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New York Times
a day ago
- Entertainment
- New York Times
Ravens, DeAndre Hopkins are enjoying getting to know one another
OWINGS MILLS, Md. — Baltimore Ravens quarterback Cooper Rush was trying to get the ball to veteran wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins just inside the end zone, but cornerback Jalyn Armour-Davis got his left hand on the pass and knocked it away. Hopkins immediately looked back toward Rush, who was taking first-team reps with Lamar Jackson not at Tuesday's voluntary organized team activity, and motioned for him to put more air under the ball. He wanted an opportunity to elevate over Armour-Davis and make the catch. Advertisement Hopkins has 984 receptions over 12 NFL regular seasons, establishing himself as one of the best receivers of his generation. When the Ravens signed Hopkins to a one-year, $5 million deal in March, they praised his reliable hands and ability to make spectacular catches look routine. But they've learned more about Hopkins since OTAs began last week. Coach John Harbaugh took note of Hopkins' willingness as a blocker during an OTA practice. Offensive coordinator Todd Monken spoke Tuesday about the impact the five-time Pro Bowler has had on the younger players. Wide receiver Zay Flowers has been impressed by how methodical Hopkins is on the field. 'He's patient in everything he does,' Flowers said after Tuesday's workout. 'He understands in practice, you have to detail it so in the game, it's perfect. I've been learning that from him.' Loading — Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) June 2, 2025 The Ravens made very few changes on the offensive side of the football after last year's group finished first in offensive DVOA, total yards per game and rushing yards per game, and third in points per game. The crux of the running back and tight end rooms is back. Last season's starting left guard, Patrick Mekari, departed in free agency, but his likely replacement, Andrew Vorhees, was the team's Week 1 starter at the position last year. Their most notable addition offensively is Hopkins, who made it known during free agency that he wanted to be in Baltimore and catch passes from Jackson. The Ravens, who have flirted with adding Hopkins in previous offseasons, felt the time was right to bring him aboard. Hopkins essentially slots into the No. 3 wide receiver role behind Flowers and Rashod Bateman, replacing free agent Nelson Agholor. However, Monken made clear Tuesday that he's not viewing Hopkins as the team's No. 3. 'We love having another weapon,' Monken said. 'I thought 'Nelly' the last couple of years did a great job for us as our third receiver. I don't really see 'D-Hop' as a third receiver. I see him more as we have three starters at wide receiver, but we also have the two tight ends. So, it'll be interesting as we get going, especially once we get to (training) camp and we get the pads on, how we can integrate him into the offense, but we're excited. Advertisement 'It's Day 4, but I'd rather have too much talent, try to figure out how to manage it (and) how to have everybody embrace their role than not have enough.' Hopkins, who turns 33 Friday, split last season between the Tennessee Titans and Kansas City Chiefs. His 56 combined catches were his lowest total over a full season since he had 52 receptions as a Houston Texans rookie in 2013. His 610 receiving yards were a career low over a full season. However, Hopkins has pushed back — and not so subtly — over the criticism that he's lost a step. He posted on social media last week a board of the team's highest GPS reading during the team's second OTA practice with the message, 'I'm old and can't run.' Hopkins registered a 20.0 mph reading, tied with second-year receiver Devontez Walker as the second highest at practice, behind only rookie defensive back Marquise Robinson (20.2). 'He still plays fast,' Flowers said. 'Everything he does is fast, and like I said, he's a true vet. He does what he knows, he knows how his body feels and he goes. But, he was moving, though. He had a little 20 (mph) on (the board). He had a good day.' Coming soon to the Bank 😈 @Lj_era8 ➡️ @DeAndreHopkins — Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) May 28, 2025 • That Jackson was one of 12 Ravens not participating in the team's fourth OTA was not surprising. The Ravens quarterback, who attended last week's second OTA workout, has sporadically appeared at OTAs in recent years and doesn't spend a whole lot of time around the facility during the voluntary stage of the offseason. He only appeared at a handful of last year's OTAs, and he went out and had arguably his best NFL season. 'I always feel good about Lamar. He always comes in ready,' Monken said. 'I've never felt like when we started camp that he's not ready. He loves to play football. He loves his teammates, he loves the Ravens. He'll be ready to go, and we'll be ready to go against Buffalo.' Advertisement Flowers said Jackson has already spoken to players about his desire to do more things as a group this season. With Jackson not in town, those bonding activities will have to wait. 'This year, he wants to do a lot more meetings,' Flowers said. 'He wants to do a lot more team stuff. He wants to do a lot more personal stuff with us, just to get that team camaraderie on a good level.' • The other Ravens not on the field were Bateman; offensive linemen Ronnie Stanley, Emery Jones Jr. (shoulder) and Ben Cleveland; linebackers Kyle Van Noy and Jake Hummel; defensive lineman Nnamdi Madubuike; and defensive backs Kyle Hamilton, Chidobe Awuzie, Sanoussi Kane and Ar'Darius Washington (Achilles). Right guard Daniel Faalele, who was sidelined last week as he worked through some 'physical' things, participated in Tuesday's practice. Flowers missed both of Baltimore's playoff games last season with a knee injury. He said on locker cleanout day in January that he thought he could avoid surgery. Speaking to reporters for the first time since, Flowers said Tuesday that he didn't need any procedures and described himself as 100 percent. 'My knee is great,' he said. 'I feel like I'm ready to go. I feel like I'm ready for the season. No limits. I'm good.' • It was a mostly uneventful practice beyond the number of regulars missing and an inordinate amount of pre-snap penalties. Rush and Devin Leary both had uneven days throwing the football, although Leary fired a strike to veteran wide receiver Anthony Miller down the far sideline for a touchdown in arguably the biggest highlight of the afternoon. Rush connected with tight end Isaiah Likely on the near sideline for a big gain. Running back Keaton Mitchell also broke through the line for a long run that prompted Derrick Henry to seek him out and congratulate him. Advertisement • The Ravens' kicking competition was featured on Tuesday, with both sixth-round rookie Tyler Loop and undrafted rookie John Hoyland getting opportunities. They combined to go 6-for-6, but all of the attempts were under 50 yards. Loop and Hoyland had been rotating kicking days through the first week of OTAs.
CBS News
2 days ago
- Business
- CBS News
Justin Tucker's Maryland house to hit the market for $3.2 million
The Owings Mills, Maryland, home of former Baltimore Ravens kicker Justin Tucker will soon be for sale. The 6,480 square foot house will be on the market starting June 6 for $3.2 million. According to the listing, there are five bedrooms and seven bathrooms. "Pristine modern home that feels like you've just stepped into new construction," the description says. "Coming soon!" Justin Tucker was cut amid sexual misconduct allegations Tucker was released by the Baltimore Ravens on May 5, citing a "football decision." The Baltimore Banner reported that Tucker was accused of sexual misconduct by at least 16 massage therapists between 2012 and 2016. The NFL is investigating the allegations. Tucker and his attorneys have denied the accusations. "I have always made a conscious effort to be considerate and respectful in all of the interactions with the community that I love so much. It is devastating for me to learn that anyone would feel I was offensive in any way," Tucker said in a statement on January 30. Tucker continued, "I maintain I did not act inappropriately at any point before, during, or after a professional bodywork treatment session." The Ravens selected kicker Tyler Loop in the sixth round of April's NFL Draft. General Manager Eric DeCosta said the decision to cut Tucker was "tough." "Sometimes football decisions are incredibly difficult, and this is one of those instances," DeCosta said in a statement. "Considering our current roster, we have made the tough decision to release Justin Tucker." Tucker's All-Pro career Tucker played for the Baltimore Ravens for 13 seasons, and during that time, he was considered to be arguably the best kicker in the NFL. Tucker remains the most accurate kicker in NFL history with an overall career field goal percentage of 89.1%. He also holds the record for the longest field goal in NFL history at 66 yards. Before getting released, Tucker was the last remaining player from the Ravens' 2012 Super Bowl championship team. He is a seven-time NFL Pro Bowl player and was named to the NFL 2010s All-Decade Team. "Justin created many significant and unforgettable moments in Ravens history," DeCosta said. "His reliability, focus, drive, resilience, and extraordinary talent made him one of the league's best kickers for over a decade." He remains a free agent.
New York Times
3 days 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.'
Associated Press
29-05-2025
- 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:
New York Times
28-05-2025
- Business
- New York Times
Ravens' Mark Andrews is moving on from tumultuous offseason: ‘I'm very thankful to be here'
OWINGS MILLS, Md. — After staying away from the team facility for much of the offseason, quarterback Lamar Jackson returned to the Under Armour Performance Center Wednesday for Baltimore's second organized team activity, and suddenly everything felt right in the Ravens' world again. To accentuate his return, Jackson did what he's done so often in practices and games over the past seven years. Advertisement Dropping back on the first play of the full-team segment of OTAs, Jackson spotted Mark Andrews with a step on cornerback Marlon Humphrey as he cut across the middle. Jackson delivered the ball to the tight end in stride, and Andrews cut upfield. Andrews doesn't reveal himself as the sentimental type, at least not in his comments to reporters over the years. Whether the completion — and he had several more in Wednesday's OTA — carried any extra significance to him, Andrews didn't say. However, it certainly felt notable after he spent the offseason ignoring the criticism of his play in the Ravens' season-ending playoff loss to the Buffalo Bills and the questions about his future in Baltimore. 'It feels great,' Andrews said after Wednesday's practice. Jackson 'was throwing the ball extremely well today, and there were a bunch of guys flying around. Our guys are working and putting in that work, and I'm excited for it.' 8 brings the joy!! — Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) May 28, 2025 Wednesday marked Andrews' first comments to a group of Baltimore-area reporters in more than four months. He did not speak to the media following the Ravens' divisional round, 27-25 loss to the Bills, a game in which he dropped the potential game-tying two-point conversion in the final 93 seconds and also lost a fumble in Buffalo territory earlier in the fourth quarter. He carried that disappointment into the offseason and then quickly found his name intertwined in speculation that he was a release or trade candidate. It was not unfounded, at least the trade part. Andrews, like fellow tight ends Isaiah Likely and Charlie Kolar, is entering the final year of his contract and possesses a $16.9 million salary-cap hit. General manager Eric DeCosta was noncommittal early in the offseason about Andrews' future, and he listened to trade inquiries about the three-time Pro Bowl selection. The Ravens, though, believe they are a better team with Andrews on the field, and they weren't interested in moving the 29-year-old for a late Day 3 draft pick. Andrews maintained that he blocked out the trade talk and put all of his focus into preparing for the 2025 season. Advertisement 'It's always just putting in the work, and (however) the cards are played, they're played,' he said. 'But 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. This is an incredible organization. I'm very thankful to be here for my eighth year.' That the franchise's all-time leader in receiving touchdowns is attending voluntary workouts this week almost feels like a turning of the page from a tumultuous offseason and the disappointment in Buffalo. 'It's tough. This is my life. I put a lot of work into this, and everything I do is kind of focused on that,' Andrews said. 'It wasn't the way that I had planned it, but that's all part of the story. I've been using it (as motivation), and I've had an incredible offseason, and I'm excited just to show what I can continue to do and continue to prove myself and step up in big moments. And that's the thing about sports is that it doesn't always fall your way. It doesn't always go your way, but it's how you bounce back. '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, but storing that in the memory bank and understanding that this is not the end.' Andrews incorporated some advice from teammate Derrick Henry and altered his offseason workout routine. He said the goal was to be better prepared mentally and physically for the long grind of the season. For many weeks, it wasn't clear whether he'd even be in Baltimore. That's what made his presence at OTAs so significant this week. '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. 'That's big bro. He's been teaching me since I got here. From the run game, the pass game, how to watch film, how to take care of my body, and really just (cherish) every moment in the league. I'm glad to have him back, glad I have 89 with me all the time.' Advertisement • Jackson's return highlighted what was a well-attended OTA for the Ravens. The only players not on the field in some capacity were right guard Daniel Faalele, linebackers Kyle Van Noy and Jake Hummel, and defensive backs Chidobe Awuzie and Ar'Darius Washington. Harbaugh said Faalele is working his way through some 'physical things,' and he expects him to be on the field soon. Awuzie participated in Tuesday's OTA but missed Wednesday's session with an illness. Washington tore his Achilles during the offseason workout program earlier this month. Harbaugh said Washington had a 'clean tear' and he's aiming to return to the field by November or December. Rookie third-round offensive tackle Emery Jones Jr. watched practice from the sideline as he continues to rehab a shoulder injury. • Odafe Oweh is among several key Ravens who are participating in the voluntary OTAs despite entering the final year of their contracts. Oweh's presence stood out on Wednesday because of his new physique. Just days after the playoff loss to the Bills, Oweh headed down to Florida with one goal in mind: getting bigger and stronger. The result? He now weighs 265 pounds after adding 20 pounds to his frame. After a 10-sack season last year, Oweh hopes the added weight helps diversify his pass rush and gives him more of a power element to go along with his speed and explosiveness. • As part of their kicking competition to replace the released Justin Tucker, the Ravens are rotating days of repetitions for rookie sixth-round pick Tyler Loop and undrafted rookie free agent John Hoyland. Wednesday was Hoyland's turn as he handled the kicking duties. In his first media availability since the Ravens released Tucker on May 5, Harbaugh said the decision was 'complex.' Said Harbaugh: 'It's a multi-layer decision. If it was just a black and white simple thing, then it would be easy to understand, but I think anybody can look at the whole thing in perspective and say, 'OK, we've got to have a kicker ready to go,' and there's a whole lot of moving parts of that deal. It is just the reality of it.' • The Ravens agreed to terms with veteran defensive tackle John Jenkins on May 16, but the deal won't become official until after June 1. That explains why he hasn't officially been added to the Ravens' 90-man roster. Harbaugh said the delay is because the team needs a roster spot for Jenkins, and it'll get one once the retirement of nose tackle Michael Pierce becomes official post-June 1. Advertisement • Harbaugh said he's in the process of finalizing details for joint practices with the Indianapolis Colts, who the Ravens open the preseason against in Baltimore on Aug. 7, and the Washington Commanders, who will host the Ravens on Aug. 23. Harbaugh said it will be just one joint practice with each team, similar to the arrangement with the Green Bay Packers last summer.
