Ravens Named Potential Landing Spot for Jadeveon Clowney
Could Jadeveon Clowney return to the Ravens after a one-year absence?
The three-time Pro Bowl outside linebacker was cut yesterday by the Carolina Panthers, and the Ravens were named a potential landing spot by USA Today’s Ayrton Ostly.
"This one almost makes too much sense," Ostly wrote. "There's plenty of familiarity for the two parties as Clowney tied a career-high with 9.5 sacks with Baltimore in 2023. Baltimore spent a second-round pick at edge in the draft with Mike Green but that shouldn't preclude them from looking for more depth in an ultra-competitive AFC."
Clowney spoke glowingly about the Ravens during his one season in Baltimore and expressed interest in re-signing, but they were tight against the salary cap last year, and he ended up inking a two-year deal with Carolina reportedly worth $20 million.
After his release, the 32-year-old Clowney said he knows he can still play at a high level.
"I'm definitely gonna play well. You can mark my word on that," Clowney told The Athletic’s Joseph Person. "I don't care where I end up playing at, I'm gonna play extremely well.
"I got more in the tank than people think. I just keep bringing it, and they're gonna keep counting me out."
Clowey had 5.5 sacks in 14 games with the Panthers last season after 9.5 with the Ravens in 2023.
"I think I played well for Carolina (last) year, considering the circumstances that was unfolded for me," Clowney said. "I played with a bunch of guys that was hurt this past year. And I ended up playing extremely well for them. So it is what it is. I can play the game. I can play football. There are 31 other teams. I just hope another team gives me that opportunity so I can prove myself again. I feel like I can do that."
In addition to adding Green, the Ravens return starting outside linebackers Van Noy and Odafe Oweh, as well as Tavius Robinson, Adisa Isaac, David Ojabo, and Malik Hamm.
Kyle Van Noy: Lamar Jackson Can Take It Up a Notch, And It's Scary
Lamar Jackson is coming off one of the best statistical seasons ever for a quarterback, topping even his two MVP award-winning campaigns.
However, outside linebacker Kyle Van Noy believes the best from Jackson is yet to come.
"He is on another level right now playing the quarterback position, but I also think he can take it up a notch, and it's scary because he wants to, his path to continue to get better each and every game, as well as the preparation he has," Van Noy said during his appearance as an in-studio analyst on ESPN's "NFL Live." "I'm excited and I'm grateful that I'm his teammate."
What makes Jackson's accomplishments even more impressive is that he plays in the AFC North, which is the toughest division for a quarterback since 2020 based on pass defense success rate allowed and pass defense completion percentage allowed, according to Sharp Football Analysis' Warren Sharp.
Van Noy joins "NFL Live" again today at 4 p.m. EST.
Tom Brady Says He Feared Getting Tackled by Ray Lewis, Haloti Ngata
Even the GOAT got scared sometimes during his playing days.
Tom Brady was asked on Logan Paul’s podcast which players he most feared getting tackled by, and two Ravens greats were on the short list.
"Ray Lewis was at the top," Brady said. "Ndamukong Suh, I didn't like getting hit by him. J.J. [Watt] wasn't very fun to get hit by. Haloti Ngata, you remember him? He was about 340 pounds for the Ravens. He was massive. So, yeah, that's not fun."
Brady credited his longevity and ability to withstand big hits to his strict training regimen.
"When you're getting hit, there's a discipline with your physical body that you need to take into account, because if you [fool] around, you're gonna get hurt," Brady said. ... "You don't mess around with your training, because you will pay the price. When you got Aaron Donald chasing you, you will pay the price."
Pundits Says Ravens Improved Their Stock This Offseason
With the draft and the bulk of free agency in the books, a couple of pundits assessed how teams have fared to this point in the offseason.
Regarding the AFC North, Fox Sports’ Ben Arthur said the Ravens improved their stock, while the stock of the Pittsburgh Steelers, Cincinnati Bengals, and Cleveland Browns went down.
"The Ravens have supported Lamar Jackson this offseason, re-signing left tackle Ronnie Stanley and giving the star QB another weapon in veteran receiver DeAndre Hopkins," Arthur wrote. "Safety Malaki Starks (first round, No. 27 overall) and edge rusher Mike Green (second round, No. 59 overall) were great value picks at positions of need."
Arthur noted that the Steelers and Browns have question marks at quarterback, and the Bengals' defense remains a concern.
Sports Illustrated’s Matt Verderame handed out his AFC North offseason report cards and gave the Ravens a B, saying that they (and the Steelers) "did nothing but continue to assert themselves as likely postseason contenders."
"The Ravens can withstand the losses of [cornerback] Brandon Stephens and [offensive lineman] Patrick Mekari, especially with some younger talent from last year's draft," Verderame wrote. "Corner T.J. Tampa and right tackle Roger Rosengarten are set for big roles in 2025.
"In the draft, General Manager Eric DeCosta added to the defense with Starks and Green, the latter of whom is a value talentwise in the second round."
The Steelers got an A- from Verderame based on the assumption that they will eventually sign quarterback Aaron Rodgers.
"If that doesn't happen, Pittsburgh is in the familiar spot of having a good roster eventually submarined by sub-par quarterback play," Verderame wrote. "With Rodgers, this is a team worth noting in an AFC that has long been about the Kansas City Chiefs, Buffalo Bills and Ravens."
Verderame gave the Bengals a C and the Browns a D.
Quick Hits
Yesterday's Most Read: Late for Work: Rob Gronkowski Reveals How Close He Was to Being a Raven
- Ravens photographers Shawn Hubbard and Joey Pulone received recognition in Pro Football Hall of Fame’s annual photo contest.
