HOT TAKES: The Ravens and Week 17

A couple of Ravens are eligible to come off IR this week for the Browns game, namely Charlie Kolar and Arthur Maulet. Kolar has been working hard to see the field again, but his injured arm is still in a protective device. Meanwhile, Maulet’s situation is a bit trickier. He was injured during training camp after being quite productive in July and early August. When he returned to the field, Maulet lacked the explosiveness in short spaces that he once possessed prior to the injury. It’s possible that Maulet is held off a bit longer and could be a scratch for the season.

Justice Hill’s injury (concussion) is a bit more concerning. He does so many things for the Ravens offense and he’s certainly a weapon OC Todd Monken would love to get back sooner than later. But it might be overly optimistic to expect Hill back by Sunday January 5 against the Browns. Maybe the extra week of rest is the prudent play.

That said, if Hill’s injury keeps him out of the Wild Card round, it wouldn’t surprise me to see the team pursue a veteran running back who has been to the dance before and can spell Derrick Henry. Keaton Mitchell is a nice change of pace back and a solid option if the Ravens spread the field with 11 personnel, but if the Christmas Day game in Houston is any indication, Mitchell doesn’t look ready to be productive between the tackles.

The Return of Calais?

Some believe that if the Dolphins lose to the Browns this weekend or they’re eliminated from the playoffs, they will release Calais Campbell, allowing him to go and play for a contender and compete for a Super Bowl, which would be the first in his illustrious 17-year career. But for those who think that given his tenure, that he can sign with a team of his choosing, think again.

Players released after the trade deadline are subject to waivers. Other contenders like the Chargers, Broncos or Steelers could put a claim in for Calais if for no other reason than to block his potential return to Baltimore.

Drama in Pittsburgh

There’s a mole on the Steelers defense – well perhaps not a mole but a player with maverick tendencies that work to the detriment of the team’s defense. Some believe the maverick wears No. 39 – none other than Minkah Fitzpatrick.

Fitzpatrick recently declined to discuss the situation with the media but teammates T.J. Watt, Alex Highsmith, Patrick Queen and DeShon Elliott have all made overtures about a player who isn’t staying true to his job, thus undermining the integrity of defensive play calls.

Deshon Elliott with some strong words on the #Steelers’ efforts of late:

“First off, guys can’t be f*ckin wide open.” pic.twitter.com/tLlkMMaAO3

— Christopher Carter (@CarterCritiques) December 25, 2024

#Steelers OLB Alex Highsmith said some players do not have enough want-to right now.

“There’s got to be a want-to. There’s not enough of that right now. There’s got to be a want to. It’s that time of the year where we’ve got two guaranteed games left. We’re gonna find out who… pic.twitter.com/7elo5Hyzf5

— Alan Saunders (@ASaunders_PGH) December 25, 2024

Minkah makes splash plays, and he does appear to be one of Mike Tomlin’s favorites, but amongst his teammates, apparently not so much. Things are seemingly coming undone in Pittsburgh.

Hard Knocks

Last week’s episode of HBO’s Hard Knocks was boring until it got to the Ravens v. Steelers preview. Then it got interesting. Give John Harbaugh credit for his rather aggressive workout regimen. When the head coach is willing to grind like that, it certainly sets a tone. I doubt that Andy Reid does the same but that said, it hasn’t inhibited the Chiefs.

One thing I did expect during Hard Knocks is some insight into the Diontae Johnson drama and his refusal to take the field against the Eagles on December 1. Each of the four teams has editorial say in what airs on the program. The Ravens are obviously more concerned than the others given that all they seem to be willing to share on Hard Knocks isn’t much more than a locker room prayer.

However, the Ravens keeping the lid on the Johnson drama could be the team doing an agent a solid; it might be financially motivated; or, the team is trying to avoid any possible grievance. I did find it to be oddly interesting how friendly Johnson is with his former Ravens teammates after being in Baltimore for just a few weeks. Is there a message to glean from that?

Diontae Johnson interacting with his former Ravens teammates as a member of the Texans post game pic.twitter.com/Z7nG5YIRuH

— Kevin Oestreicher (@koestreicher34) December 26, 2024

The 49ers had a similar situation with linebacker De’Vondre Campbell who refused to go into a game against the LA Rams. Campbell’s 49ers teammates openly criticized the behavior. We never heard a word from Ravens players. Perhaps one day the entire story behind the Johnson saga will surface. But for now, the whole thing just feels like a completely failed experiment.

KVN

The Ravens don’t have that prototypical edge rusher like some of the league’s best teams do but without a doubt, they are getting edge production. In 29 games as a Raven, Kyle Van Noy has 20 ½ sacks and 22 tackles for loss. Comparatively speaking, a player who also has played in 29 games since the start of the 2023 season and IS an elite edge defender is Nick Bosa. Over that 29-game span, Bosa has 17 ½ sacks and 27 TFL’s. Incidentally, KVN’s cap figure in 2024 is $3.6M. Bosa’s? $14.7M. Let’s call that a nice ROI for Eric DeCosta and the Ravens.

Here, KVN has some interesting things to say about his season and the Ravens’ organization.

“This season has been awesome for me and we have a great group of guys..

The Ravens took a chance on me and I feel like they’re happy with what I’ve been doing” @KVN_03 #PMSLive pic.twitter.com/EsShYoanKx

— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) December 27, 2024

Going Commando!

The Washington Commanders can clinch a playoff spot tonight with a win over the Falcons or if Baker Mayfield & Co. fall to the Panthers. It has been a great bounce-back season for the franchise from top to bottom.

I can recall vividly the disdain I once held for the Redskins. They had players who could grind your gears like Joe Theismann and Dexter Manley. But probably more than any other reason, the contempt towards Washington was rooted in the fact that Redskins’ game were forced down the throats of Baltimore sports fans since we were within the viewing radius of DC. It meant that lame games against uninteresting opponents trumped the more appealing national games if the two were played concurrently.

Today, I don’t feel any different towards the Commanders than I do the Washington Nationals. No disdain, no feeling at all really, and last week I found myself rooting for them when they played the Eagles. I even had one of those, “look at you” moments upon realizing that I was pulling for the Washington football franchise.

And I can’t recall that EVER happening before.

TODAY’S GAMES

Just a few random thoughts about today’s games…I think the Jets could pull off an upset in Buffalo…Saquon Barkley will get within 100 yards of Eric Dickerson’s record of 2,105 in a season. He needs 268 to break Dickerson’s record. I think he’ll do it. And like Roger Maris who broke Babe Ruth’s single-season home run record of 60, Barkley’s record will earn an asterisk since he’ll establish the new record in 17 games. Maris’ 61 long flies took 162 games. Ruth’s long-standing record took place when MLB teams played 154 games…the Browns will beat the Dolphins and Calais Campbell will get his get out of jail free card and pursue a job with a contender. And I think it will be the Chargers who claim him…The Lions will beat the 49ers on Monday Night and today, the Vikings will take down the Packers which will set up a season finale of two (14-2) teams for the NFC North title.

Imagine winning 14 games and still not capturing the division crown.

[CLICK HERE for more HOT TAKES]

The post HOT TAKES: The Ravens and Week 17 appeared first on Russell Street Report.