Derrick Henry on Lamar Jackson's Message to Team: 'Tired of Coming Up Short'
Lamar Jackson's message to the team this offseason has been succinct and consistent, according to running back Derrick Henry.
Jackson stressed that "it's time" to get over the hump and into the Super Bowl.
"He just emphasized let's put the work in right now. … Let's do what we need to do each and every day to get where we want to go," Henry said on SiriusXM NFL Radio. "He's been emphasizing that a lot from the first day that we got here. He's just tired of coming up short."
Henry said the two-time MVP's words have resonated with his teammates.
"We're hungry," Henry said. "We want to get there. You're coming up short, you get sick of it. So, it's just like, yeah, let's get it done."
Pundit Says Nate Wiggins' Rookie Film Reminds Him of Sauce Gardner
Cornerback Nate Wiggins has been a fixture on lists of top breakout candidates, and ESPN’s Ben Solak recently named the 2024 first-round pick one of the 20 most important rising second-year defensive players.
In doing so, Solak compared Wiggins to two-time All-Pro cornerback Sauce Gardner of the New York Jets.
"Wiggins is a physical, talkative corner who rises to competition," Solak wrote. "Thinner corners like him (6-foot-1, 182 pounds) can often struggle with strength at the NFL level, but his wiry frame more than held up over the course of the regular season. His movement skills and ball skills alike created high-impact plays.
"Guys as long as Wiggins don't change direction as fluidly as he does. The way the natural talent oozes off his rookie film reminds me of how I felt watching Sauce Gardner as a rookie. The ceiling is that high."
DeAndre Hopkins Impresses With His Coaching Ability
Five-time All-Pro wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins has been a training camp standout, but he brings more to the Ravens than playmaking skills.
ESPN’s Dan Graziano said the 33-year-old veteran is also contributing by sharing his knowledge of the game.
"When I was at the Super Bowl, I remember a couple of Chiefs coaches telling me how impressed they were with wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins' coaching ability after they'd traded for him midseason," Graziano wrote. "They credited Hopkins with helping the development of rookie receiver Xavier Worthy, saying Hopkins would grab Worthy after drives and go over routes with him on the tablets. Hopkins even made suggestions for changing practice drills that were well-received enough that the Chiefs' coaches changed the drills.
"[Head Coach John] Harbaugh said the Ravens have seen some of that since signing Hopkins in the offseason – that Hopkins has been a help to Jackson in terms of figuring out passing game concepts that Jackson likes and getting Offensive Coordinator Todd Monken to add them to the playbook. Hopkins isn't done playing, obviously, but late in his career he seems like the type of player who can have an impact on a team in a lot of different ways."
Devontez Walker Voted Training Camp's Top Riser in Ravens Media Poll
Ahead of the Ravens' preseason opener against the Indianapolis Colts Thursday night at M&T Bank Stadium, The Baltimore Banner polled 21 media members who have been at the majority of the Ravens' practices for their observations.
Second-year wide receiver Devontez Walker received the most votes (seven) for the player whose stock is up.
"After contributing primarily on special teams as a rookie, and getting a few opportunities on offense near the end of last season, Walker has taken a step forward as a receiver this offseason," The Baltimore Banner's Giana Han wrote. "He's beaten cornerbacks using his speed and athleticism and is responsible for a number of this camp's passing game highlights. Last year, he topped the stock-down votes. Now, he leads in stock-up votes."
Kicker Tyler Loop and running back Keaton Mitchell were next with three votes apiece.
"Loop's stock automatically went up after the Ravens waived the rookie's only competition, John Hoyland, on Saturday," Han wrote. "The Ravens could still bring in a veteran kicker, but Loop impressed at Sunday's practice at M&T Bank Stadium, going 12-for-12 and making a 60-yard field goal.
"The Ravens have been high on Mitchell since they brought him in as an undrafted free agent in 2023. No one knew how he would come back from the torn ACL he suffered in December of his rookie season. This camp, Mitchell has proven he's ready to hit the ground running."
If the results of last year's poll are any indication, the strong showings by Walker, Loop, and Mitchell will carry over into the regular seasons. Safety Ar'Darius Washington and tight end Isaiah Likely were the leading vote-getters in 2024.
Quick Hits
Yesterday's Most Read: News & Notes: Where Lamar Jackson Sees Offense After Joint Practice With Colts
- The Ravens are No. 2 in NFL.com’s latest power rankings behind the defending Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles.
