Ravens News 7/15: Heat Wave

50 Words or Less: Derrick Henry Has Motivation to Remind People He’s Special

Clifton Brown, BaltimoreRavens.com

Lastly on Henry, don’t forget he has five career touchdown passes, including two in 2023. When the Ravens get near the goal line, Henry throwing a well-timed option pass is another weapon they can add to their red zone playbook.

The Ravens’ bye isn’t until Week14, their latest since 2000. That season, Baltimore was undefeated after the bye and won its first Super Bowl. I think having 10 days between games this upcoming December will work to the Ravens’ advantage again.

John Harbaugh is tied for 20th on the NFL’s all-time victory list (160). I think he’ll be in the top 15 by season’s end. He needs two wins to pass Mike Holmgren, seven to pass Paul Brown, and 11 to pass Tom Coughlin, Mike Shanahan, and Pete Carroll at 170.

Jamal Adams signed with the Titans after visiting the Ravens this offseason, but I’m not worried about Baltimore’s depth behind Kyle Hamilton and Marcus Williams. Ar’Darius Washington was playing well last season prior to his chest injury. He’s my favorite to win the No. 3 safety competition.

I’m sure players hope the recent heat wave is over before training camp. If the heat index is over 100 degrees when padded practices begin, it’s going to make the dog days of camp even more challenging.

Ravens see Derrick Henry as their missing Super Bowl piece

Jamison Hensley, ESPN

While there has been talk about Henry slowing down at age 30, the Ravens envision the pairing of the two-time rushing champion with two-time NFL Most Valuable Player Lamar Jackson will push Baltimore past its postseason roadblock and to the Super Bowl.

Much of the blame for the Ravens’ 17-10 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC Championship Game has been credited to their lack of running the ball. Team officials have tried to explain throughout the offseason why Jackson handed the ball off to running backs only six times in the defeat. But, Baltimore’s best response to its commitment to the ground game came on March 12, when the Ravens reached a two-year, $16 million agreement with Henry.

“It’s going to be scary,” Ravens middle linebacker Roquan Smith said. “I told a couple of my friends in the offseason, maybe I’ll have to get some popcorn on the sideline while I’m watching those guys go to work.

“I think it’s a great piece added to us, and it’s going to help us get to where we want to be.”

The Ravens have had the NFL’s most dominant rushing attack over the past five years without having a dominant running back.

It has been Jackson who has elevated Baltimore’s ground game, leading the team in rushing in each of the past five seasons, which is an NFL record streak for a quarterback. That streak includes Ingram’s Pro Bowl 2019 season, and it’s one of the reasons no Ravens running back has carried the ball more than 202 times since Jackson became the starting quarterback midway through the 2018 season.

Ranking NFL’s Top Players Over 30 Heading Into 2024 Season

Jeff Diamond, 33rd Team

20. JUSTIN TUCKER, BALTIMORE RAVENS, K

AGE: 34

The NFL record holder for career field goal percentage (90.2% made) and longest field goal (66 yards) is the only special team player on the list. Justin Tucker made his fifth straight Pro Bowl team last season (seventh overall) and he’s an eight-time All-Pro.

7. DERRICK HENRY, BALTIMORE RAVENS, RB

AGE: 30

After his outstanding eight-year career with the Tennessee Titans as their second-round pick in 2016, Derrick Henry will try to reach his first Super Bowl as Lamar Jackson’s backfield mate in Baltimore following his free agent signing with the Ravens.

Henry is coming off a 2023 season with 1,167 rushing yards (despite teams loading the box against him as the Titans broke in rookie QB Will Levis). King Henry is a big, physical runner who scored 12 TDs on the ground and added 28 receptions for 214 yards in 2023. He made the Pro Bowl for the fourth time and has been named All-Pro twice.

Henry has led the league in rushing twice including his best season in 2020 when he ran for 2,027 yards (and 17 TDs).

Top 2024 NFL training camp battles to watch: Steelers QBs, Bills WRs, Eagles CBs have strong competitions

Cody Benjamin, CBS Sports

Ravens KRs

The competition: Deonte Harty vs. Justice Hill

Special teams will have a renewed focus in 2024, with the NFL re-incentivizing kick returns under totally revamped rules. Harty is an accomplished return man from his days with the New Orleans Saints, while Hill is fresh off a 2023 campaign in which he logged a career-high 712 all-purpose yards.

AFC QB Rankings 2024: Lamar Jackson and Patrick Mahomes Battle for QB1, C.J. Stroud Rockets Into the Top 10

Dakota Randall, Pro Football Network

2) Lamar Jackson, Baltimore Ravens

The two-time NFL MVP has come a long way as a pocket passer. Still the most dangerous running QB in football, Jackson is now just as capable of beating teams with his arm. Yes, his durability issues and postseason struggles are concerning, but Jackson’s regular-season dominance is undeniable.

The scariest part: Jackson still is just 27 years old. There’s a good chance the best is yet to come for the Ravens superstar.

2023 STATS: 3,678 Passing Yards, 24 Passing Touchdowns, 7 Interceptions, 8.0 Yards Per Attempt, 64.7 QBR