Zay Flowers is quite adept at running around defenders. This year, he plans on sometimes taking a more direct path through them.
Flowers told "The Lounge" podcast that he added about 10 pounds of muscle this offseason and is heavier than he's ever been. He said it's his first time breaking 185 pounds.
Flowers said it started when he worked out with a different strength coach this offseason, who was also coordinating his rehab from the knee injury that painfully sidelined him for last year's playoffs.
"I told him I wanted to gain [weight] a little bit to protect myself a little bit more because I'm going to be running straight this year," Flowers said. "I'm going to be running straight at them, so I had to put on some muscle."
Flowers said he may end up back at his "normal" weight by about Week 5 of the season, but he's liking how he feels and doesn't feel any slower because of the other work he put in this offseason.
"I think that's one of my best things about myself, breaking tackles and making people miss," Flowers said. "I think it's for more protection. If I'm running straight or dropping my shoulder, I can do that to get a first down or whatever I need."
Flowers has become a better professional this offseason. "It's not even close," to when he first came into the league, he said.
Flowers' offseason routine was waking up at 5:30 a.m. for his first workout. Then he would go to run hills at around 10:30 or 11 a.m. three or four times a week, sometimes with Lamar Jackson. The hill workouts kept Flowers speedy.
"I love routines, so once I got into a routine and once I learned actually how to do it and how to move around and be professional, it was way easier for me," Flowers said. "That's why this offseason I was able to gain my weight. I was able to throw more, run more, learn more. I was able to do a lot more stuff just by keeping a stricter schedule and getting ready for the season."
With 74 catches for 1,059 yards and four touchdowns last season, Flowers became the Ravens' first Pro Bowl wide receiver they ever drafted. While that accolade meant a lot to him, winning means more than honors and stats.
"It definitely pushes me. The work I put in, I feel like I deserve it," Flowers said. "I wake up every day and grind. That's what I work for. I want to win. If it comes with accolades, I'll take it. If it comes with the Pro Bowl, I'll take it. But that's all I've known my whole life is just work and then have fun with it.
"I feel better than last year. I learned some things from being injured. I wish I could have played, but onto the next. We get them first game of the year, and I'm looking forward to it."
