Charm City Beasts (Season 3) Episode 1: An Ironic Season Opener

(Omar Whistle/Warriors playing)………………………………………………………………….

Bragging Rights Sports Presents:

A Maryland Culture Production

“In 1996, they arrived in Baltimore away from an angry Dawg Pound. They have been criticized by many people outside of their city ever since their inception. Despite 2 championships and many Hall of Famers they get little respect. They get called names such as Murderer, Running Back, Hypocrite, Overrated, Soft, and others. But even if they are disrespected more than any team in the NFL the goal is still the same. Win the Lombardi Trophy. No one outside of the 410 cares about them, yet they work harder every single day. These boys have a swagger, and like to be pushed no matter what. We as Marylanders call them…………………………….”

CHARM CITY BEASTS

The Unrivaled Themed Story of the Baltimore Ravens

(It’s Never Pretty, It’s Never Perfect, BUT IT IS US!)

(XXXV, XLVII)

(BIG TRUZZ)

(THE TEAM, THE TEAM, THE TEAM)

Lamar Jackson, Mark Andrews, Justin Tucker, Marlon Humphrey, Marcus Peters, Rashod Bateman, JK Dobbins, Calais Campbell, Kyle Hamilton, John Harbaugh, Greg Roman, Mike Macdonald, Eric DeCosta, Sashi Brown, Steve Bisciotti, Edgar, Allan, with Poe, and the Salty Marylander/Narrator Michael Hession.

Location: MetLife Stadium Opponent: New York Jets

(Season 3) Episode 1: An Ironic Season Opener

R-A-V-E-N-S RAVENS!

(7 Nation Army playing) Narrator: It’s the start of a new day in Baltimore! A day where optimism and hope is sky high! While the Ravens were on their long offseason, other storylines in the city and state have gotten plenty of attention. 1st of all I must give a congratulations to the Maryland Men’s Lacrosse Team, winning their 2nd National Championship in the last 6 years by winning an epic clash against a Cinderella Story in Cornell. (Yes I go to Penn State, but I’ve always been a Maryland Lacrosse Fan) 2nd the Baltimore Orioles. Expected by many pundits to have the worst record in the American League the O’s have exceeded expectations and are in a tight race for the 3rd AL Wild Card. All of these fun times have created flashbacks to another legendary year in the 410. That year would be 2012. 10 years ago Baltimore got to witness the Orioles making the playoffs for the 1st time in 15 years, Michael Phelps setting the career Olympic Medal Record, and the Ravens pulling off one of the great playoff runs of all time and winning their 2nd Championship in Franchise History. (Check out the “2012 in Baltimore” Series if you are new) On the 10 year Anniversary of this awesome year for Charm City Sports there are plenty of similarities involving the Boys in Purple. The first being with Planet LJ. Lamar Jackson, like Joe Flacco before him, is entering the 5th year option of his rookie contract and likely won’t sign until the following offseason. Jackson, similar to Flacco, has also been criticized by ESPN for his lack of success in the playoffs as well as his strengths and weaknesses, this doesn’t include that the Mothership is waiting to see him fail. (Ravens being disrespected by ESPN. That’s never changed over 25 years) 2nd, Boy Wonder Johnny Harbaugh, who coached that 2012 team to a championship is still lingering as head coach. And like he was 10 years ago he is desperate to get back to the top despite his lack of recent success in the postseason. 3rd Justin Tucker, 1 of 2 players left from the Super Bowl XLVII team is still the Best Kicker in Football. His longtime wingman Sam Koch is gone, but rookie Jordan Stout is ready to take that spot. 4th they have a new defensive coordinator like in 2012 but unlike Dean Pees and every other hire of his, Harbaugh went for a young innovative mind who had been developed by the Ravens with a Pass Rusher Friendly Scheme ready to be unleashed. Mike Macdonald fresh off an outstanding year as DC at Michigan while guiding the 2nd best defense in the country to the BIG10 Championship and getting over the hump of Ohio State. (That, plus Aidan Hutchinson becoming a generational draft prospect) Not only that he brought his good buddy David Ojabo with him fresh from the Camp of Harbs younger brother. CRACK! Right after he recovers from a torn achilles. (The 3rd year of that deal is why it’s taking so long to complete) 5th, the gauntlet of Elite AFC Rosters with elite offenses, and the potential New Frontier of the AFC North ready to take over. 

Finally, the situation that would make Ravens Announcer Gerry Sandusky amped up. BALTIMORE IS OUT FOR BLOOD! The reason in this case is that the Ravens are coming off the Biggest What If and Most Agonizing Season in Franchise History. And not only did they lose 6 straight after an 8-3 start thanks to setting the NFL Record for Players on IR in a Season, they had to watch the Cincinnati Bengals of all teams make it to Super Bowl LVI in a playoff run that according to the Salty Marylander should have been ours. Marylander: What did you say about me? Narrator: I said that the Bengals Cinderella Run in your mind should have been ours. Marylander: IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN! JOE BURROW IS THE LUCKIEST MAN IN FOOTBALL BECAUSE HE WAS BLESSED WITH RANDY MOSS 2.0! Narrator: I agree. Considering that they have talked plenty of smack about their run, they need a reality check. Poe: Whistling (The Truzz Griddy > The Bengal Griddy) Narrator: What’s up Poe! Poe: (Hi buddy, I can’t wait to get payback on Cincy) Narrator: I am too. How’s your knee? Poe: Whistling (It’s fine, I just needed a health shot and a backup person in the costume. Luckily there was no structural damage. I thought I was done for the year after that brutal hit I took in the Mascot Game) Narrator: I kinda did as well, but hey this is why you work out at Merritt Athletic Clubs everyday. Just in case something like this happens. Looks like you’ll be out for the season. Poe: Whistling (I’m bummed, hopefully I can make it back by the playoffs.) Narrator: It sounds crazy Poe, but if we get a home playoff game you’ll be back. Poe: (Thanks buddy) Narrator: Hey Poe, do you want to play a round of Pictionary? Poe: Whistling (Sure!) Alright let’s see what you’re gonna draw. Here are the rules, you have 30 seconds to guess what Poe is drawing. Feel free to call out answers. Anyways let’s start the clock. BEEP! Poe: Whistling (A line here, and a line there) Narrator: I see 2 lines going straight up, I see a line going across the middle. I wonder what you’re drawing? Poe: Whistling (Just wait and see buddy) Narrator: Ok whatever you say. Poe: Whistling (One more line down here. What do you think?) Narrator: It looks good so far, and time is just about up. Looks like Poe just drew a goalpost. Interesting but you made it look like a large drawing. I’ll give you that. Poe: Whistling (It sounds easy but I wanted to chew up the whole 30 seconds) Narrator: I like the strategy. 

So with Poe going on the season ending IR we have 2 guests that will be joining us for the entire season while Poe is recovering from his injured drumstick. (Or will they be out of retirement for good?) Ladies and Gentleman, these 2 birds were with Poe from 1998-2007 as fellow mascots of the Ravens, they won a Super Bowl in 2000, and reached 3 Pro Bowls together. Without further ado, Please Welcome Back, Edgar and Allan. Crowd: YEAAAAAAAAH! Narrator: Boys it’s been 15 long years and your younger brother has lost about 50-60 pounds since then due to his conditioning program, but how does it feel to come out of retirement and get back on the field? Allan: Whistling (It feels good, I miss being on the sidelines at M&T Bank Stadium, and it may be tough getting back in shape but I’m ready) Narrator: Allan I like your thinking right away. How about you Edgar? Edgar: Whistling (I can’t believe me and Allan haven’t stepped foot on the field at the Bank since John Harbaugh was hired. Now he’s going to learn why he shouldn’t have put us in retirement) Narrator: Wow, Edgar you look ready to go already! Edgar: Whistling (I can’t help it but I’m excited because I’ve been cooped up for so long) Narrator: I know right. Poe, how do you feel about your brothers potentially coming back? Poe: Whistling (In a way I miss having them by my side on game days, but while I’m out, you boys better fill my shoes. When I come back, we’ll all be together again like we were in the Billick years.) Narrator: How sweet of you Poe! Thank you boys, and I can’t wait to see you guys in action. All 3: Whistling (You’re Welcome Buddy!) 

Narrator: Anyways the 2022 Season as expected in Ravens terms is full of Super Bowl Ambitions. Especially since the front office retooled the identity of this roster. A punch you in the mouth type of team with modern day flash and speed. (That playstyle goes well with QB1) Look at their 2019 season, it was just like that. A 3TE offense with an ability to not only chew up the clock, but score in timely spots. Although this time the receiver room is better. But Marquise Brown is gone, you say. Let me be clear. Getting rid of him was the best move the Ravens made this offseason. Why? (DRAMATIC MUSIC!) Marylander: HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! HE GOT ARRESTED FOR SPEEDING HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! (Nothing good comes out of the Brown Family. This is why DeCosta didn’t want AB) PAUSE.

Not only did the Cardinals trade a 1st Round pick for a guy who like Kyler Murray plays video games and is on TikTok more than he watches film, but they gave him $25M per year for the next 4 years. That contract could cost them Budda Baker, and possibly Isaiah Simmons in 2 years. Not only that, but they gave up a 1st and 4th Round pick to get him. Who did the Ravens take with those picks? Tyler Linderbaum, and Isaiah Likely. Likely has been the talk of Training Camp at the Under Armour Performance Center, and Linderbaum despite an ankle injury early in camp has also had a good showing in the preseason. The question around the offense all offseason was who was going to replace Hollywood and Sammy Watkins? That answer would take time to be answered. (The Ravens are very patient aren’t they. They always choose patience over greed) Rashod Bateman is the obvious answer for being the #1 WR in this offense, but who would be his wingman? James Proche had an excellent 1st 2 weeks, but he got injured before the 1st preseason game against the Titans. (Luckily he’ll be back by Week 1) Devin Duvernay has sprinters speed but his value is more so in the kicking game. (All Pro Returner for a Reason) Then Eric DeCosta did something very wise. He saw that the Raiders had cut former Chiefs WR DeMarcus Robinson thanks to a deep receiver room in Vegas. So his solution was to sign Robinson to a team friendly deal. (His uncle Marcus was also a receiver for the Ravens in 2003… and scored 6TDs in a 3 game stretch during that season) So far it has worked. In his Ravens debut during the final preseason game against their Beltway Rivals in the Commanders, DeMarcus had 134 yards receiving including a 67 yard TD from 3rd string QB Anthony Brown. Poe: Whistling (He had our number when he was with the Chiefs, now he gets to do that with us.) Narrator: Poe, good observation, I won’t talk about your injury anymore, just rest up. Poe: Whistling (Thank you, I need some positivity in my life after what I’ve been through) Narrator: Appreciate it. Besides Robinson, there is another Raven that has gotten attention out of nowhere. Undrafted Rookie Linebacker Josh Ross. According to Pro Football Focus, Ross was rated as the highest among any rookie defensive player during the entire preseason. You may be asking yourself, how is a guy that was undrafted this good this early? Here’s why, where did he go to college? Michigan. And who was the Defensive Coordinator of that BIG10 Championship team last year? Who else, MIKE MACDONALD! Edgar: Whistling (All Hail Mike Man!) If you think Ross’ emergence is impressive just wait until David Ojabo and Tyus Bowser come off the IL at midseason. The group of Ojabo and Odafe Oweh as well as Bowser and Justin Houston could be feared by almost any offensive tackle in the NFL.

Most people in Baltimore have been focusing on how the Ravens have improved their roster this offseason on offense, defense, and even special teams. (Jordan Stout = Sam Koch 2.0 #WEARE!) However anywhere you go outside of Maryland the major topic of discussion is something that drives Raven fans especially all of the Salty Marylanders crazy. Planet LJ and his contract! (DRAMATIC MUSIC) Lamar Jackson just like Giannis Antetokounmpo before him is entering the final year of his rookie deal with massive questions about his future. (Giannis’ contract from 2016-2020 technically wasn’t a rookie deal but still) Many are saying that Jackson shouldn’t step on the field without a contract. I’m looking right at you Stephen A Smith. (Fun fact: He said that Giannis shouldn’t have stepped foot on the court without a new deal in 2020 too) There have been many that have said that Lamar isn’t worth that contract. (ESPN’s Dianna Russini is Exhibit A) Even if he gets a new deal he will fall off hard they say, yet they completely ignore that LJ, Justin Tucker, Marlon Humphrey, and John Harbaugh’s leadership carried the most injured team in NFL History to an 8-3 record before he and Fruit Punch got hurt in consecutive weeks. It’s not just analysts that have called out Lamar, its other teams players and coaches. I’m looking right at the Cincinnati Bengals. This offseason Eli Apple in a rant which also included calling TJ Watt the most overrated pass rusher in the league because of the system he was in, (Even Yinzers agree with this take) Apple proceeded to call Jackson a Return Man. Calling him a Running Back or Wide Receiver is one thing, but a Return Man? Come on, now you are just waiting for Bateman, Andrews, Likely etc. to torch you. He wasn’t the only one on the Bengals that trashed him. Jermaine Pratt, the man that guaranteed a Cincy win in Week 17 of 2020 only for JK Dobbins to stiff arm him to the ground, called Lamar the Worst MVP Ever. Yet they forget that one of the worst MVP awards ever went to Ken Anderson in 1981, A FORMER BENGAL! (Although he did beat Dan Fouts in a -59 windchill to go to Super Bowl XVI) The worst take of all came from a so-called anonymous defensive coordinator who according to many local sources just happened to be Bengals DC and former Ravens assistant Lou Anamulo. He says that Lamar could win 12 MVPs and 5 Super Bowls yet they still wouldn’t have him as an elite NFL QB. (When you have 4 days of practice a week dedicated to stopping him and Patrick Mahomes that’s a bold take) Not to mention Anamulu called out Patrick Mahomes and Josh Allen too this offseason. My point still stands, if you’re going to talk that much crap Bengals YOU BETTER BACK IT UP! You thought I was done with this, oh how wrong you were. During halftime of a Ravens Preseason Game against the Arizona Cardinals, Fox Sports’ Jay Glazer reported that Baltimore offered Planet LJ $250M in guaranteed money. Almost 2 weeks later, Jackson called him out and said that he was never offered that contract. It’s just like when ESPN’s Eric Woodyard claimed that Giannis got offered a $215M supermax contract in 2020. Giannis claimed that he wasn’t offered that contract and the Bucks organization made sure that their part time ESPN Reporter wasn’t going to give away the Bucks plans to resign their 2-time MVP and eventual champion. The worst thing for Woodyard after this source was fake news? He got a one way ticket from covering a top-notch-organization in the Milwaukee Bucks and Giannis in his prime to covering the joke of the NFL since 1958. The Detroit Lions! Marylander (Vincent Price impersonation): HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! BOOM!!! (That’s what happens when you’re in the shadows of Malika Andrews, Zora Stephenson, Eric Nehm, and Katie George while working for Bucks Media. If you make a mistake in leaking false news for that team, YOU’RE OUT!) Narrator: Glazer may get the same sentence but the difference from this to the Giannis false rumor is that he at least has more experience when covering stories like this. (And most of his takes are very logical. When he doesn’t tell the truth it rarely happens) What’s even more insane about this is that Lamar liked a tweet of himself in a Dolphins Uniform just like Giannis did to a picture of him in a Heat and Bulls uniform, ok. Is Lamar trying to run himself out of Baltimore, or is he just playing with the media? Nevermind Action Jackson is probably mind games playing with the media because he posted a picture of his chest being covered with a massive Ravens tattoo. Just don’t expect a new contract, there’s football to focus on. (Joe Flacco from 2012 would love such a move) Not to mention Harbaugh probably put him in the timeout chair when he saw the tweet of him in that Dolphins uniform. (“But he’s from Florida!” Marylander: I DON’T CARE! Stop getting in his head!) “We have no time for this kind of nonsense, we have less than 2 weeks until football season. If you want to get paid go ahead, if not just tune out the noise.” (Harbs isn’t that harsh but something like that probably came out) Hopefully that distraction is in the past. (I don’t want a Days of our Steelers type of script for this season if this drama continues) For now let’s just focus on the game coming up in Week 1.

The Ravens Redemption Tour, and quest to recreate their Super Bowl run of 2012 on the 10th Anniversary begins in a less stressful way than last year. (We hope) Instead of playing a playoff contending team like the Raiders in the 1st game ever in Vegas with fans in attendance, Baltimore gets a team that they should beat on paper. The New York Jets. A team that has been perhaps the biggest joke in the NFL excluding the Lions for a very long time. A team that has ruined almost every QB and Coach they have had since Weeb Ewbank and Joe Namath has had nothing but hard luck. Although this offseason it appeared to change. The Jets didn’t really make a splash in free agency (But CJ Uzomah is a good get a TE) but like the Ravens most of their success came in the draft or so we think. Former Ravens Scout Joe Douglas, like his old bosses Eric DeCosta and Ozzie Newsome before him, went with the best player on the board in each of his picks. The results appear to be good. They got a potential generational corner in Ahmad Sauce Gardiner, they upgraded the receiver room with an elite prize in Garrett Wilson, they boosted the Pass Rush with Jermaine Johnson who many said the Ravens should have taken at 25, (We’ll find out in this game who made the right pick) and finally Breece Hall who somehow despite going in the 2nd Round is a top candidate for Offensive Rookie of the Year. (Besides WR’s, this was a weak draft when it came to offensive skill players) Now that Zach Wilson has plenty of weapons to work with, the Jets should at least be respectable… CRACK! (I KNEW IT!) Do you have any idea what team this is? Any generational QB talent they have received this century has been ButtFumbled from the minute they arrived. Zach Wilson may be next in line. Against the Eagles in a preseason game, he not only ruptured his knee, but did so without taking a hit to it. (Also the playing surface at Lincoln Financial Field is horrendous just like it was at the old Vet) Robert Saleh shouldn’t have played him all preseason, but once again the ButtFumble can’t have anything good because of Broadway Joe making a deal with the devil prior to Super Bowl III. (And the criticism that Wilson’s ex-girlfriend gave him that shall not be mentioned) So with the #2 pick in the 2021 Draft expected to be out for this game, the Jets starter just happens to be… Bruce Cunningham: “Super Bowl XLVII MVP, and the leading passer in Ravens History, Quarterback, #5, Joe Flacco!” (He’s now #19 for the Jets) Narrator: Oh boy, it’s happening. The matchup that Ravens fans have been waiting for since the end of the 2018 season. Joe Flacco vs Lamar Jackson. The 2 Greatest Quarterbacks that have ever worn a Purple and Black uniform will be going head to head to open the season 10 years after Joe Cool brought a 2nd Lombardi to Baltimore. (It’s those 2 and the late great Steve McNair) Although the Jets will have a boost for this game. That is because they are playing at home on 9/11. Considering how emotional that day is to the people of New York City even 21 years after the attacks of the World Trade Center, a Giants win against the Titans or a Jets win against the Boys in Purple will go a long way to giving New Yorkers a sign of hope. You know what’s ironic? Remember when the Ravens drafted Kyle Hamilton. A player who many pundits said should have gone in the Top 5 of the 2022 NFL Draft, a guy who has made an impact right away since no one has thrown the ball near him this preseason. (Although in practice, he like the rest of the defense can’t contain LJ, Snoop Huntley, and Anthony Brown) Guess where he makes his NFL Debut? NEW YORK CITY! The Football Gods wouldn’t have it any other way. Marylander: WHAT DID THEY SAY TO YOU TO GET YOU TO SELL NEW YORK CITY DOWN THE RIVER!? Jets fans, give us the key to New York, if not, we’ll have to beat you up. Jets fans: STOP IT ALREADY! JOE FLACCO IS GONNA BEAT YOU SCRUBS! Edgar: Whistling (NEVER!) Marylander: Don’t make us bring out our Battleship and have the Flock raid MetLife! Jets fans: BRING IT! Allan: Whistling (Oh we’ll bring it!) Poe: Whistling (They’ll never know what hit them.) Marylander: ATTACK!

Narrator: The atmosphere inside MetLife Stadium was emotional. The pregame festivities needed to commence, and as expected the Ravens fans in attendance, which there were a lot of them, (Approximately 40% of the fans) made their presence felt with a loud “OOOOOO!” during the Star Spangled Banner. That fired up the Boys in Purple just before kickoff. The beginning of the game was fitting for the weather. Wet, uninspiring, and rough. If you are a fan of defense this is a game for you. Both the Ravens and Jets defenses dominated for much of the 1st Half. In what was supposed to be a matchup between Raven QB Greats past and present, it turned into a defensive slaughter. Yes the Jets were missing both starting tackles, and the Ravens were missing JK Dobbins, Gus Edwards, and Ronnie Stanley, both units dominated. The game was scoreless for most of the 1st Quarter. That is until the Ravens defense made the game’s 1st big play. Marcus Williams jumped in front of a Flacco pass, and picked it off and took deep into Jet territory. Baltimore only got a field goal but that was due to a pass batted at the line of scrimmage on 3rd Down. Leading 3-0 the Ravens defense was in control. Even if the ButtFumble drove deep into B-More territory on the ensuing drive, they weren’t going far. Thank an aggressive Ravens Pass Rush for that. Allan: Whistling (Mike Man is awesome!) Narrator: Allan I’m with you. Even with a chance to tie the game with a field goal, the Jets ButtFumbled it by missing it to the left. (The conditions went from bad to putrid in a hurry) How can this game get even crazier? CRACK! (Ja’Wuan James suffers 2nd ankle break) OH NO! You’ve gotta be kidding me. Ja’Wuan broke his ankle AGAIN! Come on, he did all this rehab to come back and reinjure the same ankle! I MEAN KNOCK IT OFF! Poe: Whistling (Settle buddy) Narrator: Thanks, Poe. Anyways this led to John Harbaugh calling out the grounds crew at MetLife Stadium following the game. (49ers fans are with him on that) Enough of that. Let’s get back to the game. Planet LJ after struggling against an underrated Jets defense, finally was able to sling it. Aided by a PI call, Jackson was able to find Devin Duvernay in the endzone for the opening TD. Edgar: Whistling (Calais, why didn’t you play Duv in Fantasy?) Narrator: Edgar I would ask the same thing if I were you. Even as the Jets storm back for a field goal before halftime, the Ravens have clearly established control of the game.

The 2nd Half began with a Special Teams mistake. After the Ravens punted, the defense stopped Breece Hall in his tracks, just as they had done all day long. Even if the rain had stopped a bit, Braden Mann still was affected by the weather. On his 1st punt of the half, it only went 20 yards. Thus giving Baltimore the ball at midfield. Marylander: Way to go Jets this is why you draft Jordan Stout! Narrator: Well he was off the board by the time they took Mann but still. A situation like this is where a well coached team would take advantage. BOOM! That’s exactly what happened. It’s at this moment where the Raven offense unlocked its talents and abilities. Planet LJ and Devin Duvernay were again playing pitch and catch. The 2 hooked up for a 2nd touchdown pass. Lamar in fact went fancy on the play with a no look pass. Poe: Whistling (OOOOH, AAAAH!) Narrator: Even if REFBALL prevented Justin Madubuike from a 2nd sack, it didn’t stop him from getting to Flacco with ease. The rest of the MonStars dominated all day as well. Next possession, next Ravens touchdown. After missing a wide open Rashod Bateman on a deep pass earlier in the game, Jackson made sure he wasn’t going to miss him a 2nd time. Bateman burned Sauce Gardiner for a 55 yard touchdown to put the game on ice! Edgar: Whistling (Can you hear the sound of thunder?) Allan: Whistling (BOOM! BOOM!) Narrator: Like the Ravens Twitter reference boys! The Jets made one more push to try and get back in the game, Flacco deep in B-More territory threw a checkdown to Breece Hall, Marylander: BUT IT’S A FUMBLE! Narrator: Chuck Clark, one of the more unsung heroes on the Raven defense, KO’ed the Jets rookie, jarred the ball free, and Marlon Humphrey recovered. Poe: Whistling (All Pro Marlo) Narrator: The Jets would get a garbage time TD eventually, but by then the game was out of reach. But the Football Gods do have plans for the Ravens. CRACK! Marylander: GOOD GRIEF FOOTBALL GODS STOP WITH THE INJURIES RIGHT NOW! Kyle Fuller, one of our major offseason acquisitions. He’s out with a torn ACL. Thank god Peters is coming back soon. Narrator: As I said earlier, Boy Wonder Johnny Harbaugh called out the grounds crew at MetLife Stadium for how injury prone their field is. Trust me Harbs, you’re not the only one. Even Belichick once said that field was garbage. With that being said the Ravens are 1-0 thanks to an imposing of their will on the defensive side. PAUSE.

This was more of a tune up game than a test for the Ravens. Considering that most of their starters didn’t suit up in the preseason, it’s not shocking to see how much rust there clearly was. Not to mention Baltimore gained only 60 yards rushing but that was mostly due to the weather as well as the Jets solid D-Line. (I had questions about their Front 7 but they proved me wrong) It didn’t matter, because Lamar Jackson put together a typical performance of his through the air. Just don’t expect a new contract this year, there’s football to focus on. Yes Mark Andrews and Isaiah Likely were contained for most of the afternoon but how about Bateman, and Duvernay? Those 2 proved their haters wrong at least for the moment. The defense, no need for explanation, they just beat up an offense with no hope. Next week, they’ll get a challenge. Miami is coming to town for the home opener. On paper the Ravens should win, but the Dolphins will put up a fight. Last year the Fins used Sticky Sand to consume the O-Line of Baltimore in a Thursday Night game on horrible field conditions in South Beach. This time Brian Flores is gone, and the Ravens have an improved O-Line and hopefully JK Dobbins back. However the Dolphins now have Tyreek Hill, but the Ravens did shut him down last year with Anthony Averett guarding him. Enough of my talk, I think we need the Salty Marylander’s take on this one.

Marylander: I said before the game that the Jets should sell New York City down the river to our battleship. One of these times, people are going to realize that you can’t take the Ravens defense lightly. Martindale and his outdated scheme are nowhere to be found. This is a new age for our defense. Mike Man made a great 1st impression by picking up where he left off at Michigan. OUR DEFENSE ISN’T AT FULL STRENGTH YET WE LOOKED SO GOOD! I don’t care if Lamar doesn’t have a new contract, I just want him to focus on improving his game. The media’s nonsense is BS and they should leave him alone. ESPN you have no idea how much was really offered to LJ last week! BTW anyone who calls out our WR room needs to be given a piece of humble pie! Rashod Bateman is a #1 receiver who cares if he only had 2 catches. The AFC better be careful. Because our redemption tour and road to reliving 2012 has just begun. That’s enough for me. The Moral of the Story, RAVENS GOING TO SUPER BOWL! Narrator: It’s only Week 1, and there’s still a long way to go. Anyways, what a way to open the season. Next week, the optimism will be sky high for the home opener. As the rain stops in MetLife, so do the Charm City Beasts. Edgar/Allan/Poe: Whistling (WE GOTTA FEELING! RAVENS GOING TO THE SUPER BOWL! BIG TRUUUUUUUUUUUUUZ!)