THIS RAVENS PLAYER WAS BEING HELD BACK AND WE HAVE CONFIRMATION! | BUT NOW HE COULD BE UNLEASHED!

Now, why he had to go mess around and get us even more excited for this Ravens season than we already were. Tren Simpson, who is going into his fourth year of contract here, a huge year for him with huge opportunities right in front of his face. He posted these clips to his Instagram from Ravens and Vikings joint practice where he was blowing stuff up, he was making plays, he was looking good. And see, that's what we envision for him this upcoming season. And not just because we Ravens fans, but it's because all these Ravens players, specifically on the defensive side of the ball, things should be brand new for them. And with Trenton Simpson specifically, we have very, very high hopes for him under Jesse Mentor. If you recall back in 2023, Trent Simpson got drafted. He was not a starter because he had Rocoan Smith and Patrick Queen ahead of him. But the last week of the season came up and Ravens were resting the starters. We had the number one seed. good times. But Trent Simpson got to play and when he got to play against the Steelers in that last game of the year, oh, he was flying all over the place. He was looking good. So, I remember I was thinking, "Oh, man. We might lose Patrick Queen, but if we do, we going to be straight. Trent Simpson is next up. What happened? We lost Patrick Queen to the Steelers, by the way. But then Trent Simpson got his opportunity, but it didn't go so good. He didn't look so good. He looked out of place. He looked like he didn't know where he belonged. But coincidentally, we had lost Mike McDonald and Zack Ore was our new defensive coordinator and he remained that for the next two years and we will not only watch Tren Simpson's defensive play decline, but the defensive play of so many other Baltimore Ravens. That's why we're so excited for Tren Simpson right now because Jesse Mentor, the expectations that we have with this new defense and with Tren Simpson specifically, we expect him to find a role in this defense and for it to be a consistent good role that really focuses on his skills as a speed player, as an edge rusher, as somebody covering in space, as just an explosive playmaker. We expect Jesse Mentor to truly get the best out of Tren Simpson. But our expectations, they don't just stop with us. What What if a former Baltimore Raven who played both for Zack Our and also played for Jesse Mentor, what if he chimed in on how he feels about really being free now and that's Adafay and he said the following in an article by Baltimore Banners Gianna Had a spoke to her about his last season with the Baltimore Ravens. She said a way also hinted at distractions and dysfunction within the Ravens, but declined to elaborate. I just feel like there was a lot of stuff going on just in the facility, the defense, just a lot of daily issues that was going on in terms of like what we were trying to do with personnel. So, you know what's interesting about that? So many of us Ravens fans felt like with Zack Ore, he it was just a little bit too early for him to be a defensive coordinator because a lot of times Ravens players, they would be looking confused. They wouldn't know what was going on. And then when we see the result on the field, it was just like, oh my goodness, this is just it was a mess. So that pretty much confirms that. But he continued, he said, "I think there was just a lack of understanding of what we were going to do next after Nami Matabke went down." So again, Adafier Way reiterating that they didn't know what was going on. They didn't know what to do. It seemed like the players, they were lost, and that's never a good thing at all. So then of course Adafier we ended up getting traded to the Chargers where he got to play under Jesse Mentor's defensive system and let's hear how he describes it said I think Jesse would tell you guys too he just let me be free and let me rush freely and not be kept not be in jail and that's very telling uh especially to use the term jail and Giana said the following whereas pass rush felt mechanical before under mentor for Adafi it felt like an art instead of being told to rush the same way for the whole game was allowed to treat it like chess. He didn't add any new pass rush tools to his bag, but he felt more comfortable trying things out and being more aggressive without the fear he'd be sidelineed for a mistake. And that's a big deal right there. Because if you can do something freely that can build your confidence in whatever it is that you're doing, especially when you don't feel like somebody's staring down your back, somebody's like, "Oh, hey, you better not mess up. you better not make one single mistake or or you going to be on the sideline right over here. So with a Dafia way explaining that that just it makes so much sense cuz guys were out there and and we talking about rushing a passing but this could have applied to a lot of different stuff defensively but guys could have been out there and not really just going after it like they should have been because they were scared of losing their jobs and half the time they just ain't know what's going on in the first place. So that's a unhealthy combination. But continuing, she also said his newfound confidence helped him to generate the sixth highest pressure rate. And again, this is somebody who we know he struggled with being a closer with the Baltimore Ravens, but he struggled with pressure a bit here and there, too. But let's continue. Said he helped him generate the sixth highest pressure rate in the league according to NextGen stats. and he contributed in critical times, recording three sacks and two force fumbles in the Chargers playoff game against the New England Patriots. So that part right there, contributing in critical times, that's something that the Ravens, specifically on defense, they just have not been doing for a while. That has been a big hold up with the Ravens, not contributing, not making plays in critical times, in playoff games when things matter the most. the defense would fall short. So, now we have a brand new outlook on not only Ravens defense under Jesse Mentor, but this entire football team. Now, we're at my favorite part of these videos where we get to feature questions from you. Make sure you subscribe to the channel, leave a like on the video, click that thumbs up button, and let's get straight to it. First question came from my guy Tyler. He said, "Patience levels." Woo. I don't know if we got too much of these, but let's read what he said. He said, "What's good and great?" What's good, Ty? He said, "First time reaching out, but love the content, my guy. I've got two questions for Well, first off, I appreciate you. Thank you for even watching it, man. He said, uh, one serious and one not as much. Apologize for the length this could be. Oh, it's all good, man. He said, uh, number one, how patient should we as fans be with the new coaching staff for front office moving forward? Oo, that's a really great question. Um, because this is a brand new coaching staff. Everything is brand new. Um, but at the same time, we still got high expectations. We still like we got Super Bowl expectations. We expect this team to do really, really, really good right away because they have a lot of the uh p pieces in place already as far as personnel. The coaching staff has been saying all the right things. We've been hearing all the right things and from what we've been seeing, we've been seeing all the right things in the games, too. So, everything seems to be working. Obviously, with the starters, uh things could be different because they'll be going against starters and it could be a little bit of a learning process. But, um as far as patience, I I just really think it depends on what your personal expectations were. But I I guess as a whole though, we do have to have some patience. But honestly, I would say um a Super Bowl should be achieved within two years. I I I I think that's being patient enough. Honestly, like really, I I don't think that there should be this growing period, this extremely long growing period. Oh yeah, we got a new coach, so guys, it should take some time. And what? No, man. Like it's time to get this thing cracking now, man. And like you see with Mike McDonald, how long did it take him to get it? Two year. Okay, cool. Well, that'll be the standard. So that's that. Anyway, he said, uh, this might be an overreaction to the filele trade and clarity on Harvest, but I'm getting the sense that we may need to be louder and faster on poor decisions and performance from the coaching staff in front office. Now I know now you mean as fans or just you mean the Ravens in general because boy if they would have moved more swift when it came to that Hoba would have been gone a long time ago honestly he he would have been gone a long time ago but anyway he said now I know there was a lot of people that were and have been in the past I always lean more on the trust the process side of things because despite the lack of Super Bowls we should have had by now there's no denying we've been one of the best franchises in the league for a long time. Ravens have been one of the most successful regular season franchises in the league for a long time. For sure. And and if you we talking about recently, especially obviously over the past eight years, they've had some of the most regular season success in the past eight years. For sure. Without a doubt. But that's not enough. Especially the teams that we've had, especially the quarterback that we got, that's not enough. Anyway, continuing. He said, um, it's seeming more clear now that Harve's success was a lot of smoke and mirrors because of how stinking good Lamar was. Uh, well, is, but it's okay. Anyway, he said, I think mentor is going to be great for the Ravens, but how much longer are we going to have this window of being perennial contenders with Lamar? We all want for Lamar and the Ravens to win it all, but if it doesn't happen this season or next, do we start ringing the alarm bell? Curious on your thoughts. Okay. Yeah. See, that's what I said. Two years, man. Two years. Two years. like it it it it needs to get done cuz we got we got everything there. Everything's there for two years. Anyway, he said number two, I live in South Carolina and finally we'll get a chance to go to Ravens game this year when they play in Carolina. It'll be my daughter's first game as well. Oh, that's going to be fun, man. That's going to be cool, man. My question is, do I wear a matching jersey with her? Do I break out the seedsman senior jersey to remind the Panthers fans that he retired a Raven? And he say my lawn. Oh man, you you you trying to start some fight. You you a troublemaker. You're a trouble. He talking about wearing a Steve Smith senior Ravens jersey. Hey, he he was a Raven and he did retire one. So, hey, there's that love and respect that he got for the Ravens. Um Oh, you going with your daughter. Just just keep it peaceful, man. Just wait a little more Kyle Hamilton, Jerry, something like that. If you break out the Ste, I'm sure the people in Carolina, I'm sure they nice, man. So, it it should be straight. But anyway, he said you're the man and keep it up. Oh, no, no, no. I ain't the man. You the man. Especially if you trying to walk into uh Carolina Panthers game with a season senior jersey on. If you're like me and whenever Madden drops, you love just looking at the roster updates and putting in a lot of hours into the game, especially connected franchise mode, you might as well save some money when you grab the game. That's where Aneba comes in. Ana is a trusted digital marketplace where you can find Madden and thousands of other games, too, for less than you'll find them on their official storefronts. They've been around since 2018, have over 7 million monthly users, and more than 80,000 products, and they have secure payment options to make buying quick and easy. And since I'm putting in hours into gaming anyway, might as well get rewarded for it, right? And that's where Snaxy comes in. Snagi is actually a mobile app that's powered by ANBA that lets you earn real rewards just for playing games. You can discover games right through the app, play, earn, then check out the many different rewards available through the shop. And when you sign up, you can claim up to a $10 bonus. So check out the mobile only Snaxy link and also the Aniba link in the description so you can grab Madden 27 for less on Anie and then claim those bonuses on Snacky. Next question came from Bobby. He said, "While our schedule isn't a walk in the park, my biggest concern for the upcoming season is that we don't play the Rams, Seahawks, Packards, Bears, or Eagles. I'd love to see if this team can compete with those caliber of teams, especially since the Super Bowl run will inevitably run through at least one of those powerhouses. My fear is arriving at the postseason completely blindsided, wondering if our record is a sign of true greatness or just a product of weak teams. What are your thoughts? Do we not play the Bills? Uh, who they give us problems? Uh, we still play the Bengals. We still play the Steelers, too. I know the Bengals and Steelers, they ain't been like, but they still been annoying. And I know we got the Bengals number for the most part. Um, but they did come into our crib last year and and whooped us in front of the world. Uh and then with the Steelers, it's just there was that game with the wacky calls and whatnot. But so that was one thing, but then the last game of the season, the defense just could not close it out uh for nothing. So Raven schedule, I don't think it's a walk in the park uh at all. Now, while we might not play some of the teams that you listed, Ravens still definitely have their challenges. You think about the Houston Texans, too. Uh Houston Texans and and that nasty defense that they got. Oh my goodness. It's it's disgusting in a good way, of course. So, Raymond Raymond's schedule is tough. This their schedule is tough. The timing of a lot of the games is tough. So, they definitely going to be presented with plenty of challenges to get ready for the postseason, too. Next question came from my guy Johnny. He said, "As always, hope you find this well. Hope everything in the team keep it clean. Community are well, and prayers out to all. Appreciate you, Johnny." He said, "Number one, what are your thoughts on the three tight end uh set since Lamar in theory should be under center more often this year? Do we see Doyle mixing it enough and putting enough trust in the rookie tight ends?" I think uh have having a big body set and rotating running back with it would be a good start to open up some passing. Maybe it's me wanting the Ravens getting back to the type of ball people don't look forward to with Mentor. I'm not worried about the defense. I think Baltimore bullies are back, but I would like to see them punish people on the ground, but I don't want all that weight to be on Henry. Not that he can't handle it, but uh the more is spread out, the fresher he will come who he will be come the playoffs. That That's true. That's true. Uh, as far as the three tight end sets and all that and all the tight ends, uh, I I think it'll be a gradual process. I don't think they gonna just boom, all right, three tight ends, boom, there you go. Uh, and then especially with them being two rookies. Um, now again, from so far what we've seen been so good, but I don't think they'll put like so much on those rookies plate from jump where they have all three of them out there on the field uh, too often. Now, they did say with Dean Doyle's offense, they do rely on the tight end. So, hey, maybe they may be out there, but I could envision a scenario where it's a lot of times, especially in the passing game with Mark Andrews and maybe another tight end from time to time, but really Mark And I think it's going to be receiver heavy, I think. Again, we won't know till we know uh officially, so we'll see how that goes. But as far as the part what you said about Derrick Henry being fresher for the playoffs, especially um with the Baltimore Ravens just spreading the ball out that much more. They got a lot of opportunity to do that. They got a whole lot of opportunity to do that. So, hopefully they will. He said number two, if you had to predict an upcoming issue teamwise that you would search for a trade solution, what do you think it would be? Maybe a lowrisk trade for depth or oh no, uh this is not what we thought it would be and burn a first round pick kind of trade because we going to the bowl. Um if that was the case, oh man, I say defensive lineman like if there was something with Nomi maybe, but um No, you're not trading no first round pick for no inside linebacker. Um, well, unless it was Fred Warner or something. Um, maybe receiver. Uh, yeah, maybe receiver if something happened there, but I think I think that would really be it. Yeah, probably receiver. You said number three. If you had to ignore likely, what guy left this off seasonason that you would have liked to keep but think uh is going to have a comeup year with another team? Keith Mitchell for sure. Ke Mitchell. I think Ke Mitchell will be provided a lot more opportunity, a consistent opportunity. Uh and I think he'll be more involved in a passing game over there with the Chargers too. Next question came from Joel. He said, "Engrath, what's going on, family? Hope you fam are blessed." I appreciate you Joel. He said, "Haven't seen anything since before the Mandrews contract. I just been taking in this glorious peaceful post hard ball era. [laughter] He got a few things I want to say. I went to the Eagles preseason game and I was surprised how the flock showed out for a meaningless game. I had a great experience and definitely plan to go to a lot of games this year. Okay. My guy said not I I don't plan to go to one game. I plan to go to a lot of games this year. No, it wasn't a meaningless game. It wasn't. That was the very first game of the Jesse Mentor era. It was a brand new start, a brand new team. So, yeah, people excited. We all excited, man. he said. Uh, second off, one of the biggest things I'm looking forward to in this new coaching staff is the departure of Harbs getting out coached by the top QBs. Mahomes forever and ever since the playoff game, uh, Allan, even though the Bills roster doesn't come close to ours, I remember watching the past few Chargers, Chiefs, prime time games, and being impressed by how he made Momes look. Uh, him being fresh and not deep in the mental hole of losing to the Chiefs so many times or how we would keep confusionly losing against Pittsburgh will be so refreshing. If we win the games we're supposed to win, talent and coaching wise, this can really be our year. It can be. And that's I'm glad you said that about uh both Yeah. Momes with the Chiefs uh and the Steelers too because Yeah. the Steelers especially. Well, actually the Chiefs especially, both of those teams especially, they done had a number and it's been like really man. And especially like with the Steelers because the Chiefs like they have been NFL excellent obviously all them Super Bowls, all them Super Bowl appearances, all that stuff. But really with the Steelers, man, with the Steelers, so many times it felt like like we like why why we can't mess with them? Why they keep beating us? Why we keep losing to them? And it's been like what? Like what is happening? It's been one of the weirdest, most annoying, frustrating things just going into them Steelers game. But certainly with the Chiefs, too. Like feel like we had rosters that could that could mess with them that could match up with them, but we just wouldn't get out coached, get outsmarted, and would lose. Uh he said thirdly, I think most players we have uh to grade their past two seasons under the Zach or Harvest curve. Uh that's true. That's that's very very true. Um he said Bait, Roan, and Marlo, I can't determine their abilities at this point with how much they're set up to fail. Uh they were set up to fail. Uh but this year is make or break for all three of them. That's that's a good point. And that's similar to what we were talking about at the top of this video with what the Dafia Way had been saying about the previous coaching staff um versus being able to play under Jesse Mentor defensively specifically. It was rough. It brought a lot of people down, man. I said lastly, who are players you expect to take the biggest jump this year for coaching changes of any other reasons? I would definitely say just the def everybody on defense. Obviously, Super Duper Kyle, he been doing his thing, but I would really say everybody. I would Roan Smith would be one. Trent Simpson, who we talked about earlier, too, but Rocoan Smith, for sure, man. Um, because Rocoan Smith, these past two years, it has not been looking the best. It hasn't been. So, I would say him. Um, I would say Travis Jones, I would say Mike Green, I would say Malachi start. Just a lot of defensive guys, man, that are going to get more opportunity and just should look a whole lot better in this system and more comfortable, too. Uh, and he said, "And what do you expect for Lamar statistically when in 2024 he had to outscore the other team due to the defense while in 2023 he let his teammate shine against the bad teams and stepped up against the top dog?" Oo, sound like an MVP to me. Um, for Lamar, I would say like maybe like 47 4,800 yards passing. Uh, touchdown wise, I'mma go I'mma go Um, I'mma go 43 and five interceptions. 43 touchdowns, five interceptions. Rushing yards, I'mma go 750. I'mma go 750. He said, "Take care." And just like Harve's reputation as a good coach, I'm out. Next question came from my guy Jay Dub. He said, "What's up in Graven? Can the Ravens ever catch a break? Would you consider trading Rashad Baitman after uh the allegations uh for a third or fourth round draft pick or sixth round draft pick along with the center after losing Danny Pinter for the season? Now I do have to say he did send this before the rest of everything else had come out. Um so just so y'all know. Um but that was important too with the allegations. It was important that everything else come out first because with allegations they are just that. Um because I know a lot of people had went straight to not saying that you did JDub but a lot of people have went straight to oh man yeah he did it when the allegation because it sounds really really bad. It sounds it's scary. It's scary stuff. It it it really really is. Um but we got to be very very patient with stuff like like very very patient with stuff uh like this. Um, so and I I don't even think it even crossed the Ravens minds to trade him since this happened back in June and he's still on the team uh two months later. So two and a half months later. So Ravens they not that they shut the door down on a trade on trading Rashad Baitman, but with them having been aware I I think they were like, "Ah, yeah, we already know about what's going on. We're well aware of it." So he said, "I tell you, if it were EDC, you know, he loves his draft picks and would do anything to gain a draft pick." That's that's true. That's true. You know, he would he said especially when the Ravens have a zero tolerance policy for any disorderly conduct on and off the field knowing he can risk losing Baitman if he sticks around. You should you should consider getting another center along with a wide receiver to create more depth in the wide receiver room. So yeah, I yeah it again it just we we had to let everything uh play out. We had to let all the information uh come out and we see what happened. So again hopefully like we said before hopefully there's no more that come. Hopefully that's it cuz you never know how these kind of things can go and everybody can be at peace and everybody can move forward. Been rocking with you since 10. We we ain't been making videos that long. I mean we were making videos a little while but 2010 we we ain't making videos back then. Anyway, he said I had an older brother over here my phone with one of your videos and he instantly said, "Hey, is that engraving? He's pretty fair about y'all team and keeping it even with the rivals." Oh, that's crazy, man. I I appreciate you sharing that. That that's that's crazy, man. Wow, man. That's crazy. That That's Yeah, that's that's that's wild, man. He said, "I nodded and agreed, but didn't continue the convo because he sounded like a Steelers fan." That man, cut that. He said, "I ain't talking to you, man." Anyway, [laughter] he said, "What's going on, Graven? It's been a while since I've asked a question because the flock have been picking my brain for the past couple of years. In fact, on the Facebook page, we are Ravens Flock, I've been seeing some interesting comments about the wide receiver position. And as we get closer to the season, what is your current thoughts on these points or questions? Number one, will they run more of a two tight end set or be balanced between three wide receiver sets, spread sets, Wildcat and two tight end set? Oh man, you know what? That's funny you bring up Wildcat. I was just thinking about that the other day because I was listening listening to something. I think I listened to um Shannon Sharp and Oo Sinko and um and Joe John. Is it Joe Johnson? I think it's Joe Johnson, but anyway, it was night cap. I was listening to Night Cap and they had brought up something about the Dolphins and um I think they said Wishbone though, but it just reminded me of Wildcat with Ronnie Brown in them when they used to go crazy with it. Anyway, um I think I think it'll be a good blend of both. That reminds me of the question from earlier too. Um but I think it'll be a good blend of everything, but I think it'll be more receivers out there. I I I really do because I think they're going to want to obviously Z Flower's going to get his, but I think Jacobe Lane going to be pressing for time. I think they're not going to really want to keep him off the field. Um, and right now I think Baitman is that number two wide receiver, but I think they're really going to want to see Jacobe out there, too. So, I think we're going to get a lot of three wide receiver sets. I think, again, we won't know till we know, but that's that's just what I think. He said [snorts] number two. Uh, who do you believe will be the starting uh the starters on the two wide receiver sets? He said, I see Flowers, Lane, and Baitman Serat. Oh, wow. Oh, you you he put Jacobe Lane as a star. Oh, okay then. Um, I I can see the mixing it up, but certainly Zay Flowers and Rashad Baitman at least to start the season. Now, they're going to be times when other guys are out there, but Rashad Baitman and Z Flowers. Uh, he said number three, who do you believe you'll be starting for the three w or will be starting for the three wide receiver sets? He's Oh, yeah. Okay. Yeah, we already answered that one. All right. He said, "Would you trade Baitman for a third round pick uh for a defensive offense, excuse me, a decent offensive lineman?" I was about to say defensive offensive line. Uh, decent offensive lineman. um right now, no. Um because I I think the Ravens, like I know a lot of people got getting a little scared about Ravens offensive line from what we saw in the first two preseason games, but again, we ain't seen the starters yet. So, I wouldn't trip yet. If we get to like week three and our offensive line looking like garbage and like hold up now, wait a minute. But I don't expect it to be so. I I I really don't. So, um so no, I I wouldn't do that. He said, "Blessings to you and the family." Hey, I appreciate you, my friend. Thank you, man. [music] >> [music] >> The flock flies to the wise. It's a wonderful day. Look what vision and commitment is and some discipline brings. When eight becomes one, [music] the moon swings and the flock sings for another ring. Man, we tuning in. [music] Engraving vids in that scene tonight. Team keep it clean. Hold it down the spot to ignite a [music] name in the lights. It's a north star ain't feeling far when you run that north every year. That's just [music] >> [music]