Tag: Tyus Bowser

7 pending free agents most likely to leave Ravens this offseason

The Baltimore Ravens have quite a few big names entering free agency. These are the few that are most likely to leave this offseason.

AS the 2021 NFL offseason gets underway, the Baltimore Ravens will first turn their attention to their own players. With 16 unrestricted free agents set to hit the open market currently, there is plenty of work to be done still.

Under general manager Eric DeCosta, the Ravens have had a clear priority to bring back their own top pending free agents early, allowing them to have a solid core to build off of throughout free agency and the draft. But with a tight wallet thanks to the salary cap being expected to go down for the first time in over a decade, Baltimore will have to either get guys to come back for cheap or be frugal with who they re-sign. That opens up the opportunity for quite a few familiar names to have new homes in 2021.

Let’s take a closer look at the seven Ravens’ pending free agents most likely to leave this offseason.

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.

Ben Roethslisberger’s horrible INT proves (again) that nobody is like Patrick Mahomes

Ben Roethlisberger just learned what we all know: Just because Patrick Mahomes can do it, doesn’t mean that you can.

When Patrick Mahomes lit the Buccaneers’ defense up for 462 passing yards and three passing touchdowns in a 27-24 win last Sunday, one of the more ridiculous throws Mahomes made in the usual gallery of them was this preposterous completion to receiver Mecole Hardman. Here, Mahomes moves to his left, away from his throwing momentum, and goes all Steph Curry with the fadeaway zip for three points.

Halfway through the first quarter of the Steelers-Ravens game that had already been moved from Thanksgiving night to Wednesday after Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday didn’t work due to the Ravens’ COVID outbreak that has 23 players, seven Pro Bowlers, and nine season-opening starters out of this contest, Pittsburgh quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, perhaps inspired by Mahomes’ feats of derring-do, decided to run his own fadeaway jumper.

Neither Mahomes nor Steph Curry would be impressed by the result, as Big Ben threw a cute little balloon in the direction of Ravens linebacker Tyus Bowser, who rejoiced in his early Christmas gift.

Let that be a lesson to every other quarterback in the NFL: Just because Patrick Mahomes can do it, doesn’t mean that you can.

Watch: Ravens’ Tyus Bowser intercepts Steelers’ Ben Roethlisberger in end zone

The Baltimore Ravens and Pittsburgh Steelers finally kicked off after days of delay. Tyus Bowser helped get the Ravens going with an INT

The Baltimore Ravens and Pittsburgh Steelers finally kicked off on Wednesday afternoon and it didn’t take long for big plays to start happening.

After the Ravens turned the ball over on a failed handoff between quarterback Robert Griffin III and running back Gus Edwards in Baltimore territory, the Steelers couldn’t take advantage and came away empty after they decided to go for it on fourth down from the Baltimore one-yard line. After holding the football for too long and with pressure in his face, Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger threw up a prayer in the end zone. Underneath the lame duck of a pass was outside linebacker Tyus Bowser.

Ravens tackle Ronnie Stanley was ecstatic for his teammate but had words for the young defender. Stanley advised Bowser to stay in the end zone next time for the touchback.

Plays like Bowsers’ interception are the kinds of game-changing sequences the Ravens will need in order to win this football game. Being down so many players due to the coronavirus as well as injury, they’ll need to take advantage of mistakes by the Steelers.

WATCH: Ravens LB Tyus Bowser picks off Titans QB Ryan Tannehill

Baltimore Ravens outside linebacker Tyus Bowser has a perfect interception of Tennessee Titans QB Ryan Tannehill in Week 11.

Things haven’t gone the Baltimore Ravens’ way so far against the Tennessee Titans, but a huge defensive play could see the tide begin to turn in their favor.

Leading 7-3 at the time, the Titans faced a 3rd-and-4 on their own 38-yard line. Ryan Tannehill looked for his trusty tight end Jonnu Smith over the middle, but a huge hit saw his pass go astray. Ravens linebacker Tyus Bowser intercepted the pass at the Titans 47 and returned it 25 yards to the 22.

The ensuing drive would fizzle out but Justin Tucker was able to notch a 27-yard field goal, cutting the deficit to 7-6.

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Ravens take 6 players off Reserve/COVID-19 list, including LB Patrick Queen

The Baltimore Ravens got everyone but Marlon Humphrey back from the Reserve/COVID-19 list on Saturday. All are eligible to play Sunday.

The Baltimore Ravens placed eight defenders on the Reserve/COVID-19 list earlier in the week after cornerback Marlon Humphrey tested positive for the virus and seven other players were considered “high-risk close contacts.” As expected, the Ravens got back all but Humphrey by Saturday. All seven players are now eligible to play Sunday against the Indianapolis Colts.

Baltimore activated the following players from the Reserve/COVID-19 list on Saturday, to go along with outside linebacker Matthew Judon’s activation on Thursday:

  • CB Terrell Bonds (restored to the practice squad)
  • OLB Tyus Bowser
  • S DeShon Elliott
  • LB L.J. Fort
  • LB Malik Harrison
  • LB Patrick Queen

The moves will help a Ravens defense that is pretty beat up already. In addition to Humphrey being out of this game, Baltimore placed cornerback Jimmy Smith on the injury report with a questionable designation for Sunday’s game. Added to cornerbacks Iman Marshall, Tavon Young, and Anthony Averett all heading to injured reserve and the Ravens’ defense could use all the help they can get right now.

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Ravens place 7 defensive players on COVID-19/Reserve list

According to ESPN’s Jamison Hensley and The Athletic’s Jeff Zrebiec, the Ravens will place the following seven players on the Reserve/COVID-19 list.

The Baltimore Ravens announced cornerback Marlon Humphrey had tested positive for COVID-19 on Monday. The positive test had actually come back from just before Sunday’s game against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Unfortunately for the Ravens, it was previously reported that six other players had come into close contact with Humphrey as well, which would cause them to go into isolation per the NFL’s COVID-19 protocols.

According to ESPN’s Jamison Hensley and The Athletic’s Jeff Zrebiec, the Ravens will place the following seven players on the Reserve/COVID-19 list.

  • CB Marlon Humphrey
  • CB Terrell Bonds
  • OLB LB Matthew Judon
  • OLB Tyus Bowser
  • LB Patrick Queen
  • LB L.J. Fort
  • LB Malik Harrison
  • S DeShon Elliott

So far, only Humphrey has tested positive for COVID-19, meaning he’ll be out for at least 10 days. The other six players were considered “high-risk close contact” cases and must isolate from the team for a minimum of five days as long as they don’t present any symptoms or test positive over that time.

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While not ideal, there’s a chance all six “close contact” players will be cleared in time for Sunday’s game against the Indianapolis Colts. Unfortunately, there’s also a chance any or all of those players could show symptoms or test positive and Baltimore will be short-handed for Week 9 around its entire defense. When added to the team placing left tackle Ronnie Stanley and right guard Tyre Phillips on injured reserve, there’s a very real chance the Ravens could be missing as many as nine major contributors and starters Sunday.

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CB Tavon Young is back healthy and playing better than ever before

Baltimore Ravens cornerback Tavon Young has been turning heads at training camp after missing all of last season with a neck injury.

The Baltimore Ravens might have the most dangerous secondary in the entire NFL right now. Even though the team just cut Pro Bowl safety Earl Thomas following a fight with fellow safety Chuck Clark, it’s hard to ignore just how deep and impressive the roster is on the backend. What makes the group even more exciting is getting cornerback Tavon Young back healthy and playing at a high level again.

Young missed the entire 2019 season with a neck injury, but he has done nothing but turn heads with his performances in camp so far. Baltimore pass defense coordinator Chris Hewitt said earlier this week that having Young back on the field was like “having another first-round draft pick coming back.”

Speaking to the media on a Zoom call on Tuesday, Ravens head coach John Harbaugh remarked that Young “looked great,” noting that he looked “like he picked up right where he left off before.” Harbaugh also added that he “can’t wait to see him play this year” and believes Young is a “special kind of guy.”

It wasn’t only the coaching staff that had words of praise for Young. Outside linebacker Tyus Bowser also had nothing but good things to say about his returning teammate.

“He has a strong mindset. He has great pride in himself and he’s definitely confident in himself to go out there and come back and be who he is. I feel like he’s even better than what he was before. You can see it out there. He’s playing fast, he’s moving fast, and it’s great to see that. It’s great to see him back on the field. I missed him from these last couple of years. I’m definitely looking forward to this year to see what he can do.”

Defensive end Derek Wolfe is a newer member of the Ravens after coming over from the Denver Broncos this offseason via free agency. But just because Wolfe is a newcomer to the team, he wasn’t shy about what he has seen so far, noting that Young’s ability “is unbelievable” and that “the sky is the limit” for him.

Young certainly seems to be enjoying himself and performing like a top cornerback throughout training camp. He’s stuck to his assigned receivers like glue, according to BaltimoreRavens.com writer Ryan Mink, despite seemingly being outmatched at times physically. Young has beaten bigger guys like tight end Mark Andrews, and faster guys like Marquise Brown, according to Press Box’s Bo Smolka.

If Young can pick up right where he left off, both he and the Ravens will be in good shape. Though Young has missed two of the four years he’s been in the league, he’s been productive when he’s been on the field. In 31 games, Young has come down with three interceptions, four fumble recoveries (including two returned for touchdowns), two sacks, and 90 combined tackles.

Young has also taken a bit of a leadership role as well. After the unfortunate situation with Thomas, Young was quick to point out that the secondary would move on after the unfortunate events of the weekend.

“We all have a tight camaraderie and we’re a tight group. The main thing is communication, and we all have that. Everybody knows the playbook. It’s been cool.”

The Ravens defensive backfield will certainly look a little different in 2020 than it did a year ago. But if Tavon Young can continue in his current vein, that may not be such a bad thing.

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Watch: Tyus Bowser got his mom a new car for her birthday

As has become a tradition of sorts for Baltimore Ravens players, outside linebacker Tyus Bowser surprised his mom with a brand-new car.

Baltimore Ravens players really love their mommas apparently. Several players have taken care of their mothers recently, buying them pretty big gifts. That continued with Ravens outside linebacker Tyus Bowser, who hooked his mom up with a brand new Land Rover for her birthday. Luckily, Bowser videotaped his mother’s reaction for all of us to enjoy as well.

Take a look at the video and photos Bowser posted on Twitter of him surprising his mother with the new vehicle, complete with bow and everything.

Last year, it was wide receiver Marquise Brown, who surprised his mother with not only a new vehicle but a house as well. Right after the 2020 NFL Draft, linebacker Patrick Queen surprised his mom with a new vehicle too. You’ve likely seen players on camera during games, thanking their mothers, but this takes it to a whole new level.

Bowser is in the final year of his rookie deal and if he lives up to expectations this season, he’ll earn a new deal worthy of an upgraded ride for his mom.

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9 Ravens that need to step up in 2020

The Ravens nearly reached the Super Bowl last season but if they want to get over the hump in 2020, they’ll need these nine to step up.

The Baltimore Ravens were so close to a Super Bowl appearance last season. They entered the playoffs as the AFC’s No. 1 seed after putting together a league-leading 14-2 regular-season record. But sadly, what looked to be an unstoppable force ended up getting manhandled and bullied for 60 minutes in the postseason, ending their Super Bowl aspirations well before they could become reality.

Enter the 2020 NFL season, the Ravens are once again expected to compete for Super Bowl LV. They’ve returned nearly all of their starters from last season, including MVP winning quarterback Lamar Jackson. But regardless of how good they look on paper and what expectations are surrounding the team, they’ll need to see a bunch of players step up in 2020 if they actually want to reach Super Bowl LV.

I put together a list of the nine Ravens that need to improve this season and carry the team the last little bit.

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OLB Tyus Bowser

Since the Ravens didn’t address pass rusher at all in the 2020 NFL Draft and only re-signed Pernell McPhee to a one-year deal, Baltimore seems to be putting a lot of hope in their young outside linebacker corps. We already know Matthew Judon can get the job done but behind him is a little more of a mystery, and leading that group is Bowser.

The Ravens have been hoping for Bowser to step up for a few years now and he finally started to become a more consistent player in the second half of last season. But in the final year of his rookie contract, it’s officially put up or shut up time. If Bowser can turn those flashes into consistent play, he should reach near double-digit sacks for Baltimore in 2020. Of course, that could propel him to leaving the Ravens next offseason for a fat contract but it could also be the final piece of the puzzle for Baltimore to win their third Super Bowl since 2000.

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