ExtremeRavens Posted March 13 Posted March 13 After last season’s disappointing 17-10 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC championship game, the Ravens needed to make a big splash in free agency to maintain fan interest, and they did so Tuesday by agreeing to terms with former Tennessee Titans star running back Derrick Henry. On the same day, the Ravens lost one of their top defensive players, outside linebacker Patrick Queen, who reportedly agreed to a three-year contract worth $41 million with the AFC North rival Pittsburgh Steelers. If you’re keeping score, this is a major win for the Ravens, who reportedly signed Henry to a two-year contract worth $16 million. That’s a good deal for a player who led the NFL in rushing in 2019 and 2020, when he was named the league’s Offensive Player of the Year. It’s not surprising the Ravens went after Henry. The free agent running back market had started to dry up with Saquon Barkley (Philadelphia Eagles), Tony Pollard (Titans), Austin Ekeler (Washington Commanders), Josh Jacobs (Green Bay Packers) and a slew of other backs signing with new teams. The Ravens needed a high-profile running back — one who would fit their system — and Henry was the best remaining option. The arrival of the newest Raven created a buzz in Baltimore, similar to the one felt around town before the Ravens lost to the Chiefs in January despite being the No. 1 seed and playing the championship game at home. This franchise needed a shot in the arm. The recent signing of defensive tackle Justin Madubuike to a four-year contract worth $98 million last week was uplifting, but Henry gives the Ravens a featured runner Baltimoreans haven’t seen since Jamal Lewis played here from 2000 to 2006. Henry, 30, isn’t in his prime anymore, but he fits the team’s offensive style. He is still a beast of a runner at 6 feet 3 and 247 pounds and last year powered the Titans’ running game with 1,167 yards (4.2 per carry) and an impressive 3.32 yards after contact. Even past his prime, he is better than former Ravens running back Gus Edwards, who reportedly agreed to a two-year contract with the Los Angeles Chargers on Monday. They have similar one-cut, downhill running styles, and both are closers in the fourth quarter when their teams have the lead. But the major difference is that Henry, who has rushed for 9,502 yards in his eight-year career, can score from anywhere on the field despite his reputation as a grinder. Edwards couldn’t. When Henry’s style is combined with that of quarterback Lamar Jackson’s running ability, it’s the perfect Mr. Inside (Henry) and Mr. Outside (Jackson) combination. Titans running back Derrick Henry stiff-arms Ravens safety Marcus Williams on a 63-yard run during a game at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London on Oct. 15. (Ian Walton/AP) However, there are some reservations. Football games are won at the line of scrimmage, and the Ravens have needs on the offensive line. Both their starting guards of a year ago have become free agents, with John Simpson joining the New York Jets on Monday and Kevin Zeitler still on the open market. Both tackles, Ronnie Stanley and Morgan Moses, are veterans who had nagging injuries and missed substantial playing time in 2023. Versatile, young linemen such as Ben Cleveland, Daniel Faalele and Andrew Vorhees might be viable options but are unproven. There are also questions about the Ravens’ offense and what impact Henry will have on a system that was torn between Jackson wanting to become more of a dynamic passer than a running threat. After giving their running backs just six carries in the loss to Kansas City, coach John Harbaugh said the Ravens had the option of calling run or pass options at the line of scrimmage, but Jackson stayed more with the passing plays. Where exactly will Henry fit in? As for Queen, his departure was expected, especially after the recent signing of Madubuike. That followed both middle linebacker Roquan Smith (five years for $100 million) and Jackson (five years for $260 million) agreeing to big contract extensions last year. Queen, 24, has played well since Smith joined the team in the middle of the 2022 season, and the former LSU star was second on the Ravens in tackles in 2023 with 133, including 3 1/2 sacks. The addition of Smith took a lot of pressure off Queen, who was moved from the middle to the weak side, a position he played in college. The 2020 first-round draft pick flourished in his new role because he was uncovered, and most weak side linebackers are usually second or third on the team in tackles. Queen made dramatic improvements in open-field tackling during the past two years. His loss won’t be glaring but significant because he emerged as a team leader last season. The Ravens also might need to replace similar players in free agent outside linebackers Jadeveon Clowney and Kyle Van Noy. Pittsburgh, which plays a 3-4 defense, has been a revolving door for inside linebackers, but Queen will have the same freedom to roam the way he did in Baltimore. He is familiar with the Ravens’ playbook and knows Jackson well. Plus, Pittsburgh coach Mike Tomlin has a way of getting the best out of his defensive players, and he’ll have success with Queen. The Ravens, though, could have a solid replacement in second-year linebacker Trenton Simpson, a third-round pick a year ago. It’s part of the building process for general manager Eric DeCosta, who said the window of opportunity isn’t closed for the Ravens after the conference championship loss. The window isn’t closed, and it opened up even more Tuesday. There was some fresh air in the room, and Henry provided the franchise with a sigh of relief. View the full article Quote
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