OTL: Tucker Ready for More Tackling Opportunities

Sources: #Giants TE Darren Waller has informed the team he plans to retire, walking away at the age of 31 after just one season with NYG.

Waller hasn’t attended workouts, and the team had known for some time he may not play. Now, he’s officially let them know before minicamp. pic.twitter.com/1ZTmj1VX2m

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) June 9, 2024

Ian Rappoport reported that Darren Waller has announced his retirement. The tight end played for the Ravens for two seasons and left for the Raiders in 2018. Waller was an “oh what could have been” kind of player. The Georgia Tech product switched from wide receiver to tight end in 2016, and his 6-6 frame and great athleticism made it obvious how much potential he had, but he only recorded 12 receptions and two touchdowns here. With the Raiders, he scored 17 of his 20 career touchdowns and two 1,000-yard seasons. As a member of the New York Giants, Waller had 52 receptions for 552 yards in his final season. The moral of his story is that sometimes all a talented player needs is a change of scenery, perseverance, and the right opportunity.

It doesn’t look like there is a ton of interest in preseason football; in fact many of us have talked about doing away with the preseason altogether. The shortened preseason is getting less national exposure. An article from Paul Banks of the Ravens Wire details that there will only be five preseason games nationally televised, and the Ravens don’t have any of these games.

“On Friday, the NFL announced television networks and kickoff times for its nationally televised 2024 preseason games. While the Baltimore Ravens have been, by far, the best preseason team of the past decade, they were still left out.”

With the Ravens’ preseason win streak finally over, the biggest storyline for their exhibition games is off the table. Baltimore takes it easy with their stars in those games. They are already heralded as one of the more complete teams roster-wise in the NFL, and you won’t see Lamar Jackson or Mark Andrews. While you and I will dissect every snap, the national interest just isn’t there.

Justin Tucker said he’s noticed XFL kickers have been involved in 25% of tackles with the new kickoff rule, which has led him to the weight room.

“Now I got to get some more shrugs, get the traps going a little bit just to make sure I’m prepared for a little bit more contact.” pic.twitter.com/h15QneSLeo

— Jamison Hensley (@jamisonhensley) June 6, 2024

Justin Tucker talked to the media at the Ravens OTA about the new kickoff rule. I love the perspective Tucker brings to this. He’s half-joking in his response about the need to be a more able tackler, but even laced with some classic cool kicker levity, his perspective is a studied one. He’s very thoughtful about his craft, and of course the Ravens don’t want Tucker hurting himself, but he noted that XFL kickers were 25 percent more active with this style of kickoffs. I’d say that XFL kickers have much more to prove than the most accurate kicker in NFL history, so we’ll see how this goes.

Another thing to keep an eye on is the depth at the safety position. David Latham of Last Word On Sports sees Marcus Maye as a viable option.

The Ravens, meanwhile, are actively looking for another safety. While Kyle Hamilton and Marcus Williams are both above-average starters, Baltimore uses more three-safety looks than any other team in the league. With Geno Stone now in Cincinnati, the Ravens recently brought in Jamal Adams for a free agent visit. However, he left without a contract, and Marcus Maye could be a better fit as a free agent. At this point in his career, Adams is nothing more than a glorified linebacker. Marcus Maye might not be a superstar, but the free agent is decent in both coverage and against the run, making him an ideal third safety who can step into either starting role at a moment’s notice. Armed with just under $6 million in cap space, Maye is a solid low-cost replacement for Stone.

This is a strong argument for Eric DeCosta bringing in Maye, who had 37 tackles, a sack, and two interceptions last season. Bringing in a versatile player who is going to be in the right place at the right time as an extra defensive back is a big deal for this secondary. Stone was a role player that ended up having seven interceptions in the 2023 season, and replacing him requires a role player who makes plays. This move would be a low-key way to get more production out of a loaded secondary that already added first-round pick Nate Wiggins to the mix.

Eagles CB Darius Slay revealed how he almost joined the Ravens last offseason

“I almost was for sure a Baltimore Raven. I really committed to the Ravens and was finna go, then [Big] Dom called me and said ‘Slay, I want you here”’pic.twitter.com/2GF4m0WrFG

— Kevin Oestreicher (@koestreicher34) June 9, 2024

Speaking of the secondary, the Ravens almost got Darius Slay last season. In a podcast appearance, Slay mentioned how close he was to signing with the Ravens a year ago, before returning to the Eagles. It’s a fairly crazy story when you think about it. A security guy for the Eagles was the difference. Who had that on their Bingo card?

Some things work out. Some things don’t. One thing is for sure, when you’re done eating your Royal Farms chicken you have to get back to work. You got this Baltimore. Happy Monday.

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