Julian Edelman Talks Ravens-Patriots
Though in different divisions, the Ravens and New England Patriots squared off eight times from 2008-2015, with four of those being in the playoffs.
On Julian Edelman's podcast, "Games with Names," he and Baltimore comedian Stavros Halkias reminisced on the Ravens-Patriots 2013 AFC Championship Game and the rivalry between the two perennial AFC contenders.
"[The Patriots and Ravens] were a rivalry, that's what people don't realize," Edelman said. "Because we would play each other because we always won our divisions in the regular season so all the 'ones' play each other and then we'd always play each other in the playoffs. And the Baltimore Ravens were never scared to come to Foxborough. There were teams that used to [crap] their pants when they had to drive on Highway 1 and get up in there where we used to play the game. Baltimore came in in '09, they didn't give a [crap]. And they beat our [butts] right from the jump of that game. I hated it."
Getting more into the game and the Ravens, Edelman would be remiss without mentioning Ed Reed.
"I remember Ed Reed's last year, he lit me up in Baltimore," Edelman said. "We ended up losing, it was [2012]. It was the game that I played in, he lit me up on a post and he was just so swaggy about it. Got up, he was just, like, a competitor."
And, as usual, Edelman shared more on Bill Belichick's widely-known affinity for Reed.
"Bill used to show like a 40-play cutup of Ed Reed every time we played him. And we're like, 'Bill, we saw this six weeks ago,' and he'd just show another cutup," Edelman said.
A frequent comment throughout the two-hour episode was the toughness and tenacity of the Ravens.
"I played against these teams. Those were no fly zones," Edelman said. "If there was a mistake in the middle of the field, you were getting knocked out. And that's how football was played. … And that's what Baltimore did. They instilled fear. You knew if you were going across that middle – late across the middle – you knew if you caught a ball, you better hold onto that thing because someone was going to come hit you."
Cooper Rush on Joining the Ravens: 'I Think It's a Perfect Fit'
Two weeks have passed since the Ravens signed quarterback Cooper Rush, which was applauded by media outlets. Rush joined Glenn Clark Radio last week to talk about joining the team.
On signing with the Ravens
"It kind of came out of nowhere a little bit, but I think it's a perfect fit. I talked to coach [John] Harbaugh and coach [Todd] Monken. We met over the week and felt really good and fulfilled a need for the team. You see from afar the success they have and the stability. All things you hear, it's a good organization, so I'm excited to be a part of it. … You're always excited when it's a good team. Definitely a well-run organization. They've got players at every position. It's fun to be a part of teams like that. It was exciting. Getting a taste of the AFC North, which you hear so much about, will be awesome."
On playing behind Lamar Jackson
"I wish I could run like that. I'm really excited to see it up close, all the things he can do that he's shown over the years. Especially last year, you watch the tape and there were a lot less quarterback runs designed than you think. Lamar does his thing when he has to."
On his time with the Cowboys and translating his success to a new organization.
"We had a really good locker room. You hear about a lot of outside noise but really inside the building, it's nothing too crazy. At the end of the day, you choose how to let things affect you. In my mind, in a lot of guys' minds, this is the Dallas Cowboys, this is awesome. … If you accept that in a positive light, I think it really helps the guys."
DeAndre Hopkins Named Ravens' Signing with the Most Upside
Over the weekend, PFF’s Ben Cooper named a free agency signing for each NFL team with the most upside. And while the Ravens nabbed a few outside free agency signings along with retaining their own, it's no shock he listed wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins for the Ravens.
"The Ravens have made a habit of signing receivers in their 30s with strong track records, including Odell Beckham Jr., Dez Bryant, Michael Crabtree, Steve Smith Sr. and DeSean Jackson," Cooper wrote. "Few of those players truly thrived in Baltimore, but there's reason to believe Hopkins can buck the trend."
Cooper is gingerly brushing off what a few of those "truly thriving" Ravens did in their time. Smith Sr. produced a 1,000-yard season for the Ravens at 35 years old. Mike Wallace, who wasn't mentioned by Cooper, also produced 1,000 receiving yards with the Ravens at 30 years old. Beckham produced 565 yards and three touchdowns while helping to develop and lead a young receiving room to the AFC Championship Game in 2023, too.
But Cooper does have confidence in Hopkins joining the Ravens.
"The 32-year-old tallied only 639 receiving yards in 2024 with the Titans and Chiefs but brought in 54.2% of his contested targets — his best rate since 2018 with the Texans," Cooper wrote. "For only $5 million in base salary, the Ravens are taking a low-risk gamble that Hopkins is still an elite pass catcher."
