There are plenty of toys in the new passing attack of Lamar Jackson and the Baltimore but how will Todd Monken utilize the skills of J.K. Dobbins and Mark Andrews and still find room to get the ball to first-round draft pick Zay Flowers, holdover Rashod Bateman and newly acquired free agent Odell Beckham, Jr. An embarrassment of riches but still one football.
SUMMARY KEYWORDS
ravens, talked, dobbins, running backs, running, year, superstar billy graham, roster, baltimore, wide receiver, team, great, orioles, offense, mark andrews, jk, big, week, contract, mandatory minicamp
SPEAKERS
Luke Jones, Dennis Koulatsos
Dennis Koulatsos 00:02
Welcome back my first case guest as always my Austar leadoff hitter Luke Joe Jones is joining us right now to talk some Oreos some ravens and maybe even a little bit of professional wrestling sprinkled somewhere in there Luke, welcome in.
Luke Jones 00:16
Dennis How are you my friend? It’s always good to talk to you.
Dennis Koulatsos 00:19
Oh, it’s a pleasure Luke and I guess we should begin with the with the Raven OTAs right lots of buzz the the team sila Quan Treadwell, one of my draft crushes from Ole Miss from a few years ago. Can’t miss receiver great hands. He gets an approach from what I recall. He just could never gain separation. Easier to cover. But he’s bounced around. But now the Ravens have five former first round draft the Savior when you’re talking about Treadwell or AGL or Bateman flowers Obj. It goes on and on.
Luke Jones 00:54
It really does. And I thought it was interesting. First of all, I was just kind of surprised that they would make a signing like that. I mean, let’s face it, as you mentioned, for as much as Laquan, Treadwell, at one point in time was a hot commodity, and was a first round pick and all this hype. I mean, he’s been a bust Let’s call a spade a spade. I mean, he hasn’t even had he’s had like maybe one decent season with Jacksonville a couple years ago. I mean, big disappointment. So I was surprised to see the Ravens even make that signing just because of all the resources they pumped into the position this offseason. But I think what was most telling to me is even though we’re talking about it here and we’re going to spend 90 seconds talking about Laquan Treadwell, it didn’t really register that much of a ripple in terms of attention and to me that really speaks to how the outlook at the position has changed since last year. Dennis if you had told me back in January the Ravens would be signing Nelson Aguilar and Laquan Treadwell I probably would have thought about that in a much different context and said same old ravens just trying to sign guys that are either over the hill or guys that never were and in this case it you know, it’s much further down the pecking order and I mean, I’ll call it what it is right now and I’ll do my roster you know my my roster projection after next week’s mandatory minicamp which is still way too early, but the contract will be listed as a longshot. I’m not even sure it’s gonna be on the roster bubble. And I think a lot of this may have been a product of look at this past week and see some of the wide receivers that were missing. Beckham was not there. Rashad Bateman wasn’t there. They flowers dealing with a little bit of a tweak. Dontay Demus was not out there, although I saw him on the sideline later in practice, and some other wide receivers that were banged up as well. So this might have been as much a case of get another body out there. Take a look at him during mandatory minicamp and we’ll see what happens from there if he does shows enough nice things at that point. Yeah, sure, take them to training camp who knows what could happen. But I also wouldn’t be shocked if he doesn’t even make it to training camp because that’s just how deep they are at wide receiver at this point. So you know, it was interesting just because it’s a name you recognize, but I think he was with what four different organizations last year in the 2000 2002 calendar years. So
Dennis Koulatsos 03:08
what is correct look, I’m not buying a jersey I’m not there yet. No. Look, I was ready to buy who was a guy from Pittsburgh, LM Gambella ready to buy a jersey with love Yeah, that was excited about him until I saw what I saw in the field. So now Now I also read word credible it’s all supposed to be a good special teams player and that always appeals to Coach Harbaugh to great not saying he’s gonna hit the lock can make the roster he’s still like you said very much a long shot.
Luke Jones 03:33
Yeah, exactly. I mean, he’s gonna have to do stuff like that and I mean that’s really what’s gonna come down to so but it’s fine. Again, you have a 90 man roster I mean right off the bat 90 man roster. You have 53 spots on the on the regular season roster and then you have 16 guys on the practice squad. So you do the math. There’s already right off the bat a number of guys who have no shot of making this roster so you bring it up, bring them in, you know, you have another healthy body out there and he was out there running around a little bit this week and we’ll we’ll see what he looks like at mandatory minicamp. Look,
Dennis Koulatsos 04:05
I think one position group we need that hasn’t been talked for good reason that much this offseason, because of all the emphasis on the wide receivers and the Lamar contract as a tight end group. But Mark Andrews continues to amaze me most guys when they sign that big contract, take the foot off the gas at least that’s been my experience. I go back to Terrell Suggs as great as he was every time you signed a contract. I like it took a year off Mark Andrews, not so much best shape for his career. And that says a lot because he’s always in great shape and Charlie color had the sports hernia a year ago. He’s a dude six, six about 250 and we saw what azana likely is capable of doing as well.
Luke Jones 04:47
Yeah, that’s why I think it’s gonna be so interesting to see how this offense under Todd Monken evolves because there have been so much focus on the wide receiver position and understandably so. There should be focused on that when You consider what they did there with a first round pick and with signing Odell Beckham to the kind of money the Ravens have been handed out in a really, really long time to a wide receiver. So that said, You just said it. I mean, Mark Andrews, until someone shows otherwise. Mark Andrews remains the number one receiver on this football team. I mean, we’re talking about other than Travis Kelce, who several years older than Andrews, there’s not another tight end in football, I would take over Mark Andrews, so and like I said, even with Kelsey, it would be a case of Alright, is it for this year? Are you talking the next five years, right? I mean, he’s been there. He’s been a top two or three, tight end for three, four years now. So that’s where you look at this thing with him, especially but also then when you get into Isaiah, likely who had a nice day on Tuesday, Charlie Kohler, who I think will have a tougher time cracking this offense, you know, that’s a really be involved just because of the numbers at wide receiver now, but I certainly wouldn’t dismiss him. But you know, that’s where you look at this thing and say, Let’s not completely forget about the tight acquisition. Yes. We’re moving on from Greg Roman, yes, there’s going to be a higher emphasis on the passing game than what we’ve seen in recent years, and probably not as much heavy personnel and probably going to see a lot more three wide receiver sets. But at the same time, you still have these three tight ends. And I don’t want to even say three, I want to say you have Mark Andrews, who is an all pro at the tight end position. And then you have two really interesting young tight ends behind him that are developing and in the case of likely did some nice things last year. So we’ve talked about it. And I don’t even say this in a disconcerting way. It’s just reality. There’s only one football to go around. So to try to project how much more involved likely could be or Charlie Kohler could be I mean, who knows? I mean, I think that’s really difficult to say, but at the same time, you certainly don’t want to dismiss that because I think if you’ve noticed one thing around the NFL in recent years, and the Ravens were ahead of the curve with this a few years ago, before their offense kind of plateaued, is it’s still really beneficial to use 12 personnel if you have dynamic, tight ends on your roster, and guys that can run because they are such matchup problems because they can either out physical defensive backs, or they can outrun linebackers, so who exactly covers them. And we’ve seen that be a problem for teams trying to deal with Mark Andrews for years now, even when they’ve tried to double team him and bracket him things he still gets his so I think from that standpoint, it will be interesting to see how it works out. And I think something that will be interesting, just from a sense of how this shakes out is you look at Mark Andrews, who has been almost exclusively a guy that’s lined up either in the slot, or we saw him line up out wide last year, has not lined up in a three point stance as an inline tight end very often. Same thing you could say about Isaiah likely who let’s face it was a wide receiver in college. I mean, that’s kind of you know, he’s a wide receiver in kind of a tight ends body I guess you would say, and Charlie Kohler Same deal. So, for me, that’s where it’s interesting to look at someone like Patrick Ricard or the young guys or mark Andrews, because I’m sure he’ll line up in a three point stance a little more often. But you’re still going to need some sort of inline tight end that’s lining up, I don’t think the ravens are just going to go for wide all the time. So that’s where it will be a little more interesting to kind of figure out how this evolves and what it looks like. So yeah, Andrews will be on the field a ton, you know, as he should be. But is he going to line up more as an inline tight end? Or will he be still lining up as a slot extensively? And that opens the door for an opportunity for someone else. So that’s where you look at someone like Patrick Ricard who, you know, if I were him, and look, he’s a multi Time Pro Bowl fullback at this point, I’m not at all this isn’t a critique for him. This is more a suggestion of just the reality of where the Ravens offense is right now. You kind of wonder if he would be better off shedding some lbs getting a little bit thinner, almost trying to go for the Nick Boyle body rather than being a 300 pound fullback and kind of becoming a blocking tight end if that might be what’s best for him. If he wants to remain in Baltimore long term or just kind of looking at where the reality of where fullbacks are in the NFL, although they’ve made a little bit of a comeback over the last couple years, I will note that so, but my point is they do have a need for an inline tight end. And that was Nick Boyle. That was Josh Oliver a lot last year and that’s going to be a roll that’s still gonna have to be filled because again, I don’t think you’re gonna see the Ravens lining up without an inline tight end all the time by any means. It’s absolutely Luke.
Dennis Koulatsos 09:48
Patrick when he shows up the camp right he knows he’s playing for contract he’s doing all the right things, saying all the right things. JK Dobbins little cryptic tweet on a put too much stock in that it’s a his best interest to show up been shaped stay healthy, put some good, good stuff on tape and work himself into a good contract next year whether it’s an extension with the Ravens or with somebody else because look, he may have a great year but the market for the running backs we know what it is. You know whether you’re Josh Jacobs, whoever you get your feelings hurt when you realize the pocket. Isn’t that great for you out there and, and that’s not to diminish, Josh Jacobs will do the rest of their running backs. But I can also see JK Dobbins coming back being worth more to the ravens, let’s say another organization after the completion of the season barring any other significant step back to his knees.
Luke Jones 10:42
Sure, sure. I mean, I think it’s gonna be fascinating to see how this plays out. And as I said to him, we talked about this even going back a couple of weeks ago, when Dobbins wasn’t there for the start of voluntary OTAs. We always say what, look, it’s voluntary. It’s every player’s right to either be there or not be there. However, as media as fans, we’re not going to ignore something that looks like it could be a symptom of some, whether you want to call it malcontent, disenchantment, whatever it might be. I think it’s pretty evident that JK Dobbins is not thrilled with his current situation. I think that was evident at the end of last year. And you know, it’s one thing to talk about not getting the ball in Greg Robins offense but with Todd Monken. And all the additions made a wide receiver is Jk Dobbins gonna get the ball more than he did last year? I think that’s a big question. Because Oh, well, you still have Gus Edwards as well. So. So there’s that there’s the concerns about his long term health, not that he didn’t finish the year on a very high note, we saw what he did down the stretch. He was fantastic. However, he’s missed a heck of a lot of time the last couple years. And if you’re the ravens, or any other team for that matter, I think you’re very much intrigued to see what he looks like this year, what he looks like playing what you hope will be at least 1516 games, if not a full season, you know, I’m not going to say that he has to play a full 17. But he’s got to play very close to that. If we’re going to be talking contract, and then you you do get into what you just mentioned, just the the reservations that teams have about paying running backs in general, any kind of real money. So if you’re JK Dobbins Yeah, I think you’re sitting there and saying, Well, look how great I’ve been when I’ve been on the field. But if you’re the ravens, and Eric, the cost of you’re saying, We haven’t been on the field, a whole lot, look, right. That’s not your fault. We’re not blaming you injuries happen. But we have to make a business decision that’s going to make sense for ourselves, especially now having a franchise quarterback who’s making top of market money. So that’s just the reality of the situation. So I think he will come in in great shape. I don’t think there’s going to be any issues on that, on that end of the spectrum, but in terms of his level of happiness, and, you know, all that. And I’m going to be looking at how often you know how much he’s involved in the offense and how many touches he’s getting. That’s where, yeah, I think it would be fair to brace for perhaps a little bit of disenchantment there. And, look, you know, we talked about this with Chuck Clark, a couple weeks ago with, you know, some of the comments he made in jets camp, which, you know, to me was just a sign of reality of where the Ravens were making a business decision. And then he ultimately wanting to make a business decision to to get out and go somewhere else. And that made perfect sense for him. So in the case of Dobbins, you know, he’s looking at all of this and saying, I want to get paid, he knows the reality, his agent knows the reality of running backs in the NFL. But if you’re the ravens, I mean, look when I talk, you know, a modest contract extension with JK Dobbins when I say modest, I don’t mean one 2 million a year, you know, what would I pay him 5 million a year for the next three years? Sure, sign me up for that. I’m guessing JK is looking for wait much more than that. So you know, that that’s where you kind of look at this thing. And I think you just let it play out. And I think, you know, that’s where you’re you’re kind of looking at this thing, and I’m I’m of the thought that I’m not going to pay any running back lucrative money, you know, whatever lucrative money is for running back in this day and age and, you know, Myles Sanders got a nice contract, we still see some guys get good contracts. It’s not as though it’s not existent. But if it were me, if it were my football team, if it were my front office, I’m looking way more at the reality of where this offense is currently headed. Where this offense just is with Lamar Jackson, and we’ve seen a number of running backs have success here. I’ve said it over and over running backs. The analytics community and I mentioned this i I’ll echo this, I said this with Nestor, as we talked earlier this past week, that analytics community has said running backs don’t matter. I think that was not taken the right way. I think they matter. However, you know what matters way more, in this case, the margin Action for the Ravens in a very unique setup, but more so in any other situation. It’s your offensive line and their run blocking that really, really matters when it comes to the running game. So, from that standpoint, I’m much more inclined to play this thing out. JK Dobbins has plenty of motivation to have a great season, I think will come in and I think he’ll look the part of a number one running back, we’ll see how many touches he gets, you know, as we’ve always said, when Lamar Jackson is your quarterback, he’s gonna run the ball, even if it’s not as much as the past, he’s still gonna run the ball body, and the Ravens are preparing to throw the ball more often. So JK could be more involved in that regard. And I’ve I’ve noted, I’ve written it at Baltimore positive.com. You’ve definitely seen the backs more involved in practices, although, I would say that that was the case in the spring for Greg Roman offensive as well. You always have to keep that and take that with a grain of salt. But I think it is going to be very interesting to see how this plays out. And yeah, I think there’s, there’s definitely some uneasiness there’s some unrest there. But as you mentioned, Patrick Queen probably feels the same way deep down, but still has plenty of motivation to go out there and play great to get a contract, whether it’s with the ravens, or with one of the 31 other teams out there.
Dennis Koulatsos 16:14
You know, the ravens are such a class, well run organization and they’re smart about how they go about your business. They would love to sign both Patrick Queen extent Patrick Quinn and JK Dobbins, but at the right price, right, they’re not going to overpay anyone and just circling back to running backs. We can go back and look at when Dallas gave Ezekiel Elliott, his big extension and then Tony Pollard. Right away showed more pop more durability than he could Elliott 17 games. Luke has a long, long season, particularly for running back back in the day we played 10 1214 games, the NFL expanded that schedule 1617 games, yes, every game that added makes a difference and the pounding that these guys take. So it doesn’t make sense to have running back by committee versus relying on the traditional Bell cat running back,
Luke Jones 17:02
either running back by committee or just say you know what, we’re going to be disciplined as an organization. We love running backs during their rookie contract. Jamal Lewis is a great example of this. I mean, even with even with him having missed Owen with the torn ACL, you know, the post Super Bowl year, which was so disappointing because priest Holmes had walked it and then Jamal tears his ACL, the first few days of training camp. But yeah, the Ravens rushes for 2000 yards two years later, and the Raven gave him a big contract. Did that deal work? Right? Not really, when you really look at it. I mean, you know, it was much more a case of there is another example. You mentioned Zeke Elliott, Christian McCaffrey in Carolina Panthers said what? To our guys different our guys special more often than not, these guys aren’t. And look, I empathize for these running backs because they get chewed up and spit out so many different times during the rookie contract. They do. And that’s, it’s unfortunate. And, you know, if there’s, I don’t know what the the perfect solution would be for that position, specifically, but at the same time, you can ignore reality and just say, Well, you know, we’d like JK, so we’re just going to give him whatever he wants, you know. So I think, again, my expectation is, they’ll have a really strong season. And I think he’s going to have other teams that are going to be suitors. And if I’m going to guess right now, I’m guessing it’ll probably be more he’ll get more than the ravens are willing to spend at the end of the day. That’s my early prediction. It’s June, who cares? Anyone listening right now, I’m wrong plenty of times. I’ll be wrong plenty of times in the future. But I think you just have to let this thing play out. And ultimately, he’s got to stay on the field. And he knows that so he’s doing the things that he needs to do to prepare for the season. And but either way, I do expect JK Dobbins to have a strong year and I am interested to see how Todd Monken envisions his role in terms of carries in terms of being a receiver out of the backfield, which that latter part was really kind of untapped under Greg Roman.
Dennis Koulatsos 19:08
Yeah, there’s no question about that. I think the NFLPA has really, if they can do a better job in representing the players running back will be the one position because it’s such an instinctive position. They’re their best their best days are in a rookie season and the year thereafter, the first two or three years after that, I mean, wait, when they’re injured, they’re they’re broken down, they they really get the short end of the stick when it comes to contract extensions. I really do.
Luke Jones 19:32
They do. And you know, what’s fascinating, and I’ve actually I’ve had this conversation just privately with a couple friends of mine at different points over the last year or so. I wonder for running back specifically, if the long term answer is going to be stay in college and maximize your NFL earnings. That’s a good point the collegiate level and then you know, you’ll you’ll have these big numbers and I get it, you know, you’re probably not going to be a top five I can’t even though there were two running backs taken in the first round this year, but then you’ll have your rookie contract and hoping that you put up big numbers in college and whether you’re a first round pick second round pick whatever it is, it might be to go that route because, I mean, we think of so many of these running backs. I mean, Zeke Elliott, you know if nio was the thing, although people would say, oh, state probably paid them anyway. That’s neither here nor there. But they would say that anyway. Right, right. But you look at these situations where you just say, you know, maybe, maybe that’s what the answer is going to be for running backs. Maybe they’ll be you’ll see more running back stay an extra year and try to really cash in and l NL wise, I don’t know, you know, it’s above my paygrade. And that whole world is still being sorted out as far as how that’s going to ultimately look, but I’m with you. It’s just tough, because you know, that the NFLPA and we saw this back in 2011. When that the not the current CBA though the last CBA had been signed, you know, it very much went in the direction of supporting veteran players and the rookies, you know, on the on the rookie contracts, I mean, you remember what first round picks used to get in terms of contracts and, and 2011 That all changed and, unfortunately for running backs, you know, they’re, you know, kind of at the at the end of the curve, they’re on the not so flattering sides, so, yeah, well, we’ll see how it plays out but uh, it’s, it’s evident that JK Dobbins not thrilled with this situation. I think that’s a big reason why we haven’t seen them yet. But I fully expect to see him during mandatory minicamp and I’m betting he’s gonna be in great shape. Yeah, I mean,
Dennis Koulatsos 21:36
running backs usually play linebacker in high school they play both ways if and so if you’ve got a kid who’s running back or linebacker and he’s got NFL potential on the one thing I tell him you’re going to go down the row Quan Smith Trail not the these other guys that just just don’t don’t don’t get there because it is, it should be a different scale for running backs. I’ve always said that. I’ve always been a firm believer in that but until further notice, I mean, you have to play defense as a as a team when you select than running back by committee is way to go. You talked about priests Holmes, he was an undrafted, free agent right out of the University of Texas. He blew up and demand Louis he was 1/5 overall. And Jamal Lewis had a significant ACL injury in college. JK Dobbins as well you look at JK Dobbins Ray Rice, you look at Jonathan Taylor, they were workhorses in college, you’re talking a lot of carry a lot of wear and tear by the time they hit the pro level.
Luke Jones 22:31
Yeah, and that’s another thing that I’ve looked at. You know, I remember looking at this when the Ravens were contemplating what to do with Ray Rice. And that was one thing that I think was fair to take Paul’s with him was he had, I want to say, north of 800 calories of broccoli or something like that. I mean, it was it was extraordinary. I think you just look at that. And, you know, it’s
Dennis Koulatsos 22:54
an array was different with his dimensions, his stature, you know, the bigger backs tend to get get there more exposed to hits, they’re not shifty, and Ray was unique. But again, brave was slowed down by injuries
Luke Jones 23:05
as well. slowed down by injuries wasn’t in the best shape in 2013. And then obviously, what happened off the field, but you know, I mean, it’s, I think it’s tough. I mean, I think, you know, you’re, you’re in the, in the automobile industry, I mean, even the greatest cars and even the best maintenance that I know, Koons provides and all the service now, they were down there are still a certain mileage and you want to maximize that. And Koons does that. You know, speaking about with personal experience and happiness with my dealings, but at the same time, no car no automobile is gonna last forever. And running backs, unfortunately, are the same way. running backs have a much shorter sell shelf life. In many cases. It’s unfortunate.
Dennis Koulatsos 23:50
It is unfortunate but that is what is I don’t take too much at the OTAs training camp. Senator, I don’t start really paying attention until the pads come on. Right. So any other thoughts or observations before I move on to to Orioles? Baseball?
Luke Jones 24:03
Yeah, just a final thought we had had an opportunity to hear from Chuck Smith the Ravens new outside linebackers coach who for years was a private pass rushing trainer. I encourage everyone you can check out my 12 ravens thoughts at Baltimore positive.com. I’ve linked to his session there but he was asked about adopt a oh wait big year for a way obviously I think you know, I would venture to say of players that are kind of on the hot the proverbial hot seat or under the microscope I think go away is near the top of the list. Probably still put Lamar Jackson there in some light, right? Let her be in pain.
Dennis Koulatsos 24:37
And let’s put away for a second loop because I know that look, I know that there was more to grafting adopted, albeit then, Eric the cost of watching him you know, work on the sideline, you know, against the Terps and whatnot and ignoring the fact he has zero sacks his senior year or his last year in college, right? He wasn’t that the tape didn’t match the physicalities Though I’m keeping a keen eye to see if Smith can unlock all his potential
Luke Jones 25:05
yeah and he talked about oh and he talked about David a job Oh in a similar light although a job Oh certainly I think that he has a longer leash in terms of patience and you know for him to develop knowing last year was always going to be at best glorified redshirt year but Chuck Smith talked in very plain terms. He was refreshingly blunt about this. And he flat out said, look, the greatest pass rushers I mean, think, think back to all the all time greats that you talk that you watched, they all had a signature move. Right. You know, whether it’s Yeah, swim move, Dwight Freeney with a spin. I mean, all the different moves that these guys had, and he can’t the thing he said about Oh, way is, if there’s one thing you’ll know from about Uddhav. AOA, is you’ll know what his signature pass rush move is this year. Now, that doesn’t automatically equate to he’s gonna have 16 sacks. But I think what it does tell you is, he’s really big on, you need to have a plan. You know, it’s not about just trying to run around the left tackle or the right tackle. It’s not about just trying to out physical someone, you have to have a plan with your hands, and you have to be strong with your hands and you have to have a password, you have to have move, you know, you have to have a move for how you’re going to beat that pass blocker because they’re really good too. So I know not to say that that’s a knock on previous outside linebackers coaches they’ve had the last couple years. But we’ll see how this plays out. And Chuck Smith is worked with some of the great pass rushers of the last 20 years privately. So it’ll be interesting to see how he makes that transition on a level where he is working with an NFL team. And he’s someone who he did have a coaching fellowship with the Ravens about 15 years ago. So he was familiar with John Harbaugh, and Steve Ashanti and Eric Acosta. So there that kind of opened the door for for this opportunity for him but we’ll see how it plays out. I think what he’s saying probably isn’t something that is so foreign to lots of outside linebackers coach is working with their guys, so but we’ll see if he can untap some of that potential. And I think for me with with OA a big thing that I’ll I’ll be looking at, as we get into the season is he did have some success late last year, actually sliding inside and run rushing from an interior spot, which seems counterintuitive, because he’s not the biggest guy in the world. You know, this isn’t a personnel MC fi type, big rush linebacker who slides inside and can almost be almost look like a light defensive tackle. I mean, always light. I mean, he’s listed at 250. I wonder if he actually is 250. But you know, he had some success doing that late last year. So it’ll be interesting to see. If the Ravens tried to do that a little bit more, especially knowing that you don’t have class Campbell rushing from three technique spot anymore in pass rush situation. So the ravens, not saying it’ll be all the way there all the time. But my point is they they’re gonna have to mix and match and change up their fronts a little bit more, which they like to do anyway. So that’s not unique. But OA, this is a big year for him. And certainly they need a job Oh, to look like the guy that warranted a first round pick. Had he been healthy last year. And the Ravens still took him in the second round. So they need those two guys to pop now, even if they’re gonna bring in a Justin Houston kind of guy at some point here, you know, between now and the start of training camp, but they need those two guys to pop because otherwise, you’re going to look at that pass rush and say, Yeah, that’s they’re going to have enough there. Because we’ve talked about that for a number of years now. And, you know, for more often than not, that’s been something that’s been lacking in some otherwise strong defenses for the Ravens in recent years.
Dennis Koulatsos 28:46
No question about it. Look, let’s move to the Major League Baseball, talk about Orioles. They’re not winning as much as it were earlier. Right. They come back a little bit and let’s talk about that.
Luke Jones 28:57
Yeah, absolutely. A tough series in Milwaukee. No question about it, especially on Wednesday night, Dean Kramer knocked around. And you know, they lost the previous night and extra innings. But, you know, I think one thing that you know, we focus so much on the pitching and understandably so with Grayson Rodriguez, you know, being sent down after his struggles and finding out John means wasn’t gonna be back quite as quickly from Tommy John surgery as they had hoped, because he’s dealing with muscle strain in his back. We’ve talked about the bullpen and how much they’ve been used. But go look at the Orioles offense over the last few weeks. It’s it’s fallen off. It’s it’s been it’s been a struggle for them. And that’s not to say that no one’s hitting. But you look at someone like Ryan mountcastle. Who I mean, go look, I mean, he’s got a sub 270 on base percentage right now, that’s not good enough. You know, we’ve talked about Matteo and as great as he was in April. It’s been a major struggle since then. I mean, he’s got a 271 on base percentage. So they’re still searching. I mean, Gunnar Henderson Yeah. helmet looks like he’s going to take off and then struggles a little more at the back issue on this road trip. So not panicking. No, certainly not panicking. You’re talking about a team that still has one of the best three or four records in baseball at this point. But certainly seeing them come come back to earth a little bit as a nice series went in San Francisco. So don’t overlook that. But yeah, rough go of it Milwaukee. And look, the brewers are good. I mean, they, they pitched well, and they went up against Corbin Burns, who, even if he hasn’t been quite as dominant as he was winning a sigh on a couple years ago, still someone who pitcher when he’s right, I mean, he’s gonna be really, really tough to beat so, but they gotta get the bats going. And, you know, we’ve talked a lot about Austin Hays, and you know, they’ve gotten some contributions from a Ryan O’Hearn or a Josh Lester from the minor leagues, but they need to get their guys going. Santander struggled on this road trip as well. So they’ve got to get the bats going, because go back, even though for the season, their stats are still really strong, go back and look over the last three or four weeks, it’s been lacking, it’s been a little more of a bottom 10 kind of offense over the last three or four weeks, compared to being a top 10 offense as they were before that. So these are the ebbs and flows of a 162 game schedule. And certainly it helps if they’re going to come home and play Kansas City. For three, certainly the Royals team that you better handle, because, you know, they have not been very good. I mean, they’re approaching almost 30 games below 500. They’ve been one of the, you know, if not for Oakland, you’d look at them as the worst team in baseball. So it’s certainly a weekend to get healthy for the Orioles. But you want to get the bats back in order. We’ll continue to talk about the pitching. I think that’s that’s just reality, but they need they need some spark offensively. And who knows, maybe it’s gonna come from the minor league level. I mean, we’ve talked about Colton Couser, we’ve talked about Jordan Westberg. So maybe we’re gonna see one or both of those guys get the call at some point here in the not too distant future. But it’s been a struggle, and certainly not having Cedric Mullins since he was lost on Memorial Day, to that groin strain hasn’t made things any easier for them. But it’s as simple as just getting back on track, get back to winning series, and there’ll be fine. Nothing to panic over. But certainly, offensively, it’s been a struggle for them the last few weeks.
Dennis Koulatsos 32:26
Well, I have my tickets for one of the games against the Blue Jays. So I’m looking forward to going down there, probably this probably but the fourth or fifth game, according to this year, which is a record for me, at least at this stage of the game anyway.
Luke Jones 32:41
No doubt. I mean, and again, that’s where you continue to balance how much fun this is. But also at this point now, and I’ve said this with Nestor, they’ve, it was last July, when they really took off, you know, they had showed some signs, they had shown some signs before that. But it was really when they took off. So you know, this has been about a calendar year now that they’ve played at this kind of level. So one, that means give them the benefit of the doubt when they lose a series here or there don’t think that the sky is falling. And that’s something that I have to remind myself about, certainly. But too, I would also say the standard is higher now expectations should be higher now. And that’s why I want to see Mike Elias, do everything he possibly can I want to see ownership do everything they possibly can, within responsible reigns, you know, understanding that this isn’t solely about this year, but about the next five years, the next 10 years, you hope. So you don’t want to just completely bleed your farm system dry trading firm, for guys at the trade deadline. But at the same time, you’ve got a unique opportunity here to fortify this roster. And you know, whether it’s strengthening this pitching rotation, whether it is strengthening the lineup with an established that know whether it’s adding another relief pitcher or two, which is something I’d like to see because I think you still need more consistency out of your middle relief. There are opportunities for this team to get better between now and the August 1 trade deadline, which is still almost two months away. So a lot can happen between now and then. But at the same time. I don’t want to see this team missed out on an opportunity to make themselves better to get back into the postseason, and not just get into the postseason, but give your chance. And, you know, give yourself an opportunity to make some noise in the postseason. So not expecting a World Series championship this year. At the same time. I think it is more than reasonable for fans to look at where the Orioles stand right now and say, Okay, what can you do you know, where can you trade, you know, from your minor league system, where you have a little bit of a surplus to go get this piece or to go get that pitcher or that hitter or whatever it might be so should be very interesting to see how it plays out. And in the meantime, still a very enjoyable product to watch on a nightly basis. And from that standpoint, what more can you ask for? It is entertainment at the end of the day,
Dennis Koulatsos 34:59
not for Short and speaking of entertainment, Luke, let’s wrap up by talking about the last two legends in the world of pro wrestling. I’m talking about the Superstar Billy Graham who was really Hulk Hogan before Hulk Hogan became Hulk Hogan, and also the Iron Sheik who’s whose Twitter account I’m going to start me Miss though very, very enjoyable.
Luke Jones 35:18
Absolutely, I mean, Superstar Billy Graham a couple of weeks ago when we lost him, you know, week week, two weeks ago, something like that. Very famous as it pertains to professional wrestling history. In Baltimore. It was that the, at the arena, the civic center, that he beat Bruno Sammartino back in what 77 I think it was off the top of your lower it for the www F titles. So very big, very significant Pro’s pro wrestling history here in Charm City. So Superstar Billy Graham, certainly one of those individuals had the gift of gab at a time where that wasn’t really much of a thing. And my goodness, it’s everything today. And you know, we had the physique now, certainly we could debate you know, steroids at all that as far as supplements. Yeah, but that was a big part of it. And as you mentioned, very much influential on Hulk Hogan, Jesse The Body Ventura, and a number of other wrestlers. But for me, it Superstar Billy Graham was a little ahead of my time. As you know, Dennis, I was born in 83. So I remember Superstar Billy Graham, managing Don Morocco, in the late 80s. And I remember him doing some commentary for WWF. And obviously, I’m aware of his career. But for me, what really hit home was losing the Iron Sheik. Just such a all time great villain, someone who leaned right into the fact that he was Iranian and his history. I mean, my goodness, yeah, you was a part of the security team for the Iranian. Yeah, royalty and everything. I mean, the you know, he comes to come to the US and trains under Vern Ganya. And, you know, I had an amateur wrestling background and all this and, you know, had been a babyface initially, and then it all changed. And he, he wanted to be a bad guy, and he shaved his head and he became the Iron Sheik. And, again, the gift of gab. And I think what’s fascinating, and if you had a chance to see it a and eat, you know, through their partnership with WWE, they did a biography on the Iron Sheik, not long ago came out six weeks ago, two months ago, something like that. And one thing that was mentioned was, you think about this, I mean, he won the WWF title from Bob Backlund in December of 1983. I mean, this was not, this was a time were white guys, were the champions, right? I mean, you had other minorities, you had other ethnicities, but they were very much marginalized in how the pecking order went. So for the sheik to win the championship, albeit it was fleeting. And it was he was the transition champion to Hulkamania. And, and everything that happened in January 1984 at Madison Square Garden, but yeah, the sheik, just with his personality is just, you know, leaning into being a villain, you know, is gift of gab, you know, mean, Gene. I was watching promos of the sheikh Mean Gene Okerlund. You know, on YouTube, I mean, Jean was the pro’s pro when it came to, to wrestling interviewers and commentators and the number of times Sheikh would say something and you would see me and Jean have to cover his face, because he was he was laughing. You just saw that but for me, and this is where I’ll remember just being a kid. Back in the 80s I thought wrestling was real, a little secret there. Okay, but I will say that my
Dennis Koulatsos 38:45
dad went up until he passed away 72 He thought wrestling was real. Although I told them otherwise. Although I showed him otherwise he still was in complete denial he for Christ salutely It was a tough man but when it when his favorite restaurant used to lose or get hurt, he used to cry. My dad to put on family he could tell he blocked look, Chief Jay Strongbow. He got his leg broken. Or the valiant brothers did this to haystacks Calhoun to cut his head open the poor guy. Like it’s not real. Not Israel, anyway.
Luke Jones 39:16
But the thing I’ll say, I liked the sheikh, even as a bad guy as a kid who loved all the baby faces and loved all the heroes. And I will say this I just said this to my brother not long ago. In fact, before we first got on our zoom here to talk of all the iconic props, costumes, all the different things you can think of guys ring gear, all of that. I will put the sheiks boots his pointy boots in the top five easily as just you would see that and it’s like his load. You would just see his feet Iron Sheik. Oh, absolutely. You’re caught between that and the Campbell cloche which was a pretty great finishing submission move. Definitely going to miss the sheik and a plenty of content versity surrounding him as well and drugs and different things of that nature. So I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention that but boy, he offered a lot of entertainment over the years for a long time for me, so I will definitely be missed.
Dennis Koulatsos 40:12
He really well look as always, I appreciate your time, your insight and your thoughtfulness on our show. Please tell our listeners where they can find your Baltimore positive, your blog, all the other great stuff that you do.
Luke Jones 40:21
Absolutely encourage everyone to follow us on Twitter at wn S T can follow me personally at Baltimore Luke whether I’m in Owings Mills for mandatory minicamp this coming week, or I’m back at the ballpark as the Orioles returned home to start their latest tome Stan, check that out at Twitter, Baltimore positive.com. My blog sponsored by coons for to Baltimore, the latest 12 ravens thoughts I’ll have thoughts on the Orioles as they’re winding down a road trip, mixed bag of results and coming back home. But you can check out my blog at Baltimore positive.com You want to be on the wn St. Baltimore positive tech service sponsored by coons for the Baltimore. If you are you’ll find out any significant Orioles roster moves any significant ravens signings whether they bring in bring back Justin Houston or someone of that nature. Any significant local sports news sent directly to mobile device via the wn S T Baltimore positive text response by going for to Baltimore. And of course anything throughout the week on am 1570. With Nesta any sound from the ballpark interviews with ravens players and coaches from Owings Mills, you can check out all of that at Baltimore positive.com.
Dennis Koulatsos 41:23
All right, my friend keep doing great things. I appreciate you enjoy the weekend and watch that. That smoke gets out there. The cloud
Luke Jones 41:33
definitely be safe and at this time next week. We’ll have more Orioles to talk about and we’ll have mandatory minicamp three day mandatory mini camps next Tuesday through Thursday. And then that’ll be it for the Ravens until they report in late July for the start of training camp. I’m not wishing the summer away let’s be clear about that. I always remind people of that but it will be here before we know it and then we’ll be talking about this getting a little more serious as the great Jr would say in the pro wrestling world. Business is about to pick up.
Dennis Koulatsos 42:03
Exactly right there he goes Luke Jones here 15 7am Baltimore positive god you’re gonna see we’ll take a quick break and come back right after this.
