Ian Rapoport Says Eric DeCosta Has Been 'Calling Around the League for Defensive Help'
The question of whether the 1-5 Ravens should be buyers or sellers before the Nov. 4 trade deadline continues to be debated, but NFL insider Ian Rapoport indicated that Baltimore is in "buyers" mode.
"The Ravens have been calling around the league for defensive help, which makes sense given GM Eric DeCosta's trade-happy ways and their laundry list of injuries," Rapoport wrote.
DeCosta has already made one trade, sending outside linebacker Odafe Oweh to the Los Angeles Chargers in exchange for safety Alohi Gilman two weeks ago.
Gilman made an immediate impact in his Ravens debut in Week 6. He played 83% of the defensive snaps and had the team's highest tackling grade (83.3) and second-highest run defense grade (75.8), as the Ravens held the explosive Los Angeles Rams offense to 17 points and 241 total yards.
The Ravens' biggest needs are at outside linebacker and interior defensive line.
One player who apparently isn't available is three-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons of the Tennessee Titans, who fired Head Coach Brian Callahan last week.
"Sources explained that multiple teams called to gauge the availability of Simmons, one of the top players at his position in the league, in the hours and days after Titans owner Amy Adams Strunk made the decision to fire Callahan," Rapoport wrote. "Those interested were told clearly that Simmons is not available, sources say."
Rapoport said Titans defenders drawing interest who could be available include outside linebacker Arden Key and edge Dre'Mont Jones. Other players who could be on the trade block, according to Rapoport, are Miami Dolphins edge rushers Bradley Chubb, Jaelan Phillips, and former Raven Matt Judon, and New York Jets pass rusher Jermaine Johnson II.
Pundits Consider Ravens' Week 8 Game Against Surprising Bears a 'Must Win'
It's not often that the phrase "must win" is spoken in October. Before the start of the season, it was unfathomable to think it would be applied to the Ravens.
But coming off a much-needed bye week, the Ravens head into this Sunday's home game against the surprising Chicago Bears (4-2) in sole possession of last place in the AFC North. They are one of only five teams yet to win multiple games this season.
The Ravens have the talent – if they can stay healthy – to get on a roll and contend for a playoff spot, but a loss to the Bears would leave them virtually no margin for error.
"Week 8 is a must win," CBS Sports’ Leger Douzable said.
Douzable's colleague, Pete Prisco, agreed, saying, "They cannot lose to the Bears. They go to Miami [in Week 9], they should win that game and they can get on a little run. They have to win [the Bears game] when you come off that bye. Have to."
Prisco said an easier schedule and Lamar Jackson's health are the keys to the Ravens making a run. Jackson is expected to return Sunday after missing the past two games with a hamstring injury.
Of the Ravens' 11 remaining games, only five are against teams that currently have winning records. Conversely, the AFC North-leading Pittsburgh Steelers (4-2) play five teams with winning records in their next six games.
The Ravens' matchup with the Bears appears to be tougher than originally anticipated. Chicago, which hasn't finished the season with a winning record since 2018, has won four straight, including its past two road games (one-point victories at Las Vegas and Washington).
Two Things Ravens Can Do to Improve
Adding players is one way the Ravens can get better, but Sports Illustrated’s Josh Reed said there are also things they can do with their existing players.
For one, Reed suggested getting the tight ends more involved.
"The Ravens have had the best tandem at the position in the league over the previous two seasons when both Mark Andrews and Isaiah Likely have been healthy," Reed wrote. "That wasn't the case to start this season, as Likely missed the first three games while recovering from foot surgery, but even in the three games since he returned, they haven't been able to get going in the passing game, combining for 16 catches for only 94 receiving yards and no touchdowns."
Reed noted that Jackson's absence has played a role in the tight ends' lack of production.
"[Jackson] loves throwing over the middle of the field and trusts them both implicitly, particularly in clutch situations," Reed wrote. "Having the two-time MVP back under center will jump-start them and the rest of the offense."
Regarding the defense, Reed said increased aggressiveness and creativity are necessary.
"The Ravens ran a lot of simulated pressures against the Rams and had success, especially in some key situations," Reed wrote. "They also ran some blitzes that were effective, so not only dialing up more of both, but also improving the execution and timing of them, will be vital to the continued improvement of the pass rush and defense overall, as it could lead to more interceptions and batted passes."
Former NFL Head Coach Jeff Fisher Says Ravens Will 'Get Back to Their Winning Ways'
During the early years of the Ravens' existence, their fiercest rival was the Titans under Head Coach Jeff Fisher.
Despite the intense rivalry, Fisher, who spent 22 seasons in the NFL as head coach of the Oilers/Titans and Rams, said he is a Ravens fan.
"I'm forever a Ravens fan, believe it or not," Fisher said on “Glenn Clark Radio.” "We had so many great matchups and so many memories. … I always had great respect. I spent a lot of time on the Competition Committee with [Executive Vice President and former GM] Ozzie [Newsome]. Ozzie laid the foundation for everybody."
Fisher can relate to the hole the Ravens have dug for themselves this season. His Titans team in 2002 rebounded from a 1-4 start to finish 11-5 and make it to the AFC Championship Game. Tennessee's only loss during that stretch was to the Ravens.
Fisher expressed confidence in the Ravens similarly turning their season around.
"They'll get back to their winning ways," Fisher said. "You see what injury can do, and then maybe a bad bounce or this or that, and then it starts to snowball. They'll find their way out of it."
"Trust me: Coach [John] Harbaugh's staff is doing everything they possibly can, and they're doing it right."
