NFL’s deepest position groups in 2019: Ravens secondary on top - Chris Wesseling
1) Baltimore Ravens secondary
CBS broadcast prodigy Tony Romo cited Don Martindale’s defense as the league’s premier combination of scheme and talent, specializing in blitzing, disguising coverages and shutting down outside receivers. The cornerback corps was deep enough not only to survive but to thrive during the early-season absence of Jimmy Smith, Baltimore’s stingiest cover corner. Sidestepping Eric Weddle’s decline phase, the Ravens upgraded the back end, swooping in to sign replacement Earl Thomas, the gold standard for safety play in the modern NFL. As star-studded as Thomas’ legendary Legion of Boom defenses were in Seattle, they never boasted the extraordinary depth that Martindale will carry into the 2019 season. Beyond the four starting-caliber cornerbacks, the Ravens have stashed a bevy of young draft picks in Anthony Averett, Iman Lewis-Marshall, Chuck Clark and DeShon Elliott to go with jack-of-all-trades Anthony Levine.
Lamar Jackson Got His Receivers Together for an Off-Site Workout - Ryan Mink
Lamar Jackson followed through on getting together with his teammates for an off-site workout before training camp begins.
Jackson met up with wide receivers Willie Snead IV and Chris Moore, as well as backup quarterback Robert Griffin III, this week.
It’s unclear how many days the group has, or plans to, work out, but anything is a positive.
As minicamp ended, Head Coach John Harbaugh said off-site training with teammates is “very valuable work.”
As huge payday looms, Matthew Judon uncertain about future with Ravens - Jamison Hensley
History says Judon will get paid handsomely. The last three Ravens draft picks who recorded at least 15 sacks with the team totaled $48.5 million in guaranteed money in free agency.
And history says there’s a chance he’ll leave. Paul Kruger (signed with Cleveland Browns), Pernell McPhee (Chicago Bears) and Za’Darius Smith (Green Bay Packers) all signed elsewhere.
It could be a different story for Judon and the Ravens. Baltimore has more salary-cap room next year than in recent memory, and first-year general manager Eric DeCosta has pledged to keep young talent that often received big money from other teams.
“I have no clue what the future holds,” Judon said. “Hopefully, I’ll be here forever and ever. But, like this offseason, we never know.”
Can The Ravens Silence Their Critics? - Todd Karpovich
“I think the mindset here is, we’re worried about us,” safety Tony Jefferson said. “What’s going on outside this building honestly doesn’t really matter. Obviously, the Browns have made great additions. You can’t really shy away from that. They’ve got great players over there, and they improved from the years before last year.
“So, we just have to take it how it is. We are who we are, like I said, and we’re not backing down from anybody. We’re not going to praise anybody else. We’re worried about what’s going on in this building.”