Tag: ravens news

Chargers hiring Joe Hortiz as next general manager

The Chargers have finally found their new general manager.

The Chargers have finally found their new general manager.

According to multiple reports, Los Angeles is working to finalize a deal to hire Ravens director of player personnel Joe Hortiz as their next GM.

Hortiz, 48, has worked for the Ravens since 1998, where he started as a scout. He was then promoted to the team’s director of college scouting for ten years before becoming the director of player personnel in 2019, overseeing both the pro and scouting departments since then.

Hortiz has plenty of experience and has benefited from learning under Ravens executive vice president Ozzie Newsome, one of the most well-known executives in the league.

Hortiz is a graduate of Auburn with a degree in accounting. He was an undergraduate assistant coach for the Tigers’ football team from 1995- 97. He worked with the quarterbacks and wide receivers and coached the scout team linebackers and secondary.

Ravens not expected to activate Mark Andrews for divisional round matchup vs. Texans

The Baltimore Ravens are not expected to activate TE Mark Andrews for divisional round matchup vs. Houston Texans

Mark Andrews got in his second full practice on Thursday, but he’s not expected to be activated off injured reserve for Baltimore’s divisional-round matchup against Houston at M&T Bank Stadium.

Ian Rapoport reports that Andrews still has a ways to go in his rehab and return from a fractured fibula.

The Ravens tight end, who suffered a major ankle injury on Nov. 16, said Wednesday that he’ll play if he feels he can help the team.

Mark Andrews is questionable for Ravens divisional round matchup vs. Texans

Mark Andrews is questionable for Ravens divisional round matchup vs. Texans

Mark Andrews got in his second full practice on Thursday and will be a game-time decision for Baltimore’s divisional-round matchup against Houston at M&T Bank Stadium.

The Ravens tight end, who suffered a major ankle injury on Nov. 16, said Wednesday that he’ll play if he feels he can help the team.

He would have to be activated off injured reserve Friday if he’s going to play.

Chargers general manager candidate profile: Joe Hortiz

Examining who Joe Hortiz is, where he comes from and why he’d be a good choice to be the GM of the Chargers.

The Chargers interviewed Ravens’ Director of Player Personnel Joe Hortiz for their general manager vacancy on Saturday.

Hortiz, 48, has been in Baltimore since 1998. He’s played pivotal roles in college scouting and the Ravens’ draft process. Hortiz was originally a scout who was promoted to Baltimore’s Director of College Scouting in 2009. 10 years later, in 2019, he earned the promotion to his current title of Director of Player Personnel.

The legacy of Baltimore over the past two decades needs no further explanation. Under Ozzie Newsome, the Ravens have consistently dominated the draft in constructing several playoff and Super Bowl teams. Eric DeCosta was promoted to general manager following Newsome’s retirement. Hortiz has remained a constant in Baltimore as he potentially waits for his own opportunity elsewhere to become a GM.

Hortiz also has coaching experience, albeit brief. He was a graduate assistant at Auburn for three years under then-head coach Terry Bowden.

Hortiz’s biggest asset is his decades of college and scouting and draft experience. Baltimore has consistently been a draft enigma in their team construction. Whether it’s slithering up the board or meticulously accumulating capital by trading down, April is where the Ravens are truly built. They also pursue free agency and other team-building moves, of course, but Baltimore hasn’t existed in their current form over the last two decades without success in the spring’s primetime event.

LA also needs a vision of team management that is flexible in approach. Tom Telesco’s hesitance to trade back in the draft has the Chargers generally having fewer draft assets outside of years where they earned compensatory picks. For a team about to enter some version of “cap hell,” more swings at the bat under a GM with Hortiz’s vision and experience could be massive.

Chargers conclude interview with Joe Hortiz for general manager opening

Joe Hortiz has worked with the Ravens since 1998.

The Chargers on Saturday confirmed they have interviewed Joe Hortiz for their general manager position.

Hortiz, 48, has worked for the Ravens since 1998, where he started as a scout. He was then promoted to the team’s director of college scouting for ten years before becoming the director of player personnel in 2019, overseeing both the pro and scouting departments since then.

Hortiz has plenty of experience and has benefited from learning under Ravens executive vice president Ozzie Newsome, one of the most well-known executives in the league.

Hortiz is a graduate of Auburn with a degree in accounting. He was an undergraduate assistant coach for the Tigers’ football team from 1995- 97. He worked with the quarterbacks and wide receivers and coached the scout team linebackers and secondary.

CBSSports names ideal landing spot for former Georgia RB Todd Gurley

CBS Sports names ideal landing spot for Todd Gurley

There hasve been plenty of discussions this offseason as to where former Georgia running back Todd Gurley, who is currently an NFL free agent, will play during the 2021 season.

CBS Sports’ Tyler Sullivan recently wrote on which team he thinks would be the ideal destination for the former NFL Offensive Player of the Year.

Sullivan named the Los Angeles Chargers as the suggested landing spot for Gurley, who previously spent one year with the Atlanta Falcons in 2020 after playing his full career with the Los Angeles Rams.

This offseason, the Detroit Lions were said to be in pursuit of Gurley, but no deal has yet to be struck. If he doesn’t end up in the Motor City, the Chargers could be a fun landing spot. While Austin Ekeler is the clear No. 1 back, the Chargers may not want him to go in-between the tackles as a bruising back on a week-to-week basis and open him up to injury. That’s where Gurley could come in and provide some relief with his 6-foot-1, 224-pound frame. He’d be a complementary piece to an offense that could take a massive leap as quarterback Justin Herbert heads into Year 2 of his career.

Gurley was at one time the league’s best running back, but he has rapidly declined since his knee started giving him issues. But there’s no doubt the former Georgia Bulldog can still provide value to a team and remains very productive in the red zone.

UGA’s fourth all-time leading rusher ran for 678 yards on 195 carries (3.5 avg.) and nine touchdowns, while adding another 164 yards on 25 catches in his one season in Atlanta.

Gurley has battled knee arthritis since his time with the Rams. With L.A., Gurley was one of the best running backs in the NFL. The Tarboro, N.C., native was named offensive rookie of the year in 2015, offensive player of the year in 2017, along with two First-Team All-Pro selections and three Pro Bowl appearances in five seasons.

While Gurley did not produce in Atlanta like he did for the Rams, the Falcons troubles may have contributed to the low numbers. Atlanta ranked 26th in the league in run offense last season. With the right scheme and fit, Gurley could blossom once again.

CBSSports names ideal landing spot for former Georgia RB Todd Gurley

CBS Sports names ideal landing spot for Todd Gurley

There hasve been plenty of discussions this offseason as to where former Georgia running back Todd Gurley, who is currently an NFL free agent, will play during the 2021 season.

CBS Sports’ Tyler Sullivan recently wrote on which team he thinks would be the ideal destination for the former NFL Offensive Player of the Year.

Sullivan named the Los Angeles Chargers as the suggested landing spot for Gurley, who previously spent one year with the Atlanta Falcons in 2020 after playing his full career with the Los Angeles Rams.

This offseason, the Detroit Lions were said to be in pursuit of Gurley, but no deal has yet to be struck. If he doesn’t end up in the Motor City, the Chargers could be a fun landing spot. While Austin Ekeler is the clear No. 1 back, the Chargers may not want him to go in-between the tackles as a bruising back on a week-to-week basis and open him up to injury. That’s where Gurley could come in and provide some relief with his 6-foot-1, 224-pound frame. He’d be a complementary piece to an offense that could take a massive leap as quarterback Justin Herbert heads into Year 2 of his career.

Gurley was at one time the league’s best running back, but he has rapidly declined since his knee started giving him issues. But there’s no doubt the former Georgia Bulldog can still provide value to a team and remains very productive in the red zone.

UGA’s fourth all-time leading rusher ran for 678 yards on 195 carries (3.5 avg.) and nine touchdowns, while adding another 164 yards on 25 catches in his one season in Atlanta.

Gurley has battled knee arthritis since his time with the Rams. With L.A., Gurley was one of the best running backs in the NFL. The Tarboro, N.C., native was named offensive rookie of the year in 2015, offensive player of the year in 2017, along with two First-Team All-Pro selections and three Pro Bowl appearances in five seasons.

While Gurley did not produce in Atlanta like he did for the Rams, the Falcons troubles may have contributed to the low numbers. Atlanta ranked 26th in the league in run offense last season. With the right scheme and fit, Gurley could blossom once again.

Todd Gurley, Justin Houston predicted to sign with same NFL team

Two former Georgia football players are projected to sign with the same NFL team.

The Score’s Jack Browne recently predicted where some of the NFL’s top free agents would sign prior to the start of the 2021 season.

He mentioned two former Georgia Bulldogs in his predictions and projects them to sign with the same team.

That team would be the Baltimore Ravens.

And the players would be Todd Gurley and Justin Houston.

On Gurley, Browne said:

The veteran back has reportedly met with the Detroit Lions and Baltimore Ravens recently, and the latter is a far more preferable landing spot. Baltimore’s depth at the position would allow Gurley to take on a less taxing role, and while his receiving skills have waned, he would still be the best pass-catcher in the AFC North club’s backfield.

Gurley, the former NFL Offensive Player of the Year with the Los Angeles Rams, was at one time the league’s best running back, but he has rapidly declined since his knee started giving him issues. But there’s no doubt that the former Georgia Bulldog can still provide value to a team and remains very productive in the red zone.

Atlanta Falcons running back Todd Gurley (21) warms up before an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints in New Orleans, Sunday, Nov. 22, 2020. (AP Photo/Brett Duke)

If Gurley joins the Ravens, he would pair with superstar quarterback Lamar Jackson and second-year running back and Ohio State great JK Dobbins.

On Houston, Browne wrote:

Once one of the most feared pass-rushers in the NFL, Houston is now in the twilight of his career. But the 32-year-old, who has at least eight sacks in each of the last four seasons, should still be capable of making a significant impact as a secondary option for a contender.

Houston’s other likely options are joining the Ravens or returning to the Chiefs. Both AFC teams have plenty of defensive ends but should be intent on fielding the strongest defense possible to help their star quarterbacks.

Houston appeared in 16 games and recorded 8.0 sacks last season, good enough to rank No. 21 among sack leaders.

Nov 12, 2020; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Indianapolis Colts defensive end Justin Houston (50) and Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor (28) celebrate after a win against the Tennessee Titans at Nissan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports

Houston was an absolute problem for SEC offenses while at Georgia. As a junior in 2010, Houston led all linebackers in sacks with 10 and was named First-Team All-American and First Team All-SEC.

Report: Former Georgia football RB Todd Gurley visits AFC team

ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports that former Georgia football running back Todd Gurley, current NFL free agent, visited with the Baltimore Ravens.

UGA great and current NFL free agent Todd Gurley visited with the Baltimore Ravens on Thursday, per a report from ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

Gurley, the former NFL Offensive Player of the Year with the Los Angeles Rams, was at one time the league’s best running back, but has since rapidly declined after his knee started giving him issues.

But there’s no doubt that the former Georgia Bulldog can still provide value to a team and remains very productive in the red zone.

Gurley, 26, is coming off of a one-year stint with the Atlanta Falcons after spending his first five seasons in the league with the L.A. Rams.

If Gurley is to join the Ravens, he would be pairing up with superstar quarterback Lamar Jackson in Baltimore as well as second year running back and Ohio State great JK Dobbins.

UGA’s fourth all-time leading rusher ran for 678 yards on 195 carries (3.5 avg.) and nine touchdowns, while adding another 164 yards on 25 catches in his one season in Atlanta.

Gurley has battled knee arthritis since his time with the Rams. With L.A., Gurley was one of the best running backs in the NFL. The Tarboro, N.C., native was named offensive rookie of the year in 2015, offensive player of the year in 2017, along with two First-Team All-Pro selections and three Pro Bowl appearances in five seasons.

While Gurley did not produce in Atlanta like he did for the Rams, the Falcons troubles may have contributed to the low numbers. Atlanta ranked 26th in the league in run offense last season. With the right scheme and fit, Gurley could blossom once again.

Report: Ravens, CB Jimmy Smith agree to 1-year extension

Jimmy Smith was set to become a free agent this offseason, but the Ravens are locking him up through 2021.

There was a chance the Baltimore Ravens were going to lose cornerback Jimmy Smith in free agency this offseason, but they’re not going to take a chance of him leaving. According to Adam Schefter of ESPN, the Ravens are signing Smith to a one-year extension worth up to $5 million.

The deal keeps Smith under contract through the 2021 season, so he won’t be hitting the market in March like he was previously scheduled to.

Smith, 32, has spent his entire career with the Ravens since being a first-round pick by Baltimore in 2011. Though he’s never made the Pro Bowl, he’s been a key player in the secondary for a decade, picking off 14 passes and scoring three total touchdowns in 118 games (88 starts).

This season, Smith has played 11 games and started five, recording 27 tackles with one pass defensed. His playing time has been somewhat limited as the third cornerback behind Marlon Humphrey and Marcus Peters, playing 44% of the defensive snaps.