Tag: RB

RB expects top five gap to take at least half of year to bridge

RB team principal Laurent Mekies believes his team has no chance of bridging the gap to the top five teams before updates arrive later in the season. The opening three races have shown a split in terms of race performance between the top five of Red …

RB team principal Laurent Mekies believes his team has no chance of bridging the gap to the top five teams before updates arrive later in the season.

The opening three races have shown a split in terms of race performance between the top five of Red Bull, Ferrari, McLaren, Mercedes, and Aston Martin, and then the remaining five teams. Yuki Tsunoda’s eighth place at the Australian Grand Prix lifted RB up to sixth overall, but despite out-qualifying both Aston Martins and Lewis Hamilton, Mekies thinks just staying in sixth will be tough.

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“At the moment that gap is too big,” Mekies told RACER. “The first part of the season, you need to forget about it. It will already be a massive fight to stay in the fast part of that midfield group, and I think everything we are going to be able to bring to the car is probably going to be barely enough to stay there.

“So we are gearing for a tough first part of the season, and then hopefully in the second part of the year we are able to bring a little bit more.”

Tsunoda’s result in Melbourne was the first time RB has scored points this year and puts it ahead of Haas based on best finish, with the latter securing a highest of ninth. Mekies says taking advantage of every opportunity is crucial, as he feels the team has shown the qualifying pace to lead the bottom five teams at all three rounds so far.

“It’s clear that with the way the field is right now, with the top five teams quite a long way ahead of the bottom five teams, every point is going to be gold,” he said. “Because if these guys [ahead] don’t have a problem you’re going to finish P11, even if you top your group. So it’s very good to put four points in the bag.

“It was on the edge in Bahrain – were P11 in Bahrain, I think 0.007s from Q3 – and then we got Q3 in Saudi, we got Q3 [in Melbourne], so we are topping that group but with virtually zero margin. It’s on the edge all the time. It’s great for racing, it’s great for fans, and it’s great for us. But I think it’s about nailing every race weekend.

“If you nail the race weekend, you know that you are topping the group. After that, it’s going to be a development race that is going to start now.

“We will have a small update for Japan, I’m sure the other guys will as well, but it’s a combination between that development race and having to nail absolutely everything on the race weekends to be able to go home with some points.”

Ricciardo blocking out negativity as he stays confident of turnaround

Daniel Ricciardo feels that he is on the verge of delivering stronger performances and results because he is feeling so good behind the wheel, despite a tough Australian Grand Prix. The Australian arrived at his home race off the back of a …

Daniel Ricciardo feels that he is on the verge of delivering stronger performances and results because he is feeling so good behind the wheel, despite a tough Australian Grand Prix.

The Australian arrived at his home race off the back of a frustrating start to the year, failing to score in either of the first two races and struggling in Jeddah with his car’s handling. RB teammate Yuki Tsunoda outqualified him comfortably in Saudi Arabia and again in Melbourne — where he went on to finish an impressive seventh — while a Q1 exit limited Ricciardo to 12th, but the 34-year-old insists he’s in a good place to produce better results.

“I came into this weekend really, honestly, deep down believing we were going to have a very, very good weekend,” Ricciardo said. “And in terms of the noise, people tell me, in the media, like ‘so and so said’ and it’s the first I’ve heard. It’s obviously no disrespect to you guys.

“I know that I’m on this little process or journey at the moment, and I just need to focus on myself. If I let any of the noise in, it’s going to kind of distract me from the path I’m on. I think it’s been really good, I haven’t let any of that maybe negative stuff creep in.

“I also understand that I didn’t expect to start the season like this. Budapest last year, I drove the car a day before, and outqualified Yuki and had a really strong race with no knowledge. Having a full pre-season and all that, and all the races last year, I honestly thought that this year, we would start a lot stronger.

“There is that, which I understand not only me but a few people are wondering why. I think the important thing is that I stay on course — it’s not that my head is filled with nonsense or anything. I honestly feel good, and just unfortunately the results haven’t made me feel awesome, but deep down behind the wheel, I do feel good and excited.

“I just want to keep racing. I’m sure I’ll find a bit more in myself, and I still believe maybe we’ll find a little something on the car.”

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Ricciardo also feels that his form is likely to click at the start of a weekend and continue, rather than be the result of a long process of trying to find a bit more pace from this year’s RB.

“I hope so,” he said of a quicker turn of form. “I’m asking the team a lot of questions, and I think we will have some bits and pieces come onto the car in the next one, two races. I expect it to be a pretty quick turnaround, and before you know it, we’ll be doing great again… Nah, I kind of say that jokingly, but I do believe it. So yeah, we’ll hopefully turn it around.”

Star RB Derrick Henry to sign with Baltimore Ravens

Derrick Henry has signed with the Baltimore Ravens, it will be the first time he’s with a team other than the Titans in nearly a decade.

At 30 years old, star running back Derrick Henry will start a new chapter in his NFL career with the Baltimore Ravens. After playing eight seasons in Nashville with the Tennessee Titans, Henry has swapped teams in the AFC.

The former Heisman Trophy recipient was a second-round selection in 2016 by the Titans. He has led the league in carries four times and twice led the NFL in rushing yards and rushing touchdowns.

Though many consider him to be old for his position, he has shown no signs of slowing down, which is surprising considering his style of play is rather physical as a downhill runner. In 2023, he had a league-high 280 carries for 1,167 rushing yards and 2 touchdowns. On top of that, he added 28 receptions for 214 receiving yards, while completing two of three passing attempts for 14 yards and two touchdowns.

Baltimore looks to compete with the elites of the AFC, having one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL in Lamar Jackson. Adding Henry is huge for their quest to build a strong offensive presence that extends beyond Jackson.

The deal, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter is for two years worth up to $20 million with $9 million guaranteed.

Roll Tide Wire will continue to follow Henry and other former Alabama players in the NFL as the 2024 offseason progresses.

Contact/Follow us @RollTideWire on X, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Alabama news, notes and opinion. You can also follow AJ Spurr on X @SpurrFM. 

Josh Jacobs to sign with Green Bay Packers

Josh Jacobs will be making the move from Las Vegas to Green Bay as he plans to sign with the Packers in free agency.

Former Alabama running back Josh Jacobs will be leaving Las Vegas, after spending his entire career with the Raiders. The 2019 first-round selection will be heading to Green Bay, as reports state he will sign with the Packers.

Jacobs is one of the top ball carriers in the NFL and has continued to improve. Green Bay’s offense has pivoted away from quarterback Aaron Rodgers and has moved on to Jordan Love. The new-look offense performed well in 2023 and the addition of Jacobs could make it one to watch out for next season.

Last season, Green Bay utilized running backs AJ Dillon and Aaron Jones. Since this signing, the Packers have released Jones and have not yet decided on the future of impending free agent, Dillon.

Roll Tide Wire will continue to follow Jacobs and other former Alabama players in the NFL as the 2024 offseason heats up.

Contact/Follow us @RollTideWire on X, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Alabama news, notes and opinion. You can also follow AJ Spurr on X @SpurrFM. 

1 pending free agent the Ravens could target from each AFC team

We’re looking at one pending free agent from each AFC team that the Baltimore Ravens could target

Free agency is about two weeks away, and the Baltimore Ravens have several players set to hit the open market. General manager Eric DeCosta has to make crucial decisions to fill roster holes.

While DeCosta will likely look to the free agent market for answers, several in-house free agents are candidates to sign an extension ahead of free agency.

But there are also many of them, including some of Baltimore’s higher-profile free agents, likely on the way out.

With the NFL combine set to wrap up and the new league year just eight days away, we’re looking at one pending free agent the Ravens could target from each AFC club.

10 running backs for the Ravens to watch at the 2024 NFL combine

We’re looking at ten running backs for the Baltimore Ravens to watch during the 2024 NFL Scouting Combine

Running back depth is a massive priority for the Ravens, and that’ll be the position to watch on Saturday at the NFL Scouting Combine.

Eric DeCosta is looking to retool the roster following Baltimore’s heartbreaking AFC Championship loss to Kansas City.

Baltimore has three free-agent running backs, and Keaton Mitchell rehabbing a torn ACL.

With Day 3 of on-field workouts set to begin, we’re looking at ten running backs for the Ravens to watch.

10 running backs for the Eagles to watch at the 2024 NFL Combine

We’re looking at ten running backs for the Philadelphia Eagles to watch during the 2024 NFL Scouting Combine

Running back depth is a massive priority for the Eagles, and that’ll be the position to watch on Saturday at the NFL Scouting Combine.

Howie Roseman is looking to retool the roster following Philadelphia’s historic collapse, finishing the season 1-6 after a 10-1 start.

Philadelphia has three free-agent running backs, and Kenneth Gainwell has done nothing to show that he can be an every-down, starting running back.

With Day 3 of on-field workouts set to begin, we’re looking at ten running backs for Philadelphia to watch.

REPORT: Raiders, Jacobs ‘inching towards a deal’ as NFL free agency looms

Recent reports reflect that the Las Vegas Raiders and star RB Josh Jacobs are making progress on a deal to avoid free agency.

Former Alabama running back Josh Jacobs will not be franchise-tagged by the Las Vegas Raiders over the 2024 offseason after playing last season under the tag. Though this would allow the star running back to test free agency, there’s a chance the team can sign him to a new deal before he gets the opportunity.

According to a recent report from Tony Pauline of SportsKeeda, there has been some progress from both sides.

“Word late Tuesday night was the Las Vegas Raiders and running back Josh Jacobs were inching their way towards a deal which will keep the former first-round pick with the team,” writes Pauline. “Nothing is imminent but there’s a lot riding on the line – not only for the Raiders and Jacobs but also for the rest of the class of potential free-agent running backs.”

Jacobs, who was a first-round selection by the Raiders in 2019, had a rather limited season in 2023 after having a strong 2022. Last season, he played in 13 games and totaled 805 rushing yards and six rushing touchdowns on 233 carries. He also managed to add 296 receiving yards on 37 receptions, though he was targeted 54 times.

Despite the lackluster numbers, Jacobs remains one of the best running backs in the league and should warrant a quality contract. As the March 13 start to free agency inches closer, the clock starts to tick a little bit faster on the negotiations.

The Raiders need to decide whether they want to give him a deal Jacobs is happy with to lock him down, or if they want to go a different route and possibly draft a ball-carrier. For Jacobs, he’s clearly interested in staying with the team; but should he be able to meet with other teams, there would surely be serious interest from around the league, including some from contenders looking for a game-changing running back.

Roll Tide Wire will continue to follow Josh Jacobs and other former Alabama players in the NFL throughout the 2024 offseason.

Contact/Follow us @RollTideWire on X, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Alabama news, notes and opinion. You can also follow AJ Spurr on X @SpurrFM. 

WATCH: Derrick Henry speaks directly to Titans fans ahead of free agency

Derrick Henry may not be returning to the Tennessee Titans after 8 years in Nashville. He speaks directly to the fans.

After eight amazing seasons in Nashville with the Tennessee Titans, Derrick Henry says goodbye to fans. Well, not actually, it just really seemed like it.

After the Titans defeated the Jacksonville Jaguars at home in Week 18 of the regular season, Henry made sure to grab the stadium microphone and thank his fans for the time he’s spent with the franchise.

The former Heisman Trophy recipient will soon hit free agency, where it’s possible that he could return to Tennessee, but not likely. The Titans have liked what they’ve seen from Tyjae Spears and, like many other NFL teams, are weary of giving a high-priced contract to a running back among the oldest in the league.

Concerns regarding running backs and aging have to deal with injury history, wear on the body and contract price compared to extremely young, or rookie, running backs.

Henry, however, has shown minimal signs of slowing down over the years. He’s still the same hard-hitting, stiff-arm-threatening running back that defenders ought to fear. Look at Raheem Mostert, the 31-year-old Dolphins running back is still one of the fastest in the league and scored 18 touchdowns this season.

No matter where Henry ends up, the team should use him as a feature back. You can see the video of him thanking the team and its fans in the post below.

Roll Tide Wire will continue to follow former Alabama players now in the NFL.

Contact/Follow us @RollTideWire on X, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Alabama news, notes and opinion. You can also follow AJ Spurr on X @SpurrFM. 

Ravens’ 16-man practice squad prediction ahead of final roster cuts

Baltimore #Ravens 16-man practice squad prediction ahead of final roster cutdowns via @Thacover2NFL

The Ravens are counting down to the Tuesday afternoon deadline in which the organization will have to trim their roster down to 53 players, with a 16-man practice squad to be formed hours afterward.

With recent changes to the practice squad, NFL teams are able to utilize a farm system of versatile players to interchange weekly based on injury, opponent, or roster manipulation.

Of the 16 players allowed on Baltimore’s practice squad, ten have to be rookies or second-year players, while the remaining six have no limitations (veterans).

With the Ravens set for a Monday morning practice, here’s our final prediction for the team’s 16-man practice squad.