A quick note before proceeding with today's Late for Work: As we noted yesterday, the official start to NFL free agency begins today at 4 p.m., so while we are aware of the reports and passing along the latest in Rumor Mill, there will be no discussion here on the supposed frenzy until the team makes any transactions official. That could have to wait until players undergo a physical, which is complicated by the COVID-19 epidemic.
Seahawks Reportedly Express Interest in Matthew Judon
The Seattle Seahawks have reached out to the Ravens about the availability of outside linebacker Matthew Judon, according to a report by Sports Illustrated’s Corbin Smith.
Seattle is exploring a contingency plan as it continues to attempt to re-sign Jadeveon Clowney, the top pending free-agent pass rusher, Smith wrote.
The Ravens placed the franchise tag on Judon last week, which allows them to retain the 27-year-old Pro Bowl selection for the upcoming season as they try to work out a long-term deal. While the Ravens have made it clear that they want to re-sign Judon, trading him is an option if an agreement cannot be reached.
"If the Seahawks were to pull the trigger and trade for Judon, one source indicated the Ravens would likely ask for a second-round pick in exchange," Smith wrote. "A third-round pick coupled with a late-round pick could also be enough, depending on how negotiations unfold for a potential extension."
The Ravens entered this week in the bottom third in the league in salary cap space, and they'll have even less money to spend when/if moves they reportedly made this week become official. If Judon signs his franchise tag, he would make about $16 million in 2020.
Given the moves the Ravens reportedly made this week to strengthen their interior line, The Athletic's Jeff Zrebiec doesn't think it makes sense for the Ravens to trade Judon.
"Matthew Judon still could be traded, but why upgrade the interior so much and downgrade on the edge?" Zrebiec wrote. "The sense is that the Ravens could still trade their franchised player if they get a suitable offer and then use the $16 million in cap savings to add a cheaper edge rusher and possibly address another position of need.
"However, the pass rusher market has thinned considerably. There aren't too many productive and affordable guys available. I'd be far more tempted to see how effective Judon would be with pass-rushing threats alongside him."
Ebony Bird’s Chris Schisler expressed a similar sentiment.
"It's going to be tough finding a better player on the edge, or even filling his shoes, in free agency," Schisler wrote. " … If the Ravens don't have a contingency plan that replaces Judon, a trade will take away from the defensive front. The Ravens' clear objective in free agency is to strengthen things in the front seven of their defense. Trading Judon is antithetical to that goal."
Judon had a career-high 9.5 sacks this past season in addition to 14 tackles for loss, four forced fumbles and 54 total tackles in 16 starts. He posted the NFL's fifth-best pass rush productivity and led the league with 25 quarterback hits, per Pro Football Focus.
Report: Ravens Expected to Decline Option on Brandon Carr
As noted above, the Ravens need to make some moves to gain cap room. To that end, the team is expected to decline the option on veteran defensive back Brandon Carr, according to ESPN’s Jamison Hensley. Doing so would free up $6 million in cap space.
The 12-year veteran played the past three seasons in Baltimore. To say that Carr, one of the most respected players in the locker room, has proved to be reliable would be an understatement. Carr, who turns 34 in May, can play cornerback and safety and he's made 192 consecutive starts, second among active players to Philip Rivers. He was recently listed among the top-20 Ravens free-agent signings of all-time.
The Ravens have a rich draft history (three Hall of Famers), but some of Baltimore's most iconic players came via free agency.
1. DE Michael McCrary (1997-2002)
The Ravens signed McCrary after he spent his first four seasons in Seattle. He was coming off a breakout campaign (13.5 sacks in 1996) when he joined Baltimore. After that, his career really took off. McCrary logged 51 regular-season sacks in Baltimore. He had six in the 2000 postseason alone, including two in Super Bowl XLVII. While Lewis, Woodson, Peter Boulware, Adams, Siragusa and others got a lot of attention on that record-setting defense, McCrary was a huge part of its success. McCrary edges Woodson out as a member of the Ravens Ring of Honor.
2. S Rod Woodson (1998-2001)
The Hall of Famer came to Baltimore after 10 years in Pittsburgh and one in San Francisco. He took the Ravens defense to another level, not only individually but as a leader in the back end. Woodson registered 20 interceptions in four years in purple. He was the secondary's quiet leader in the historic 2000 Super Bowl defense. Alongside Sharpe, Woodson was a key mentor for Lewis, helping the young, fierce linebacker become a pro.
3. WR Derrick Mason (2005-2010)
Ravens fans yearned for a big-time receiver and they got it when Baltimore inked Mason in 2005. He still stands as the Ravens' franchise receiving leader in catches (471) and yards (5,777). He posted four 1,000-yard seasons in his six years in Baltimore and was a big part of helping Joe Flacco launch his early career. Mason was a leader on four playoff teams and another gritty player.
4. WR Anquan Boldin (2010-2012)
Another technicality here because Boldin was a trade-and-sign. Still, he goes down as one of the Ravens' best deals because of his Super Bowl run dominance. In the 2012 playoffs, he caught 22 passes for 380 yards and four touchdowns. He took over the AFC championship game in New England. Boldin brought a hard-nosed edge to the Ravens' receiving corps for three years and had excellent production his entire tenure. Despite playing for four teams, including the Arizona Cardinals for seven years, Boldin retired a Raven.
5. TE Shannon Sharpe (2000-2001)
Sharpe only played two seasons in Baltimore, but he made them count. The Hall of Fame tight end led the Ravens in receiving during the 2000 Super Bowl season, hauling in 67 passes for 810 yards and five touchdowns. He and Jamal Lewis did a lot of the heavy lifting on offense that year. Sharpe was an instrumental leader and mentor, especially for a young Ray Lewis. Sharpe had 73 grabs for 811 yards and a Pro Bowl in his second year before passing the torch to Todd Heap.
6. C Matt Birk (2009-2012)
Birk finished an excellent 15-year career with four seasons in Baltimore. He was the anchor in the middle of the offensive line, next to a young Marshal Yanda. Birk was a smart leader and gritty competitor. The Ravens' offensive line was a huge reason for the late-season offensive success. He was also a champion in the community and named the NFL's Walter Payton Man of the Year in 2011.
7. DT Sam Adams (2000-2001)
The Ravens signed Adams to a big-time deal before the 2000 season and he was an instrumental piece of the Super Bowl defense. Pairing with Tony Siragusa, Adams was an absolute monster up front, keeping Ray Lewis and the Ravens' other linebackers clean. He went to the Pro Bowl in both of his seasons in Baltimore.
8. WR/RS Jacoby Jones (2012-2014)
Jones didn't have the consistency or overall production as some of the players listed above, but the Ravens don't win the Super Bowl in 2012 without him. Jones was on the receiving end of the "Mile High Miracle" in Denver and his two touchdowns (108-yard kickoff and 56-yard reception) in Super Bowl XLVII could have made him the game's MVP. He had four touchdowns as a returner in 2012 alone.
9. RB Mark Ingram II (2019-current)
Ingram was a fantastic signing last offseason and had a very Weddle-like impact. Ingram was immediately beloved by teammates in the locker room, brought an infectious fun attitude, was a serious competitor on the field, and went to the Pro Bowl. He had 1,018 rushing yards and his 15 total touchdowns tied a franchise record. Ingram gets the nod because he was part of the best regular-season Ravens team in franchise history and the lead running back for a team that set the NFL record for most rushing yards in a single season. Lamar Jackson called Ingram "the heart of the team." Plus, he coined "Big Truss."
10. DT Tony Siragusa (1997-2001)
Siragusa came to Baltimore from Indianapolis, where he re-joined forces with Head Coach Ted Marchibroda. "Goose" established himself as a menace in the trenches and an absolute character off the field. The 2000 Super Bowl squad just wouldn't have been the same without Siragusa. He teamed up with Sam Adams to create a block-swallowing wall up front on the greatest defense of all-time. His belly flop on Raiders quarterback Rich Gannon knocked him out of the 2000 AFC championship.
11. NT Kelly Gregg (2001-2010)
Gregg was a reserve defensive tackle with the Philadelphia Eagles when Ozzie Newsome brought him to Baltimore. He turned into a full-time starter in his second season in purple and held that job for eight seasons. Nicknamed "Buddy Lee" for his blue-collar work ethic in the trenches, the 6-foot-0, 320-pounder helped anchor the Ravens' run defense for a long time. He was so Baltimore, but unfortunately never won a Super Bowl.
12. S Eric Weddle (2016-2018)
From the minute Weddle stepped onto campus, it was clear his infectious personality and love of the game would go over well in Baltimore. He was an immediate leader on and off the field and registered 10 interceptions in his first two seasons. Weddle's knowledge of the game provided some excellent chess matches with top quarterbacks and helped make the Ravens defense versatile and deceptive. He went to the Pro Bowl all three years in Baltimore.
13. OLB Elvis Dumervil (2013-2016)
A fax machine snafu in Denver led to Dumervil being available and the Ravens pounced. He registered a whopping 34.5 sacks in his first there seasons in purple, including 17 in 2014 to finish third in the league. A no-nonsense guy in the locker room, Dumervil brought more leadership to Baltimore's defense and was a huge reason for a very good 2014 campaign as a team.
14. WR Steve Smith Sr. (2014-2016)
Smith brought an unmatched bite to the Ravens' offense during his three-year stint in Baltimore. After coming over from Carolina, he had a spectacular first season in purple with 79 catches for 1,065 yards and six touchdowns. He tore his Achilles midway through the following season but returned for one more strong year before retiring after 16 NFL seasons. Smith was also excellent in the Baltimore community. There was never a Raven quite like Smith.
15. S Earl Thomas III (2009-current)
Thomas was one of the Ravens' two big signings last season and he made an immediate splash. It took Thomas a bit to adjust after nine seasons in Seattle, but he had an interception on the Ravens' first defensive series of the season and erased many opportunities for big plays from opponents. Thomas was a leader in the secondary and was named to his seventh Pro Bowl.
16. RB Willis McGahee (2007-2010)
This was technically a trade-and-sign, but we'll count it for this list. The Ravens were McGahee's second and favorite stop during his 11-year career. He officially retired as a Raven a few months ago. He was a quintessential hard-nosed runner, churning out 1,207 rushing yards in a Pro Bowl 2007 season before splitting the lead role with Ray Rice in years following. He was a major part of the 2008 run to the AFC championship and scored 14 total touchdowns in 2009.
17. WR Qadry Ismail (1999-2001)
Ismail led the Ravens' wide receivers in yardage for three straight seasons and had 1,000-yard campaigns in 1999 and 2001. While Jamal Lewis led the offense during the 2000 Super Bowl run, Ismail's big-play ability was a crucial threat.
18. DE Trevor Pryce (2006-2010)
Pryce was a premier pass rusher in Denver for nine seasons before he landed in Baltimore. He had a big 2006 season with 13 sacks, leading a team that had an eye-popping 60 sacks overall. Pryce had just 13 sacks in the four seasons following, however. He's still in Baltimore leading a digital animation studio.
19. QB Steve McNair (2006-2007)
The Ravens were quite familiar with McNair – a longtime Tennessee Titan rival – when they signed him to take over as their offensive leader. He served that role for – up until this year – the best regular-season team in franchise history at 13-3. McNair threw for 3,050 yards, 16 touchdowns and 12 interceptions in 2006. He started just six games the following season and retired afterwards.
20. CB Brandon Carr (2017-current)
Without much fanfare, Carr has been exactly what the Ravens signed up for three years ago and more. He's been dependable (still hasn't missed a start in 13 NFL seasons), a role model for teammates, a leader in the community and underappreciated really good player between the white lines. Carr has six interceptions in three seasons and even shifted to a hybrid safety role in 2019 to help the team. The Ravens have twice picked up the option on a four-year deal he signed in 2017. He just beat out Samari Rolle (2005-2008) for this spot.
Carr, the Ravens' Walter Payton Man of the Year nominee the past two years, said after the season ended that he wants to continue playing with the Ravens but understands that it's a business.
"You know how this business goes. I'm prepared for anything," Carr said in January. "But this organization is hands down the best I've been a part of both on and off the field. It's been an amazing three years. We'll see what happens after this."
Zrebiec wrote that declining Carr's option isn't the only move the Ravens will have to make to free up cap space.
"Recouping $6 million on Carr's contract seems to be a necessity now, but the Ravens can't stop there," Zrebiec wrote. "They'll need space to pounce on some free-agent bargains, sign draft picks and to carry into the season for roster flexibility. A trade of Judon would certainly provide breathing room, but short of that, a few extensions or restructures might have to be in order."
Another question regarding veteran defensive backs is whether the Ravens can re-sign cornerback Jimmy Smith, who is a free agent for the first time in his nine-year career.
Hensley wrote that "no one should rule out" the Ravens retaining Smith, but Zrebiec noted that it won't be easy.
"The door hasn't been closed on cornerback Jimmy Smith, but given the Ravens' tight salary cap situation, it would take some serious maneuvering for them to afford him," Zrebiec wrote.
Placing Original-Round Tender on Matt Skura Comes With Risk
By placing an original-round tender on restricted free-agent center Matt Skura rather than a second-round tender, the Ravens are taking a calculated risk, The Athletic's Zrebiec wrote.
"If the Ravens had placed the second-round tender on their starting center, they would have been assured of keeping him because a team wouldn't have risked losing a second-round pick to sign an unheralded player coming off a major knee injury," Zrebiec wrote. "By using an original-round tender, the Ravens have right of first refusal for any outside offer he gets, but they won't get compensation if they don't match the offer.
"The difference between the two tags is about $1.1 million and the Ravens need all the cap savings they can get, so it's easy to see why they made the choice. It also wouldn't be shocking to see another team make a run at Skura with an offer that the cash-strapped Ravens would struggle to match."
Skura, who signed with the Ravens as an undrafted free agent in 2016, suffered a season-ending injury in Week 12 when he tore his ACL, PCL and MCL in his left knee.
While the 27-year-old Skura could draw interest from other teams, WNST’s Luke Jones speculated that extenuating circumstances could potentially lessen the interest.
"With the logistical challenges created by the coronavirus pandemic, teams probably won't be as motivated to explore an offer sheet with a rehabbing restricted free agent," Jones wrote.
Reflecting on Ravens' Rivalry With Tom Brady's Patriots
It will be surreal to see Tom Brady playing in a uniform other than that of the New England Patriots, but it will likely be a welcome sight for Ravens fans. Brady reportedly has finalized a deal with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
The Ravens and Patriots, who will meet in Foxborough this coming season, had a fierce rivalry during the future Hall of Fame quarterback's 20 years in New England. Brady won eight of 12 meetings with the Ravens, but he went just 2-2 against Baltimore in the playoffs.
Under Head Coach John Harbaugh, the Ravens handed the Patriots their first home loss in the Brady-Bill Belichick era with a 33-14 rout in the wild-card round in January 2010. The Ravens and Patriots also met in back-to-back AFC Championship Games, with the Ravens losing a heartbreaker, 23-20, in overtime in January 2012 before winning the following year, 28-13, en route to capturing their second Super Bowl title.
The Ravens and Tom Brady have had many classic games over the years.
2004 – Brady's First Game vs. Ravens
Five years into his career, Brady faced the Ravens for the first time on Nov. 28, 2004 as New England prevailed, 24-3, in Foxborough. Brady (15-30, 172 yards) didn't have a big game in rainy conditions, failing to throw a touchdown pass for the first time in 17 games. But his rivalry with the Ravens had begun.
2007 – Ravens Almost Ruin Patriots' Perfect Regular Season
New England's perfect regular season (16-0) was almost ruined by the Ravens, who suffered a heartbreaking 27-24 loss at M&T Bank Stadium on Monday Night Football. The Ravens thought they had stopped Brady when they stuffed his quarterback sneak on fourth-and-1. However, Ravens Defensive Coordinator Rex Ryan called timeout just before the snap, nullifying the play. Brady capped a 73-yard game-clinching drive by throwing an 8-yard touchdown pass to Jabar Gaffney with 44 seconds left, moving the Patriots to 12-0.
2009 – Ravens Rock Brady in Wild-Card Playoffs
Baltimore put a postseason beatdown on Brady, rolling to a 33-14 victory at Gillette Stadium in the Wild-Card round. The Ravens intercepted Brady three times and sacked him three times in a dominant defensive performance led by Ray Lewis (12 tackles), Ed Reed (interception), and Terrell Suggs (strip sack). When Brady looks back on his career, this performance (49.1 quarterback) is a game he'd rather forget.
2011 – Poor Game by Brady, But Bitter Defeat for Ravens
Brady (22 of 36, 239 yards, two interceptions, no touchdowns) was outplayed by Joe Flacco (22 of 26, 306 yards, two touchdowns, one interception), saying afterward, "I sucked pretty bad today, but our defense saved us." In one of the most bitter defeats in Ravens history, Lee Evans dropped a potential game-winning touchdown pass and Billy Cundiff missed a 32-yard field goal with 11 seconds left, allowing the Patriots to prevail, 23-20.
2012 – Flacco Outduels Brady Again
This Week 3 matchup on Sunday night helped set the tone for Baltimore's Super Bowl-winning season. Both Flacco (28 for 39, three touchdowns, one interception) and Brady (28 for 41, 335 yards, one touchdown) were on top of their games, as Baltimore won a 31-30 shootout. Brady engineered a 13-play scoring drive to give New England a 30-21 lead, but the Ravens stormed back for an emotional win. Torrey Smith caught two touchdown passes, playing on the same day that his younger brother was killed in a motorcycle accident.
2012 AFC Championship – Ravens Redemption
Facing New England for the second straight year in the conference championship game, the Ravens refused to let Brady deny them a trip to the Super Bowl. Shutting out New England in the second half, Baltimore rolled to a 28-13 victory at Gillette Stadium and Brady (29 for 54, one touchdown, two interceptions) had no answer for Baltimore's defense. Two weeks later, the Ravens sent Lewis into retirement in style by winning the Super Bowl over the San Francisco 49ers.
2014 AFC Divisional Playoffs – Brady Delivers in Clutch
Throwing three touchdown passes in the second half, Brady (33 for 50, 367 yards, three touchdowns, one interception) rallied the Patriots from a 28-14 deficit for a 35-31 victory in Foxborough. On the game-winning drive, Brady completed eight of nine passes and even ran for a first down. It was another example of why Brady is so dangerous in pressure situations. In this game, Brady threw his 46th career postseason touchdown pass to surpass Joe Montana (45) for first place on the all-time list.
2016 Week 14 – Ravens Can't Stop Brady's Momentum
After being suspended for the first four games of the 2016 season in the aftermath of the Deflate-gate scandal, Brady put together another vintage year. The Patriots rolled through Baltimore in Week 14 and left with a 30-23 victory, as Brady who threw for three touchdowns and 406 yards. Brady couldn't be stopped neither were the Patriots, who won their fifth Super Bowl that season by overcoming a 28-3 deficit to defeat the Atlanta Falcons.
2019 – Brady Gives Props to Lamar Jackson
It was a much-anticipated meeting that featured a 42-year-old Brady getting his first up-close look at a 22-year-old Lamar Jackson. It was a terrific Sunday night for Jackson, who ran for two touchdowns and threw for another, leading Baltimore to a 37-20 win. After the game, Brady and Jackson shook hands at midfield, as Brady showed his respect for Jackson on the way to his MVP season. "Great game, dude," Brady said. "You played great. Congratulations." Jackson replied, "Appreciate it (you're) the G.O.A.T."
2022 – The Final Meeting
Facing Brady for the only time after he left the Patriots, the Ravens rallied to defeat Tampa Bay, 27-22, on Thursday Night Football. Lamar Jackson was 8 for 8 in the second half and raised his career record against Brady to 2-0. Brady was 26 for 44 for 325 yards and didn't throw a touchdown until there was less than a minute left and the game was all but decided. Brady was sacked a season-high three times and suffered a third straight loss for the first time since 2002.
The teams also had memorable regular-season clashes. One of the many highlights for the Ravens this past season was their 37-20 win over the Patriots in prime time at M&T Bank Stadium.
Although the rivalry was intense, there was mutual respect between the players and organizations. When Ray Lewis was asked prior to his Hall of Fame induction in 2018 about the best quarterbacks he faced in his career, he named Brady and Peyton Manning.
"The games were one thing, but the preparation you had to have during the week was another challenge in itself," Lewis said. "The checks they made, I had to make those checks. The adjustments, they made, I had to make those adjustments. Every time we played each other, we gave each other the greatest respect — as players — we can give. Any time one of us walked off the field, we always gave each other mad respect."
Brady, likewise, had similar praise for Lewis. He said in a 2018 interview that Lewis was the player he feared playing against the most.
"The one guy that I wouldn't want chasing me down would probably be Ray Lewis, because he played with a vengeance,"Brady said. "When he got to me, he wanted to make sure he knew that he got to me, and he usually cleaned my clock pretty good. So he's the one who would probably be in my nightmares."
Quick Hits
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