OTL: Henry Excited to Run Behind Pat Ricard

There’s no other way to start today’s Out to Lunch than with condolences and prayers for all those impacted by the devastating collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge early Tuesday morning.

Living just 15 minutes away and working my 9-5 at an office with a view of the structure made the bridge a staple for me and made the news particularly shocking, but my reaction pales in comparison to how it would have hit others. Our thoughts are with them:

Speaking for all of us at @RussellStReport, our thoughts and prayers go out to everyone affected by the tragedy at the Key Bridge in Baltimore. May the losses be few and the lessons be many. God bless. pic.twitter.com/UCxAuwK71h

— Tony Lombardi (@RSRLombardi) March 26, 2024

The Baltimore Ravens, as well as QB Lamar Jackson, offered their own condolences and thoughts, too:

Statement from the Baltimore Ravens: pic.twitter.com/8O2y6wM4sF

— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) March 26, 2024

For the people and their families that was apart of the collapsing Bridge in Baltimore my heart, thoughts and prayers are with you all…

— Lamar Jackson (@Lj_era8) March 26, 2024

Just an unspeakable tragedy.

Moving onto football news, new Ravens RB Derrick Henry did an interview with Ryan Clark, and highlighted his excitement about landing with the Ravens, particularly FB Patrick Ricard:

Derrick Henry is EXCITED to play with Patrick Ricard on the Ravens

“4-2. Big Pat. We had [the Ravens] on film, we highlighted him…I’m excited to be playing with him as well, he’s a beast”pic.twitter.com/3mTdche44q

— Kevin Oestreicher (@koestreicher34) March 26, 2024

For those questioning the impact Project Pat has on Baltimore’s rushing attack, not to mention when paired with Henry, listen to the former Tennessee Titan talk about singling out Ricard while watching film. The former Maine Black Bear is a legitimate problem for opposing defenses, and he’ll present an even bigger problem when blocking for one of the All-Time best RBs.

If that got you riled up, you can catch the extended video of Henry here:

Derrick Henry on the Ravens

“The last time the Ravens won the Super Bowl, it was in New Orleans. Hopefully this year it comes full circle” pic.twitter.com/92pZkFqoZc

— Kevin Oestreicher (@koestreicher34) March 26, 2024

However Henry and Ricard are used in Baltimore’s offense, you can be sure that Jackson will be a big part of deciding it. Play calling will largely be up to OC Todd Monken, of course, but HC John Harbaugh noted Monday that the reigning MVP will be “an architect” of Monken’s unit:

“Lamar will be an architect of the offense.” pic.twitter.com/5QOvKpD0tR

— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) March 25, 2024

We heard a bit of that last year, but Jackson’s status was very much up in the air in Baltimore. This year, he’ll have a season with Monken under his belt, and should be able to add his own spin on things.

How his offense is tooled, however, will be largely up to GM Eric DeCosta over the coming months. Change is rife in the NFL, though, and on Tuesday there was more news that could shake strategy up:

I think this might actually hurt the #Ravens who are the unquestioned masters of using the “handshake crew” to increase effective roster size and maximize the use of IR-DTR.

The new rule sets up 2 freebies per team, so effective roster size is 55 on cut down day including 2 who… https://t.co/I32Xikj0St

— Ken McKusick (@FilmstudyRavens) March 26, 2024

This kind of news makes hitting on draft picks all the more important. Former Western Kentucky WR Malachi Corley is someone DeCosta may be eyeing up:

The Ravens will be hosting Kentucky WR Malachi Corley for a Top-30 Visit, per @MikeGarafolo. pic.twitter.com/nKViEN3LZR

— ð—¥ð—®ð˜ƒð—²ð—»ð˜€ ð—¡ð—®ð˜ð—¶ð—¼ð—» ð™‡ð™„ð™‘𙀠(@LIVERavenNation) March 26, 2024

The 5’11 wideout has been compared to Deebo Samuel by NFL.com, and after putting up 984 yards with 11 scores last year, he’s an underhyped player that could slip in a deep WR class.

Keep an eye on him.

But to bookend today’s OTL with the running back position, there’s still a need for depth in the backfield. Sound off in the comments – would you prefer Baltimore return JK Dobbins, Dalvin Cook, or nobody at all? For a hint into what I’d do, Dobbins was cleared for football activities on Tuesday:

Should the Ravens bring back J.K. Dobbins or Dalvin Cook to bolster their RB room? pic.twitter.com/wwhSeC6A5G

— Kevin Oestreicher (@koestreicher34) March 25, 2024

Free-agent RB J.K. Dobbins has been cleared for football activities, Dr. Neal ElAttrache wrote in a letter to select teams today, noting Dobbins looks “outstanding” coming off a torn Achilles.

Dobbins, who averages 5.8 ypc in his career, is expected to take visits soon. pic.twitter.com/PS4mrB1LjU

— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) March 26, 2024

Let us know what you think.

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