*UPDATE: After fighting for his life all day Friday, Tray Walker passed away Friday evening.*
More Details Behind Tray Walker Accident, Teammates React
Family, friends and teammates are sending up and asking for prayers as more details emerge from Ravens cornerback Tray Walker's motorcycle accident that left him in critical condition at Miami's Jackson Memorial Hospital Thursday night.
According to multiple reports out of Florida, Walker, 23, was riding a Honda dirt bike when he collided with a Ford Escape at a four-way stop intersection in Miami-Dade about three miles from Walker's former high school, Miami Northwestern.
The accident occurred at about 7:50 p.m., and police told reporters that Walker's bike did not have headlights and he was wearing dark clothes. The bike had the No. 25 on it, the same number as his Ravens jersey. Walker was not wearing a helmet.
The driver of the Ford Escape, who was not injured, stayed on the scene and was cooperative with the police investigation. However, investigators are looking for a member of the New England Patriots who may have witnessed the crash, according to WPLG Local 10 in Miami.
Detectives are still investigating exactly how the crash occurred, but WBAL's Pete Gilbert reported that Miami-Dade police do not suspect drugs or alcohol played a role, and Walker was not racing. Per WJZ's Mark Viviano, Walker's sister, Shalonda Martin, said the car ran the stop sign.
"Detectives are trying to determine exactly what happened, if the Ford Escape took the stop sign or if she just didn't see Walker," said Det. Dan Ferrin, per The Baltimore Sun.
Family members and friends gathered outside the hospital last night.
"Right now, he's in critical condition and he's in surgery," Martin told WPLG late last night. "That's all the information we have right now at the moment. … I just ask that everybody pray for the Martin and Walker family at this moment. Right now we need prayer. That's all we need. We don't need any bad vibes around us."
Walker's Ravens teammates did just that.
New England Media Not A Fan Of Ravens' Proposed Rule Change
With owners meetings beginning next week, it's the time of year that NFL teams propose rule changes, and the Ravens suggested two: 1) give each team three challenges per game and 2) require offensive linemen to wear jersey vests, similar to a practice pinnie, with an appropriate number when they are checking in eligible receivers.
The rule-change proposal comes after Ravens offensive lineman John Urschel was missed by referees when he checked in as an eligible receiver against the Arizona Cardinals. Their failure to see him resulted in the officials' calling back a key first down.
The folks up in New England believe the rule proposal stems from the Ravens' AFC divisional round loss to the Patriots when Baltimore complained about New England using eligible/ineligible trickeration. But the loophole the Patriots found was already closed at last year's owners meetings.
Some New England media obviously don't like the proposal (hat tip to Russell Street Report):
Kevin Duffy of MassLive.com: "When referring to the Baltimore Ravens, Tom Brady once said, 'Maybe those guys gotta study the rule book and figure it out.' How Baltimore interpreted it, apparently: 'Maybe those guys gotta change the rule book.' … Bizarre, to say the least. There's virtually no chance it gets passed. The sheer absurdity of the idea makes you wonder if the Ravens proposed it simply to make a mockery of everything eligible/ineligible."
Doug Kyed of NESN: "It has been over a year since the New England Patriots deployed a confusing ineligible receiver strategy, and the Baltimore Ravens still don't seem to be over it."
Eugene Monroe Promises He'll Look Different This Year
After not being able to re-sign offensive lineman Kelechi Osemele, the Ravens' starting left tackle is currently slated to be Eugene Monroe.
Monroe has had a hard time staying on the field since he signed a five-year deal reportedly worth $37.5 million before the 2014 season. He has missed 15 of 32 starts since that time with various injuries.
But Monroe told his followers on Twitter yesterday that he intends to be on the field next season and will look good.
Wallace: I Didn't Criticize Bridgewater
Many people (not me) interpreted new Ravens wide receiver Mike Wallace's compliments to quarterback Joe Flacco as a backdoor criticism of his former teammate and quarterback Teddy Bridgewater.
Wallace's comment that is under scrutiny occurred during his Ravens introductory press conference.
"When this process started, I knew that I wasn't going back to Minnesota," he said. "I was like, 'I need a good quarterback.' I need a quarterback who I know is proven, who can get things done, and Flacco, he's always been that guy."
Wallace told USA Today that he in no way intended to take a shot at Bridgewater.
"I loved my coaches and teammates in Minnesota. I would never say anything negative about Teddy – that's my guy beyond football," Wallace said Wednesday in a series of text messages to USA Today. "I already talked to Teddy. We are A1. I love Teddy like a brother and I will still hang out with him," Wallace texted. "Just because we (are) not on the same team doesn't mean the love isn't there. It's bigger than the game of football. "He's a great young QB. I said that the whole time I was there. The way he handled (himself) on the field – I have much respect for him and I know as the time goes on, they will unleash him and he will show why he was in the discussion to be the number 1 pick."
He continued: "I don't have anything bad to say about Minnesota. I had a good time. Coach Zim (Mike Zimmer) is a great coach and I would play for him any day. The reason I picked Baltimore is because I think they give me the best chance to get back making the plays that I want to."
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