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Ravens assistant strength and conditioning coach Kaelyn Buskey beamed with excitement and energy entering the Under Armour Performance Center on Tuesday morning. She anxiously awaited this day for months. The Ravens welcomed roughly 170 female high school athletes from throughout Maryland to their practice facility for the 10th annual L.I.F.T. (Leading and Inspiring Females to Thrive) Conference. Buskey has worked with the Ravens for four years and Tuesday marked her third time being an integral part of the day’s activities. The event is designed to “empower the next generation of female student-athletes and develop their leadership skills, helping them succeed both on and off the playing field,” according to a news release. Freshmen, sophomores and juniors were selected with many receiving recommendations from coaches and athletic directors. “Look around, there’s 140-plus girls here that get to experience what it’s like to be a Raven for a day,” Buskey said. “I’m very fortunate that I get to do it every day. So, to get to share that experience and even give them a chance to meet some of our players today … really expose them to all of those opportunities, not only in sport, but in football specifically it’s just a rewarding experience. I’m really grateful to be a part of it.” Buskey organized an hour workout session with several drills in the team’s field house. The workout was designed to replicate what the Ravens will be working on when they return for minicamp in a few weeks. She also received help from several players, including inside linebacker Trenton Simpson, safety Beau Brade, quarterback Devin Leary and outside linebacker Tavius Robinson. All the players led groups that practiced the requisite skills for their respective position group. Simpson and Brade focused on the importance of speed and footwork, while Leary practiced dropbacks and throwing mechanics. Meanwhile, Robinson led the girls in pass rush drills alongside defensive assistant and assistant to the head coach Megan Rosburg. The girls spent roughly five minutes at each station and learned what it felt like to train like a Raven. After the workout, Buskey and Rosburg explained more about their roles within the team and the unique relationship they’ve formed with players. “I think strength and conditioning, especially for female athletes is a typically underserved demographic,” Buskey said. “So, I want girls to understand that participating in a strength and conditioning program is the key to a healthy and long career. I just want to give girls the opportunity to experience what that physical preparation to go play elite football on Sundays looks like.” River Hill junior Alyssa Mattes first heard about the conference from her mom. She applied looking to develop new leadership skills and meet new people in the process. A distance runner, she tried several new exercises including the medicine ball slam and sled pushes and also rotated through Brade’s defensive back drill and said it was inspiring to learn from someone who also came from River Hill. Several Ravens players and assistant strength and conditioning coach Kaelyn Buskey pose for a selfie with the more than 140 participants in the Ravens 10th annual LIFT Conference after their workout. (Jacob Steinberg/Staff) Ravens assistant strength and conditioning coach Kaelyn Buskey leads and encourages girls in between drills at the Ravens 10th annual LIFT Conference. (Jacob Steinberg/Staff) Ravens outside linebacker Taviius Robinson leads the students in defensive drills. (Jacob Steinberg/Staff) Ravens outside linebacker Tavius Robinson and Megan Rosburg, defensive assistant and assistant to the head coach, break down their group after defensive line drills. (Jacob Steinberg/Staff) Ravens coach John Harbaugh speaks with the students at the Ravens 10th Annual LIFT Conference. (Jacob Steinberg/Staff) Ravens defensive back Beau Brade leads his group in defensive back drills during Tuesday’s Ravens 10th Annual LIFT Conference. (Jacob Steinberg/Staff) Ravens quarterback Devin Leary leads a group of girls in quarterback drills during Tuesday’s 10th annual LIFT Conference. (Jacob Steinberg/Staff) Ravens inside linebacker Trenton Simpson leads a group in inside linebacker drills during the team’s 10th Annual LIFT Conference. (Jacob Steinberg/Staff) Several Ravens players, coaches and staff members pose with the more than 140 participants in the team’s 10th annual LIFT Conference. (Jacob Steinberg/Staff) Show Caption1 of 9Several Ravens players and assistant strength and conditioning coach Kaelyn Buskey pose for a selfie with the more than 140 participants in the Ravens 10th annual LIFT Conference after their workout. (Jacob Steinberg/Staff) Expand “I really liked the weight room session we did,” Mattes said. “It really takes us into what the football players here really do. I really like the different sessions, too, especially the one about nutrition. That was really helpful and I will definitely use the knowledge I gained to help me.” It was a jam-packed day that began with a 45-minute session from Strive, which provides highly specialized leadership training. Coach John Harbaugh entered next as the girls filled the auditorium where team meetings are held. Harbaugh pointed out the typical seats of several Ravens standouts including Lamar Jackson, Mark Andrews, Marlon Humphrey and Roquan Smith, which prompted especially large smiles from the girls in those seats. Harbaugh espoused several of his valued leadership principles, emphasizing the importance of intentionality and care. He then fielded a variety of questions, which ranged from how it felt facing his brother Jim and the Los Angeles Chargers last season to how he uplifts players in difficult moments. Related Articles Ravens sign veteran CB Chidobe Awuzie to bolster secondary Maryland football hires former Ravens LBs coach as defensive coordinator READER POLL: How many games will the Orioles win this year? How the Ravens stack up in the AFC North after first wave of free agency With brother in starring role, it’s ‘Kentucky all the way’ for Ravens’ Odafe Oweh “Working with purpose on purpose,” he said to the group. “You’ve got something to do here today, right? Are you going to work with purpose on purpose? Are you going to be intentional? What are you going to try and get out of this day?” After Harbaugh’s question and answer session, the student-athletes listened to a panel of five women who work for the organization in a variety of roles. They learned about the responsibilities in those varying positions as each person shared their respective career paths and provided networking advice. Following the group-wide workout and a lunch break, the girls returned to the auditorium. Director of Sports Nutrition Sarah Snyder led a detailed presentation, explaining the benefits of different foods and giving advice on beneficial pregame meals. She also answered questions and explained the intricacies of her job and players’ different dietary needs. The girls returned back to the fieldhouse for one final, 30-minute team-building activity. That concluded an eventful six hours, filled with learning, laughter and a new perspective on what it’s like to be a Raven both on and off the field. “I hope more girls get the opportunity to do this because this is really amazing,” Mattes said. “You get to meet people from different schools that you wouldn’t have met otherwise. I definitely would encourage girls to attend this program. You learn a lot. You take away a lot and it’s really fun. Give it a shot, you’ll learn new things.” Have a news tip? Contact Jacob Steinberg at jsteinberg@baltsun.com, 443-442-9445 and x.com/jacobstein23. View the full article

The Ravens have signed veteran cornerback Chidobe Awuzie to bolster their depleted secondary. The contract is for one year, the team announced Tuesday. It also comes at a minimum cost, with the Tennessee Titans, who released Awuzie earlier this month, owing him $7.5 million guaranteed on the three-year, $36 million deal he signed with the Titans last offseason. The addition of Awuzie, 29, helps replenish a secondary that lost starting cornerback Brandon Stephens, who signed with the New York Jets in free agency, and veteran Tre’Davious White, who remains unsigned for now. Aside from 2024 first-round draft pick Nate Wiggins and All-Pro slot cornerback Marlon Humphrey, the only other cornerbacks on Baltimore’s roster at the moment are fourth-year veteran but oft-injured Jalyn Armour-Davis and unproven 2024 fourth-round pick T.J. Tampa. Awuzie adds plenty of experience and familiarity. A 2017 second-round pick by the Dallas Cowboys out of Colorado, he has appeared in 94 games (81 starts) over the past eight seasons. After spending his first four seasons with the Cowboys, he signed a three-year, $21.75 million contract with the Cincinnati Bengals in 2021 before joining Tennessee in free agency after that. With the Titans, he started last season opposite L’Jarius Sneed but suffered a groin in Week 3 that landed him on injured reserve before returning in Week 14. He finished the year with 26 tackles, one interception, a forced fumble and four pass breakups in eight games. In his career, Awuzie has seven interceptions, five forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, 66 passes defensed and 395 tackles. A native of San Jose, California, Awuzie was a two-time All-Pac 12 selection while at Colorado. Have a news tip? Contact Brian Wacker at bwacker@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/brianwacker1. Related Articles Maryland football hires former Ravens LBs coach as defensive coordinator READER POLL: How many games will the Orioles win this year? How the Ravens stack up in the AFC North after first wave of free agency With brother in starring role, it’s ‘Kentucky all the way’ for Ravens’ Odafe Oweh Ravens QB Lamar Jackson to make acting debut on Starz show View the full article

Maryland football has its new defensive coordinator. After Jacksonville State announced that it had hired coach Brian Williams to lead its defense, the Terps are filling their vacancy with former Ravens linebackers coach Ted Monachino. Monachino, 58, had been at North Carolina the past two seasons, serving as a senior defensive analyst in 2023 and defensive line coach last fall. But the Missouri graduate who has worked for the Jaguars, Colts, Bears and Falcons in various defensive coaching roles on and off since 2006 is known locally for his time with the Ravens. From 2010 to 2015, Monachino was the outside linebackers coach who contributed to the Ravens’ march to their second Super Bowl title to conclude the 2012 season. Under his tutelage, Terrell Suggs was named the NFL Defensive Player of the Year and a first-team All-Pro in 2011 and went to the Pro Bowl in 2010, 2011 and 2013, and Elvis Dumervil was recognized as a first-team All-Pro in 2014 and earned invitations to the Pro Bowl in 2014 and 2015. Monachino also coached Suggs in college at Arizona State, where the defensive star set an NCAA single-season record with 24 sacks in 2002. After the 2015 season, Monachino left for Indianapolis to rejoin former Ravens defensive coordinator and then-Colts coach Chuck Pagano, who returned to Baltimore this year as senior secondary coach. Monachino succeeds Williams, who shared leadership of the defense last fall with Aazaar Abdul-Rahim, the team’s co-defensive coordinator, associate head coach for defense and cornerbacks coach. But the unit finished the year ranked last in the 18-team Big Ten in total sacks (14), second to last in points per game (30.4), third to last in total yards per game (378.1) and total passing yards per game (241.3), and tied for fourth to last in total takeaways (15). Related Articles Basketball school: Maryland teams make history entering Sweet 16 Coach Kevin Willard says ‘as of now, I’m staying’ at Maryland March Madness: Maryland women survive Alabama, 111-108, in 2OT to advance to Sweet 16 ‘I’m from Baltimore’: Derik Queen solidifies Maryland men’s basketball legacy Maryland men’s basketball is for real. Enjoy these Terps while you can. | ANALYSIS The disappointing performances developed despite the return of seven of 11 starters, including linebacker Ruben Hyppolite II and defensive end Quashon Fuller. The unit also welcomed back six of its top nine tacklers and five players who combined to intercept 10 of the 17 passes in 2023. In 2023 under Williams’ tutelage, Maryland held opponents to 22.5 points per game, its best mark since the 2010 squad allowed 22.2 points per game. The defense also intercepted 17 passes, which was tied for fourth at the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision level and second in the Big Ten to Michigan, which won the national title. That season culminated with six defensive players earning All-Big Ten honors, which was the most in a single season since 2014. Cornerbacks Tarheeb Still (second team) and Ja’Quan Sheppard (honorable mention), linebackers Hyppolite (third team) and Jaishawn Barham (honorable mention), Fuller (honorable mention) and safety Beau Brade (honorable mention) were recognized by the league. The Terps will attempt to bounce back from last year’s disappointing overall record of 4-8 and Big Ten mark of 1-8 with two new coordinators on coach Mike Locksley’s staff. In addition to Monachino, the program hired Pep Hamilton to replace Josh Gattis as offensive coordinator. Hamilton — who has spent time with seven NFL teams, including as offensive coordinator of the Texans in 2022 — will be reunited with his son Jackson Hamilton, an incoming freshman quarterback. Have a news tip? Contact Edward Lee at eklee@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/EdwardLeeSun. View the full article

Opening day is near. The Orioles will begin their 2025 season on Thursday in Toronto against the Blue Jays with high hopes. After winning at least 91 games each of the past two seasons, Baltimore is projected to be among the best in the American League again. How many games will they win this season? We want to know your thoughts. After you vote, leave a comment and tell us why and we might use your take in The Baltimore Sun. The Baltimore Sun reader poll is an unscientific survey in which website users volunteer their opinions on the subject of the poll. To read the results of previous reader polls, click here. View the full article

The start of the 2025 NFL season is still six months away, but the foundations of it have already begun to be laid with the first week-plus of free agency having come and gone. More moves will trickle in over the weeks ahead. But the significant deals are mostly done. The Bears, Patriots and Commanders were among the league’s biggest winners — at least as much as a team can be in March — with Chicago beefing up both lines, New England using its seemingly endless salary cap space on worthwhile additions and Washington adding Pro Bowl left tackle Laremy Tunsil to protect Jayden Daniels’ blind side while also trading for star wide receiver Deebo Samuel to play opposite two-time Pro Bowl selection Terry McLaurin. The San Francisco 49ers are at the other end of the spectrum after dealing Samuel and losing linebacker Dre Greenlaw, safety Talanoa Hufanga, defensive tackle Javon Kinlaw and cornerback Charvarius Ward, among others. The Ravens? They fell somewhere in the middle. Retaining left tackle Ronnie Stanley — still one of the best at his position — to protect quarterback Lamar Jackson was paramount. Adding wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins also strengthens a group that was already in good shape with Pro Bowl selection Zay Flowers and Rashod Bateman. Baltimore did lose a few players — notably left guard Patrick Mekari, cornerback Brandon Stephens, and linebackers Malik Harrison and Chris Board — but it can find applicable replacements in free agency or next month’s draft, and it did well to bring back fullback Patrick Ricard and wide receiver/special teamer Tylan Wallace. The rest of the AFC North — which the Ravens have won each of the past two years — had more mixed results. Here’s a look at what the rest of the division did — and didn’t do — in free agency with a way-too-early projection for this coming season. 1. Ravens In a division stacked with elite pass rushers that include T.J. Watt, Myles Garrett and Trey Hendrickson, keeping Stanley was wise. At an average of $20 million a season for the next three years (including a guaranteed $44 million split over 2025 and 2026), the price was reasonable for a player of Stanley’s skill set, and the Ravens simply couldn’t risk the unknown at the height of Jackson’s career. Losing Mekari stings, but they could find a younger, cheaper version of him in the draft or a more short-term fix in the free agent market. Hopkins is in his twilight, but he also doesn’t have to carry the burden on an offense with plenty of other mouths to feed between running back Derrick Henry, tight ends Mark Andrews and Isaiah Likely, and Flowers and Bateman, both coming off their best seasons. But what he does add is a valuable set of hands and elite know-how, both of which could be critical come playoff time, especially in short yardage and the red zone. Related Articles Baltimore Ravens | With brother in starring role, it’s ‘Kentucky all the way’ for Ravens’ Odafe Oweh Baltimore Ravens | Ravens QB Lamar Jackson to make acting debut on Starz show Baltimore Ravens | Former Ravens, Michigan assistant charged with hacking for athletes’ intimate photos Baltimore Ravens | Protecting Justin Tucker: Ravens kicker hires law firm for those facing ‘high-profile reputational attacks’ Baltimore Ravens | Free agents Ravens could consider to fill needs at cornerback, safety, edge 2. Pittsburgh Steelers Who will play quarterback for the Steelers next season could play a significant role in determining where Pittsburgh finishes in the division. But does it really matter? The Steelers led much of the way last season with Justin Fields and Russell Wilson at the helm before ultimately finishing 10-7 and in second place behind the Ravens. Whoever is under center this fall already has a better offense thanks to the addition of two-time Pro Bowl wide receiver D.K. Metcalf. Pairing him opposite George Pickens gives Pittsburgh a duo that’s as good as anyone not named Chase and Higgins in the division. Add in talented young tight end Pat Freiermuth and multidimensional running back Jaylen Warren, who takes over for the departed Najee Harris, and the Steelers seem poised to be much better than the bottom-third in the league on offense, as long as they don’t make a bone-headed decision on who their next quarterback will be. Cornerback Darius Slay is also an upgrade over Donte Jackson, who signed with the Los Angeles Chargers, and provides a nice 1-2 with Joey Porter Jr. Coach Mike Tomlin will undoubtedly find a way to frustrate Ravens fans, but not enough to escape a runner-up finish again. 3. Cincinnati Bengals Keeping the trio of quarterback Joe Burrow and wide receivers Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins together, even if it meant spending $276 million on the latter two, ensures Cincinnati will have one of the most dangerous offenses in a league built around offenses. Defense, of course, is another story, especially given the uncertainty of Hendrickson, who wants a new long-term deal or to be traded. The additions of veteran nose tackle T.J. Slaton and linebacker Oren Burks help, but defense and a porous offensive line are still a problem and with a cap hit this year of more than $94 million for just Burrow, Higgins and Chase alone, fixing those problems will have to come via the draft. And if Hendrickson decides to sit out, things will only get worse for the already shaky defense. Perhaps Cincinnati will find a way to outscore enough opponents in 2025, but that’s a tough world to live in — as they found out last year. Browns defensive end Myles Garrett sacks Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow in 2023. (Kirk Irwin/AP file) 4. Cleveland Browns Bad teams have a tendency to stay bad, and even though Cleveland was able to sign Garrett to an extension despite his earlier trade request, there are all sorts of question marks around a Browns team that went 3-14 last season. How much they improve starts with who will play quarterback. Deshaun Watson could be lost for all of 2025 after re-rupturing the Achilles tendon he tore in Week 7 of last season, but even when he has been healthy he’s been a shell of his former self. There’s ex-Steelers quarterback Kenny Pickett, now on his third team after being traded from the Philadelphia Eagles earlier this month, but he’s likely a backup. Russell Wilson visited this offseason, but nothing came of it. Kirk Cousins is still with the Atlanta Falcons, but if he gets released, Cleveland could perhaps be in play. The Browns also hold the No. 2 pick in the draft, which they could use on either of the top two quarterbacks, Cam Ward or Shedeur Sanders. On defense, veteran lineman Dalvin Tomlinson, a former second-round pick and solid interior presence, bolted for the Arizona Cardinals in free agency. Cleveland in turn added veteran defensive tackle Maliek Collins, but this is a roster that is a long way from being a serious contender in the division. Have a news tip? Contact Brian Wacker at bwacker@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/brianwacker1. View the full article

Odafe Oweh turned his iPhone camera around, his jaw fell to the floor and his right hand smacked against his forehead. Then the Ravens pass rusher flipped the camera forward. He was a few rows back from Kentucky’s bench at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tennessee. Oweh’s phone shook mightily, jumbling his screen into muddled royal blue. His younger brother, Otega, dribbled the length of the floor, past two Oklahoma defenders, and flicked up a baseline floater over a third with 0.5 seconds left. That game-winning shot earned Kentucky a spot in the Southeastern Conference Tournament quarterfinals. Big bro was beside himself. “It was looking bleak,” Odafe said, having watched Otega cough up a costly turnover 20 seconds earlier. “He’s just crazy. Like the poise, the stoicism. … I wanted to run on the court. I was just so happy for him.” This No. 3 seeded Kentucky team isn’t under the NCAA Tournament spotlight the way it has been in years past. Fans loved them or hated them, but always talked about them, under John Calipari. After a 15-year Hall of Fame career in Lexington ended with a stunning upset at the hands of No. 14 Oakland, he left for Arkansas. These less-discussed Wildcats, who are set to play No. 6 Illinois on Sunday evening in the Round of 32, are piloted by a first-year coach and member of Kentucky’s 1996 national championship team. Mark Pope rebuilt the entire roster. His fifth commitment was a former four-star prospect from New Jersey who played two seasons at Oklahoma, wasn’t getting much buzz nationally, and has an older brother in the NFL. Odafe has been forging a career in his own right, spending the last three seasons trying to find a consistent role along the Ravens’ defensive line. It wasn’t until this year, a 10-sack season worthy of a custom Chuck Smith hoodie in Year 4, filling a much-needed pass rush vacancy, that he broke out in the NFL. The same could be said for Otega, who transferred and made a name for himself this winter. Otega leads the Wildcats in scoring with 16.4 points per game at an impressive 49.4% shooting clip. His 4.7 rebounding average is tied for the team’s second best mark. Once thought by pundits that he might not fit into Pope’s system, Otega has become a core tenet of Kentucky’s success this season. Ravens outside linebacker Odafe Oweh has been enjoying watching his brother flourish at Kentucky this season. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff) The Wildcats have a long list of March Madness heroes: Anthon Davis, John Wall and Aaron Harrison, to name a few recent ones. In Kentucky’s first-round win over Troy on Friday, Otega became the program’s first player to reach at least 20 points, eight rebounds and five assists in an NCAA Tournament game since 1996. “When he was playing at Oklahoma, he would have flashes,” Odafe said, “but obviously, the situation that he was going through there — something that a lot of us have gone through in our family of having to prove who we are because people don’t know off the jump, and we have to work our way up. I saw him do that in Oklahoma. The coach wasn’t, for whatever reason, giving him the time and the opportunities that he needed to flourish. But I always saw little spurts and little times where he would show dominance. Related Articles College Sports | Wisconsin loses to BYU 91-89 despite John Tonje’s 37 points, ending the Big Ten’s perfect NCAA Tournament start College Sports | Roddy Gayle leads Michigan past Texas A&M for a spot in the Sweet 16 — one year after a 24-loss season College Sports | 2 men arrested in shooting death of former Morgan State basketball player, police say College Sports | March Madness: Maryland women’s basketball avoids upset bid from Norfolk State, 82-69 College Sports | Rick Pitino’s St. John’s dream season comes to end in NCAA Tournament loss to John Calipari-led Arkansas “And I knew that if he got the opportunity to be who he is and to have a coach that believed in his game, that he would flourish. Funny enough, it came at Kentucky. That’s a school that has history. And if you do your thing there, you’re going to be immortalized, so in hindsight, it’s crazy how all of it is happening.” Pope has given Otega a long leash, and it’s paid off. Back in January, the coach said, ”From time to time I have to close my eyes and look away.” He was asked about that line on Saturday, saying, “He has an unbelievable makeup ability.” Faced with adversity, Otega responds. He did it in the SEC Tournament against Oklahoma. And he did it a month earlier, also against the Sooners, when his former fans booed him relentlessly. Otega responded by scoring Kentucky’s final 18 points, including the game-winner. “I liken it to when LeBron [James] went to the Heat,” Odafe said, “and he went back to Cleveland to play. Whenever he would touch the ball, he would get booed, and that’s what it was like in Oklahoma. Whenever the kid would touch the ball, the whole arena — and I’m not being dramatic — the whole arena would boo.” Maybe that’s the product of growing up with two competitive older brothers, Odafe and Kaylen. They battled playing video games. One-on-one in the driveway. Dunk contests. Who could shoot the farthest. Everything was a competition. That flourished into the kind of work ethic where Odafe would visit home from Penn State and barely see Otega, then still at Blair Academy, getting out the door at 5 a.m. to spend the whole day in the gym. Few are prouder than Odafe to be sitting in the stands seeing the fruits of that labor. When Otega made the second game winner to beat Oklahoma, he found Odafe with his family in the crowd. Odafe returned a look, saying, “Well, you did it.” “My prediction is Kentucky all the way,” Odafe said. “Yes, you can count on me being there. I’m training during this time, but you know I’m going to make my way there. I’m going to try to see him as much as I can because I don’t get these moments a lot.” Have a news tip? Contact Sam Cohn at scohn@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/samdcohn. View the full article

Heisman Trophy winner, two-time NFL Most Valuable Player … Emmy Award nominee? Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson is already a popular television draw on the football field, but now he’ll get the spotlight in a different arena — as an actor. The 28-year-old superstar will make his acting debut in an upcoming episode of “Power Book III: Raising Kanan,” according to People magazine. Jackson will appear as a guest star in one episode in season four of the crime drama series on Starz, People reports, playing a character named E-Tone who is described as an “intimidating figure not to be messed with.” “I’m so excited for fans to see me in this new role and thrilled to be part of ‘Power Book III: Raising Kanan,” Jackson wrote on Instagram. “My character, E-Tone, is a deadly, dangerous character – you don’t want to get on his bad side!” According to IMDB, “Power Book III: Raising Kanan” is a prequel set in the 1990s that chronicles the early years of Kanan Stark, the character first played by executive producer Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson. The series, featuring Mekai Curtis, Omar Epps and rapper Joey Bada$$, has an average rating of 7.7 out 10 on IMDB and 85% on Rotten Tomatoes. Jackson has long been a fan of the show, posting on X in December 2023 that it was “so gas” and that he wanted to appear on a few episodes. Less than two years later, he’s getting his wish. New episodes of “Power Book III: Raising Kanan” premiere Fridays at 8 p.m. on Starz and appear on the app at midnight. Have a news tip? Contact sports editor C.J. Doon at cdoon@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/CJDoon. View the full article

Former Ravens and University of Michigan assistant coach Matt Weiss allegedly accessed the accounts of more than 150,000 student-athletes and downloaded “personal, intimate digital photographs and videos that were never intended to be shared beyond intimate partners,” according to a federal indictment issued Thursday. Weiss, 42, is charged with 14 counts of unauthorized access to computers and 10 counts of aggravated identity theft. The indictment from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Michigan alleges that between 2015, when he still worked for the Ravens, and January 2023, Weiss “gained unauthorized access to student athlete databases of more than 100 colleges and universities that were maintained by a third-party vendor. After gaining access to these databases, Weiss downloaded the personally identifiable information and medical data of more than 150,000 athletes.” The indictment goes on to allege that: “Using the information that he obtained from the student athlete databases and his own internet research, Weiss was able to obtain access to the social media, email, and/or cloud storage accounts of more than 2,000 target athletes.” The 14-page document portrays him as a computer whiz, saying Weiss “cracked the encryption protecting the passwords, assisted by research that he did on the internet.” “Weiss primarily targeted female college athletes,” the indictment said. “He researched and targeted these women based on their school affiliation, athletic history and physical characteristics.” Weiss kept notes on photos and videos that he downloaded, commenting on the bodies and sexual preferences and sometimes returning years later to look for new images, the indictment said. Weiss’ attorney, Doug Mullkoff, did not immediately respond to messages from The Associated Press seeking comment. Michigan fired Weiss, the Wolverines’ co-offensive coordinator under coach Jim Harbaugh, in January 2023 after he failed to co-operate with a university investigation. A public records request by The Associated Press found that an athletic department official had told Weiss that the university had evidence he “inappropriately accessed” computer accounts. Weiss worked for the Ravens from 2009 to 2020 under coach John Harbaugh, serving in various roles from defensive quality coach to running backs coach before he left for Michigan. If convicted, Weiss faces a maximum of five years imprisonment on each count of unauthorized access to computers and two years on each count of aggravated identity theft. Weiss’ initial court appearance on the charges was not determined. The Associated Press contributed to this article. Have a news tip? Contact Childs Walker at daviwalker@baltsun.com, 410-332-6893 and x.com/ChildsWalker. Related Articles Baltimore Ravens | Protecting Justin Tucker: Ravens kicker hires law firm for those facing ‘high-profile reputational attacks’ Baltimore Ravens | Free agents Ravens could consider to fill needs at cornerback, safety, edge Baltimore Ravens | 5 things we learned from the Ravens’ first week in free agency Baltimore Ravens | Ravens LT Ronnie Stanley returns to franchise with ‘unfinished business’ Baltimore Ravens | READER POLL: Who will win the NCAA men’s basketball tournament? View the full article

Sarah Palin, after The New York Times wrongly linked her to a mass shooting. Dominion Voting Systems, after Fox News aired false claims that the company rigged the 2020 election. Members of the Sackler family, who owned Purdue Pharma, as the Oxycontin scandal unfolded. Harvard’s president amid accusations of plagiarism. And now, Justin Tucker, the Baltimore Ravens kicker, facing claims of sexual misconduct during massages in local spas. All turned to the Clare Locke law firm, considered by some the go-to for prominent individuals and companies facing what the firm’s website calls “high-profile reputational attacks.” An Alexandria-based boutique firm, Clare Locke has developed a reputation of its own for winning big verdicts and settlements, going hard against opponents and being part of a movement to make it easier to sue the media and publishers for defamation. “They’re aggressive. They’re knowledgeable. They are used to dealing with high-profile clients and high-profile defense lawyers,” said Lucy Dalglish, a professor at the University of Maryland journalism school and a former media lawyer and journalist. “They play hardball, and you better be prepared to play hardball too.” Clare Locke is perhaps best known for being one of the firms that represented Dominion in a defamation suit against Fox, claiming the network knowingly aired lies including that the company’s voting machines flipped votes in 2020 from Donald Trump to the ultimate winner, Joe Biden. With the trial about to start, Fox instead agreed to pay Dominion $787.5 million, the largest known defamation settlement ever. Related Articles Local News | Ravens’ Justin Tucker expresses empathy for accusers in new statement denying allegations Local News | Ravens clarify zero-tolerance policy amid Justin Tucker allegations: ‘There are no absolutes’ Local News | NFL investigators in Baltimore interviewing Justin Tucker accusers Local News | Ravens brass call Justin Tucker allegations ‘concerning’: ‘You don’t want to read about it’ Local News | Experts consider Ravens’ response to allegations against Justin Tucker | ANALYSIS Local News | Ravens’ Justin Tucker: ‘Massage therapists deserve to work in a safe and respectful environment’ Founded in 2014 by a now-married couple, Tom Clare and Libby Locke, the firm first came into wider notice two years later. It successfully sued Rolling Stone magazine and a writer for defamation over a since discredited and retracted article about an alleged gang rape at the University of Virginia, and the school’s supposed uncaring treatment of the student who reported it. A jury awarded $3 million to the firm’s client, an associate dean who said she was made the “chief villain” in the article. The widely covered cases have brought much attention to the firm — and additional clients. Among them: UnitedHealthcare, as it contends with anger over its industry unleashed after the shooting death of its CEO in December. Police say Luigi Mangione, the Towson native and 2016 Gilman valedictorian charged in the murder of Brian Thompson, bore animosity toward the health care industry, which has resonated with those who now view him as an outlaw hero. The firm was hired after a doctor in Austin, Texas, posted videos on social media complaining about UnitedHealthcare, triggering a strongly worded letter from Clare Locke. The firm’s letters have become legendary — one ran 77 pages — dense documents that read like legal briefs, filled with citations and footnotes, demanding changes, retractions or apologies. Its relentless style representing aggrieved clients against both major media outlets and lesser-known individuals figures prominently in a just-published book, “Murder the Truth: Fear, the First Amendment, and a Secret Campaign to Protect the Powerful,” by David Enrich, a New York Times investigations editor. “We are unapologetic about protecting our clients’ rights as far as fairness and accuracy in reporting,” Tom Clare said in an interview with The Baltimore Sun. “It’s advocacy, not bullying or intimidation.” Clare said the letters serve to give reporters a required “notice of facts, and the legal significance of those facts.” Tucker is also represented by attorney Joe Terry of Washington-based Williams & Connolly, who in 2023 won a dismissal of a defamation suit filed by former NFL quarterback Brett Favre against the firm’s client, Shannon Sharpe, the sportscaster and one-time Ravens tight end who is in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. In representing Tucker, Clare said he is awaiting the outcome of an NFL investigation before determining how to proceed. Tucker has not been charged criminally nor have the allegations resulted in any civil cases. “When the dust settles, we’re going to take a look at everything,” Clare said. “We don’t just charge in and start filing lawsuits. I think our goal is to make sure, one way or another, our clients’ interests are protected, and the record is clear on what did or did not happen.” Since taking on Tucker, the firm has handled responses to media inquiries about the case. Its first statements were straight-out denials of the accusations first reported in The Baltimore Banner, which included that Tucker had exposed himself, brushed his penis against masseuses and left what they thought was ejaculate on their massage tables. His attorneys also noted it was “not news” that their client might have become exposed as he shifted around during a massage. In a later statement to The Sun, the lawyers clarified that the “not news” statement didn’t refer to the accounts of the massage therapists themselves but instead to the “reasonable conclusion that accidental exposure” is possible during more than 10 years of therapy sessions. In a new statement, which Clare said was made in response to an article taking a different angle, Tucker expressed his “absolute respect” for massage therapists, crediting them with helping him stay in playing shape and saying they deserve to work in “a safe and respectable environment.” Dalglish, the former executive director of the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press, said the more recent statement reflects a “sophistication” in Clare Locke’s strategy, and its attention to public relations. Ravens kicker Justin Tucker, shown in November, has not been charged criminally nor have the allegations resulted in any civil cases. (Kevin Richardson/Staff) “My guess is they wanted to make clear football players get a lot of massages, they have to,” she said. “They wanted to do whatever they could to position their client as respectful.” While some media lawyers declined to speak about their experience with or views of the firm, it drew praise from one staunch advocate for free speech who regularly defends media outlets against defamation suits. “It’s a serious law firm, a first-rate law firm, and an educated law firm as to libel law,” said renowned First Amendment lawyer Floyd Abrams. “They are not just a worthy opponent, but a threatening one to defendants.” Abrams, who successfully defended The New York Times’ publication of the confidential Pentagon Papers, said many libel cases in the past were brought by lawyers without expertise in the niche field. “Someone gets angry, they call their lawyer,” he said, and not always one with specialized knowledge of defamation law. “That was good for me on the other side.” Still, he and others say, Clare Locke’s rise comes at a worrisome time for the media as officials, including President Trump, have called for a loosening of defamation laws that they say overly protect reporters. Clare’s wife and business partner, Libby Locke, has been particularly outspoken on the subject, despite the fact that the firm has won major defamation cases under the laws as they currently stand. Amy Kristin Sanders, a professor of First Amendment studies at the Penn State journalism school, said she has “no doubt” that Clare Locke is looking for a case that would lead to the Supreme Court reconsidering the landmark decision, New York Times v. Sullivan. To win a defamation case, the 1964 decision requires public officials, later expanded to all public figures, to prove a defendant didn’t just report derogatory information but bore “actual malice” by knowingly publishing a falsehood or recklessly disregarding whether it was false. Two justices, Clarence Thomas and Neil Gorsuch, have urged its reconsideration. Clare, noting the firm doesn’t only represent wealthy, prominent people, said Sullivan sets such a high bar that getting justice reputations harmed by flawed reporting can be prohibitively costly. “The press has an enormous amount of power over people’s reputations,” Clare said. “There has to be accountability.” Sanders said efforts to overturn Sullivan are part of a rise in anti-press rhetoric, serving “to undermine the public’s trust in journalism” and “discourage people from speaking out critically.” Sanders said making it easier to win a defamation suit can stifle the free flow of information, particularly for freelancers, independent journalists and others without the resources to defend themselves in a costly litigation battle. “It’s dangerous in a democratic society to see these really public calls for the repeal of Sullivan,” she said. “It has a very robust chilling effect on the freedom of expression.” Have a news tip? Contact Jean Marbella at jmarbella@baltsun.com, 410-332-6060, or @jeanmarbella.bsky.social. View the full article

The first wave of NFL free agency has come and gone. In its wake, a new best team in the league has been revealed, at least in the eyes of the objectively subjective graders at Pro Football Focus, which has the Ravens No. 1 in its power rankings. Offseason lists are what they are, but there are plenty of reasons to consider Baltimore at or near the top of the heap, and spring is when hope blossoms. Though it’s a different conversation when it comes to the brutal cold of postseason performance, there’s no denying that the Ravens again have at least one of the most talent-rich rosters in the NFL. It’s one of the reasons left tackle Ronnie Stanley, who was poised to be one of the top free agents available in both a free agent and draft class with a dearth of top-tier talent at the position, chose to stay home rather than exploring the likely riches of a new address. Retaining Stanley was the predominant free agent priority of general manager Eric DeCosta’s offseason, and in that regard he did well at $20 million a year to make the 31-year-old veteran only the ninth-highest paid tackle in terms of annual value — and less than what the Tennessee Titans gave the lesser-talented Dan Moore Jr., to provide just one example of this year’s free agent folly. The Ravens know what they have in Stanley, who proved when healthy and motivated, as he was last year, that he is still a high-level performer. It simply wasn’t worth the risk to look elsewhere when it came to trying to keep $260 million quarterback and two-time NFL Most Valuable Player Lamar Jackson upright for at least a couple more seasons in a division stacked with elite pass rushers. The re-signing of fullback Patrick Ricard was not quite as significant but still important given his versatile role as bulldozer and barrier, while the return of wide receiver Tylan Wallace — who now has a meeting room named after him in the team’s facility — and offensive lineman Ben Cleveland provides respectable and familiar depth. Three-time All-Pro wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins in what will be his age 33 season is in the gloam of his career, but he gives Baltimore more depth alongside the ascendent Zay Flowers, a Pro Bowl selection last year, and Rashod Bateman, who had career highs in yards and touchdowns. And the signing of linebacker and special teams ace Jake Hummel helps somewhat make up for the free agent departures of Malik Harrison and Chris Board. Simply put, there’s a lot of talent on both sides of the ball. On offense, the Ravens, who were historically great last season, also return tight ends Mark Andrews and Isaiah Likely and running backs Derrick Henry, Justice Hill and speedster Keaton Mitchell. On defense, there is All-Pro or Pro Bowl talent at every level in do-everything safety Kyle Hamilton and veteran cornerback Marlon Humphrey, inside linebacker Roquan Smith (though he took a step backward last year) and defensive tackle Nnamdi Madubuike, plus rising young players in corner Nate Wiggins and defensive tackle Travis Jones. Yet for all that skill position and front-line ability, Baltimore still has holes it needs to fill. For one, it’s worth remembering that the Ravens were the healthiest team in the league last year by a wide margin in terms of adjusted games lost, according to FTN Fantasy. The San Francisco 49ers, by comparison, were at the other end of the spectrum and consequently finished 6-11. For another, the teams that end up playing for the game’s ultimate prize do so because of talent, yes, but also how good they are around the margins. Some of the Ravens’ holes will be filled in next month’s draft with 11 picks, but they will also turn to lingering free agents and a “right player, right price” approach. Among Baltimore’s biggest needs: cornerback, safety, defensive line, edge rusher and offensive line depth. Here’s a look at the best available players who are still free agents they could possibly target: The Ravens have one of the best rosters in the NFL, but general manager Eric DeCosta still has some holes to fill. (Michael Conroy/AP) Asante Samuel Jr., cornerback With little on the market, Samuel checks a few of the Ravens’ boxes. He’s experienced, plays out wide, has 37 career pass breakups over four years and at age 25 is still young. He’s also relatively affordable at a projected $14.5 million a season for three years, per PFF — a number that could drop as time goes on and because of a shoulder injury that limited him to only four games last season with the Los Angeles Chargers. The downsides: At 5-foot-10 and 180 pounds, he’s undersized and relatedly struggles with his tackling, missing 22.2% last year, according to PFF. Still, he could be an affordable option opposite Wiggins and would allow Baltimore to continue to play Humphrey more inside, as it did last year, leading to his All-Pro selection in the slot. Stephon Gilmore, cornerback Gilmore will turn 35 in September, but he still has some juice left and plays physically. Last season with the Minnesota Vikings, the 10th overall draft pick in 2012 had nine pass breakups, one interception and 56 tackles in 15 starts, though his 94.1 passer rating against was the highest mark of his career. Still, he’s a veteran presence who can impart wisdom on some of the Ravens’ young secondary. Julian Blackmon, safety Like corner, there’s not much to choose from. It’s also not a deep draft class, and the Ravens need a proven third safety after releasing the struggling Marcus Williams and having only untested second-year players Sanoussi Kane and Beau Brade behind Kyle Hamilton and Ar’Darius Washington (who himself could leave if another team gives him an offer the Ravens decline to match). Blackmon, who will turn 27 in August and spent his first five years with the Indianapolis Colts, would be a good fit. He’s a traditional deep safety, though he showed versatility in playing more snaps in the box in 2023. He also has 10 career interceptions, four fumble recoveries and 300 tackles and last season played through a torn rotator cuff. A reunion with veteran defensive tackle Calais Campbell would make sense for the Ravens. (AP Photo/David Richard) Calais Campbell, defensive lineman The former Raven was set to rejoin Baltimore last season ahead of the trade deadline until Miami Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel stepped in at the last minute to nix the potential deal. The 38-year-old Campbell played well in Miami, tallying 52 tackles, five sacks and five pass deflections. The question of course is how much he has left since he will turn 39 in September, though the Ravens could use him as a depth piece and respected locker room presence after the retirement of nose tackle Michael Pierce and with veteran defensive lineman Brent Urban a free agent. Za’Darius Smith, edge rusher The former Ravens star nearly re-signed with Baltimore three years ago before bolting for the Vikings. Traded to the Cleveland Browns in May 2023, he had 10 1/2 sacks in 25 starts before being dealt to the Detroit Lions last season and racking up four more sacks. He’ll turn 33 in September, but the Ravens have a long history of success with veteran pass rushers, including Kyle Van Noy, who had a career-high 12 1/2 sacks at age 33 last season. Like most of the players on this list, Smith would also be an affordable option. Related Articles Baltimore Ravens | 5 things we learned from the Ravens’ first week in free agency Baltimore Ravens | Ravens LT Ronnie Stanley returns to franchise with ‘unfinished business’ Baltimore Ravens | READER POLL: Who will win the NCAA men’s basketball tournament? Baltimore Ravens | Ravens, QB Cooper Rush agree to 2-year deal to be Lamar Jackson’s backup Baltimore Ravens | Ravens re-sign OL Ben Cleveland a month after arrest on suspicion of DUI Carl Lawson, edge rusher Lawson spent his first four years in the NFL with the Cincinnati Bengals, racking up 20 sacks across 51 games (14 starts), before a two-year stint with the New York Jets and one season with the Dallas Cowboys. Like a lot of names on this list, the former fourth-round pick has an injury history. Lawson did appear in 15 games with five sacks and a forced fumble for the Cowboys last season, though, and in his age-30 season perhaps can be rejuvenated in Baltimore. Dalton Risner, guard Baltimore isn’t going to invest big money on the interior of its line, but the former starter for the Denver Broncos and Vikings could provide insurance and experience to a line that at the moment does not have a lot of either. He rates well as a pass blocker in particular with his 76.2 PFF grade last season ranking 13th among all guards. Risner, who will turn 30 in July, also didn’t allow a sack or commit a penalty in 2024. Trystan Colon, guard Like Risner, Colon would come cheap. A former undrafted free agent, he also spent his first three years in the league in Baltimore as a backup center and appeared in 20 games during that span. With the Arizona Cardinals the past two years, he has played primarily as a left guard but has logged time at right guard as well. His PFF grade of 71 in 2024 ranked 18th among guards. Have a news tip? Contact Brian Wacker at bwacker@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/brianwacker1. View the full article

The Ravens, with little wiggle room under their salary cap and relatively little uncertainty around their roster, were never going to be among the most aggressive spenders at the start of NFL free agency last week. Nonetheless, the moves they have made, from re-signing left tackle Ronnie Stanley to adding backup quarterback Cooper Rush, tell us plenty about how they view their team. Here are five things we learned from the Ravens’ first week in free agency: They weren’t going to let a void at left tackle upend their Super Bowl ambitions A year ago, the Ravens took an aggressive, youth-forward tack in reconstructing their offensive line. Out with battle-tested veterans Kevin Zeitler and Morgan Moses, in with Roger Rosengarten, Daniel Faalele and Andrew Vorhees. At the same time, Stanley took a significant pay cut, setting himself up for a “prove it” season that could make or break his NFL future. In that context, it was easy to assume the Ravens were already thinking about what might come next at the most important spot on their line. For his part, Stanley, five years removed from his last healthy season, checked every box in 2024. He showed up in good shape, hardly missed any practice time, solidified himself as the wise elder in the unit and, most importantly, proved he could still do a very good job keeping the league’s best edge rushers away from Lamar Jackson’s blindside. As the 2025 free-agent market took shape and it became apparent there would be nowhere near enough quality tackles to go around, Stanley’s name suddenly shot to the top of those ubiquitous top 50 and top 100 lists. If the Ravens could not re-sign him, they faced the prospect of shifting Rosengarten to the left side and/or needing to hit on a starting tackle with the No. 27 or No. 59 pick in this year’s draft. Not ideal for a team that must protect Jackson to reach its lofty goals. Related Articles Baltimore Ravens | Ravens LT Ronnie Stanley returns to franchise with ‘unfinished business’ Baltimore Ravens | READER POLL: Who will win the NCAA men’s basketball tournament? Baltimore Ravens | Ravens, QB Cooper Rush agree to 2-year deal to be Lamar Jackson’s backup Baltimore Ravens | Ravens re-sign OL Ben Cleveland a month after arrest on suspicion of DUI Baltimore Ravens | WR DeAndre Hopkins eager to join QB Lamar Jackson, Ravens: ‘They’re dogs’ Who could have guessed at this time last year that Stanley, gifted but oft-injured, would be the key to the Ravens’ 2025 offseason? But general manager Eric DeCosta and coach John Harbaugh recognized that he was, and by the time they spoke at the NFL scouting combine last month, they made it clear he was a priority. Other suitors lurked, likely to offer more money if Stanley reached the open market, but a reunion made enough sense for both sides that they reached a three-year, $60 million accommodation two days before the legal tampering window opened. “I think it was a good balance that could help the team and something I’m still happy with,” Stanley said. The deal looked better and better for the Ravens as lesser blockers signed lucrative contracts with other teams. The injury worry will always be there with Stanley, whose legs have been a minefield since he badly injured his ankle in 2020. But with a team good enough to win it all this season, the Ravens could not let the premium spot on their line become a potential Achilles heel. A Mark Andrews trade is possible but less likely, and that’s good for the Ravens short-term The Ravens paid Andrews’ $4 million roster bonus over the weekend, a date some viewed as a soft deadline for any possible deal involving the three-time Pro Bowl tight end. That’s not necessarily the case. The draft still looms, and we know it was the trigger for major deals involving tackle Orlando Brown Jr. and wide receiver Marquise Brown in 2021 and 2022, respectively. The Ravens received first-round draft picks in both those trades. They almost certainly would not in exchange for Andrews. But it’s still a time when teams get aggressive about swapping future value for current help. Ravens tight end Mark Andrews, right, caught 11 touchdown passes in the team’s final 12 regular-season games this past season. While he might not put up eye-popping stats in 2025, the Ravens view him as a positive contributor offensively. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff file) DeCosta has sent mixed signals regarding Andrews. At the team’s end-of-season news conference, he said he was glad Andrews and Isaiah Likely are both under contract for 2025, meaning he could put off an inevitable choice at tight end. At the scouting combine, however, DeCosta spoke of Andrews in almost elegiac terms, noting that he’ll surely be in the Ravens’ Ring of Honor one day. Did that mean he was no longer thinking of Andrews as a factor for the 2025 team? Not exactly. DeCosta quickly added: “I know he’s going to have an amazing season. We’ll figure out all of the roster machinations over the coming weeks, but I can tell you, there’s no bigger fan of Mark Andrews than me.” But that did not stop some observers from surmising the Ravens were open for business on the franchise’s career touchdowns leader. And they probably were for the right compensation, perhaps a Day 2 pick in this year’s draft. They have Likely, waiting to thrive in a bigger role as one of Jackson’s primary targets. They signed wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins, who could sop up red-zone targets. Andrews might not even mind going to a team more eager to extend his deal. But the Ravens are not going to dump him just to clear cap space. They don’t need to, given their aggressive embrace of void years as a means of delaying budget pressure. And Andrews is still too good a player as he approaches his 30th birthday. Remember that before his crushing fumble and drop in the playoff loss to Buffalo, Andrews had caught 11 touchdown passes in the team’s last 12 regular-season games. The Ravens aim to go the distance in 2025, and he would help them do it. They could still move him, but it became less likely with that $4 million payment (money they can no longer save against the salary cap) over the weekend. That’s best for this team, this season. The DeAndre Hopkins signing demonstrated Lamar Jackson’s powerful sway DeCosta was asked at the combine about Jackson’s input on roster moves. In his answer, he referred to the franchise quarterback as a “stakeholder.” In effect, he acknowledged the reality that no one — not DeCosta, not Harbaugh, not owner Steve Bisciotti — is more central to the Ravens’ identity than Jackson. Over the next half-decade or more, they’ll go as far as No. 8 takes them. So of course they’ll tailor their roster planning to his wants and needs. Fellow players recognize this more clearly than anyone. Coming to Baltimore means negotiating with DeCosta and playing for Harbaugh. But really, it means boarding Jackson’s ship. For a twilight star such as Hopkins, that’s an attractive prospect. The five-time Pro Bowl pass catcher said as much when he spoke to reporters last week, calling the chance to pair up with Jackson “a big part of my decision.” Hopkins watched his offseason workout partner and former teammate Derrick Henry run wild last year, taking full advantage of Jackson’s tractor-beam effect on defenses to post the second-best season of his career at age 30. Lamar Jackson’s presence makes the Ravens a popular free-agent destination. (Kim Hairston/Staff) He might not gulp from the Jackson fountain of youth to quite that degree. But Hopkins, who will turn 33 in June, is a master tactician near the goal line, and he surely perceives the upside in working with a quarterback who led the league’s most efficient red-zone offense in 2024. If he could not stay in Kansas City, the Ravens were his next best bet as he seeks a valedictory Super Bowl ring. This parade of graying superstars, willing to work for modest cost in exchange for partnering with a unique offensive force, will not end with Henry and Hopkins. More than any player in team history, even Ray Lewis, Jackson creates a gravitational pull, both on the field and in the offseason. The Ravens are living in the age of Lamar. The Ravens finally invested seriously in a backup quarterback In an ideal world, the Ravens would use late draft picks to find Jackson’s No. 2. They tried with Devin Leary last year, but he did not progress quickly enough for them to feel confident he could take over backup duty from Josh Johnson. So they signed Rush to a two-year, $6.2 million deal worth up to $12.2 million — not a bank-breaker but a significant investment given how much money they have to build out the rest of their roster. By comparison, they signed Johnson for one year, $1.38 million last year. Why now? Perhaps the Ravens felt they got away with something, losing Jackson to zero injury time in 2023 or 2024. What if he misses a few games in 2025, and the Ravens need to win one of those for playoff positioning? Rush isn’t a starter, but he did win nine times in 14 starts over seven seasons with the Dallas Cowboys. He isn’t a running threat but throws well enough that the Ravens’ high-powered offense could at least function with him at the wheel. He’s anyone’s definition of a fine backup, something the Ravens have not always had in the Jackson era. The counterargument is that if Jackson goes down for a significant stretch, the Ravens would be toast anyway as we saw in 2021 and 2022. So why spend money on a backup who couldn’t lead them to the Super Bowl? The Ravens hope this debate remains an abstract one, with Rush anchored to the sideline as an unused insurance policy while Jackson does his thing. The Ravens saved their most shocking move for a backup guard Raise your hand if you foresaw another year of Ben Cleveland in Baltimore. We’ll wait. After starting just seven times in four seasons and barely registering in a wide-open guard competition last summer, the 2021 third-round pick seemed almost certain to be in someone else’s training camp come July. The Ravens seemed even less likely to feel any pangs for the 6-foot-6, 360-pound Cleveland after he was arrested in Georgia on suspicion of driving under the influence last month. But wonders never cease, and competent NFL linemen don’t come cheap. So the least probable headline became reality last Saturday when they re-signed Cleveland for a one-year, league-minimum deal. It actually makes sense viewed through Ravens logic. They don’t see Cleveland as a starting candidate, but they know all there is to know about him and feel comfortable throwing him into the breach if an injury arises. He understands their needs on special teams — hello, blocked field goal against Washington — and for a sixth lineman in heavy sets. He’ll serve a necessary function and allow the Ravens to spend money and draft picks addressing other needs. We view Cleveland as a disappointment because we know the Ravens expected more when they picked him 94th overall out of Georgia. But let’s switch sports and think about it in light of Earl Weaver’s old gospel — focus on how a player can help you rather than dwelling on how he can’t. Cleveland might never start another game at guard for the Ravens, but he’s a cheap, usable part on a roster that needs those. Have a news tip? Contact Childs Walker at daviwalker@baltsun.com, 410-332-6893 and x.com/ChildsWalker. View the full article

Ravens left tackle Ronnie Stanley knows what he has around him in Baltimore. From two-time NFL Most Valuable Player and quarterback Lamar Jackson to five-time Pro Bowl selection and second-team All-Pro running back Derrick Henry to a defense that over the second half of last season was one of the best in the league, it’s a trove of riches, even without a Super Bowl trophy to prove it. It’s the collection of those players, he said Monday, that was the “biggest driver” behind his decision to forego a likely even more lucrative payday in free agency and instead re-sign with the Ravens earlier this month. Make no mistake, Stanley, a two-time Pro Bowl selection, including last season, did not come cheap, but he was relatively inexpensive at $60 million over three years with $44 million guaranteed in the first two. He was also willing to give Baltimore “first dibs” when it came to a new contract “out of respect” for being the team that drafted him sixth overall out of Notre Dame in 2016. “I knew I was going to give Baltimore the best bargain that I offered any other team,” he said in a video call with reporters in his first comments since re-signing with the Ravens. “But that being said, I still wanted to be happy with what I’m making and getting the value that I feel like I deserve.” That has him tied for the ninth-highest-paid left tackle in the NFL in terms of annual average value ($20 million), with the Detroit Lions’ Taylor Decker, according to Over The Cap. It also means the Ravens could keep intact the majority of an offensive line that helped pave the way for the most yards per game (426.5) and yards per play (6.8) in the NFL last season. With only starting left guard Patrick Mekari and reserve guard/tackle Josh Jones having departed in free agency, Baltimore will return four of its five starters from this past season. That includes left guard Andrew Vorhees, who was a starter the first three games of the 2024 season before suffering an ankle injury and being replaced by Mekari the rest of the way, as well as second-year right tackle Roger Rosengarten, who settled in at the position after some early hiccups as a rookie. As for Stanley, his legacy has also come to be important. Baltimore is the only NFL team he has played for and there’s a sense of “unfinished business.” “I’m realizing how rare of a thing it is,” he said of being with one team for what will be his 10th professional season this year. “I think it’s just a really cool thing to be able to spend 10 years of my career-plus with the same team I got drafted with.” Still, Stanley’s curiosity was piqued by outside interest. The Kansas City Chiefs, Washington Commanders and New England Patriots were among the teams reportedly interested in signing Stanley if he hit the open market. Things never got that far along where he thought he might leave, he said, but he considered the options. Karl Merton Ferron/The Baltimore SunRavens left tackle Ronnie Stanley, shown in 2022, has only ever played for Baltimore. He’s excited to stay with the team that drafted him for the next few seasons. (Staff file) “I was open to whatever was going to happen,” Stanley said. “I knew the cap situation we were in and how many players we need to pay, current and future younger guys, so I knew it wasn’t going to be a personal thing. “It ended up working out for the best.” Now Baltimore hopes it can say the same. Last season, Stanley, who turns 31 on Tuesday, played every game for the first time in his career and was on the field for a career-high 1,089 snaps. But his injury history is well-documented with 36 games missed since 2020. But when he has been healthy, he’s been among the game’s best at his position. Related Articles Baltimore Ravens | READER POLL: Who will win the NCAA men’s basketball tournament? Baltimore Ravens | Ravens, QB Cooper Rush agree to 2-year deal to be Lamar Jackson’s backup Baltimore Ravens | Ravens re-sign OL Ben Cleveland a month after arrest on suspicion of DUI Baltimore Ravens | WR DeAndre Hopkins eager to join QB Lamar Jackson, Ravens: ‘They’re dogs’ Baltimore Ravens | Ravens rework Marlon Humphrey contract to create salary cap space There’s also the matter of getting to and winning a Super Bowl. Only once during Stanley’s tenure have the Ravens advanced past the divisional round of the playoffs, losing to the Chiefs in the AFC championship game at M&T Bank Stadium in January 2024. This past January, the Buffalo Bills knocked them out of the playoffs in the divisional round for the second time in five years in a familiarly mistake-filled game in which Baltimore turned the ball over three times in the 27-25 defeat that also included a dropped game-tying 2-point conversion by tight end Mark Andrews with 1:33 remaining. “Definitely took me a minute to get over that,” Stanley said of the loss. “Those type of games stick with you for a while, even a lifetime.” What will it take to get over that proverbial hump? “I think it’s as simple as [executing better in the playoffs],” he said. “I think it’s just getting out of our own way a little bit, not beating ourselves.” Have a news tip? Contact Brian Wacker at bwacker@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/brianwacker1. View the full article

March Madness has arrived. The brackets were unveiled Sunday night, with Duke, Houston, Florida and Auburn earning No. 1 seeds. Locally, Maryland is a No. 4 seed, while Mount St. Mary’s will play a First Four game against American on Wednesday for a chance to play the mighty Blue Devils on Friday. Who are you picking to win it all? After you vote, leave a comment and tell why the team you picked will take home the NCAA championship trophy in San Antonio on April 7. We might use your take in The Baltimore Sun. The Baltimore Sun reader poll is an unscientific survey in which website users volunteer their opinions on the subject of the poll. To read the results of previous reader polls, click here. View the full article

Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson has a new backup. Cooper Rush has agreed to a two-year, $6.2 million deal worth up to $12.2 million with Baltimore, a source with direct knowledge of the deal confirmed to The Baltimore Sun. Rush spent his first seven seasons in the NFL with the Dallas Cowboys, where he was the backup to Dak Prescott. He replaces 38-year-old Josh Johnson, who is a free agent and was Jackson’s backup each of the past two seasons. The only other quarterback on Baltimore’s roster is Devin Leary, a sixth-round draft pick last year who struggled through training camp. Rush, 31, brings plenty of experience. He has appeared in 38 games (14 starts) and the Cowboys went 9-5 in games he started. Last season, he appeared in a dozen games for Dallas, including the final eight as a starter. He completed 60.7% of his passes for 1,844 yards and 12 touchdowns with five interceptions. This article will be updated. Have a news tip? Contact Brian Wacker at bwacker@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/brianwacker1. Related Articles Baltimore Ravens | Ravens re-sign OL Ben Cleveland a month after arrest on suspicion of DUI Baltimore Ravens | WR DeAndre Hopkins eager to join QB Lamar Jackson, Ravens: ‘They’re dogs’ Baltimore Ravens | Ravens rework Marlon Humphrey contract to create salary cap space Baltimore Ravens | Ravens place less expensive tender on S Ar’Darius Washington in calculated risk Baltimore Ravens | DeAndre Hopkins could be Ravens’ best late-career WR addition | ANALYSIS View the full article

First, little-used and oft-criticized Ravens offensive lineman Ben Cleveland unexpectedly found a permanent home on Baltimore’s special teams after blocking a field goal attempt in a win over the Washington Commanders last October. Now, surprisingly, he’ll be sticking around a bit longer. The Ravens announced on Saturday that they have re-signed the 6-foot-6, 360-pound Cleveland, whose contract was up and was an unrestricted free agent. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. The move comes after Baltimore lost versatile lineman and last season’s starting left guard Patrick Mekari, who signed a three-year, $37.5 million deal with the Jacksonville Jaguars, and reserve guard/tackle Josh Jones, who landed a one-year deal for up to $4.75 million with the Seattle Seahawks, in free agency earlier this week. It also takes place despite Cleveland having seen his playing time cut sharply in recent years. A third-round draft pick out of the University of Georgia by Baltimore in 2021, Cleveland, who will turn 27 in August, has appeared in 54 games across four seasons with just seven starts in that span. Last year, he was never in serious contention during training camp for either of the two open guard spots or right tackle. He ended up playing just 49 snaps on offense, easily the fewest of his career after playing 367 on offense as a rookie. He did manage to contribute on special teams, however. After approaching special teams coordinator Chris Horton Jr. with the idea of joining the field goal and extra point block teams early in the season, he was inserted into the unit in place of injured defensive tackle Broderick Washington. Then came his heroics, with Cleveland blocking Austin Seibert’s 52-yard field goal try at the end of the first half of an eventual 30-23 Ravens win. He stayed on the unit and logged a career-high 117 special teams snaps. But last month, Cleveland was also arrested in Georgia on suspicion of driving under the influence. According to Baldwin County Sheriff’s Office documents obtained by The Baltimore Sun, he was stopped after police observed his black Ford F-250 “failing to maintain its lane” and “weaving in between the lines” and nearly going into a ditch. Cleveland told police that he was coming from a nearby country club and admitted to drinking “approximately 3-4 beers” but had not consumed any alcohol within two hours, according to the incident report. Related Articles Baltimore Ravens | Ravens, QB Cooper Rush agree to 2-year deal to be Lamar Jackson’s backup Baltimore Ravens | WR DeAndre Hopkins eager to join QB Lamar Jackson, Ravens: ‘They’re dogs’ Baltimore Ravens | Ravens rework Marlon Humphrey contract to create salary cap space Baltimore Ravens | Ravens place less expensive tender on S Ar’Darius Washington in calculated risk Baltimore Ravens | DeAndre Hopkins could be Ravens’ best late-career WR addition | ANALYSIS When Cleveland was issued a breathalyzer at the scene, the result came back with a blood alcohol level of 0.178, police said, more than double the state’s legal limit of .08. He was arrested and a second breath sample at a nearby jail returned a blood alcohol level of 0.161, according to police. Cleveland was issued citations for driving under the influence of alcohol and failure to maintain his lane. While Daniel Faalele and Andrew Vorhees are expected to start at right and left guard and Ronnie Stanley and Roger Rosengarten at left and right tackle next season, Cleveland does at least provide depth and experience. Baltimore’s only other offensive linemen currently on the roster are starting center Tyler Linderbaum and his backup Nick Samac, second-year guard Darrian Dalcourt and second-year tackle Corey Bullock. Have a news tip? Contact Brian Wacker at bwacker@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/brianwacker1. View the full article