Latest news with #BaltimoreRavens
USA Today
2 hours ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Zay Flowers still believes he needs to prove himself in the Ravens' offense
Zay Flowers' message couldn't have been any more clear. Not every wide receiver who enters the NFL will reach the same heights as Jerry Rice, and that's perfectly fine. NFL legends achieve their status for a reason. This raises the question: How can a team like the Baltimore Ravens find another standout receiver, or at the very least, identify the best option for their roster? Well, here's the thing. Roster-building isn't an exact science. It requires some ingenuity, cap balancing, and, of course, a little luck. Every first-round draft choice won't pan out, but in the Ravens' case, they hit the bullseye with Zay Flowers' selection in 2023. In each of Flowers' first two NFL seasons, he has improved, and that's all that you can ask for. His sophomore campaign brought with it a Pro Bowl designation. Heading into year three, Baltimore is a legitimate favorite to win it all, and their star wideout wants more. While speaking with media members after a recent training camp practice, he shared a personal goal he has set for himself during the coming season. He wants to continue his evolution and transform into a more effective leader. 'D-Hop' is, of course, DeAndre Hopkins. 'Bate' is, of course, Rashod Bateman. Hopkins is eight years Flowers' senior. Bateman has the Raven by just under ten months, so when Flowers says he is looking to lead, he's telling a mouthful. Statistically, it seems he has already. Flowers has led Baltimore's high-powered aerial attack in targets, catches, and receiving yards over the two most recent seasons. If he becomes more vocal in the locker room, he'll add another component to his already-extraordinary game. Flowers isn't playing around this season. Neither are his teammates. One goal is on everyone's mind, and that's hoisting the Vince Lombardi Trophy. They have the culture to do so. They most certainly have the roster. Can they get it done? It seems no one can stop them except themselves.
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Ravens' Isaiah Likely carted off with small foot fracture, Week 1 return possible
Tight end Isaiah Likely was carted off at the end of Baltimore Ravens training camp practice Tuesday after what was initially reported as an ankle injury. Turns out, Likely sustained a small fracture in his foot, and will miss multiple weeks while recovering from the issue, according to ESPN. The Baltimore Banner's Jonas Shaffer reported that Likely went down on the last rep of 1-on-1s. When the injury was initially reported as an ankle issue, Ravens head coach John Harbaugh told reporters that he expects Likely to be out "a few weeks" and that Likely will have an MRI on Wednesday. "We'll know tomorrow," Harbaugh said, per Hensley. Despite news of a small fracture, Likely is essentially on the same timeline. A Week 1 return is possible for the tight end. Likely, 25, is in his fourth season with Baltimore, which selected him in the fourth round of the 2022 draft. He's complemented star Mark Andrews in a tight end-friendly, 12-personnel-heavy Ravens offense, making 19 regular-season starts across his first three years in the league while catching at least 30 passes each of those seasons. The Coastal Carolina product is coming off the most productive season of his young career. Although the Ravens' 2024 campaign began with him barely missing out on a toe-tapping, and potentially-game-tying touchdown in a road defeat to the Kansas City Chiefs, Likely notched single-season personal bests in receptions (42), receiving yards (477) and receiving touchdowns (6). He made a career-high nine regular-season starts and dropped only one pass, according to Pro Football Focus. In two playoff games, he combined for seven receptions, 126 receiving yards and a touchdown. In both of those postseason outings — the first a wild-card win over the Pittsburgh Steelers, the next a divisional-round loss to the Buffalo Bills — he logged three or more catches and 50-plus receiving yards. His touchdown came with 1:33 left in the fourth quarter of the Bills game and gave the Ravens a chance to tie things up. But Andrews dropped a pass from two-time league MVP Lamar Jackson on the subsequent two-point attempt, and the Ravens fell, 27-25. When Andrews missed significant time with an ankle injury amid the 2023 season, Likely stepped into a bigger role. During the seven games Andrews was sidelined, Likely averaged 44.3 offensive snaps per game, per PFF. In that span, which included a divisional-round win over the Houston Texans, he caught 23 passes for 356 yards and 6 touchdowns. Likely is in the final year of his rookie contract. He's the Ravens' TE2, but he's proved how capable he is of leading a tight end room. The Ravens hope and expect he'll return to the field soon.
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Malaki Starks has a history of practicing with Ravens' offensive coordinator Todd Monken
Team camaraderie, that's what the Baltimore Ravens are built upon. So much so that even rookie defensive back Malaki Starks and offensive coordinator Todd Monken had ties before joining the franchise. In 2022, Monken was running his strategies as offensive coordinator for the Georgia Bulldogs and Starks was on the opposite side of the ball doing reps versus Monken's scheme. The tandem actually yielded a 2022 NCAA Championship as the Bulldogs defeated TCU 65-7 on Jan 9, 2022. It definitely helps to know that Starks gets to practice versus an offense that was No. 1 in rush yards per game and eclipsed 4,000 passing yards in 2024. Starks recently called Monken 'the best offensive coordinator in the game' during a press conference at training camp last week. Both Monken and Starks are passionate students of the game. Deferring praise, and offering thought, Starks has downplayed the accolades all-pro safety Kyle Hamilton has given him. Starks would rather walk in humility, and wait for an opportunity to prove himself on the field. General Manager Eric DeCosta has continued to make the right decision, appointing ideal personnel to accommodate players and mesh with the team identity. Starks and Monken are staple pieces that will help mold the infrastructure of the franchise in the new era. This article originally appeared on Ravens Wire: Malaki Starks has history practicing with Ravens' OC Todd Monken
USA Today
2 hours ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Malaki Starks has a history of practicing with Ravens' offensive coordinator Todd Monken
Malaki Starks and Todd Monken have former NCAAF ties. Team camaraderie, that's what the Baltimore Ravens are built upon. So much so that even rookie defensive back Malaki Starks and offensive coordinator Todd Monken had ties before joining the franchise. In 2022, Monken was running his strategies as offensive coordinator for the Georgia Bulldogs and Starks was on the opposite side of the ball doing reps versus Monken's scheme. The tandem actually yielded a 2022 NCAA Championship as the Bulldogs defeated TCU 65-7 on Jan 9, 2022. It definitely helps to know that Starks gets to practice versus an offense that was No. 1 in rush yards per game and eclipsed 4,000 passing yards in 2024. Starks recently called Monken 'the best offensive coordinator in the game' during a press conference at training camp last week. Both Monken and Starks are passionate students of the game. Deferring praise, and offering thought, Starks has downplayed the accolades all-pro safety Kyle Hamilton has given him. Starks would rather walk in humility, and wait for an opportunity to prove himself on the field. General Manager Eric DeCosta has continued to make the right decision, appointing ideal personnel to accommodate players and mesh with the team identity. Starks and Monken are staple pieces that will help mold the infrastructure of the franchise in the new era.
CBS News
12 hours ago
- Sport
- CBS News
Baltimore Ravens' John Harbaugh comments on shooting at New York City office building
Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh commented on the shooting that killed four people inside a New York City building that houses the NFL headquarters, calling it a "horrific attack." The shooting happened Monday evening when a 27-year-old man who was apparently targeting the NFL offices entered the building and opened fire with a high-powered rifle, according to police. An NYPD officer who was in uniform working a private security job was shot and killed. The three other people killed in the shooting include a security guard in the lobby and employees at Rudin Management and Blackstone, according to CBS News. "Our hearts go out to the victims of the horrific attack and people of New York, many of whom were simply working hard to support their families," Harbaugh said on Tuesday. "We stand with everyone affected and send out deepest condolences to the victims of this senseless act." "We thank our police and first responders for their heroic efforts," Harbaugh added. New York City Mayor Eric Adams addressed the shooting on "CBS Mornings" on Tuesday, saying police found a note from the gunman appearing to blame his own traumatic head injury on the National Football League. According to CBS News, the mayor said the gunman appeared to have attempted to target the NFL offices located inside the Park Avenue tower, but used the wrong elevator and ended up on a different floor. "It's just a horrific, sad thing," Harbaugh said after the Ravens ended practice on Tuesday. "I'm very disappointed. Our prayers are with the people of New York, especially the people in that building." CBS News obtained images of a note found in the gunman's wallet that suggested he thought he had CTE, or chronic traumatic encephalopathy, a brain disease caused by repeated trauma to the head. "Study my brain, please," the note read. "I'm sorry." The gunman also appeared to accuse the NFL of hiding the dangers of CTE, according to CBS News.
