OTL: Ravens Unveil New Helmet!

Leading off today, we got news that we’ll FINALLY have an alternate helmet in Baltimore!

This Fall, Purple Will Rise

Introducing our new alternate helmetpic.twitter.com/215Szl8rBK

— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) June 18, 2024

A look at the Ravens’ alternate helmets that they will wear for one game this season: pic.twitter.com/KyRvuUQL1b

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) June 18, 2024

The Flock has been begging for an alternate helmet for years, and it looks like we finally got one to go along with the color rush uniforms. Only one game though, really?

Let us know what you think of them in the comments!

Moving along, during this part of the offseason, there’s not much going on around the NFL world except looking ahead on the calendar and circling the next big events. Yesterday, though, Ravens fans got a new date to circle, and a cool one at that.

Just in: The NFL’s in-season version of “Hard Knocks” will feature the AFC North, following the Bengals, Browns, Steelers, and Ravens.

This is the first time the NFL will follow an entire division. It will debut on Tuesday, December 3, on HBO. pic.twitter.com/2XNpVLhEXc

— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) June 17, 2024

HBO’s Hard Knocks has been a staple for diehard football fans for decades, but ironically, one that you didn’t really want to see your team featured on. In its previous format, Hard Knocks would usually follow a team going through growing pains (that’s a diplomatic way of saying they stunk out loud), and for that, I’m thankful that Baltimore was only ever featured on the show’s inaugural season as defending Super Bowl champs. However, given the show’s popularity the execs at HBO finally got smart and created an “In Season” edition beginning back in 2021 with the Indianapolis Colts. This season, it appears HBO is tripling down, as they feature the Giants in the offseason, the Bears in Training Camp, and the entire AFC North during the tail end of their schedules.

There will be three different editions of “Hard Knocks” this year:

1) New York Giants — Offseason edition (free agency, draft).

2) Chicago Bears — Regular training camp version.

3) In-season version — following the entire AFC North (Bengals, Browns, Steelers, and Ravens).… https://t.co/FZCxTIO95a pic.twitter.com/vf0Ssg4C8L

— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) June 17, 2024

Hey, if they want to give us more football coverage, you won’t hear me complaining.

Based on the strength we’ve seen from the AFC North over the last few years, it makes sense that they’d be the division to cover. Each of the four teams finished with winning records last season, with three of them punching tickets to the postseason. Beyond that, not only does the North give viewers high-quality football, but we all know that AFC North football is the toughest brand that the game has to offer.

Roquan Smith on Hard Knocks is going to be generational pic.twitter.com/s5lRTr62Y6

— Kevin Oestreicher (@koestreicher34) June 17, 2024

Getting a peak at those teams fighting for the postseason in December and January is going to be must-see TV.

Why the AFC North makes sense for Hard Knocks: pic.twitter.com/6DUuvRaxay

— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) June 17, 2024

The final six weeks in the Ravens’ schedule that will be featured on “Hard Knocks”:

vs. Eagles
BYE
@ Giants
vs. Steelers
@ Texans
vs. Browns

— Jonas Shaffer (@jonas_shaffer) June 17, 2024

When those high-profile matchups roll around, I’m sincerely hoping that 49ers standout receiver Brandon Aiyuk isn’t a part of them. In case you missed it, a clip surfaced on Aiyuk’s TikTok account with the receiver talking to Commanders rookie QB Jayden Daniels, and it certainly didn’t sound like hopes were high about an extension in the Bay Area.

#49ers WR Brandon Aiyuk to Jayden Daniels:

“They said they don’t want me back… I swear” pic.twitter.com/p0uQYJPjHV

— Ari M (@AriMeirov) June 17, 2024

Of course, Commanders fans were riding high about this, hoping that the conversation with Daniels could mean that Washington is a potential suitor to trade for Aiyuk, but NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah postulated that Pittsburgh could be in play.

If Brandon Aiyuk is truly available via trade (don’t know) I could make a strong argument Pittsburgh would be a perfect match.

— Daniel Jeremiah (@MoveTheSticks) June 17, 2024

I don’t disagree with Jeremiah’s assessment; Pickens has shown legitimate talent, but a lot of their other options are reclamation projects outside of rookie Roman Wilson. Aiyuk’s addition would give them a legitimate WR1 threat to add with Pickens, freeing Wilson up for mostly slot work. That having been said, I’d like to spray water on Daniel Jeremiah like a disobedient cat for even putting the idea out into the universe. Don’t you put that evil on me, Ricky Bobby!

Let’s end this thing on a high note: congratulations to Jordan Stout and his fiancé Julia on their engagement!

Jordan, here’s hoping this is the one time you’ll feel like you outkicked your coverage. Here’s to a lifetime of happiness for you both!

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