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New York Times
a day ago
- Business
- New York Times
A bulked-up Odafe Oweh enters pivotal season for Ravens with big goals
OWINGS MILLS, Md. — The disappointment of the Ravens again falling short of their ultimate goal lingered. But there was another thought outside linebacker Odafe Oweh couldn't shake as he tried to digest Baltimore's 27-25 divisional-round playoff loss to the Buffalo Bills in January. He should have done more. He needed to do more. Advertisement The Ravens had just one shared sack of Josh Allen. Worse yet, for a team that prides itself on winning up front, the Ravens allowed the Bills to rush for 147 yards and three touchdowns. In a quiet end to the best season of his young career, Oweh finished the game with just one tackle, a first-quarter stop of Ty Johnson eight yards downfield. 'We didn't have the outing — at least, I didn't have the outing I wanted, so I thought a lot of that had to do with my weight and being able to be stout in certain positions,' Oweh said after the Ravens' second organized team activity last week. 'As soon as the season was done, I went to Miami, started eating, lifting and then gaining weight.' The results were noticeable. Oweh reported to OTAs at a bulked-up 265 pounds, 20 over his playing weight from last year. It was all part of the 26-year-old's plan to add more of a power element to his pass-rush repertoire that has relied heavily on speed and explosiveness. Much is riding on the plan. The Ravens need the 2021 first-round pick to take another step forward and become a weekly difference-maker on a defense that can't afford to repeat last year's slow start or tepid finish in Buffalo. Oweh is entering a contract year coming off a career-high 10-sack regular season. He believes there's another level he can get to that would put him among the NFL's elite edge rushers. If that happens in 2025, Oweh can pretty much name his price as a pending free agent ascending toward the prime of his career. 'I'm just trying to be the best player for the team,' Oweh said. 'I would be crazy to say (contract status) is not something a little bit in the back of my mind, but every year, I try to get better, try to be better than I was last year. To be honest, that's really what I'm focused on. I know if I do that, it's going to take care of itself.' Advertisement The Ravens appear to be open to extending Oweh, but there's been no indication the two sides have created any traction toward a long-term deal. In a way, Baltimore protected itself if Oweh departs next March by using a second-round pick on Marshall outside linebacker Mike Green, who was viewed as one of the best pure pass rushers in the draft but fell because of character concerns. Like Oweh, veteran outside linebacker Kyle Van Noy and 2022 second-round pick David Ojabo are also entering contract years. However, the Ravens will still have Green, 2023 fourth-round pick Tavius Robinson and 2024 third-round pick Adisa Isaac under contract beyond the upcoming season. Extending Oweh would provide stability for a young, homegrown position group that's annually been an offseason focus and keep a key defensive piece in the fold. Yet, the salary cap-challenged Ravens can't keep everyone, and Oweh is an interesting case. He totaled just eight sacks in 2022 and 2023, struggled to finish plays and battled consistency issues. After being one of only 17 players in the NFL last year to finish with double-digit sacks, will Oweh continue to evolve as a pass rusher and build off the 2024 breakout? Or do the Ravens believe last season represented Oweh's ceiling, or pretty close to it, as a player? Ravens coach John Harbaugh certainly liked what he saw last week. 'I'm just really happy with Odafe right now, in terms of what he's done in the last three months,' Harbaugh said. 'He looks good. He's put on 12 or 15 pounds of muscle. He's worked really hard. He's just very determined to be really great.' Ravens officials have seen the movie before. It stars a homegrown pass rusher who has a monster contract year and ultimately prices himself out of a Baltimore return. Paul Kruger did it in 2012, registering nine sacks for the Super Bowl champs after getting just 6 1/2 over his first three seasons. He earned a five-year, $40.5 million contract from the Cleveland Browns. Advertisement Pernell McPhee did it in 2014 with a career-high 7 1/2 sacks — he totaled 9 1/2 over his first three NFL seasons — and parlayed that into a five-year, $40 million pact with the Chicago Bears. Za'Darius Smith's 8 1/2 sacks in 2018, three more than his previous career high, led to a four-year, $66.5 million contract with the Green Bay Packers. With a double-digit sack season already on his resume and a reputation as a solid edge setter, Oweh already figures to be coveted on the free-agent market if he gets there. However, improving on last year's output will likely make him one of the top 2026 free agents. 'He's definitely humble and soft spoken, but he's moving with a chip on his shoulder right now,' said Lance Deane, a pro trainer who specializes in pass rushers and recently started working with Oweh. 'He wants to be considered an elite guy. I think he feels like he belongs. That's the legacy he's looking to chase, to be in that elite conversation. He thinks he's an elite talent, and he wants to show that to the world.' Deane has worked with Oweh's former Penn State teammate, Dallas Cowboys star Micah Parsons, and the Nittany Lions' most recent first-round pass rusher, Abdul Carter. In Oweh, he sees all the qualities of a dynamic NFL edge rusher. 'If he was a quarterback, he'd be considered a dual threat — the physicality and athleticism combined,' Deane said. 'That makes him a scary opponent for a lot of guys. His ability to win physically, but athletically as well. There's guys in this league that possess one of those and other guys that possess the other. There are not too many guys that are able to possess both at a high level. He has the potential to be that caliber of player.' That vision is essentially what Oweh had in mind when he headed south shortly after the conclusion of the Ravens' 2024 season. Down in Miami, he ate and worked out and repeated that pattern over and over again. 'It actually wasn't good food,' Oweh said. 'It was a lot of nasty meal prep — dry chicken, Brussels sprouts, asparagus. It did the job.' Advertisement The goal was to get bigger and stronger while not losing the speed, explosiveness and athleticism that made him a first-round draft pick in the first place. That's a delicate balance that all NFL players must navigate. Oweh, who has a lot at stake this year, understands that. He also knows there will be second-guessing if he comes out and looks sluggish and lacks the explosiveness off the edge. However, he's long believed that he needs to add more diversity to his game. To him, the playoff loss in Buffalo reaffirmed that point. 'I'm kind of power-savvy, too, with my rush, so I could build off that more,' Oweh said. 'Then, like I said, when I try to dip and bring the rip up, I'll be more solid and stout in that. 'I was always trying to keep my speed, but my speed hasn't diminished. That was always something that was looming in my mind. I guess it's the way you train to keep the muscle, and then obviously, when you're building muscles, be able to make sure you can be mobile with it.' Oweh acknowledged the level of contact allowed in OTAs hasn't necessarily provided the best proving ground for his new physique, but he still feels quick, and he's as big and strong as he's ever been. Deane said the first sign that players have sacrificed quickness to add bulk is body stiffness, and he hasn't noticed that from Oweh, who incorporated a lot of 'twitch-type' exercises in his workout regimen and still focused on explosive movements. Harbaugh can see a scenario where a bulked-up Oweh becomes a more 'direct rusher,' meaning he won't always need to rely on beating an offensive tackle with his speed off the edge. He'll have the ability to use his power and bull rush to go through offensive tackles and take a more direct route to the quarterback. 'My goal for him is to be All-Pro,' Harbaugh said. 'Go be the best, be the best in the business. That's tough, because there's a lot of good players playing his position, but that's the way he sees himself. Let's go for it.'
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Analyst Predicts Former First-Rounder as Eagles 'X-Factor'
Analyst Predicts Former First-Rounder as Eagles 'X-Factor' originally appeared on Athlon Sports. It has only taken two playoff runs, but Nolan Smith has quickly become one of the best playoff performers in Philadelphia Eagles history. Advertisement The Georgia product has recorded 4.5 sacks in the playoffs, including 3.5 during the team's postseason run to Super Bowl LIX. That is just a single sack behind Brandon Graham all-time in Eagles history. Going into the 2025 season, the Eagles can't just rely on Smith in the postseason. After an offseason where several edge rushers left the team, Philadelphia is expecting a major jump from Smith in his third year with the team. That is why Pro Football Focus' Max Chadwick and Dalton Wasserman called Smith the Eagles' "X-Factor" for the new year. "Philadelphia lost longtime contributors Josh Sweat and Brandon Graham this offseason, which puts third-year man Nolan Smith in the spotlight off the edge," Chadwick and Wasserman wrote. "Smith posted a solid 68.3 PFF pass-rush grade last season as he began to earn more playing time. In Philadelphia's four postseason games, he racked up 19 pressures and four sacks. Advertisement "If he can produce at that level for a full season, the Eagles will have no problem replacing their departed stars." Smith recorded a strong 6.5 sacks last year while improving as an every-down run defender. ... so it is not all just about individual numbers. But he is a first-round talent. And he now has a track record in the clutch. Will Nolan Smith be able to take the next step as a star? That's something the Eagles are hoping for as they begin their title defense. Related: Eagles Heavy Favorite To Snap Strange Sports Streak Related: Eagles A.J. Brown Makes Hilarious Admission After Viral Rollercoaster Experience This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on May 30, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Former Chiefs QB Sends Clear Message on Patrick Mahomes, Josh Allen
Former Chiefs QB Sends Clear Message on Patrick Mahomes, Josh Allen originally appeared on Athlon Sports. Since being selected by the Buffalo Bills in the 2018 NFL Draft, quarterback Josh Allen has led the team to a total of six playoff appearances, five consecutive division titles, seven postseason victories and two conference championship game appearances. Advertisement As far as personal accolades, Allen was named NFL MVP this past season, selected as an All-Pro twice (2020, 2024), and selected to the Pro Bowl three times (2020, 2022, 2024). One of the few things Allen hasn't achieved during his tenure with the Bills is a trip to the Super Bowl. Chase Daniel, co-host for FOX Sports' "The Facility" on FS1 and former Chiefs backup quarterback, stated the obstacle for both Allen and Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes on his show Friday. According to Starcade Media, Daniel believes Mahomes is the biggest obstacle to himself and Allen. Daniel may have a point about Allen's obstacle. Although Allen and the Bills are 4-1 in regular-season matchups with Mahomes and the Chiefs, they are 0-4 in playoff games against them. Advertisement In their first playoff matchup, the 2020 AFC Championship game, the Bills jumped out to a 9-0 lead but allowed 21 straight points before losing 38-24. The following year, in the AFC Divisional Round, Allen threw his fourth touchdown pass with 13 seconds remaining to give the Bills a 36-33 lead. Mahomes quickly drove his team down the field to set up a game-tying field goal. The Chiefs won the coin toss, and Mahomes found Travis Kelce for an eight-yard touchdown to win the game in overtime 42-36. Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) greets Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17).Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images Their third playoff match-up, a 2023 AFC Divisional Round game, saw the Bills lose again, 27-24, despite Allen's one TD pass and two rushing TDs. Bills kicker Tyler Bass missed a potential game-tying field goal from 44 yards out, allowing the Chiefs to run out the remaining 1:47 for the win. Advertisement Finally, in this year's AFC Championship Game on January 27, Mahomes led the Chiefs to another Super Bowl appearance with a 32-29 victory. Allen threw a fourth-quarter TD reception to help tie the game, only to have Mahomes lead the Chiefs down the field to set up a go-ahead field goal. Related: Chiefs WR's Change in Physical Appearance Catches Attention This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on May 31, 2025, where it first appeared.
CBS News
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- CBS News
Mark Andrews reflects on his costly playoff drop, looks for redemption with the Ravens
The Baltimore Ravens made plenty of mistakes in their loss at Buffalo in last season's playoffs. The final one belonged to Mark Andrews, who let a tying 2-point conversion pass slip through his hands. It's not an easy thing to get over. "It's tough. This is my life," Andrews said Wednesday. "I put a lot of work into this and everything I do is kind of focused on that. Everything I think about is focused on that, and so it wasn't the way that I had planned it, but that's all part of the story." Andrews didn't talk to local reporters after the season ended, and this was his first post-practice availability. There was some question as to whether he'd be back with Baltimore, given his contract situation and the team's depth at tight end, but the 29-year-old Andrews is still with the Ravens, eyeing his eighth season. Before the drop against Buffalo, it had been another productive season for Andrews, who caught a career-high 11 touchdown passes and played in all 17 regular-season games for the first time since 2021. Like most of Baltimore's core, he has little left to prove in the regular season. The big question looking forward is whether the Ravens can avoid the types of self-inflicted issues that have derailed potential Super Bowl runs in the past — and Andrews is certainly under more scrutiny now. "That's the thing about sports is that it doesn't always fall your way," he said. "It doesn't always go your way, but it's how you bounce back." For Andrews, that's meant leaning on family and others in his circle. "Really just surrounded myself with good people, not look at the outside noise and look myself in the mirror obviously, and just know the type of player that I am, know the type of work that I put in, and, as a professional, it's all about being able to move past it," Andrews said. "But storing that in the memory bank and understanding that this is not the end. This is something that I'm going to work with, I'm going to get better and improve and move on." The Ravens didn't have too many significant losses in free agency this offseason, especially once they retained left tackle Ronnie Stanley. A year from now, however, the roster could look a lot different, especially at tight end. Andrews, Isaiah Likely and Charlie Kolar all have expiring contracts this season. With the 25-year-old Likely producing quite a bit himself, Andrews could become expendable. "I focus on myself and this team and let all the other stuff deal however it's going to be dealt with, but I'm extremely excited to be here," Andrews said. "This is an incredible organization. I'm very thankful to be here for my eighth year." Likely sounds particularly glad to have Andrews back. "I have to tell everybody, that's big brother. I'm glad everybody's speculation has died down, and I finally have to give him a hug when he came in because we're finally back at it, finally back on the turf together," Likely said. "He's been teaching me since I got here, since I stepped foot (into) being a Raven. From run game, pass game, how to watch film, how to take care of my body and really just take care of every moment in the league. So, I'm glad to have him back." At the tight end position and elsewhere, the Ravens still have a wealth of talent. It's a team that hopes postseason failures of the past will finally stay in the past. "It's learning from mistakes, and the beautiful thing is everybody that's here — we have a lot of guys that are coming back from last year and the year before, and obviously in the years past — so we've been able to learn a lot," Andrews said. "Obviously, I wish we didn't have to go through that again last year, but we've added a lot of guys, too. A lot of guys that are flying around, and this team is incredibly stacked with incredible players."
Associated Press
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Associated Press
Mark Andrews reflects on his costly playoff drop, looks for redemption with the Ravens
OWINGS MILLS, Md. (AP) — The Baltimore Ravens made plenty of mistakes in their loss at Buffalo in last season's playoffs. The final one belonged to Mark Andrews, who let a tying 2-point conversion pass slip through his hands. It's not an easy thing to get over. 'It's tough. This is my life,' Andrews said Wednesday. 'I put a lot of work into this and everything I do is kind of focused on that. Everything I think about is focused on that, and so it wasn't the way that I had planned it, but that's all part of the story.' Andrews didn't talk to local reporters after the season ended, and this was his first post-practice availability. There was some question as to whether he'd be back with Baltimore, given his contract situation and the team's depth at tight end, but the 29-year-old Andrews is still with the Ravens, eyeing his eighth season. Before the drop against Buffalo, it had been another productive season for Andrews, who caught a career-high 11 touchdown passes and played in all 17 regular-season games for the first time since 2021. Like most of Baltimore's core, he has little left to prove in the regular season. The big question looking forward is whether the Ravens can avoid the types of self-inflicted issues that have derailed potential Super Bowl runs in the past — and Andrews is certainly under more scrutiny now. 'That's the thing about sports is that it doesn't always fall your way,' he said. 'It doesn't always go your way, but it's how you bounce back.' For Andrews, that's meant leaning on family and others in his circle. 'Really just surrounded myself with good people, not look at the outside noise and look myself in the mirror obviously, and just know the type of player that I am, know the type of work that I put in, and, as a professional, it's all about being able to move past it,' Andrews said. 'But storing that in the memory bank and understanding that this is not the end. This is something that I'm going to work with, I'm going to get better and improve and move on.' The Ravens didn't have too many significant losses in free agency this offseason, especially once they retained left tackle Ronnie Stanley. A year from now, however, the roster could look a lot different, especially at tight end. Andrews, Isaiah Likely and Charlie Kolar all have expiring contracts this season. With the 25-year-old Likely producing quite a bit himself, Andrews could become expendable. 'I focus on myself and this team and let all the other stuff deal however it's going to be dealt with, but I'm extremely excited to be here,' Andrews said. 'This is an incredible organization. I'm very thankful to be here for my eighth year.' Likely sounds particularly glad to have Andrews back. 'I have to tell everybody, that's big brother. I'm glad everybody's speculation has died down, and I finally have to give him a hug when he came in because we're finally back at it, finally back on the turf together,' Likely said. 'He's been teaching me since I got here, since I stepped foot (into) being a Raven. From run game, pass game, how to watch film, how to take care of my body and really just take care of every moment in the league. So, I'm glad to have him back.' At the tight end position and elsewhere, the Ravens still have a wealth of talent. It's a team that hopes postseason failures of the past will finally stay in the past. 'It's learning from mistakes, and the beautiful thing is everybody that's here — we have a lot of guys that are coming back from last year and the year before, and obviously in the years past — so we've been able to learn a lot,' Andrews said. 'Obviously, I wish we didn't have to go through that again last year, but we've added a lot of guys, too. A lot of guys that are flying around, and this team is incredibly stacked with incredible players.' ___ AP NFL:
