1 00:00:04,559 --> 00:00:07,560 Speaker 1: Welcome into the Lounge presented by DraftKings. I'm Ryan Mink 2 00:00:07,600 --> 00:00:09,920 Speaker 1: here with Garrett Downing, and we are gonna get you 3 00:00:10,080 --> 00:00:13,040 Speaker 1: set for the Ravens Sunday game at M ANDT Banks. 4 00:00:12,760 --> 00:00:15,280 Speaker 2: Stadium against the Los Angeles Rams. 5 00:00:15,320 --> 00:00:18,959 Speaker 1: This is a game between two very good teams in 6 00:00:19,000 --> 00:00:22,239 Speaker 1: the AFC and NFC, respectively. But for the Ravens, they 7 00:00:22,280 --> 00:00:24,600 Speaker 1: need a win despite who they're playing. Sitting at one 8 00:00:24,680 --> 00:00:27,640 Speaker 1: and four, they need to break this three game losing streak, 9 00:00:27,640 --> 00:00:30,479 Speaker 1: and it's not gonna be easy against the Rams team 10 00:00:30,520 --> 00:00:33,599 Speaker 1: that's three and two and is also smarting after a 11 00:00:33,640 --> 00:00:39,000 Speaker 1: tough loss last week, and they're coming off extra rest. So, Garrett, 12 00:00:39,800 --> 00:00:41,880 Speaker 1: as you look at this game, as I just said, 13 00:00:41,920 --> 00:00:43,760 Speaker 1: the Ravens are desperate for a win. They have the 14 00:00:43,760 --> 00:00:46,400 Speaker 1: bye next week, but they would love to go into 15 00:00:46,440 --> 00:00:48,400 Speaker 1: this buy in the win column. 16 00:00:48,520 --> 00:00:49,760 Speaker 3: Yeah, there's no question about that. 17 00:00:49,840 --> 00:00:53,639 Speaker 4: This team is certainly understanding of the situation that they 18 00:00:53,680 --> 00:00:55,720 Speaker 4: find themselves in at this point of the season, and 19 00:00:55,760 --> 00:00:58,800 Speaker 4: I think that there's a real sense in talking with 20 00:00:58,880 --> 00:01:03,080 Speaker 4: players this week. I think that that Texans game wake 21 00:01:03,160 --> 00:01:06,360 Speaker 4: up calls a tournaments. It's getting thrown around. It probably 22 00:01:06,400 --> 00:01:08,880 Speaker 4: is fair, it's probably a fair assessment, but I think 23 00:01:08,880 --> 00:01:13,520 Speaker 4: that like there's been even more I guess urgency. It 24 00:01:13,680 --> 00:01:18,559 Speaker 4: seems of like, Okay, this season is at a real 25 00:01:18,640 --> 00:01:23,920 Speaker 4: crossroads to a certain degree, and like there's a responsibility 26 00:01:23,959 --> 00:01:26,160 Speaker 4: and an accountability. These have all kind of been buzzwords 27 00:01:26,160 --> 00:01:29,360 Speaker 4: over the course of the week. Accountability, urgency, wake up call, 28 00:01:29,440 --> 00:01:32,480 Speaker 4: all that stuff, And I get the sense that I 29 00:01:32,680 --> 00:01:37,360 Speaker 4: that the players are embracing that and doing everything they 30 00:01:37,400 --> 00:01:40,760 Speaker 4: can behind the scenes to get this thing pointed in 31 00:01:40,800 --> 00:01:44,400 Speaker 4: the right direction, and they know that it's an uphill battle, 32 00:01:44,440 --> 00:01:50,040 Speaker 4: I think. But there's there's definitely no like the Ravens 33 00:01:50,040 --> 00:01:52,000 Speaker 4: know that time is ticking on this season and that 34 00:01:52,080 --> 00:01:54,040 Speaker 4: they if they're going to be a team that gets 35 00:01:54,080 --> 00:01:55,600 Speaker 4: to the playoffs and do what they want to do, 36 00:01:55,920 --> 00:01:57,760 Speaker 4: they got to start putting some wins together and they 37 00:01:57,760 --> 00:01:58,800 Speaker 4: want that to start this week. 38 00:01:58,840 --> 00:02:00,880 Speaker 2: You the very least need to start playing better. Yeah, 39 00:02:01,960 --> 00:02:04,120 Speaker 2: no doubt about that. I think it's one thing. You know, 40 00:02:04,200 --> 00:02:05,720 Speaker 2: you go out to Kansas City. 41 00:02:05,880 --> 00:02:10,959 Speaker 1: You lose several key players during that game, exit that game, 42 00:02:11,000 --> 00:02:14,480 Speaker 1: including your star quarterback Lamar Jackson. You're playing against the 43 00:02:14,480 --> 00:02:18,720 Speaker 1: defending AFC champion Chiefs. You're like, all right, you lose 44 00:02:18,760 --> 00:02:21,919 Speaker 1: that one, it's okay. But then you come back home 45 00:02:21,960 --> 00:02:24,400 Speaker 1: and you play a Texas team that was also kind 46 00:02:24,440 --> 00:02:26,480 Speaker 1: of reeling a little bit trying to find itself, and 47 00:02:26,520 --> 00:02:29,760 Speaker 1: you get blown out for a second straight week. You're like, 48 00:02:29,960 --> 00:02:32,480 Speaker 1: all right, our season is at a crossroads, kind of 49 00:02:32,480 --> 00:02:34,680 Speaker 1: to what you're saying, and you at least have to 50 00:02:34,720 --> 00:02:35,880 Speaker 1: play much better. 51 00:02:36,000 --> 00:02:36,280 Speaker 3: Yeah. 52 00:02:36,400 --> 00:02:39,200 Speaker 1: Right, And and obviously the goal, the goal is to 53 00:02:39,240 --> 00:02:42,480 Speaker 1: win every single week, but like take the steps necessary, 54 00:02:42,560 --> 00:02:44,280 Speaker 1: like they have to, they have to. I think the 55 00:02:44,360 --> 00:02:47,120 Speaker 1: buy a lot of us on the outside, at least 56 00:02:47,160 --> 00:02:49,040 Speaker 1: I don't think the players and coaches are thinking this way, 57 00:02:49,040 --> 00:02:50,680 Speaker 1: but we're thinking they can really go on a run 58 00:02:50,680 --> 00:02:53,520 Speaker 1: after the buye you want to start it now, Yeah, 59 00:02:53,520 --> 00:02:56,280 Speaker 1: but you at least have to have positive momentum going 60 00:02:56,280 --> 00:02:57,840 Speaker 1: into the buy at the very least. 61 00:02:57,960 --> 00:03:00,200 Speaker 3: Yeah. And I liked what Isaiah Likely had to say. 62 00:03:00,200 --> 00:03:01,840 Speaker 3: He talked about how it. 63 00:03:01,840 --> 00:03:04,160 Speaker 4: Sounds like team leaders have have kind of spoken on 64 00:03:05,000 --> 00:03:06,720 Speaker 4: some of this over the course of the week, and 65 00:03:06,760 --> 00:03:09,640 Speaker 4: he said that the veterans, the leaders on the team, 66 00:03:09,680 --> 00:03:14,360 Speaker 4: have taken charge in ownership and really emphasized all the 67 00:03:14,360 --> 00:03:17,080 Speaker 4: points that we're talking about getting the team playing better, 68 00:03:17,560 --> 00:03:21,680 Speaker 4: taking responsibility, being accountable, having that focus and that sense 69 00:03:21,680 --> 00:03:25,000 Speaker 4: of urgency and doing all the little things right that 70 00:03:25,680 --> 00:03:29,760 Speaker 4: lead to a team having success on Sundays, and they 71 00:03:30,480 --> 00:03:33,280 Speaker 4: again didn't get into specifics about what that looked like 72 00:03:33,320 --> 00:03:35,840 Speaker 4: from team leadership, but did say many of the team 73 00:03:35,920 --> 00:03:37,960 Speaker 4: leaders have spoken on that this week and that that 74 00:03:38,120 --> 00:03:40,200 Speaker 4: message seems to be resonating. 75 00:03:40,280 --> 00:03:42,800 Speaker 1: Well. I think the front office also spoke. Right, you 76 00:03:42,800 --> 00:03:45,280 Speaker 1: go out and you trade a first round pick in 77 00:03:45,360 --> 00:03:48,800 Speaker 1: a dafeo way, and people kind of WHOA with your 78 00:03:48,800 --> 00:03:49,720 Speaker 1: attention a little bit? 79 00:03:49,800 --> 00:03:50,240 Speaker 2: Okay? 80 00:03:50,640 --> 00:03:53,000 Speaker 1: You know, John Harball said on Monday that everything's on 81 00:03:53,080 --> 00:03:56,640 Speaker 1: the table and if you're plateauing you're not getting one 82 00:03:56,680 --> 00:04:01,000 Speaker 1: percent better every day, then you're not gonna You're not 83 00:04:01,000 --> 00:04:03,720 Speaker 1: gonna have another day as the starter, right Like they're 84 00:04:03,720 --> 00:04:07,360 Speaker 1: gonna make changes, and so I think that gets everybody's 85 00:04:07,400 --> 00:04:08,320 Speaker 1: attention as well. 86 00:04:08,920 --> 00:04:11,240 Speaker 3: And Kevin Noyes had that, I mean, he described it 87 00:04:11,280 --> 00:04:11,760 Speaker 3: as a wake. 88 00:04:11,640 --> 00:04:15,720 Speaker 1: Up exactly, and so I think that paired with they 89 00:04:15,760 --> 00:04:19,880 Speaker 1: are getting healthier, all spells. You know, all right, you're 90 00:04:19,880 --> 00:04:22,960 Speaker 1: getting on the right track, and let's go over the 91 00:04:23,000 --> 00:04:25,680 Speaker 1: health of the team right now. We're taping this as 92 00:04:25,720 --> 00:04:29,760 Speaker 1: of Thursday, afternoon after practice. Lamar Jackson is not practiced 93 00:04:29,839 --> 00:04:33,800 Speaker 1: yet this week, which obviously casts serious doubt on on 94 00:04:33,880 --> 00:04:38,480 Speaker 1: whether he can play on Sunday. Certainly seems like it's 95 00:04:38,520 --> 00:04:40,719 Speaker 1: trending that he will miss a second straight game and 96 00:04:40,760 --> 00:04:43,400 Speaker 1: then hopefully come back after the bye with his hamstring 97 00:04:43,440 --> 00:04:46,240 Speaker 1: injury that he's working on. Also, Rokwan Smith is not 98 00:04:46,400 --> 00:04:50,960 Speaker 1: on the field yet and Cheeto woozy, cheeto oozy, thank 99 00:04:50,960 --> 00:04:54,200 Speaker 1: you very much. The players that have returned to practice 100 00:04:54,560 --> 00:04:58,000 Speaker 1: so today on Thursday, Marlon Humphrey was back on the field. 101 00:04:58,080 --> 00:04:59,280 Speaker 2: He's had a calf injury. 102 00:04:59,680 --> 00:05:03,560 Speaker 1: Pat Ricard full back pat Ricard who hasn't practiced, had 103 00:05:03,600 --> 00:05:06,159 Speaker 1: not practiced since August fourteenth with a calf injury. 104 00:05:06,200 --> 00:05:07,000 Speaker 2: He was back. 105 00:05:07,360 --> 00:05:09,120 Speaker 1: Now, whether he can get back up the speed in 106 00:05:09,160 --> 00:05:13,320 Speaker 1: time to play this Sunday, that would be very quick. 107 00:05:13,400 --> 00:05:15,279 Speaker 4: I mean, that doesn't seem like John Harbaugh said at 108 00:05:15,279 --> 00:05:16,640 Speaker 4: the start of the week, the goal for him is. 109 00:05:16,560 --> 00:05:17,560 Speaker 2: The Bears game exactly. 110 00:05:17,560 --> 00:05:19,839 Speaker 4: I don't even think that the goal for him is 111 00:05:19,880 --> 00:05:20,760 Speaker 4: exactly this week. 112 00:05:20,760 --> 00:05:22,359 Speaker 2: Right, But it's a good sign that he's back on 113 00:05:22,360 --> 00:05:23,000 Speaker 2: the field at least. 114 00:05:23,120 --> 00:05:26,640 Speaker 1: Yeah big and then also this week on Monday or 115 00:05:26,680 --> 00:05:29,680 Speaker 1: on Wednesday, Ronnie Stanley was back on the field and 116 00:05:29,760 --> 00:05:33,920 Speaker 1: Kyle Hamilton they both missed this past week's game against 117 00:05:34,200 --> 00:05:35,200 Speaker 1: the Texans as well. 118 00:05:35,440 --> 00:05:39,039 Speaker 4: And they've practiced both They've both practiced both days this week. 119 00:05:39,080 --> 00:05:41,080 Speaker 1: It seems like they're trending in the right direction for 120 00:05:41,120 --> 00:05:44,320 Speaker 1: this game. So you know, and maybe Marlin can play. 121 00:05:44,520 --> 00:05:47,520 Speaker 1: If you get Kyle Hamilton, Marlon Humphrey, and Ronnie Stanley 122 00:05:47,560 --> 00:05:49,520 Speaker 1: back on the field this week, that would be big. 123 00:05:49,720 --> 00:05:49,880 Speaker 2: Yeah. 124 00:05:49,880 --> 00:05:50,960 Speaker 3: The three Pro Bowl players. 125 00:05:51,200 --> 00:05:54,000 Speaker 4: Yeah, those are three of your best players, three your 126 00:05:54,040 --> 00:05:56,680 Speaker 4: highest paid players. Like, you want those guys on the field, 127 00:05:56,680 --> 00:05:59,560 Speaker 4: and so let's not diminish the significance of what it 128 00:05:59,600 --> 00:06:01,000 Speaker 4: would mean to get them back in this game. 129 00:06:01,080 --> 00:06:05,039 Speaker 1: And I think especially Kyle Hamilton, I think losing him 130 00:06:05,320 --> 00:06:08,080 Speaker 1: last week was really tough. And you see part of 131 00:06:08,080 --> 00:06:10,159 Speaker 1: the reason why the Ravens made him the highest paid 132 00:06:10,160 --> 00:06:13,080 Speaker 1: safety in the league. Like he is instrumental in his defense, 133 00:06:13,360 --> 00:06:15,640 Speaker 1: and I think he's only going to be more instrumental 134 00:06:15,720 --> 00:06:19,440 Speaker 1: moving forward. Given the Ravens moves at safety trade for 135 00:06:19,520 --> 00:06:20,200 Speaker 1: a Loohi. 136 00:06:20,040 --> 00:06:21,799 Speaker 2: Gilman, they bring in CJ. 137 00:06:21,880 --> 00:06:24,800 Speaker 1: Gardner Johnson on the practice Scott A squad will see 138 00:06:25,120 --> 00:06:27,480 Speaker 1: how quickly he moves up and plays on game days. 139 00:06:27,480 --> 00:06:30,719 Speaker 1: But really the addition of a Loohi I think can 140 00:06:31,279 --> 00:06:34,800 Speaker 1: help you. Traded away your one of your top pass 141 00:06:34,839 --> 00:06:37,680 Speaker 1: rushers in AA and you're a team that only has 142 00:06:37,720 --> 00:06:40,440 Speaker 1: six sex through five games. That seems counterintuitive you want 143 00:06:40,480 --> 00:06:42,960 Speaker 1: to get more pass rush, but I think Aloi kind 144 00:06:42,960 --> 00:06:46,760 Speaker 1: of unlocks his defense in a different way that you'll 145 00:06:46,800 --> 00:06:49,200 Speaker 1: have a net overall benefit. 146 00:06:49,400 --> 00:06:51,799 Speaker 4: Yeah, I'm with you on that. I think that Gilman 147 00:06:51,880 --> 00:06:53,479 Speaker 4: is like he's played a ton of football. I mean, 148 00:06:53,480 --> 00:06:55,360 Speaker 4: he's a veteran player. He's been a starter for the 149 00:06:55,400 --> 00:06:58,640 Speaker 4: last three seasons. He signed a contract extension last year. 150 00:06:58,839 --> 00:07:01,080 Speaker 4: So this is a guy that he just knows the game. 151 00:07:01,560 --> 00:07:04,520 Speaker 4: He's somebody that's like gonna be in the right spot 152 00:07:04,560 --> 00:07:06,359 Speaker 4: at the right time. He's active out there on the 153 00:07:06,360 --> 00:07:09,640 Speaker 4: practice field. He's got a relationship with Kyle Hamilton going 154 00:07:09,680 --> 00:07:12,480 Speaker 4: back to their days at Notre Dame together where although 155 00:07:12,480 --> 00:07:15,520 Speaker 4: he was a captain when Kyle Hamilton came in as 156 00:07:16,200 --> 00:07:18,680 Speaker 4: yeah you just senior captain and Hamilton came in as 157 00:07:18,680 --> 00:07:21,880 Speaker 4: a freshman and so like they have they have a 158 00:07:21,920 --> 00:07:24,320 Speaker 4: relationship and I just think that he's going to be 159 00:07:24,320 --> 00:07:27,120 Speaker 4: a player that I think he plays well, and then 160 00:07:27,160 --> 00:07:31,720 Speaker 4: I think he also just elevates the entire secondary and 161 00:07:31,800 --> 00:07:33,520 Speaker 4: in a couple of ways. One is he's gonna allow 162 00:07:33,520 --> 00:07:36,680 Speaker 4: Hamilton to move around. Another he's gonna, i think, take 163 00:07:36,680 --> 00:07:38,880 Speaker 4: a little bit of pressure off Malachi Starks, who's a 164 00:07:38,920 --> 00:07:41,119 Speaker 4: rookie that's being asked to do a lot right now, 165 00:07:42,280 --> 00:07:44,800 Speaker 4: just playing a ton of snaps, of course, but also 166 00:07:44,880 --> 00:07:47,480 Speaker 4: communicating and handling all of that. I think that having 167 00:07:47,520 --> 00:07:50,520 Speaker 4: a veteran next to you and Gilman will help in 168 00:07:50,560 --> 00:07:54,160 Speaker 4: that regard. Kyle already did a lot of that stuff too, 169 00:07:54,160 --> 00:07:56,160 Speaker 4: but now you can just move him all over the place. 170 00:07:56,240 --> 00:07:58,200 Speaker 4: And that's something that we had a chance to talk 171 00:07:58,240 --> 00:08:02,320 Speaker 4: to Gilman this week, and look, he was fresh off 172 00:08:02,320 --> 00:08:04,120 Speaker 4: the practice field. His head was spinning a little bit. 173 00:08:04,200 --> 00:08:06,520 Speaker 4: He said, he basically slept for a few hours on 174 00:08:06,560 --> 00:08:08,200 Speaker 4: the flight and came in here and he's learned the 175 00:08:08,200 --> 00:08:10,600 Speaker 4: playbook and learned his teammates and getting a feel for things. 176 00:08:10,840 --> 00:08:13,840 Speaker 4: But something that he talked about was that in the 177 00:08:13,880 --> 00:08:16,960 Speaker 4: conversations he had initially is that bringing him in here 178 00:08:17,160 --> 00:08:19,640 Speaker 4: is going to allow the Ravens to move Hamilton all 179 00:08:19,640 --> 00:08:21,360 Speaker 4: over the place and let him do what he does best. 180 00:08:21,640 --> 00:08:24,520 Speaker 1: Yeah, the Ravens need help with their run defense. Specifically, 181 00:08:24,560 --> 00:08:27,440 Speaker 1: they need help across their defense, but specifically I think 182 00:08:27,520 --> 00:08:30,840 Speaker 1: run defense, pass rush, those are major, two major categories. 183 00:08:31,200 --> 00:08:32,959 Speaker 1: They also got to get more takeaways. They also have 184 00:08:33,000 --> 00:08:35,960 Speaker 1: to be stiffer against the past. But I think that 185 00:08:36,120 --> 00:08:39,240 Speaker 1: Alohi Gilman allowing Kyle Hamilton to play closer to the 186 00:08:39,320 --> 00:08:42,440 Speaker 1: line of scrimmage helps with the run defense and getting pressure. 187 00:08:42,520 --> 00:08:45,240 Speaker 1: Kyle Hamltson's a really good blitzer. I think that he 188 00:08:45,320 --> 00:08:48,680 Speaker 1: can kind of help the Ravens have more exotic blitz 189 00:08:48,800 --> 00:08:53,320 Speaker 1: packages and pressure looks. I think he's also very good 190 00:08:53,360 --> 00:08:55,440 Speaker 1: against the run and taking on tight ends and all 191 00:08:55,520 --> 00:08:57,959 Speaker 1: those things. The fact of the matter is, like, you 192 00:08:58,040 --> 00:08:59,920 Speaker 1: just want your best players closer to the act. 193 00:09:00,559 --> 00:09:02,880 Speaker 2: That's what you want. You don't want your your best 194 00:09:02,880 --> 00:09:05,000 Speaker 2: player way in the back and the ball is not 195 00:09:05,040 --> 00:09:07,760 Speaker 2: even coming near him and he's getting Cardio back there. 196 00:09:08,080 --> 00:09:08,680 Speaker 2: You want your. 197 00:09:08,520 --> 00:09:11,400 Speaker 1: Best players near the line, not necessarily near the line 198 00:09:11,400 --> 00:09:14,680 Speaker 1: of scrimmage, but definitely around the action. And so I 199 00:09:14,720 --> 00:09:18,360 Speaker 1: think that this allows Kyle Hamilton to do that. As 200 00:09:18,360 --> 00:09:20,319 Speaker 1: well as getting Marlon Humphrey back on the field. Let's 201 00:09:20,360 --> 00:09:24,160 Speaker 1: not minimize his importance as a slot corner too, and 202 00:09:24,200 --> 00:09:27,200 Speaker 1: getting both those guys kind of close to the action 203 00:09:27,280 --> 00:09:27,600 Speaker 1: I think. 204 00:09:27,520 --> 00:09:29,040 Speaker 2: Will make a big difference for this team. 205 00:09:29,080 --> 00:09:29,839 Speaker 3: Well Hamilton too. 206 00:09:29,840 --> 00:09:32,280 Speaker 4: I also think that this may help the defense get 207 00:09:32,320 --> 00:09:36,199 Speaker 4: more takeaways, like he can be disruptive up there, batted balls. 208 00:09:36,559 --> 00:09:38,040 Speaker 4: I mean, one of my favorite players of his ever 209 00:09:38,120 --> 00:09:39,600 Speaker 4: is when he batted the ball to himself and then 210 00:09:39,600 --> 00:09:41,079 Speaker 4: picked it off and strolled him to the end zone. 211 00:09:41,120 --> 00:09:44,800 Speaker 3: That was great play. Just do that more often. 212 00:09:45,120 --> 00:09:47,680 Speaker 4: Maybe having him down the line scrimmage can open some 213 00:09:47,720 --> 00:09:51,640 Speaker 4: more plays like that. But I think that he's he's unique, 214 00:09:52,000 --> 00:09:55,240 Speaker 4: and this will allow him to be used in those 215 00:09:55,400 --> 00:09:57,560 Speaker 4: unique ways that make him such a special player. 216 00:09:57,640 --> 00:10:01,000 Speaker 1: Yeah, Zach Gore talked about really the impact of the 217 00:10:01,040 --> 00:10:04,199 Speaker 1: loss of Art Areus Washington, and you know, he said, 218 00:10:04,440 --> 00:10:06,480 Speaker 1: I'm one of our areas's biggest fans, and yeah, his 219 00:10:06,600 --> 00:10:10,160 Speaker 1: achilles injury in May that really hurt us. And we 220 00:10:10,240 --> 00:10:12,640 Speaker 1: all know how much the Ravens like to use three safeties, 221 00:10:12,640 --> 00:10:15,800 Speaker 1: and they really haven't had the depth there behind Malachi 222 00:10:15,840 --> 00:10:19,600 Speaker 1: and Kyle Hamilton that they felt confident enough playing and 223 00:10:19,920 --> 00:10:22,360 Speaker 1: so now they do and I think that's gonna make 224 00:10:22,360 --> 00:10:23,040 Speaker 1: a big difference. 225 00:10:23,080 --> 00:10:24,640 Speaker 4: So then on the offensive side of the ball. This 226 00:10:24,679 --> 00:10:26,440 Speaker 4: offense just kind of needs to get out of its rut, 227 00:10:26,520 --> 00:10:29,800 Speaker 4: you know, especially if Lamar Jackson is not playing in 228 00:10:29,880 --> 00:10:30,360 Speaker 4: this game. 229 00:10:30,679 --> 00:10:33,080 Speaker 1: What is the word used by offensive coordinator Todd Munkin 230 00:10:33,120 --> 00:10:34,520 Speaker 1: to describe the offense right now, by. 231 00:10:34,480 --> 00:10:35,360 Speaker 3: Yeah, exactly. 232 00:10:35,520 --> 00:10:38,880 Speaker 4: And so they're just looking to get this thing jump started. 233 00:10:38,960 --> 00:10:40,640 Speaker 4: And it is a tough if you're losing your starting 234 00:10:40,679 --> 00:10:43,760 Speaker 4: quarterback who also is one of the best players in football, 235 00:10:43,800 --> 00:10:46,560 Speaker 4: Like that is a difficult task. I'm like, let's not 236 00:10:46,640 --> 00:10:49,280 Speaker 4: overlook that, however, Like that just maybe the situation that 237 00:10:49,320 --> 00:10:52,319 Speaker 4: they're in and the offense wants to get again out 238 00:10:52,320 --> 00:10:52,959 Speaker 4: of that rut. 239 00:10:53,000 --> 00:10:54,800 Speaker 3: So the question is how do you do that? Like 240 00:10:54,840 --> 00:10:55,920 Speaker 3: what is the key? 241 00:10:56,440 --> 00:10:58,440 Speaker 4: And I think a simple answer is, like you want 242 00:10:58,480 --> 00:11:01,560 Speaker 4: to get the ground game a stablished and rolling, and 243 00:11:01,600 --> 00:11:07,240 Speaker 4: that starts with Derrick Henry. But it also to me, wait, 244 00:11:07,320 --> 00:11:09,360 Speaker 4: before you even get to Derrick Henry, it starts with 245 00:11:09,400 --> 00:11:11,640 Speaker 4: blocking it well, and the Ravens need to, I think, 246 00:11:11,640 --> 00:11:15,040 Speaker 4: do a better job of giving Henry the opportunity to 247 00:11:15,080 --> 00:11:17,439 Speaker 4: get rolling and just do a better job of blocking 248 00:11:17,480 --> 00:11:19,040 Speaker 4: things up in front of him so that he can 249 00:11:19,080 --> 00:11:22,400 Speaker 4: get ahead of Steam and start to get things established offensively. 250 00:11:22,800 --> 00:11:26,640 Speaker 1: Certainly, that's been Derrick Henry's game his entire careers. Once 251 00:11:26,720 --> 00:11:31,040 Speaker 1: the guy gets going downhill, then it's very, very tough. 252 00:11:31,320 --> 00:11:32,760 Speaker 2: He's been slowed up too much. 253 00:11:32,840 --> 00:11:35,719 Speaker 1: I mean, he's just too much contact. 254 00:11:35,920 --> 00:11:38,120 Speaker 2: Really at the line of scrimmage. 255 00:11:38,120 --> 00:11:41,400 Speaker 1: You look at yards before contact and Derrick Henry's near 256 00:11:41,440 --> 00:11:43,959 Speaker 1: the bottom of the league, so he's getting hit too early. 257 00:11:44,480 --> 00:11:47,400 Speaker 1: And that's certainly an indication of the Ravens run blocking. 258 00:11:48,040 --> 00:11:51,240 Speaker 1: They need to put themselves in more manageable third down situations. 259 00:11:51,440 --> 00:11:53,040 Speaker 1: They need to stay ahead of the change. They need 260 00:11:53,040 --> 00:11:55,560 Speaker 1: to you know, penalties were an issue this past week 261 00:11:55,600 --> 00:11:58,280 Speaker 1: against the Texans. They need to cut that stuff out. 262 00:11:58,760 --> 00:12:01,679 Speaker 1: And really they just need put together drives. Todd Munkins 263 00:12:01,679 --> 00:12:04,280 Speaker 1: said it several times now, it's about stacking plays for 264 00:12:04,320 --> 00:12:07,120 Speaker 1: this offense because you're just not running enough plays. You're 265 00:12:07,160 --> 00:12:10,040 Speaker 1: not having long enough drives, which is is not allowing 266 00:12:10,080 --> 00:12:12,440 Speaker 1: you to wear out the defense. It's harming your own 267 00:12:12,480 --> 00:12:15,360 Speaker 1: defense because they're on the field all the time, and 268 00:12:15,559 --> 00:12:19,160 Speaker 1: it's it's part of the overall problem of what's just 269 00:12:19,240 --> 00:12:22,320 Speaker 1: not clicking with this team right now. To me, part 270 00:12:22,320 --> 00:12:24,760 Speaker 1: of the answer also is get the tight ends. More involved. 271 00:12:24,760 --> 00:12:27,800 Speaker 1: You know, you're not gonna be a chunk play team, 272 00:12:28,000 --> 00:12:31,120 Speaker 1: most likely with Cooper rush you know under center, Like 273 00:12:32,200 --> 00:12:36,960 Speaker 1: he'll take some shots, but he's Yes, it's not extended 274 00:12:37,000 --> 00:12:39,679 Speaker 1: plays like Lamar and hit the wide receivers and get 275 00:12:39,720 --> 00:12:41,760 Speaker 1: them going. This is really kind of a wide receiver 276 00:12:42,200 --> 00:12:46,160 Speaker 1: driven offense. In the first few weeks, I'd like to 277 00:12:46,200 --> 00:12:48,760 Speaker 1: see the tight ends start to kind of really be featured. 278 00:12:48,800 --> 00:12:51,520 Speaker 2: Isaiah likely, I'd like to see him get going. Yeah, 279 00:12:51,800 --> 00:12:53,520 Speaker 2: and get Mark going, get the. 280 00:12:53,720 --> 00:12:57,839 Speaker 1: Get some shorter completions, move the chains, keep possessed the ball, 281 00:12:58,320 --> 00:13:00,440 Speaker 1: wear the rams out a little bit. I think that's 282 00:13:00,440 --> 00:13:03,520 Speaker 1: the formula. Also, they have some really good pass rushers 283 00:13:03,600 --> 00:13:06,640 Speaker 1: Jared Verse, you know they have they can get after 284 00:13:06,720 --> 00:13:09,760 Speaker 1: it up front, and so I think get the get 285 00:13:09,760 --> 00:13:11,840 Speaker 1: the ball out, and move the chains well. 286 00:13:11,880 --> 00:13:14,240 Speaker 4: Also, like you just can't find yourself in a situation 287 00:13:14,360 --> 00:13:16,160 Speaker 4: and this is like easier said than done. 288 00:13:16,320 --> 00:13:19,280 Speaker 3: Where you're in a it's easy. 289 00:13:19,320 --> 00:13:21,120 Speaker 4: Sometimes you have to move away from the running game 290 00:13:21,120 --> 00:13:22,679 Speaker 4: when you're in a big deficit, like when you're down 291 00:13:22,720 --> 00:13:24,760 Speaker 4: twenty four to three at halftime, like the Ravens were 292 00:13:24,800 --> 00:13:26,959 Speaker 4: a week ago. You can't stick to the run game 293 00:13:27,000 --> 00:13:29,400 Speaker 4: like so you can't find yourself in a massive hole. 294 00:13:29,440 --> 00:13:31,960 Speaker 4: And this is the whole complimentary football thing. Then it's 295 00:13:31,960 --> 00:13:34,640 Speaker 4: just snowballs a little bit, where like now you don't 296 00:13:34,640 --> 00:13:36,720 Speaker 4: have enough plays, you've moved away from the run game, 297 00:13:37,000 --> 00:13:38,960 Speaker 4: you end that you end a game with forty three 298 00:13:39,040 --> 00:13:41,520 Speaker 4: offensive plays, which is what they had last week. And 299 00:13:41,559 --> 00:13:43,719 Speaker 4: then on the flip side of things, the defense is 300 00:13:43,760 --> 00:13:45,960 Speaker 4: out there forever and they're getting dashed and it's just 301 00:13:46,000 --> 00:13:48,320 Speaker 4: like a bad recipe. So the Ravens just can't find 302 00:13:48,360 --> 00:13:50,280 Speaker 4: themselves in a situation where the thing starts to get 303 00:13:50,280 --> 00:13:52,360 Speaker 4: away from them, and then you have to go away 304 00:13:52,360 --> 00:13:55,280 Speaker 4: from the ground game because now if you're one dimensional 305 00:13:55,280 --> 00:13:56,000 Speaker 4: with a backup. 306 00:13:55,840 --> 00:13:58,679 Speaker 2: Quarterback, it's just a tough reson out of it. 307 00:13:59,040 --> 00:14:00,360 Speaker 3: And that's what happened a week, right. 308 00:14:00,400 --> 00:14:02,680 Speaker 1: I think the flip side is Todd Munkin feels like 309 00:14:03,920 --> 00:14:06,800 Speaker 1: they can really kind of change the momentum quickly, you know, 310 00:14:06,880 --> 00:14:10,160 Speaker 1: if one good drive, a couple good plays, that like, 311 00:14:10,640 --> 00:14:13,320 Speaker 1: that's what they need to do to get themselves out 312 00:14:13,360 --> 00:14:16,240 Speaker 1: of this offensive rut that they're in because and I 313 00:14:16,280 --> 00:14:18,120 Speaker 1: do believe that to a degree. I mean, they have 314 00:14:18,200 --> 00:14:21,800 Speaker 1: some actual issues to fix. It's not all momentum is 315 00:14:21,960 --> 00:14:24,760 Speaker 1: going to cure everything. They have to fix some issues. 316 00:14:25,120 --> 00:14:28,600 Speaker 1: But I do think that, like right now, him saying 317 00:14:28,760 --> 00:14:31,840 Speaker 1: we're in a rut is also kind of psychologically like 318 00:14:32,160 --> 00:14:34,200 Speaker 1: you need to have some success and they need that 319 00:14:34,240 --> 00:14:37,200 Speaker 1: on both sides of the ball, quite frankly, like things 320 00:14:37,320 --> 00:14:39,840 Speaker 1: need to start going well and I think once they do, 321 00:14:41,120 --> 00:14:43,200 Speaker 1: you can see it turn around for this team. 322 00:14:43,560 --> 00:14:44,760 Speaker 3: Yeah, so let's take a quick break. 323 00:14:44,800 --> 00:14:47,040 Speaker 4: When we come back, we'll dive into what needs to 324 00:14:47,080 --> 00:14:49,360 Speaker 4: happen in this game, specifically against the Rams for the 325 00:14:49,440 --> 00:14:52,160 Speaker 4: Ravens to come out on top. You're listening to the 326 00:14:52,240 --> 00:14:54,240 Speaker 4: last podcasts. We're coming to you from the seat Geek Studio. 327 00:14:54,280 --> 00:14:56,600 Speaker 4: We want to mention our partners with DraftKings Sportsbook. They 328 00:14:56,640 --> 00:14:59,240 Speaker 4: are an official sports betting partner oh the Baltimore Ravens 329 00:14:59,320 --> 00:15:02,880 Speaker 4: DraftKings Sports Book. The crown is yours. So in this 330 00:15:02,920 --> 00:15:05,520 Speaker 4: game against the Rams coming up one o'clock Sunday at 331 00:15:05,640 --> 00:15:08,320 Speaker 4: M and T Banks Stadium, big question for this team 332 00:15:08,880 --> 00:15:11,480 Speaker 4: is how you slow down this potent offense. You got 333 00:15:11,520 --> 00:15:13,840 Speaker 4: Matthew Stafford, who leads the league in passing more than 334 00:15:13,840 --> 00:15:17,480 Speaker 4: fifteen hundred yards, Pookin Nakula who leads the NFL in 335 00:15:17,600 --> 00:15:21,440 Speaker 4: receiving five hundred and eighty eight receiving yards fifty two catches. 336 00:15:21,520 --> 00:15:25,320 Speaker 4: Like these guys are putting up monster numbers or video 337 00:15:25,320 --> 00:15:29,400 Speaker 4: game numbers on this Rams offense. How do you stop 338 00:15:29,480 --> 00:15:32,520 Speaker 4: this unit? So the coaches are trying to figure that out. 339 00:15:32,560 --> 00:15:34,160 Speaker 4: I'll pose the question to you. I hope you're not 340 00:15:34,200 --> 00:15:35,560 Speaker 4: asking me this question. 341 00:15:35,600 --> 00:15:36,400 Speaker 3: I'm posing to you. 342 00:15:36,800 --> 00:15:41,120 Speaker 1: So Pookin Nakua needs six catches to have the most 343 00:15:41,160 --> 00:15:45,240 Speaker 1: through six games in NFL history, right, I think the 344 00:15:45,320 --> 00:15:47,640 Speaker 1: Ravens are gonna have a tough time keeping Pookin Nukua 345 00:15:47,720 --> 00:15:48,640 Speaker 1: under six catches. 346 00:15:48,640 --> 00:15:49,520 Speaker 3: Seven catches he needs. 347 00:15:49,680 --> 00:15:52,320 Speaker 1: He needs seven catches, okay, seven to break it, six 348 00:15:52,400 --> 00:15:54,680 Speaker 1: to tie it. I think they might have a tough 349 00:15:54,680 --> 00:15:55,720 Speaker 1: time keeping them under seven. 350 00:15:55,760 --> 00:15:55,960 Speaker 4: I know. 351 00:15:56,000 --> 00:15:58,760 Speaker 3: It's it's like he is a very. 352 00:15:58,680 --> 00:16:01,600 Speaker 2: Very very good player, and he up everywhere. 353 00:16:01,440 --> 00:16:03,800 Speaker 1: And so it's it's it's not like you can just, 354 00:16:04,760 --> 00:16:07,720 Speaker 1: you know, have have roll of safety coverage over the 355 00:16:07,720 --> 00:16:10,400 Speaker 1: top on the outside outside the numbers all the time 356 00:16:10,440 --> 00:16:12,320 Speaker 1: and try to double them and take him away. He 357 00:16:12,440 --> 00:16:14,880 Speaker 1: is a They move him all over the place to 358 00:16:14,880 --> 00:16:17,400 Speaker 1: get matchups, to put him into avantageous situations. 359 00:16:18,040 --> 00:16:21,320 Speaker 2: He's a physical player. He's just darn good. 360 00:16:21,560 --> 00:16:24,840 Speaker 1: Yeah, And so you have to limit the damage there 361 00:16:24,960 --> 00:16:29,200 Speaker 1: obviously against Pooka Nakua, but you're not You're just not 362 00:16:29,280 --> 00:16:30,680 Speaker 1: gonna stop him cold. 363 00:16:31,040 --> 00:16:32,920 Speaker 4: What getting Marlin Humphrey back, I think would be really 364 00:16:32,960 --> 00:16:35,720 Speaker 4: helpful in that. Like the thing about Nikoua is he's 365 00:16:35,720 --> 00:16:37,600 Speaker 4: not you compare him to some of the other like 366 00:16:37,680 --> 00:16:40,000 Speaker 4: number one receivers in the league, like Jamar Chase or 367 00:16:40,120 --> 00:16:42,920 Speaker 4: Justin Jefferson, and these are guys that are like oftentimes 368 00:16:43,320 --> 00:16:47,360 Speaker 4: just more lined up outside and like they're big play threats, 369 00:16:47,360 --> 00:16:49,760 Speaker 4: but they're also like the traditional outside receiver. When a 370 00:16:49,800 --> 00:16:53,240 Speaker 4: Coup moves all over the field, he blocks at the. 371 00:16:53,160 --> 00:16:53,960 Speaker 3: Line of scrimmage. 372 00:16:54,000 --> 00:16:57,720 Speaker 4: Sometimes he's great, he's really just great across the board. 373 00:16:57,720 --> 00:16:59,120 Speaker 4: But he's great when he gets the ball in his hands, 374 00:16:59,160 --> 00:17:01,240 Speaker 4: run after the catch. He's really good at finding the 375 00:17:01,240 --> 00:17:04,359 Speaker 4: saft spot in his own coverage. They run the Rams 376 00:17:04,359 --> 00:17:06,399 Speaker 4: offense does so much like they do a lot of 377 00:17:06,440 --> 00:17:08,520 Speaker 4: these bunch formations where they run these like kind of 378 00:17:08,520 --> 00:17:11,360 Speaker 4: crazy pick style plays to get wide receivers open into 379 00:17:11,400 --> 00:17:12,320 Speaker 4: kup is so good at that. 380 00:17:12,880 --> 00:17:14,920 Speaker 3: So like they can beat you in a lot of ways. 381 00:17:14,960 --> 00:17:17,359 Speaker 4: But the think about their offense is like you start 382 00:17:17,359 --> 00:17:20,040 Speaker 4: the conversation with him and Stafford and then you're like, oh, yeah, 383 00:17:20,080 --> 00:17:22,480 Speaker 4: there's also DeVante Adams, who's you know, maybe a Hall 384 00:17:22,480 --> 00:17:25,520 Speaker 4: of Fame wide receiver. On the other side, Kyri Williams 385 00:17:25,520 --> 00:17:28,439 Speaker 4: just signed a big contract as running back. There's a 386 00:17:28,600 --> 00:17:31,000 Speaker 4: ton of options. And then matt Sean mcvay's leading the 387 00:17:31,080 --> 00:17:33,679 Speaker 4: charge there for their offense as the head coach, and 388 00:17:33,720 --> 00:17:35,639 Speaker 4: he's one of the best coaches in football. So like, 389 00:17:36,080 --> 00:17:38,280 Speaker 4: there's a lot you have to contend with on this offense. 390 00:17:38,560 --> 00:17:41,160 Speaker 1: Yeah, and it's also not an offense where you say, 391 00:17:41,200 --> 00:17:43,520 Speaker 1: all right, you just put them. Of course, you want 392 00:17:43,560 --> 00:17:46,320 Speaker 1: to put everybody in third and long situations, you know, 393 00:17:46,840 --> 00:17:49,720 Speaker 1: but Matthew Stafford can sling it with the best of them, 394 00:17:49,800 --> 00:17:52,360 Speaker 1: and he's a drop back, get ripped the ball out 395 00:17:52,359 --> 00:17:56,280 Speaker 1: of there. So like, I think that for the Ravens defense, 396 00:17:56,480 --> 00:17:58,399 Speaker 1: it has to be across the board. There is no 397 00:17:58,520 --> 00:18:02,040 Speaker 1: easy out, there's no easy the answer to solving the 398 00:18:02,160 --> 00:18:03,000 Speaker 1: Rams puzzle. 399 00:18:03,359 --> 00:18:05,720 Speaker 2: The Ravens are well aware of that whole. 400 00:18:05,520 --> 00:18:08,879 Speaker 1: System, you know, it's has different iterations across the league. 401 00:18:09,560 --> 00:18:10,880 Speaker 1: But they're gonna have to play one of their best 402 00:18:10,920 --> 00:18:13,080 Speaker 1: defensive games of the year, There's no doubt about it. 403 00:18:13,240 --> 00:18:13,520 Speaker 3: Yeah. 404 00:18:13,600 --> 00:18:15,439 Speaker 4: I talked to John Horrible about this this week and 405 00:18:15,440 --> 00:18:16,960 Speaker 4: he kind of made the point that we have to 406 00:18:16,960 --> 00:18:19,919 Speaker 4: play our defense, and I think that, Like, what I 407 00:18:19,960 --> 00:18:22,760 Speaker 4: take away from that is the Ravens can't find themselves 408 00:18:22,800 --> 00:18:25,879 Speaker 4: in a situation where there's confusion, there's lapses like this. 409 00:18:26,200 --> 00:18:29,360 Speaker 4: You can say this in most games, but you it's 410 00:18:29,359 --> 00:18:33,080 Speaker 4: a true like all hands on deck eleven, every guy 411 00:18:33,119 --> 00:18:35,280 Speaker 4: doing their one eleventh because if you have somebody who's 412 00:18:35,280 --> 00:18:37,919 Speaker 4: out of position, guys like Nikua can just exploit that, 413 00:18:38,040 --> 00:18:40,480 Speaker 4: or there's confusion, Like those are the kinds of things 414 00:18:40,520 --> 00:18:43,679 Speaker 4: that you can't have in this game. It's to me 415 00:18:43,880 --> 00:18:48,200 Speaker 4: less of like a matchup conversation of like, man, this 416 00:18:48,280 --> 00:18:52,040 Speaker 4: guy Nate Wagan's versus Pukinnakua. Like that's not really the conversation. 417 00:18:52,160 --> 00:18:55,720 Speaker 4: It's more to me about this defense collectively all being 418 00:18:55,720 --> 00:18:58,080 Speaker 4: in the right place at the right time, having being 419 00:18:58,160 --> 00:19:00,479 Speaker 4: clear in what their coverage and their assignments are, and 420 00:19:00,480 --> 00:19:01,440 Speaker 4: then playing it well. 421 00:19:01,600 --> 00:19:01,840 Speaker 2: YEP. 422 00:19:02,200 --> 00:19:05,199 Speaker 1: I thought it was interesting hearing from Zach Orr today 423 00:19:05,240 --> 00:19:08,080 Speaker 1: about how he just he wants to see a kind 424 00:19:08,080 --> 00:19:11,480 Speaker 1: of a feistiness out of this group. It's it's a mentality. 425 00:19:11,600 --> 00:19:14,760 Speaker 1: It's a you know, the demeanor that you have out there, 426 00:19:15,040 --> 00:19:16,760 Speaker 1: and they want to see guys play with a bit 427 00:19:16,800 --> 00:19:19,359 Speaker 1: of an edge. I think that they're not exactly happy 428 00:19:19,400 --> 00:19:22,600 Speaker 1: with what they've seen in that regard so far this season. 429 00:19:23,040 --> 00:19:25,360 Speaker 1: And you know, he said, when when things go wrong, 430 00:19:25,480 --> 00:19:27,480 Speaker 1: comes to the sideline and get in there and have 431 00:19:27,520 --> 00:19:28,480 Speaker 1: the attitude to fix it. 432 00:19:28,520 --> 00:19:30,199 Speaker 2: We're gonna get it right here, you know. 433 00:19:30,280 --> 00:19:32,720 Speaker 1: And and I thought that was kind of eye opening 434 00:19:33,119 --> 00:19:36,760 Speaker 1: and just the we all have seen it, and I 435 00:19:36,800 --> 00:19:39,840 Speaker 1: think that people have described it. But to hear the Ravens, 436 00:19:40,000 --> 00:19:44,280 Speaker 1: you know, defensive coordinators say like that feistiness that Baltimore 437 00:19:44,359 --> 00:19:46,960 Speaker 1: is known for, like we've been lacking that to a 438 00:19:47,000 --> 00:19:50,320 Speaker 1: degree is interesting and I want and it's time to 439 00:19:50,400 --> 00:19:50,840 Speaker 1: change that. 440 00:19:51,400 --> 00:19:52,919 Speaker 4: I really do expect this team to play with an 441 00:19:53,000 --> 00:19:55,480 Speaker 4: edge this week. I think that that's as I said, 442 00:19:55,520 --> 00:19:57,679 Speaker 4: like I think team leaders have been stressing this point. 443 00:19:57,840 --> 00:19:59,960 Speaker 4: I think the Ravens know the situation that they're in, 444 00:20:00,400 --> 00:20:02,960 Speaker 4: and I think this team is gonna play hard, uh 445 00:20:03,000 --> 00:20:06,680 Speaker 4: and with an edge, and and maybe that's maybe that's 446 00:20:06,720 --> 00:20:08,639 Speaker 4: what's needed to change things around. 447 00:20:08,760 --> 00:20:10,439 Speaker 3: So it's gonna be an important game. 448 00:20:10,480 --> 00:20:12,399 Speaker 4: It's gonna be a really big game again one o'clock 449 00:20:12,440 --> 00:20:14,840 Speaker 4: Sunday at M and T Bank Stadium. As always, you 450 00:20:14,880 --> 00:20:17,320 Speaker 4: can email us at the lounge at Ravens dot NFL 451 00:20:17,480 --> 00:20:19,840 Speaker 4: dot net. Thank you so much for listening, and we'll 452 00:20:19,840 --> 00:20:22,000 Speaker 4: be back with you again on Sunday after that game 453 00:20:22,040 --> 00:20:23,680 Speaker 4: against LA