Is Peyton Manning the new greatest Almost Raven?
Ray Lewis (PBD Podcast)
I was literally 30 seconds away from Peyton Manning saying yes to come to Baltimore. We sat in Hawaii, we were sitting at the bar, and we stayed there for hours, and I’m saying, ‘look, if I put you on one side, you leave me on the other side, and me and you go at this thing together…’ I sold him, I sold him, I sold him, I sold him. Then at the last minute, he ended up staying home.
Baltimore Beatdown devoted an entire bracket to players who almost became Ravens in July, but Hall of Fame quarterback
Peyton Manning may now top the list.
Lewis’ comments hint at when this conversation might have taken place. We know the where: at one of the duo’s seven shared Pro Bowls in Hawaii. (They also appeared in the 2010 Pro Bowl together, which took place in Miami.) Manning signed a six-year contract when he was drafted by the Colts in 1998, ruling out the games held in 2000 and 2001 but making 2004 a strong candidate. He was tagged by Indianapolis that offseason before signing a seven-year, $98 million extension. The 2010 Pro Bowl could also be in play with Manning entering a contract year, but less likely considering that the Ravens had drafted Joe Flacco in the first round just two years earlier.
Just imagine a Manning-led offense combined with Baltimore’s dominant defenses of that era, featuring Lewis, Ed Reed, Terrell Suggs, and Adalius Thomas, among others (including current defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver), not to mention Jamal Lewis coming of his 2,000-yard season. That…could have been a dynasty.
John Harbaugh traded Daniel Faalele to the Jaguars
NY Giants trading Daniel Faalele to Jacksonville Jaguars – Ed Valentine (Big Blue View)
The New York Giants are trading guard Daniel Faalele to the Jacksonville Jaguars, a source confirmed to Big Blue View on Wednesday morning.
Stunniungly, the Giants are receiving a sixth-round pick in the 2027 NFL Draft in return for Faalele.
Faalele started at right guard for the Baltimore Ravens the past two seasons. Giants coach John Harbaugh was, of course, Baltimore’s coach at the time.
The Giants signed Faalele to a one-year contract before the 2026 NFL Draft, during which they selected Francis ‘Sisi’ Mauigoa to play right guard.
Faalele had been working as a backup at both left and right guard throughout the spring and summer. The expectation had been that Faalele would be the team’s swing guard. Per Pro Football Focus, Faalele posted a 0.0 pass blocking grade in Saturday’s preseason game against the Minnesota Vikings, and a 40.2 overall score in 13 snaps.
Editorial decision: no comment.
Ravens defense get positive reviews at joint practice with Vikings
What we saw from Kyler Murray and the Vikings offense in joint practices vs. Ravens – Alec Lewis (The Athletic)
At one point, Ravens cornerback Marlon Humphrey undercut a Murray attempt for a near-interception. On another snap, Murray tried to fit a pass to receiver Jordan Addison, and Ravens corner Nate Wiggins stepped in and deflected the ball away.
The best way to sum up the afternoon? The passing game felt a bit off during its first true test against another defense…
…The Vikings defense prefers pressure packages with defenders constantly lined up on the line of scrimmage. On Wednesday, the Ravens plucked at Minnesota’s protections with savvy blitzers, including safety Kyle Hamilton.
Early on during an 11-on-11 period, Murray looped around on a bootleg, and Hamilton beelined into his face, forcing Murray to dirt the ball. Pressure seemed to also affect Murray’s accuracy during the first two team periods.
