inking Madubuike to a deal, Baltimore landed Derrick Henry for two years and $16 million.

However, the Ravens suffered significant free-agent losses. 

Patrick Queen (Steelers), Geno Stone (Bengals), and Gus Edwards (Chargers) were among eight free agents to sign elsewhere. Baltimore also traded Morgan Moses to the Jets and released Tyus Bowser in a cost-cutting move.

With the NFL draft fast approaching, we’re reviewing every move Baltimore made this off-season.

Colin Cowherd says he’s been told the Commanders are taking Jayden Daniels

And tomorrow he will say it’s Drake Maye.

Another day, another prediction for LSU quarterback Jayden Daniels to the Washington Commanders in the 2024 NFL draft.

On Monday’s edition of “The Herd,” Colin Cowherd said he’s been told the Commanders are taking Daniels with the second overall pick in this month’s NFL draft.

“Alright, I have been told the Washington Commanders, right now, as of today, would choose Jayden Daniels, LSU quarterback, as their top pick,” Cowherd said.

“In going back and forth, I’m told they believe he’s more consistent than Drake Maye. He is quicker, more mobile than Drake Maye. And offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury, who will have some say in this, has had multiple quarterbacks in his college and pro coaching career that play like him. Quarterbacks like Jayden Daniels are important; they are very hypermobile, and that matters a lot. Russell Wilson, Kyler Murray, Lamar Jackson, as you’re trying to figure out the sophisticated NFL pocket, and all it asks, it gives you a couple of years to pick up first downs and move the sticks with your feet. Even Patrick Mahomes acknowledged the light didn’t truly go on until year three. But the ability to move, Washington has a bad offensive line, pick up first downs with those feet as you’re learning the game is important.”

Cowherd goes on and on about why Daniels should be the pick. But wait, I thought you were told he was the pick? So, were you told he was the pick, or are you saying that’s who Washington should pick?

Cowherd repeats himself multiple times in the segment, which you can view below.

So, unless Washington general manager Adam Peters told Cowherd that Daniels was the pick, this is another case of someone throwing something against the wall, hoping it sticks.

 

Is Dane Jackson the favorite to be Panthers’ CB2 in 2024?

The Athletic’s Joe Person believes the Panthers will give free-agent signee Dane Jackson a chance to win the CB2 job this season.

When it comes to who will start opposite of Jaycee Horn in the Carolina Panthers secondary this season, the answer may already be on the roster.

All things considered, president of football operations and general manager Dan Morgan set his Panthers up quite nicely during the transition from free agency to the 2024 draft. The front office filled a handful of pressing needs—signing guards Robert Hunt and Damien Lewis, trading for former Pro Bowl wideout Diontae Johnson and convincing pass rusher Jadeveon Clowney to come home—in allowing them to pick the best players available later this month.

But what about the cornerback position? Not only did Carolina ship off a longtime starter in Donte Jackson, but they also added just one player to the mix—Dane Jackson.

But according to Joe Person of The Athletic, Jackson may be all the Panthers need to fill the CB2 spot. In his latest seven-round mock draft, Person notes that the team will give the free-agent signee “a chance to win” the starting spot.

That may not be a shock considering Morgan’s history with Jackson, whom he “pounded the table for” a few years back. While serving as the director of player personnel for the Buffalo Bills, Morgan pushed for the selection of the Pittsburgh corner in the seventh round of the 2020 draft.

Since then, Jackson has recorded 28 starts over his 52 NFL outings.

Other than Jackson, the current depth chart has a handful of more inexperienced options for the outside. Discounting Troy Hill—who will man the nickel—the Panthers could look to D’Shawn Jamison, Dicaprio Bootle and Lamar Jackson.

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John Harbaugh says QB Lamar Jackson will be architect of Ravens offense

Ravens head coach John Harbaugh said quarterback Lamar Jackson will be a big part of the team’s offensive structure in 2024

The Baltimore Ravens signed quarterback Lamar Jackson to a mega-extension on the day of the 2023 NFL draft, ending a years-long period of negotiations. In doing so, Baltimore committed that their offense would run through the star quarterback.

At the 2024 NFL Owners Meetings, head coach John Harbaugh discussed the offensive structure with Jackson in the fold and how Jackson would be involved in decisions across the board in many different categories.

Since arriving at the Ravens, Jackson has already had input on personnel and strategic decisions. Baltimore is now making it a point to also give him the keys to their offense, something that should pay off in the long run.

Ravens HC John Harbaugh reveals surprise about backup QB position

Ravens head coach John Harbaugh revealed a surprise about the backup quarterback position in Baltimore

The Baltimore Ravens have their quarterback of both the present and future in Lamar Jackson. There’s no question that Jackson will be the starting signal caller for as long as he’s in Baltimore, but a much more uncertain position is who will back him up in 2024.

At the 2024 NFL Owners Meetings, head coach John Harbaugh revealed a surprise about who would have the edge as Jackson’s backup if the season started today. Instead of mid-season roster additions Malik Cunningham, Harbaugh went with veteran Josh Johnson.

There was massive excitement once Cunningham was added to the New England Patriots practice squad in mid-2023. However, Baltimore seems to be favoring Johnson’s journeyman experience so far.