NFL Network Insider Gives Kyle Van Noy His Flowers
Kyle Van Noy seems to be getting better with age. The 33-year-old outside linebacker had two sacks against the Cowboys and four sacks over his past two games, all while recovering from a fractured orbital bone he suffered in Week 1.
"Another big game for Kyle Van Noy, and what an interesting season it's been so far for him," NFL Network's Mike Garafolo said on "The Insiders" YouTube show. "And to do it after just suffering an orbital bone fracture against the Kansas City Chiefs. I think he was just such a big part of what they did [Sunday] and a big part of what they're doing.
"It seems like everywhere he goes, the defense starts to get better, in large part because of what he's able to provide as a veteran presence. He's a guy that I don't think has gotten enough credit over his career and has gotten better over the course of his career."
Van Noy's contributions are crucial after Jadeveon Clowney departed in free agency and young pass rushers Odafe Oweh and David Ojabo continue to develop.
Coming off a career-high nine sacks in 14 games in his first season with the Ravens last year, Van Noy has five tackles for loss and six quarterback hits this season in addition to his four sacks.
NBA Star Donovan Mitchell Praises Lamar Jackson's Athleticism at Louisville
Before Lamar Jackson took the NFL by storm, he was wowing his fellow athletes at Louisville.
NBA star Donovan Mitchell of the Cleveland Cavaliers, who played basketball at Louisville when Jackson was on the football team, said he and his teammates made sure to never miss seeing Jackson in action during home games.
"He's doing [stuff], he's like jumping over people. I'm like, yo, the game's at 1 o'clock, you got the basketball team up at 6 a.m. tailgating with the students because we're like, 'This is gonna be a show,'" Mitchell said on "7PM in Brooklyn" with Carmelo Anthony and "The Kid Mero."
Mitchell also discussed Jackson's skills on the basketball court.
"We were having dunk contests my freshman year in the gym. Me, Lamar, some of the guys on the [basketball] team and the football team, and he was out here windmilling, throwing it off the wall, like crazy," Mitchell said.
Pundit Says Mark Andrews' Slow Start Is Offense's Biggest Issue
It's a testament to how many weapons the Ravens have at Jackson's disposal that the offense is No. 1 in total yards even though tight end Mark Andrews has been uncharacteristically quiet.
ESPN’s Jamison Hensley cited Andrews' slow start as the Ravens' biggest issue on offense through the season's first three weeks.
"The three-time Pro Bowler has gone from being QB Lamar Jackson's favorite target to a surprising nonfactor in the passing game," Hensley wrote. "Andrews has been limited to six catches for 65 yards, both of which are his fewest three weeks into the season. It seems like the emergence of tight end Isaiah Likely has taken away some of Andrews' targets, and the addition of running back Derrick Henry has removed some of Andrews' red zone opportunities.
"On Sunday, the Ravens went with a run-heavy game plan, which resulted in Andrews not making a catch for the first time in 76 games."
Andrews was only targeted once in that game and has just eight targets for the season. However, Andrews made an impact in Sunday's win over the Dallas Cowboys even without the ball in his hands.
Andrews delivered a key block on Cowboys Pro Bowl cornerback Trevon Diggs on Jackson's 9-yard touchdown run to cap the Ravens' opening drive and had a 90.2 run-blocking grade by Pro Football Focus. Head Coach John Harbaugh said Andrews "might have had three [or] four pancakes" in the game.
"There'll always be somebody that didn't get the ball thrown to them or didn't get many touches or wasn't on the field as much," Harbaugh said. "It's probably going to be a part of the gameplan each week — and a lot of it is how the game goes, too. But Mark did what he was asked to do in the game — it just turned out that way. It wasn't like he wasn't on the pass routes — he could've been thrown the ball; it just didn't come his way. The blocks came his way. He was out there blocking those guys, and he did a great job."
Tyler Huntley Could Start for Dolphins This Week
Dolphins Head Coach Mike McDaniel said there's a chance former Ravens quarterback Tyler Huntley could start against the Tennessee Titans this Monday night.
Starter Tua Tagovailoa is on injured reserve after suffering a concussion in Week 2, and backup Skylar Thompson is "day-to-day" after suffering a chest injury last week.
The Dolphins signed Huntley off the Ravens' practice squad last week.
