Tag: ravens news

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.

Ravens’ Earl Thomas posts video of play that got him kicked out of practice

Earl Thomas took the blame for the blown coverage in his Instagram post.

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Ravens safety Earl Thomas was sent home from practice on Friday following a fight with his teammate, Chuck Clark. The incident occurred after Clark called Thomas out on the field for a busted coverage, which Thomas took exception to.

He threw a punch at Clark and was sent home before the altercation spiraled even further out of control. Thomas wasn’t present at practice on Saturday, either, and his status with the team is currently up in the air.

He responded to the situation on Instagram by sharing a video clip of the play before the fight happened. Thomas took the blame for the blown coverage, which led to a touchdown. The veteran safety can be seen throwing his helmet to the turf out of frustration after the catch was made.

View this post on Instagram

Being sent home sucks I can’t take the reps I need to keep momentum going .. but I can reflect on things and keep working my plan to help the team win… This has been one of of my best camps crazy a situation like this can through dirt on it.. Here is the clip that started the fight .. A mental error on my part .. A Busted coverage that I tried to explain calmly meet with built up aggression turned into me getting into with a teammate .. Since we didn’t keep it in house and I’m getting text and calls from ESPN reporters etc : thought I’d try and clear the air .. situations like this narrow my window for error but this the path I choose.. #Footballschool #TrainingCamp #SkinwhatCat #Focused 😈

A post shared by Earl Thomas III (@earl) on

According to Mike Garafolo of NFL Network, it’s unclear if Thomas will ever be back in the Ravens’ facility again. Everything is on the table for the Ravens, including cutting Thomas.

The Ravens signed Thomas to a four-year, $55 million contract last offseason, which includes $32 million guaranteed.

Ravens safety Earl Thomas responds to alleged altercation with wife

TMZ reported Baltimore Ravens safety Earl Thomas was involved in an altercation with his wife. He responded in a video.

A report from TMZ on Thursday night alleges that Ravens safety Earl Thomas was held at gunpoint by his wife, Nina Thomas, after an April 13 altercation involving several people.

Thomas took to Instagram before the report was released in an attempt to get ahead of the news.

“I guess I’ll be on TMZ in the morning,” he wrote on the video caption. “Somehow they got a police report with details … Obviously this is not how I wanted my birthday breakfast to start out or my birthday but it is what it is ..”

Thomas signed with the Ravens last offseason on a four-year, $55 million deal. He posted two interceptions and four pass breakups in 15 games.

Ex-Georgia DE, Last Chance U’s Chauncey Rivers signs UDFA deal

Ex Georgia football player Chauncey Rivers, known for his appearance on Netflix’s Last Chance U, has signed an undrafted free agent deal.

Ex-Georgia defensive lineman Chauncey Rivers, a 4-star recruit in the class of 2015 out of Stone Mountain, has signed an undrafted free agent deal with the Baltimore Ravens.

After being arrested on marijuana charges for the third time in seven months, Rivers was dismissed from the Georgia program in May of his freshman year.

He transferred to East Mississippi Community College, where he was featured on season two of Netflix’s Last Chance U and played under coach Buddy Stephens.

After his time at EMCC, he transferred to Mississippi State. Rivers sat out the 2017 season due to being academically ineligible. In 2018 at Mississippi State, Rivers played in all 13 games for the Bulldogs.

In 2019, Rivers started every game at defensive end.