OTL: One Departure Stings More than Others

The bus has moved on to the next stop.

Running back Gus Edwards’ departure from the Ravens this week was not at all unexpected. With a tight cap, plethora of unrestricted free agents and a sense that the team’s backs were not very trusted weaponry during last season’s AFC Championship Game by the coaching staff, it seemed to be just a matter of time.

But it still stings.

Yes, this is professional football and players come and go all the time. Former first-round pick Patrick Queen, who developed exactly the way a team would want a raw first-round pick to develop, left for the hated Pittsburgh Steelers. Joe Flacco was winging balls for the Cleveland Browns last season. Ed Reed — ED REED FOR GOD’S SAKE — suited up for the Texans and Jets at the end of his illustrious career.

So, yeah. Nobody’s safe. Players take money from whoever offers it. GMs are always looking to get younger and cheaper. Rosters change, year to year, week to week.

It was either Socrates or Ray from Trailer Park Boys (I constantly get them mixed up) who said, “That’s the way she goes, boys.”

But Gus was my guy — my favorite player on this version of the Ravens. An undrafted rookie free agent who showed enough to find his way on to the team, and then stayed true to his unique north-south style to become a valuable piece.

Plus, come on… how exciting was it to be at M&T Bank Stadium and see the Ravens make a play to get into the red zone, bringing the Gus Bus on to the field to a deafening crowd?

You knew who was getting the ball. The opponents knew, too. But nobody could stop it.

On the bright side, at least for Edwards, is he’s going to a team, and offensive coordinator, who will know exactly how to use him. It’s a good fit for the guy.

And they seem pretty excited to have him.

Edwards should find some solid success in Los Angeles, and I’ll always smile when the Red Zone channel cuts in to show the Chargers on the doorstep of scoring. And we’ll all know where the ball should go.

Just hand it to the Bus.

Another expected move was the release of Odell Beckham Jr. before a bonus kicked in that would have guaranteed him $50 million in 2025. Beckham didn’t produce the kind of numbers one would normally attach to a guy of his stature and pay grade last season, but he was a very-present teammate who seemed to have a positive influence on the receiving room, and he did make a few Beckham-like plays that made you remember who he was.

Yeah, the Ravens overpaid for his production last year, but let’s be real — bringing him in was more about appeasing Lamar Jackson and providing a steady voice for a young group of receivers.

Mission accomplished.

Also of note:

https://www.nfl.com/news/jets-acquiring-rt-morgan-moses-from-ravens-in-trade

“Derrick Henry has a unique ability to play with incredible power and he’s gonna make a difference for the Baltimore Ravens..

I don’t think they’ll go into a playoff game next year and run it nine times” ~ @mlombardiNFL#PMSLive pic.twitter.com/APsYjliKS8

— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) March 13, 2024

The Ravens have agreed to a deal to re-sign veteran DL Brent Urban, per sources.

— Jeff Zrebiec (@jeffzrebiec) March 13, 2024

The Ravens have re-signed QB Josh Johnson to a 1-year deal.

— Jeff Zrebiec (@jeffzrebiec) March 14, 2024

Ravens starting offensive line as of today

LT: Ronnie Stanley
LG: Andrew Vorhees/Sala
C: Tyler Linderbaum
RG: Ben Cleveland
RT: Daniel Faalele/Patrick Mekari

— Chris (@ChrisJustJoking) March 14, 2024

10 years ago today, the Ravens signed Steve Smith Sr. to a three-year, $10.5M contract after his release from the Panthers

He would catch 195 passes for 2,534 yards and 14 touchdowns over those three seasons, providing many iconic moments in the process pic.twitter.com/9eDizOSW3r

— Kevin Oestreicher (@koestreicher34) March 14, 2024

Was watching the cut up of clips that @Ravens featured of @KingHenry_2 & good lord — his finishing speed in the open field is incredible. I’ve seen these plays before and it never ceases to amaze me.

The only other guy I can think of with that breakaway ability is Jamal Lewis.

— Dev Panchwagh (@devpanchwagh) March 14, 2024

Happy St. Paddy’s weekend, Flock. Be safe.

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