Ravens Coach Joe D’Alessandris dead at 70, according to team

Baltimore Ravens offensive line coach Coach Joe D’Alessandris has died, according to a Baltimore Ravens post on “X,” the platform formerly known as Twitter.

D’Alessandris, who coached for parts of five decades, was 70.

Statement from the Baltimore Ravens:

“Our hearts ache with grief and sadness upon learning of Coach Joe D’Alessandris’ passing early this morning.

“‘Joe D.’ lived a life of boundless faith, love, devotion and inspiration. As a husband, father, grandfather, friend and coach, Joe made every individual he encountered truly feel like they were the most important person in the world.

“Anyone fortunate enough to have spent time with Joe was forever touched by his genuine and uplifting nature. He had the amazingly rare ability to connect with people in a way that deepened respect, empathy and kindness – further spreading those important virtues into the everyday life of the world.

“‘Force multiplier’ is a football term sometimes used to describe an individual who makes everyone around him better. As a coach, he was certainly that. But far more importantly, it’s also a proper characterization of Joe D’Alessandris as a person – someone who undoubtedly created a legacy of love and impact that will live on forever.

“We extend our heartfelt condolences to Joe’s family – particularly his three incredible daughters – during this somber time. Now reunited with his late and precious wife, Toni, we know they are smiling down from above and blessing everyone they dearly love.”

Statement from Head Coach John Harbaugh:

“Coach ‘Joe D.’ was a man of integrity and a man of faith. He made us all better. He was our reader at team mass, and he was loved by all here. He was a great coach and a good man – the kind of person who you are honored to have as a friend. He raised three incredible, beautiful daughters, and he was a most loving husband. His grandkids also adored him. I admired him, loved him and am going to miss him, because ‘Joe D.’ was a joy. Toni has him back now. May God bless ‘Joe D.’ forever.”

Statement from Executive Vice President & General Manager Eric DeCosta:

“Today is a sad day for the Baltimore Ravens. ‘Joe D.’ was a rock, a great coach and a better person. He cared about the team deeply, exhibiting a relentless passion to excel while displaying genuine love for his players. I especially treasure my conversations with him, talking about football and life. I will always remember standing back with Joe on the practice field and watching him up close with his players. Coach was the consummate teacher and friend, and I will miss him deeply.  Our thoughts and prayers go to Joe’s daughters and family and everyone touched by Joe’s remarkable spirit.”

Statement from President Sashi Brown:

“‘Joe D.’ was beloved throughout our entire organization and the greater NFL community. He was a passionate and devoted football coach who left an indelible mark on the lives of many. Above all, he was a dedicated husband, father and grandfather who always prioritized his faith and family.

“True to character, ‘Joe D.’ was a fighter to the very end. Our hearts are broken for his daughters, Kelly, Emily and Anna, and his five grandchildren. We take comfort in knowing that he is reunited with his late wife, Toni, whom he loved dearly.

“His legacy, light and spirit will remain with all of us. Our prayers are with the entire D’Alessandris family during this very difficult time.”

NFL Rumors: Odell Beckham Jr. to Be Released by Ravens After Contract Restructure

The Baltimore Ravens are expected to release wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. before midnight on Wednesday. ESPN’s Dan Graziano explained why the Ravens will formally release Beckham with a post-June 1 designation after restructuring his contract in January: Beckham signed a one-year deal worth up to $18 million last offseason. He finished the 2023 campaign with 35 catches for 565 yards and three touchdowns. The Ravens have seen a host of departures from their 13-4 team, which earned the AFC’s No. 1 seed before falling to the eventual Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC Championship Game. Players who have left via free agency or trade include running back Gus Edwards, right tackle Morgan Moses, guard John Simpson, safety Geno Stone and linebacker Patrick Queen.

Now it appears Beckham will head elsewhere after just one season in Baltimore. The Ravens have a bona fide No. 1 wideout already in Zay Flowers, and they have depth behind him in Rashod Bateman and the re-signed Nelson Agholor. But sans Beckham, they could still use more reinforcements at the position to help reigning MVP quarterback Lamar Jackson. Baltimore has already done work on offense to do just that, notably signing ex-Tennessee Titans superstar running back Derrick Henry. But it wouldn’t be a surprise to see the Ravens use an early draft pick on a receiver once again to bolster the offense.

Ravens signing ex-Titans RB Derrick Henry to two-year, $16 million deal

Backfields are going to look a whole lot different in the NFL next season after a run on free agent quarterbacks and running backs during the league’s two-day legal tampering period. After QBs ruled Day 1 , running backs continued to make strides in free agency Tuesday with four-time Pro Bowler Derrick Henry agreeing to a two-year deal with the Baltimore Ravens, a person with knowledge of the contract told The Associated Press. Henry’s jump from the Tennessee Titans, where he spent his first eight seasons, was among the biggest moves on the eve of the league’s new year, which officially begins at 4 p.m. EDT Wednesday. That’s when free agents can sign contracts they’ve agreed to this week.

Henry’s deal is worth up to $20 million and includes $9 million guaranteed. The two-time NFL rushing champ joins a Baltimore team that annually produces one of the league’s leading ground games.

Running backs have struggled to earn big money in recent years — to the point where Henry organized a group chat among top players at the position last summer. This year’s free agent class included Saquon Barkley, Josh Jacobs and Tony Pollard, all of whom found new homes during Monday’s free agency frenzy . Barkley, Jacobs and Pollard were the three running backs franchise tagged a year ago at $10.1 million, and none signed long-term deals with their teams by the July deadline. All three became free agents this year when their teams declined to tag them again, this time at $12 million. Henry turned 30 in January. The four-time Pro Bowler led the NFL in 2023 with 280 rushing attempts and ranked second to Christian McCaffrey with 1,167 yards rushing. His 12 rushing TDs were fourth in the AFC. Henry leaves Tennessee ranked second in franchise history with 9,502 rushing yards, trailing only Eddie George (10,009).

The Ravens finished with the NFL’s best regular-season record in 2023 before losing to Kansas City in the AFC championship game. Now they add another proven offensive playmaker to work alongside quarterback Lamar Jackson, who is coming off his second MVP season.

Police suspend investigation into Ravens WR Zay Flowers, no charges filed

Baltimore County police suspended an investigation into Ravens wide receiver Zay Flowers without filing charges, according to documents obtained by WBAL NewsRadio.

An investigation started in January over an alleged domestic incident. On Tuesday, a mostly redacted report showed a detailed timeline of the investigation.

On Jan. 21, police officers in Acton, Massachusetts, contacted Baltimore County police, saying they received a report of an assault that happened in Owings Mills on Jan. 16.

According to the report in Acton, the woman said she was bruised in an assault, and she told police she was hesitant to provide information because the person involved was a high-profile NFL player. The woman told police the brother of the person involved pulled out a gun.

A woman is heard crying on a 911 call before she told the operator she is OK and hung up.

The woman never responded to detectives who were investigating the incident. Through his attorney, Flowers declined to talk to the detectives handling the case.

The report indicated the case was suspended as of last Friday. Investigators do not intend to press charges.

Since the investigation is suspended, if the department feels charges are warranted later, the case could be reopened.

Ravens face Chiefs in first-ever AFC Championship game at M&T Bank Stadium

The Baltimore Ravens will play in front of the faithful flock one last time this season, and it will be the most important contest in the history of M&T Bank Stadium as they will host the defending Super Bowl champions, the Kansas City Chiefs, in the AFC conference title game.

The Ravens beat the brakes off of the Houston Texans last week after a one-sided second half catapulted them to victory. Baltimore has been the talk of the league ever since they rolled through their competition in November and December, but there is one very noticeable contender that they have not had to face in that period, and that contender would be none other than the Chiefs.

Kansas City is one ring away from truly solidifying itself as the new NFL dynasty, and that label will be applied to any team with two Lombardi trophies and six straight appearances in the AFC championship game.

Ravens honor Ray Rice before game against Miami

The Baltimore Ravens honored Ray Rice before Sunday’s game against Miami, a decade after the running back played his final game with the team before a domestic violence scandal derailed his career.

Rice was with the Ravens from 2008-13, but he never played in the NFL again after video surfaced of him striking his fiancée in the elevator of a hotel.

Rice has been back at M&T Bank Stadium since then. Last season, he was honored as part of Baltimore’s 2012 team that won the Super Bowl.

On Sunday, he was on hand as the team’s “Legend of the Game” — a role that involved appearing on the field for a few seconds and acknowledging the crowd before kickoff.

“After Ray’s incident he owned it. On his own accord, Ray undertook critical work within himself and to bring awareness to and educate others on domestic violence,” Ravens president Sashi Brown said for a story on the team’s web site. “Nothing will change his past or make it right, but Ray’s work has allowed him to atone for his actions and rebuild relationships personally and professionally, including with the Ravens.”

Before being recognized for his many feats Ray Rice and his children made a stop at Ravens Walk to chat with Kirk and Valerie of 98 Rock.

The two were lucky enough to hear many of Rice’s feelings on the celebration and his time spent playing.

Lamar Jackson’s perfect passer rating helps Ravens beat Dolphins 56-19 to clinch top seed in AFC

In what may have been his final bid for the MVP award, Lamar Jackson threw for 321 yards and five touchdowns, finishing with a perfect passer rating and helping the Baltimore Ravens clinch the top seed in the AFC with a 56-19 rout of the Miami Dolphins on Sunday.

Isaiah Likely caught two TDs for the Ravens, who won their sixth straight game and also wrapped up their first AFC North title since 2019, Jackson’s first MVP season. Now Baltimore (13-3) can rest Jackson — and anyone else it chooses — in the regular-season finale against Pittsburgh.

Miami (11-5) is also postseason bound, but now the winner of next weekend’s Dolphins-Bills game will take the AFC East. Miami was without two offensive stars in receiver Jaylen Waddle (ankle) and running back Raheem Mostert (knee, ankle).

And now the Dolphins face another potentially significant injury. Linebacker Bradley Chubb — with his team down 30 points — had to be carted off with a 3:05 remaining after hurting his knee.

Serenaded with periodic “MVP!” chants from the home crowd, Jackson went 18 of 21 passing, meaning he finished the game with more touchdown passes than incompletions. That’s a feat Miami’s Tua Tagovailoa also accomplished in a 70-20 win over Denver in Week 3.