Jason Pierre-Paul wasn’t the only big-name linebacker to visit the Ravens yesterday. Baltimore also worked out linebacker Blake Martinez, according to Clifton Brown of the team’s website.
[RELATED: Ravens Meet With OLB Jason Pierre-Paul]
Steven Means suffered a season-ending Achilles tear on Sunday, and with Tyus Bowser and David Ojabo both sidelined with their own Achilles injuries, Baltimore is down to only two outside linebackers in Odafe Oweh and Justin Houston. With limited depth, the Ravens decided to bring in a pair of veterans for auditions, and while no deal has been announced as of Wednesday night, coach John Harbaugh made it clear that he’d appreciate some reinforcement.
“That would be great,” Harbaugh replied when asked if the team has plans to sign an OLB. “I’ve already asked them once, and I’ll ask them again, ‘Are you in shape? Are you ready to go play? Are you ready to run around and help us win?’ Because that’s what I care about; we’re not trying to do anyone any favors here. We want guys who will come in and help us win right now. If you’re ready to do that – that’s really for any player – come on.”
Martinez led the NFL in tackles between 2017 and 2020, compiling 594 with the Packers and Giants. He collected another 23 tackles through the first three games of the 2021 season, but a torn ACL ended his season prematurely. He was cut by New York at the end of the 2022 preseason.
The Ravens did add some LB depth to their practice squad earlier today when they signed Brandon Copeland. The 31-year-old has seen time in 82 games since debuting in 2015, including 16 games with the Falcons in 2021.
JPP is surely toast age 33 at close to 300 lb.. there’s no chance he’d find any consistency rushing the passer,, those aren’t the type of credentials seeked in todays pass rushers.
Blake is still only 28, but seems he may need until week 12 or so to get back into shape.
don’t blame either one of them for turning down a practice squad gig when they can continue to work out on their own.
This is part of the problem with trying to run a specialty defense because it is harder to find the types of players that fit those specialty roles. Edge was a question mark all off season long and the Ravens did little to address it. The player they drafted they knew was going to be out all of this year and still did nothing more to address it. Then they signed Steven Means, and if you look up the word “IR” his name would be the picture for it. Then they sign already injured players like Fackrell.
They need some bodies because if Houston or Oweh go down, things are going to get really interesting on that defense.
ya drafting Ojabo was not a solution
At least not for this season. What doesn’t make a lot of sense is the failure of the front office to get any depth in house.