Whereas the season didn’t finish the best way all of us would favor, when all was stated and completed, the Ravens 2024 season was an thrilling one, serving up many memorable moments and troublesome challenges.
From the bounce, the Ravens had hurdles to beat alongside the offensive line, at huge receiver, on the defensive edge and throughout the defensive teaching ranks. These challenges have been relatively apparent earlier than, throughout and after free company, the draft and even the NFL commerce deadline. But alongside the best way, to the group’s credit score, they discovered a approach to get higher – to successfully handle every hurdle to provide an AFC North Champ.
To scale these slippery slopes, the Ravens requested some gamers to do greater than they’ve ever completed – to take their respective video games to new ranges to assist the workforce handle weaknesses. They pushed some coaches to top off on the midnight oil and discover a approach to assist Zach Orr get on the quick observe throughout his first season as a defensive play caller. It was rather a lot to ask for however by some means the Ravens did and turned what initially appeared like a barely higher than .500 workforce into one which was contemplate a Tremendous Bowl LIX contender.
Alongside the best way, there have been just a few unsung heroes. On this article we’ll contact on the few who made the largest influence, ultimately touchdown on The Massive Crab Cake, aka the Unsung Hero for the Ravens 2024 season.
Chris Board
The Ravens hoped that they’d a plug and play substitute for the departed Patrick Queen within the type of Trenton Simpson. Sadly, issues didn’t work out for the second-year linebacker. Opposing offenses discovered canyon-like openings within the Ravens second line of go protection. Quick crossers to fit receivers and tight ends resulted in splash performs. Simpson, regardless of all of the athletic instruments, simply wasn’t prepared. So the Ravens opted to fill the void by alternating Malik Harrison and Chris Board. However it was Board who helped tighten up the go protection and that was a significant element to the resurgence of Zach Orr’s unit from Week 11 on.
Kyle Van Noy
When the 33-year-old linebacker and 2-time Tremendous Bowl Champ was re-signed this previous offseason, nobody anticipated the form of efficiency from KVN that he persistently delivered all through the Ravens 2024 season. Van Noy completed the season with 12 ½ sacks good for 4th within the league, outpacing some sack stalwarts similar to Micah Parsons (12), T.J. Watt (11 ½), Nick Bosa (9) and Brian Burns (8 ½). Van Noy was a frontrunner on the sphere, alongside the sidelines and within the locker room. His accomplishments have been considerably disregarded when he wasn’t chosen to the Professional Bowl squad, however he did ultimately change into the tenth Raven to make it to the flag soccer sport in Orlando, not too long ago being named as an alternate.
Ronnie Stanley
Ronnie guess on himself. He took a wholesome pay reduce to maintain his job and assist the Ravens handle the cap. Stanley had his greatest season since 2019 and for the primary time in his profession, performed in each single sport. Stanley was named as a Professional Bowl alternate and seemingly performed the season with a brand new perspective and team-first method. A lot of The King’s large runs on pitches to the left, have been arrange by blocks from Ronnie.
Justice Hill
The Ravens signed Justice to a 2-year, $6M extension early throughout the Ravens 2024 season, and the best way he carried out throughout the season, the Ravens received themselves a big-time discount. Hill rushed for 228 yards whereas spelling Derrick Henry, averaging 4.9 YPC. Hill additionally caught 42 passes for 383 yards, each profession highs. Of his 89 touches in 2024, 31 went for first downs. Hill can also be a really achieved blocker in go professional and doesn’t again right down to any defender and performs the sport with an infectious pleasure. He’s beneath contract with the Ravens by way of 2026.
Ar’Darius Washington
In earlier articles I’ve referred to Ar’Darius as a poor man’s Tyrann Mathieu. Washington, for a participant who’s listed as 5’8” and 180 kilos is fearless and performs with reckless abandon. He additionally has excellent instincts, and his ball expertise improved throughout the season. Pound for pound he’s with out query the Ravens’ greatest tackler. Together with Kyle Hamilton, Washington offered stability to the deep center of the Ravens secondary, with out which the workforce could be fortunate to make the playoffs. Washington’s ascent took away the stench of the Marcus Williams signing and it allowed the workforce to return Eddie Jackson to his household in Gary, Indiana. Certainly, I jest…
Roger Rosengarten
When the Ravens made Rosengarten the 62nd total decide within the 2024 NFL Draft, I assumed Eric DeCosta & Co. reached for want. I’m glad to say that I used to be mistaken. Rosengarten improved all through the season and morphed from a workforce query mark to start out the marketing campaign, to an excellent NFL deal with. He introduced stability to the place and at occasions stonewalled a few of the greatest edge rushers within the sport, together with Will Anderson, T.J. Watt and Myles Garrett. With out Rosengarten’s accelerated improvement, the league’s No. 1 offense might by no means be the league’s greatest. And with out a No. 1 offense, the Ravens would by no means have made it to the Divisional Spherical. Rosengarten must also be credited for conserving Lamar Jackson clear sufficient all through the season to play a full slate of video games, the primary time in his profession that Lamar has completed that.
As you possibly can see, there are a number of strong selections for the 2024 Massive Crab Cake courtesy of Jimmy’s Well-known Seafood, however we give a slight tip of the cap throughout the Ravens 2024 season, to the previous Husky who protected Michael Penix’ blindside.
Roger Rosengarten, come on down and get your Massive Crab Cake!
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