Ravens News 4-20: 2018 NFL schedule released, Alex Collins on a quest and more!

To the Ravens news..

What will be the toughest stretch in the Ravens schedule? — Baltimore Beatdown

After heading to the Steelers in Week 4 for another installment in the rivalry, the Ravens should be able to catch a breather in Cleveland before entering arguably the toughest stretch of the year. From Week 6 to Week 9, Baltimore will face four of the seven playoff teams with half of those contests on the road.

Alex Collins on quest to prove he’s Ravens’ No. 1 RB — NFL.com

A former fifth-round pick of the Seahawks in 2016, Collins was squeezed out of Seattle’s crowded backfield and cut before last season. He latched on Baltimore’s practice squad.

It took just 11 days for the Ravens to realize Collins was far too good of a runner for the practice squad. He was called up to the active roster in Week 2 and became the full-time starter in Week 6.

WINK MARTINDALE GIVING PLAYERS MORE FREEDOM IN RAVENS DEFENSE — Baltimore Ravens

It’s still early, but the first impressions of Wink Martindale’s revamped Ravens defensive system is two thumbs up from a couple of its star players.

Safety Eric Weddle and inside linebacker C.J. Mosley – the leaders in the middle and back end of the defense – are both pumped about the possibilities.

“He’s bringing in a lot of different elements that we haven’t had,” Weddle said Wednesday on Day 2 of the team’s voluntary offseason workouts. “For us, as players, it’s exciting.”