Browns Coach Jokes About Adjustments From Week 4 EST

“I’ll leave that for the Ravens to figure out,” Schwartz said, per Ashley Bastock of Cleveland.com. “There’s no sense in me talking about what we did well, what we did poorly, and what we’re changing.”

The Cleveland defense has been one of the NFL’s most formidable this season but Baltimore broke through for 131 rushing yards and 28 points, the second-most they’ve let up in a game in each department.

Working with backup rookie quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson on short notice certainly didn’t help, but Schwartz is well-aware of just how impactful the Browns’ defense can be.

“We did a lot of good things in the first game, too,” Schwartz said ahead of the crucial AFC North showdown. “(We) didn’t play a consistent game, didn’t finish the game well, but there’s a lot to build on from that game.”

NOV 5 WEEK 9 INACTIVES vs. SEATTLE SEAHAWKS The Ravens announced their inactives for Sunday’s matchup against the Seattle Seahawks.

The Ravens kick off against the Seahawks at 1 p.m. ET on Sunday in a matchup between division leaders at M&T Bank Stadium.

NOV 3 ODELL TALKS ‘FINE’ LINE BETWEEN PERSONAL, TEAM ACCOMPLISHMENTS Upon ending semi-retirement to join the Baltimore Ravens, Odell Beckham Jr. knew he wouldn’t beach contending for the top spot on the league’s yardage lists.

But as injuries and inconsistency have prevented him from making a desirable impact on the team’s offensive fortunes, Beckham admitted to ESPN’s Jamison Hensley that he found himself combating his love of the good for the team and his own personal frustrations.

“I didn’t come here with the expectation that I’d be going for 2,000 yards,” Beckham said. “We’re trying to win a Super Bowl, so it is what it is, at this point. (I’m) just walking the fine line of being grateful for being back on the field but definitely not being content with how I am in terms of what’s going on.”

Through six games, Beckham has been targeted 26 times but has hauled in only 162 yards on 14 receptions, none of which have gone for a touchdown.

Hensley’s report made it clear that his teammates and coaching staff still believe in his ability to make a difference as the Ravens (6-2) seek new team accolades come this winter.

“Odell is super talented, very determined, really has a high standard for himself [and] really works hard,” Ravens coach John Harbaugh said. “I really think that’s indicative of his reputation. It’s like, they know who he is. They know he’s No. 3, and they do not want to give up a completion to him. He’s being covered that way.”

“I just think it’s going to pop. He’s going to start getting some big catches for us.”

OCT 31 ODELL GOES FULL ‘BIG DADDY’ AND BOOKER FOR HALLOWEEN Odell Beckham Jr. and his son are both losing weight.

The Baltimore Ravens channeled his inner Adam Sandler for Halloween, dressing as the comedian’s character Sonny Koufax from his 1999 film “Big Daddy.” Beckham completed the look with his son Zydn, who dressed as Sandler’s young sidekick Julian (portrayed by Cole and Dylan Sprouse) from the film. Together, the duo playfully recreated the film’s iconic scene where Sonny and Julian urinate on the side of a fancy restaurant, a sequence depicted on the film’s poster.

It was a busy Halloween for Zydn, who perhaps doubled his candy intake with another joint costume endeavor alongside his mother Lauren Wood. Photos posted by Wood showed Zydn dressed as Sheriff Woody, the main protagonist from Disney/Pixar’s “Toy Story” franchise, while she appeared as his cowgirl friend Jessie from the same film series.

The elder Beckham likewise donned multiple costumes on All Hallow’s Eve, dressing as one of his close friends, NBA All-Star Devin Booker. Beckham eschewed Booker’s traditional Phoenix Suns jersey, opting for his off-court style of a white t-shirt, hoodie, khakis, and Detroit Tigers baseball cap.

OCT 29 OFFICIALS EXPLAIN CONTROVERSIAL 4TH DOWN STOP IN RAVENS-CARDINALS The minds of gridiron conspiracy theorists took flight during the Baltimore Ravens-Arizona Cardinals game on Sunday after a controversial ruling in the second quarter.

Near the midway mark of the second quarter, Arizona’s upset bid was stalled by a turnover on downs at the Baltimore 36 after Emari Demercado was stuffed for no gain by Michael Pierce. Officials prepared to measure the spot but inexplicably moved the ball back as the chains were being run out, causing outrage among the sea of red at State Farm Stadium. Baltimore got the ball back and the Cardinals did not threaten for the rest of the half.

NFL senior vice president of officiating Walt Anderson commented on the situation after the game in a quote from pool reporter Bob McManaman of AZ Central (h/t Donnie Druin of Cardinals Country). Anderson said that refs were informed of a different ball spot via the reply officials upstairs. Once the readjusted spot was established, the on-field officials determined that no measurement or the replay machine was necessary.

“With the replay assist rule, what that allows us to do is provide officials with objective information if we end up with clear and obvious video evidence,” Anderson said. “We waited a bit because we weren’t exactly sure where the officials were going to initially spot the ball after all the players cleared and we could see it actually spotted on the big line.”

“Then the replay official told the officials that the ball was clearly short and that’s why the umpire ended up moving the ball. Obviously, with it being short on a fourth down with the new rule this year, a failed fourth-down attempt is a booth review. But since we had already assisted, we knew it was short that’s why we didn’t stop further to review it again.”

OCT 26 “YOU’LL SEE ME!” ROQUAN SMITH DECLARES Baltimore Ravens linebacker Roquan Smith confirmed his status for this Sunday … and perhaps the next innumerable Sundays after that.

Smith did not practice on Wednesday due to a shoulder injury, leaving some questioning his status for Baltimore’s trip to Arizona on Sunday (4:25 p.m. ET, CBS). The defender, however, put any future concerns to rest before he left the team facility.

“I told the guys, ‘As long as the sun rises on Sunday and the NFL don’t cancel any games, you’ll see me out there,'” Smith declared, per Jamison Hensley of ESPN.

Smith, 26, has made 57 consecutive starts since a torn pec ended his 2019 campaign with Chicago early. In his first full season in purple, Smith currently stands as the team’s leading tackler with 71 through the first seven games.

OCT 24 BOLDIN PRAISES BALTIMORE SUCCESSORS Anquan Boldin, one of the last Baltimore Ravens receivers to hoist the Vince Lombardi Trophy, seems to believe that the team’s current crop of catchers is worthy of following in his footsteps.

Boldin, 43, is particularly impressed with the way that the Ravens’ offensive reps have adjusted particularly well to a new offensive coordinator, welcoming in Todd Monken after Greg Roman’s departure.

“I think they have the right receivers in the room,” Boldin told Scott Thompson of Fox News. “I think they’re still in the process of filling out who can do what.

You look at it, they have a new offensive coordinator this year after G-Rome the last couple years. So they’re still trying to figure those pieces out.”

“You went from a run-heavy offense to now trying to be more balanced. They’re still trying to figure that piece out. Like I said, how do we use the guys around us? Because they have some dynamic pieces, so just trying to figure it out.”

Baltimore (5-2) has had one of the most exciting offenses in the league over the first seven weeks of the 2023 season, one that fully flexed its might in a crucial interconference showdown against the Detroit Lions: nine different Ravens caught at least one Lamar Jackson pass on Sunday, part of a 357-yard day through the air. Mark Andrews (two) and Nelson Agholor caught Jackson’s three touchdown passes while rookie Zay Flowers earned 75 yards on four grabs.

Boldin is impressed with the newcomers, which also include Odell Beckham Jr., have meshed, especially with preseason snaps rendered mostly extinct for starters.

“In the past, you use those games to kinda gel together and get that continuity going,” Boldin noted. “Now, people seem more concerned about being healthy going into the season, which is a good thing.

When you don’t play in the preseason, you don’t get that experience playing together. It takes a little time during the season to gel together.”

OCT 21 JONES OUT VS. RAVENS The Detroit Lions will be without one of their veteran pass catchers on Sunday against the Baltimore Ravens.

Per ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Lions receiver Marvin Jones Jr. won’t play against the Ravens due to personal reasons.

Jones has five catches for 35 yards this season. The Lions and Ravens kick off at 1 p.m. inside M&T Bank Stadium.

OCT 19 RAYMOND LAUDS BECKHAM’S ‘ACTIVE’ MENTORSHIP As his Detroit Lions prepare for a crucial interconference matchup with the Baltimore Ravens (1 p.m. ET, Fox), receiver Kalif Raymond recalled the impact that Odell Beckham Jr. had on his career.

Raymond, 29, has built a solid, if not well-traveled, NFL career for himself since entering the league as an undrafted free agent out of Holy Cross in 2016.

Part of his second season was spent alongside Beckham with the New York Giants and Raymond recalled Beckham taking him under his wing.

“He helped a lot of the guys, but it wasn’t like a limelight help the guys. It wasn’t like, ‘Oh, yeah, I help the guys’ (being said in press conferences).

It was very active,” Raymond said of Beckham, per Nolan Bianchi of The Detroit News. “He’s like, ‘Man, you’re plenty fast for this league. Slow it down. This game will come to you.”

“It’s a moment like that, man. If you ever watched him in practice … people who know him know how good of a teammate he is … He’s huge. … But even with all that, he’d still find the time to take care of people.”

Raymond is currently working through his third season in Detroit. He has posted the best numbers of his career in the Motor City, earning 1,379 yards on 109 receptions since 2021.

OCT 19 NFL COMMISSIONER ROGER GOODELL EXTENDED – Commissioner Roger Goodell has signed a new contract extension to remain the leader of the league through the 2027 season as team owners approved the agreement at this week’s meetings in New York.

Goodell, who replaced Paul Tagliabue as commissioner in 2006, will now have his career earnings surpass $700 million – twice more than any player in NFL history.

The 64-year-old started with the league in 1982 as an administrative intern. His extension will push his service to 45 years in the NFL and 21 as commissioner.

OCT 18 TYUS BOWSER ‘FEELING GREAT,’ ‘GETTING TO THAT POINT’ As the Baltimore Ravens opened the week, head coach John Harbaugh was mum on the status of linebacker Tyus Bowser, who has been on the non-football injury list all season.

“I’m going to let Tyus comment on that,” Harbaugh said, per Childs Walker of the Baltimore Sun. “I’m really not at liberty to talk about it right now. He’s got to make some choices and decisions.”

Bowser did just that on the latest episode of “The Tyus Bowser Show” on PressBox, hinting at intentions of playing this season.

“I’m on the field,” Bowser said. “I’m moving around very well. I’m just gaining more and more confidence each and every day, not only on the field, but in the training room.

I have great people around me, great support staff, and I feel like myself is getting to that point. I’m just going to continue to work hard, and when that time comes, it comes.”

Bowser, 28, has spent his entire career in Baltimore since arriving as a second-round pick in the 2017 draft.

He emerged as a starter in 2021 and picked up a career-best seven sacks before a torn Achilles stifled further momentum last year.

His recent comments suggest that he’s planning to make a return to the field before this season lets out.

“If I can play, I’ll definitely play,” Bowser said Tuesday. “That’s the goal. That’s the mindset.”

OCT 16 HAMILTON “NOTHING MALICIOUS” BEHIND HIT ON MOORE Kyle Hamilton was confused yet apologetic about the hit that forced his early exit from Sunday’s 24-16 win over the Tennessee Titans (see below).

The second-year Baltimore Ravens safety was removed for a helmet-to-helmet hit on Tennessee receiver Chris Moore during second half action. After a replay review, Hamilton was sent to the locker room while his teammates finished off the win.

“I don’t have really any quarrels with the call itself, but obviously, I just don’t want to be ejected,” Hamilton said in the aftermath, per Ryan Mink of the Ravens’ official site. “But, at the end of the day, the story is not about me. We came out here and got a win. Everybody was locked in (and) focused.”

Despite his confusion, Hamilton was apologetic toward Moore.

“I turned to look at the receiver split second,” Hamilton said. “(I) hit him, tried to get the ball out. He came up, shaken up, unfortunately, so (I’m) praying for him.

Hopefully, he’s doing well … (There was) nothing malicious about it from my perspective. I wasn’t trying to hurt him. I wasn’t trying to do anything bad. I was just trying to get the ball out.”

OCT 15 KYLE HAMILTON EJECTED Baltimore Ravens defensive back Kyle Hamilton is making an early exit in London.

The second-year defensive back was ejected in the second half of the team’s game against the Tennessee Titans after a helmet-to-helmet hit on receiver Chris Moore.

OCT 12 OJABO PLOTS RETURNS BEFORE SEASON’S END Injured Baltimore Ravens linebacker David Ojabo stated his desire to get on the field before season’s end as the team continues to work in England to partake in the NFL International Series.

“(I’m) working really hard to be out there. Through God’s grace I’ll be out there soon,” Ojabo said, per the Ravens’ official site. “No timetable right now. Just rehabbing, taking it day by day.”

Medical misfortune has defined Ojabo’s career since the Ravens took him in the second round of the 2022 draft.

He played in only two games in his rookie season thanks to a torn Achilles during his pro day at Michigan and currently resides on injured reserve due to an knee injury sustained in Week 3’s loss to the Indianapolis Colts.

Though Ojabo won’t be able to play in Sunday’s British-based battle against the Tennessee Titans (9:30 a.m. ET, NFL Network), he’ll be on hand for a homecoming of sorts: the defender spent his youth and early teens in Aberdeen, Scotland before moving to New Jersey, where he moved onto Blair Academy and later Ann Arbor.

“I’m blessed to be back home,” Ojabo said of the London trip. “You control what you can. (I) keep my mentals up by praying and staying close to my family.”

OCT 11 HUMPHREY CLAIMS STARS WANT TO ‘RETIRE IN BALTIMORE’ On the latest edition of his “Punch Line Podcast,” cornerback Marlon Humphrey claimed that star opponents have reached out to him about their supposed desires to be traded to the Baltimore Ravens.

“There’s guys that hit me up like ‘yo, trade for me,'” Humphrey said. “So some guys are ready to bounce quick.”

Humphrey said that he has not only gotten both calls and texts inquiring about the Ravens’ activities but they have also queried during pregame warmups.

“One time, (in) pregame, literally this year, they (were) like “I’ve got to end my career in Baltimore,'” Humphrey said. He is mum on the player’s identity but confirmed to an off-screen voice that it wasn’t star Washington Commanders star pass rusher Chase Young, who faced off with Baltimore during the preseason.

It’s easy to see why Baltimore would be a premier destination: the Ravens (3-2) have been one of the league’s most consistent teams over the past five seasons and have locked up star talents like Lamar Jackson for the foreseeable future.

The team, however, has had trouble getting past the Divisional playoff round hump and the AFC North routinely stands as one of the toughest quartets in football. Time will tell if Baltimore management capitalizes on these rumored desires.

OCT 6 HARBAUGH REMEMBERS BUTKUS Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh used his Friday address to pay tribute to the late Dick Butkus.

The Hall-of-Fame linebacker passed away in Malibu at the age of 80 this week after spending his entire NFL career with the Chicago Bears (1965-73).

“You couldn’t talk about (being) a linebacker in the national football league without talking about Dick Butkus,” Harbaugh recalled. “Dick Butkus. That is the same as saying linebacker.

You say Dick Butkus, it meant linebacker. Next to the definition of linebacker was Dick Butkus … Rest in peace, Dick Butkus, as a legendary player. Without Dick Butkus, the league would not be what it is today.”

Butkus is widely regarded as one of the most dominant defensive players in NFL history and earned two Defensive Player of the Year Awards and eight Pro Bowl nominations. He was recently named to the NFL’s 100th anniversary team in 2019 as well as the All-Decade group for the 1960s and 70 in that span.