Tag: Pernell McPhee

Should the Ravens surrender a compensatory pick to sign Justin Houston?

The Baltimore Ravens have interest in pass rusher Justin Houston. Should they surrender a compensatory pick to sign him?

The Baltimore Ravens have been linked to Justin Houston for a few years now, as they had interest in him before he ended up signing a two-year deal with the Indianapolis Colts. Now a free agent again in 2021, the Ravens have him in for a visit in hopes of getting to know him better and understand what he wants out of his next team. Houston is a talented pass rusher, but should the Ravens surrender the compensatory pick that it would take to sign him before the draft?

In short, the answer is yes. Houston would provide the Ravens with immediate pass rush, something that they don’t have a lot of on their roster right now. The trio of Tyus Bowser, Pernell McPhee and Jaylon Ferguson have a combined 52 sacks in 15 seasons between the three. Houston has 97.5 sacks in his 10 years playing in the NFL, including a career-high 22 sacks in 2014. He still has plenty left in the tank, and would allow Baltimore to generate more pressure on quarterbacks without blitzing, something they have struggled to do at times in recent years.

If both parties are interested, signing Houston seems like a no-brainer for the Ravens. However, something that appears to be holding up Baltimore from singing any unrestricted free agent before the draft is the compensatory pick formula. The Ravens are currently in-line to receive two fourth-round picks from the departures of Matthew Judon and Yannick Ngakoue. If the Ravens were to sign Houston, an unrestricted free agent, before May 3rd (which is when unrestricted free agents no longer negate compensatory picks), it would cancel out one of the two fourth-round picks they are currently slated to receive.

There have been a few reports signaling that Houston wants to sign before the draft, and others saying that Baltimore won’t sign another unrestricted free agent until after the May 3rd deadline. Maybe there will be a change of heart between either Houston or the Ravens, but at this point it looks like Houston will sign elsewhere before the draft, or Baltimore will have to give up a compensatory pick to add Houston.

Compensatory picks are important. Baltimore has utilized the strategy of compiling as many of them as possible for years, and it has paid off in multiple ways. Accumulating compensatory picks can help with draft night trades, player acquisitions, and having more swings in a draft to select impact players. However, despite all of the positives that compensatory picks bring, in the Ravens’ current situation, there are a few drawbacks.

Lamar Jackson is currently still on his rookie contract for two more years, including his fifth-year option. After that, Baltimore is going to have to sign him to a lucrative extension, somewhat hindering their ability to sign free agents. While Jackson is still on his rookie contract, the Ravens should be looking to add pieces to the team that can make an impact at positions of need, like Houston. While a fourth-round pick in 2022 would be a fine asset, Houston would bring Baltimore closer to a championship at this point in time, when Jackson still has a relatively low salary.

Another situation that could have implications on how much the Ravens are trying to win on Jackson’s rookie contract is the Orlando Brown Jr. dilemma that Baltimore is facing. Brown Jr. wants to play left tackle, but the Ravens can’t move him there, as Ronnie Stanley is one of the best left tackles in the league.

Brown Jr. and his party have been looking for trades, but it’s seeming less and less likely that he’s moved before he becomes an unrestricted free agent in 2022. The Ravens could certainly get more value by trading him now as opposed to the 2023 third-round selection they’d most likely get for him leaving Baltimore as a free agent, but the team might feel like they have a better chance to win with him on the roster for one more season. If the Ravens truly do feel like they have a higher chance to win with Brown Jr. as opposed to draft picks, then it makes sense that they should feel that way about Houston too.

Overall, Houston would be a great addition to a Ravens defense that needs a pass rusher. He is a proven option, and with Baltimore looking at a massive extension for Lamar Jackson soon and a very competitive roster with the quarterback on his rookie deal, if it comes down to it they should surrender the compensatory pick and land an impact player.

Justin Houston set to visit the Ravens on Tuesday

The Baltimore Ravens are set to host free agent pass rusher Justin Houston on Tuesday. The 10-year veteran is currently a free agent

During 2021 free agency, the Baltimore Ravens saw three of their edge rushers leave for other opportunities as Matthew Judon, Yannick Ngakoue, and Jihad Ward all signed elsewhere. While the team was able to retain both Tyus Bowser and Pernell McPhee, Baltimore currently only has three edge players on the roster when also factoring in Jaylon Ferguson.

Edge rusher is currently a big need for the Ravens, and it seems like the organization is looking to add a veteran option who can make an immediate impact. According to multiple reports, the team is bringing in former Kansas City Chiefs and Indianapolis Colts pass rusher Justin Houston for a visit on Tuesday.

Houston is a proven player, as he’s played at the NFL level for 10 years after being selected in the third round of the 2011 Draft by the Chiefs. He has 97.5 career sacks to his name, as well as 451 total tackles, 17 forced fumbles, and 15 fumble recoveries. He has plenty of pass rush moves in his arsenal that can help Baltimore as well as plethora of experience to help develop players like Bowser and Ferguson.

This isn’t the first time that the Ravens have had interest in Houston, as back in 2019 they were talking to the pass rusher before he opted to sign a two-year deal with the Colts instead.

When Houston signed his two-year, $24 million deal with Indianapolis, people were beginning to question if he still had enough left in the tank to continue to play at a high level as a 30-year-old. He put those questions to bed and kept them buried, as over his two years with the Colts he piled up 19 sacks.

Now 32 years old, Houston is at the back end of his career. However, he still has plenty to offer an NFL team, and by bringing him in for a visit both he and the organization can get a better feel for each other. There’s no doubt that Houston would improve Baltimore’s defense, and if the Ravens are his next team he’ll have an instant chance to compete for a championship.

Ravens 2021 free agency: Grading every signing

With the first wave of free agency over and the picture a lot clearer, we grade all of the Baltimore Ravens’ free-agent signings.

The NFL offseason is underway, meaning contracts are getting signed. Whether it’s extensions for players already on the roster or the signing of completely new free agents, NFL teams are looking to bolster their rosters for the upcoming season. The Baltimore Ravens are no exception, having dipped their toe into the free-agent pool a couple of times as well as looking inward to bring back some familiar faces.

With the first wave of free agency finished, I wanted to take a look back at everyone the Ravens signed this offseason. We now have a far clearer picture of what Baltimore is looking to do as a whole, helping provide more realistic grades for each signing.

Pernell McPhee hopes Ravens can keep Matthew Judon and other pending free-agent OLBs

Though he’s a pending free agent as well, Pernell McPhee hopes the Baltimore Ravens re-sign Matthew Judon, Yannick Ngakoue and Tyus Bowser.

The Baltimore Ravens are on the hunt for help at outside linebacker this offseason — either by re-signing their own players or via free agency and the draft. And one of Baltimore’s pending free-agent linebackers is hoping the Ravens can bring everyone back.

In an interview with Ravens staff writer Clifton Brown, McPhee said he wants to return. And while he’s realistic about the chances of this happening, McPhee wants to see his fellow outside linebackers back in purple and black next season too.

“I’m hoping the Ravens can retain all of them, but free agency can get crazy, unpredictable,” McPhee said.

Baltimore has 24 pending free agents as of right now, including several outside linebackers. McPhee, Matthew Judon, Yannick Ngakoue and Tyus Bowser are all set to be unrestricted free agents this offseason.

Though the NFL salary cap has yet to be set and projections are unclear, it’s expected to go down for the first time in a decade. That would mean the Ravens — and most other teams — would have very little cap space to work with. While Baltimore would undoubtedly like to bring back all four players, the cap situation makes it extremely unlikely. Both Ngakoue and Judon are among the league’s top free agents this offseason. Even though it’s difficult to project what either player could earn in free agency due to the salary-cap uncertainty and both players’ lackluster production in 2020, they play a position that often commands top dollar.

However, as McPhee pointed out, free agency can be unpredictable and there’s value in continuity.

“When you’re playing with guys who have been in the organization and who understand your system, it makes a difference. You want to keep those guys, because they know how to play like a Raven. I always think it’s important to keep core guys – like Judon. He was around Sizz (Terrell Suggs), he was around me last year. He knows the Ravens’ ways. You need to keep some of those in-house guys, those in-house dogs.”

As many teams and players have found out, the grass isn’t always greener on the other side. Baltimore has often preached the value of continuity, both on their coaching staff and on their roster, and could be looking for that this offseason at outside linebacker.

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Free agent OLB Pernell McPhee wants to remain with Ravens

Pernell McPhee once left the Baltimore Ravens for a big contract. Set to hit free agency again, he wants to stay in Baltimore.

Free agency is set to begin in a few weeks and the Baltimore Ravens have plenty of questions to answer. At the top of the list are Baltimore’s own pending free agents. While Willie Snead and Dez Bryant have seemingly pointed themselves away from the team this offseason, outside linebacker Pernell McPhee has made it clear he’d like to return.

“Of course, the plan is to come back to Baltimore and continue to play some ball, help win a championship and build a dynasty,” McPhee told Ravens writer Clifton Brown. “That’s the goal. Myself and my agent haven’t really talked about it yet. I’ve been chilling, taking care of my body. I’ll think about things, but my thought is really just on coming back.”

The Ravens originally drafted McPhee in 2011 before seeing him leave in free agency. Unfortunately, McPhee had several injury-plagued seasons with Chicago and Washington before returning to Baltimore in 2019 after the Ravens lost Terrell Suggs and Za’Darius Smith in free agency.

Though McPhee had an injury-shortened 2019 campaign, he’s been a stout defender for Baltimore since his return. While other younger players like Jaylon Ferguson were expected to step up and develop into starters, the Ravens have had to lean on a consistent McPhee far more than they might have envisioned. But it’s hard to argue with his results, despite McPhee being on the wrong side of 30. Over 22 games in his latest stint with Baltimore, McPhee has accounted for six sacks, 21 quarterback hits, and 28 total pressures in a reserve role.

The Ravens will have some tough decisions to make at outside linebacker over the next few weeks. Jihad Ward, Tyus Bowser, Matthew Judon, and Yannick Ngakoue are all set to become free agents. Both Judon and Ngakoue are considered to be among the top of this free-agent class and will likely garner plenty of attention and top contract offers if they hit the open market.

McPhee, who left Baltimore for a big contract in 2015, is all about winning another championship as he’s set to hit free agency this offseason. He was with the Ravens in 2012 when Baltimore won Super Bowl XLVII and he wants another taste of that championship feeling.

“I don’t care if somebody gets 25 sacks,” McPhee continued. “That’s a great achievement, but it’s not like winning a championship. Going undefeated in the regular season is great, but if you don’t win the Super Bowl, it doesn’t matter. I just want to get that Super Bowl feeling again.”

The Ravens have fallen short of that goal the last two seasons despite looking promising. With an MVP at quarterback in Lamar Jackson and the second-ranked defense in points allowed, Baltimore is once again among the favorites to win Super Bowl LVI. McPhee seems to be willing to bet on the Ravens getting it done this time around.

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Ravens pending free agents priority list: Who should Baltimore call first?

In total, Baltimore has 24 pending free agents they’ll have to discuss.

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The Baltimore Ravens played their final game of the season and have made a clear transition into the offseason. Coach John Harbaugh and general manager Eric DeCosta have held their annual season-ending press conferences and some initial roster moves have been completed. But as the Ravens begin the offseason, the very top of their to-do list involves figuring out their own roster and pending free agents.

In total, Baltimore has 24 pending free agents they’ll have to discuss. Who should be brought back and at what cost? Those are the questions only the front office can truly answer as they measure production (both current and potential) against what it’ll likely cost to re-sign them and try to fit it all into a very tight salary cap situation.

But with our general manager hats on, we here at Ravens Wire wanted to take a closer look at who we’d be calling if we were in control. Four of us independently ranked our free-agent priorities — not based on expectations of cost or who we felt would return — but on who we’d be most eager to start negotiations with.

Take a look below to see how we ranked the Ravens’ free-agent priorities and a quick analysis of why we placed them in their respective positions.

Ravens hoping improved health eliminates their biggest flaw in playoffs

As the Baltimore Ravens get healthier, can they turn what is their biggest flaw into a weapon again in the playoffs?

The Baltimore Ravens have been wildly inconsistent this season. Earlier in the season, the offense struggled to move the ball effectively while dealing with a string of games with bad turnovers and penalties. While they eventually turned it around, the defense has been going through the flip of that situation — starting the season strong only to falter recently. And with the playoffs starting this week, the Ravens’ defensive regression is their largest flaw right now, according to Touchdown Wire’s Doug Farrar.

Farrar points to Baltimore’s huge slide down in DVOA (Defense-adjusted Value Over Average) since Week 10 as a major concern. The Ravens went from fifth overall to 27th, seeing both the run and pass defense drop in their own respective rankings. That lines up well with their struggles against even mediocre offenses over that timeframe and should rightfully be the biggest concern for the Ravens heading into the playoffs.

Baltimore has the Tennessee Titans’ second-ranked offense to deal with this week, including top running back Derrick Henry and an underrated quarterback in Ryan Tannehill. If the Ravens want to go to Super Bowl LV, they’ll likely have to contend with other top offenses like the Kansas City Chiefs and Buffalo Bills on the road through the playoffs. No matter how well Baltimore’s offense is playing, the defense’s struggles could derail their postseason hopes if they aren’t cleaned up in a hurry.

However, there’s quite a lot of hope here as well. Though Farrar only briefly mentions it in his breakdown, the Ravens have been one of the most injured teams in the league this season. And with the list of names missing games, it’s easy to see how those injuries and losses have been responsible for Baltimore’s defensive difficulties.

The Ravens have missed guys like Campbell, Williams, Marcus Peters, Jimmy Smith, Anthony Averett, Justin Madubuike, Pernell McPhee, Iman Marshall, Matthew Judon, and Yannick Ngakoue for at least one game due to injury or COVID-19 just since Week 11. With that many starters and impact players sitting on the bench, it’s no wonder the defense slipped so much in the DVOA rankings.

Looking back to Week 11 against the Titans, the Ravens were missing defensive linemen Calais Campbell and Brandon Williams. Though Baltimore managed to keep Henry in check for most of the game, not having much of a rotation on the defensive line meant the starters were gassed when the game went to overtime. In addition, linebackers and defensive backs had to commit to coming down in run support and blitzes to help out, creating big plays elsewhere.

Granted, it’s not like the Ravens spent the last five weeks battling the toughest offenses the league has to offer, but they have improved as players have returned to the lineup.

With Ngakoue and Williams back on the field, Baltimore shut down both the New York Giants and Jacksonville Jaguars’ run games, holding them to a combined 116 rushing yards (good for a 3.4 yards-per-carry average) and no rushing touchdowns while picking up 11 combined sacks in those two games. Peters and Campbell returned in Week 17 to face off against a Cincinnati Bengals team fresh from putting up 770 total yards and 64 total points against the Pittsburgh Steelers and Houston Texans. The Ravens held the Bengals to a paltry three points and 195 total yards, most of which largely came in garbage time with starters resting.

There’s a “good chance” guys like Campbell, Smith, Ngakoue, Peters, and others will be healthy enough to return to action this week against the Titans. If the last three weeks are any indication of what to expect as Baltimore gets healthy, the Ravens should be close to top form once again. Except they have the offense to take advantage of it now.

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Ravens activate 4 from Reserve/COVID-19 list including RB J.K. Dobbins

The Baltimore Ravens returned four more players from the Reserve/COVID-19 list on Friday, as the team is coming back to full strength.

The Baltimore Ravens placed a total of 23 players on the Reserve/COVID-19 list in the 10 days leading up their Week 12 game against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Now, as they prepare for the Dallas Cowboys in Week 13, the Ravens are getting some of those guys back.

Baltimore announced on Friday afternoon that they’ve activated the following four players from the Reserve/COVID-19 list:

  • RB J.K. Dobbins
  • OLB Pernell McPhee
  • C/G Patrick Mekari
  • C/G Matt Skura

Getting Dobbins back into the lineup is a major boon for the Ravens. While he’s been a part of a four-man backfield, Dobbins had really started to separate from the pack over the last few weeks. Dobbins rushed for 70 yards and a touchdown on 15 carries against the Tennessee Titans and had previously ripped off 113 yards on 15 carries against the Steelers in Week 8.

Both Mekari and Skura had started in Week 11. However, after some terrible snaps the previous few weeks, Mekari took the starting center job from Skura who played as an extra lineman against the Titans. Still, getting both back should help solidify the Ravens’ offensive line, something they’ll desperately need if they want to get back to the postseason.

McPhee might not be a household name but he’s been effective for Baltimore this season. Playing in 10 games this season, McPhee has two sacks, one pass defensed, 25 combined tackles, and 11 quarterback hits. Combine his efforts with Matthew Judon and Calais Campbell (both still on the Reserve/COVID-19 list), as well as newcomer Yannick Ngakoue, and the Ravens have a pretty formidable defensive front.

It’s likely more players will come off the Reserve/COVID-19 list in the coming days. With Baltimore set to take on the Cowboys on Tuesday, there’s even the possibility players like quarterback Lamar Jackson could return and play against Dallas.

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What Lamar Jackson’s positive COVID-19 test means for Ravens

The worst-case scenario happened Thursday. Here’s what Lamar Jackson’s COVID-19 test means for the Baltimore Ravens moving forward.

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Though the Baltimore Ravens already have 10 players on the Reserve/COVID-19 list as well as several staff members who have tested positive, there was still a glimmer of hope remaining. As long as the Ravens had Lamar Jackson at quarterback, anything seemed possible this week against the Pittsburgh Steelers. But Baltimore got one of its worst-case scenarios on Thursday as Jackson tested positive for COVID-19, among four players and several staff members who tested positive.

While everyone hopes all the players, staff members, and their families stay safe and don’t suffer any ill effects, this is about as big of a blow as the Ravens could get from a football perspective. As it stands, Baltimore already had several starters on the Reserve/COVID-19 list, further stressing a roster that has already been thinned massively due to injuries.

With Jackson testing positive and third-string quarterback Trace McSorley among the group already on the Reserve/COVID-19 list, Baltimore would be down to just two healthy quarterbacks. Robert Griffin III would likely start Sunday against the Steelers while undrafted free agent Tyler Huntley would be the only backup.

Though Griffin is no slouch as a quarterback — earning a Pro Bowl nod and the Offensive Rookie of the Year award — he doesn’t come close to Jackson’s talent, speed, and rushing ability. The Ravens helped Griffin revive his career after spending 2017 out of the game, but he hasn’t offered much in the way of production for Baltimore. Griffin has played in 13 games with the Ravens, starting one, completing 56.5% of his 46 passing attempts for 255 yards, one touchdown, and three interceptions, while averaging just 2.8 yards-per-carry and no touchdowns on 25 rushing attempts.

The Ravens are missing both running backs Mark Ingram and J.K. Dobbins, as well as centers Matt Skura and Patrick Mekari after positive COVID-19 tests this week. On top of the other injuries Baltimore has suffered this season, the wide receiver corps would be the only offensive unit not yet hit by the coronavirus or season-ending injury to a starter. The defense isn’t looking much better with starters Calais Campbell, Brandon Williams, and Pernell McPhee all going on the Reserve/COVID-19 list this week.

With Jackson testing positive for COVID-19, he’s held out a minimum of 10 days from the date of the initial positive test, or five days with two consecutively negative tests if he was asymptomatic, per Sporting News’ Tadd Haislop. If Jackson is showing any symptoms, he’ll be out for a minimum of 10 days and 72 hours after last experiencing symptoms. Testing positive Thursday would mean Jackson will definitely miss Sunday’s game against the Steelers but would also miss Week 13 against the Dallas Cowboys.

Baltimore sits at 6-4 entering Week 12. While this game wasn’t necessarily a must-win matchup, a loss would all but concede the AFC North to Pittsburgh this season. It would also do quite a bit of damage to the Ravens’ chances in the AFC playoff picture, turning the final five weeks into must-win games. Not having Jackson in the lineup, as well as a whole bunch of other starters, would make Baltimore’s job a lot harder. And considering the Ravens haven’t exactly been world-beaters up to this point, it’s tough seeing the team make the postseason after earning the No. 1 seed last year.

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Ravens place OLB Pernell McPhee on Reserve/COVID-19 list

The Baltimore Ravens have placed Pernell McPhee, their sixth player, on the Reserve/COVID-19 list Tuesday with more still expected too.

As noted earlier today, the Baltimore Ravens have more positive COVID-19 tests after running backs Mark Ingram and J.K. Dobbins tested positive on Monday. According to the NFL’s transaction report, Baltimore has placed outside linebacker Pernell McPhee on the Reserve/COVID-19 list on Tuesday.

McPhee joins a growing list of Ravens players on the Reserve/COVID-19 list. Cornerback Iman Marshall (who’s on injured reserve) first tested positive two weeks ago, before third-string quarterback Trace McSorley was put on the Reserve/COVID-19 list late last week. Ingram and Dobbins tested positive on Monday, adding defensive tackle Brandon Williams to the list as well as a “close contact.”

While it’s unclear if McPhee tested positive himself or was tagged during contact tracing. However, under the NFL’s protocols, McPhee is out for a minimum of five days if he didn’t test positive and 10 days if he did. That means McPhee will not be eligible to play on Thursday against the Pittsburgh Steelers and could potentially miss next week’s game against the Dallas Cowboys.

However, that list might continue to grow over the next few days. According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, The Athletic’s Jeff Zrebiec, and NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, the Ravens have had several other players and staff members test positive.