Edelman and Rush Weigh in on Ravens’ Legacy and Future

BALTIMORE, MD – Former NFL player Julian Edelman recently reflected on the fierce rivalry between the Baltimore Ravens and New England Patriots during an episode of his podcast. Highlighting memorable matchups, including the 2013 AFC Championship Game, Edelman expressed the competitive spirit that defined their clashes.

“[The Patriots and Ravens] were a rivalry, that’s what people don’t realize,” Edelman stated. He recounted how both teams often faced each other in the playoffs due to their winning records in the regular season, adding that the Ravens were never intimidated by playing in Foxborough. “There were teams that used to crap their pants when they had to drive on Highway 1… Baltimore came in in ’09, they didn’t give a crap. And they beat our butts right from the jump of that game. I hated it,” he said.

During his discussion, Edelman reminisced about playing against Ravens safety Ed Reed, whom he called a formidable competitor. “I remember Ed Reed’s last year, he lit me up in Baltimore,” Edelman recalled. “He was just so swaggy about it. Got up, he was just like, a competitor.”

Edelman also shared insights on Patriots head coach Bill Belichick’s admiration for Reed, revealing that Belichick would show extensive film of Reed’s plays in preparation for games against Baltimore. “Bill used to show like a 40-play cutup of Ed Reed every time we played him. And we’re like, ‘Bill, we saw this six weeks ago,’ and he’d just show another cutup,” Edelman noted.

The conversation frequently turned to the Ravens’ aggressive style of play, which Edelman described as instilling fear in opponents. “If there was a mistake in the middle of the field, you were getting knocked out. And that’s how football was played. … If you caught a ball across the middle, you better hold onto that thing because someone was going to come hit you,” he explained.

In an exciting development for Baltimore, the Ravens recently signed quarterback Cooper Rush, who expressed enthusiasm about joining the organization during an appearance on Glenn Clark Radio. “It kind of came out of nowhere a little bit, but I think it’s a perfect fit,” Rush shared. He highlighted the Ravens’ reputation for success and stability, stating, “All things you hear, it’s a good organization, so I’m excited to be a part of it.”

As for playing behind star quarterback Lamar Jackson, Rush said, “I wish I could run like that. I’m really excited to see it up close… he has shown over the years that he can do amazing things on the field.”

Rush also reflected on his prior experience with the Dallas Cowboys, emphasizing the importance of positive mindset amidst external distractions. “You hear about a lot of outside noise, but really inside the building, it’s nothing too crazy… If you accept that in a positive light, I think it really helps the guys,” he remarked.

As the Ravens continue to enhance their roster, sports analyst Ben Cooper identified wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins as the signing with the most potential upside for the team. “The Ravens have made a habit of signing receivers in their 30s… There’s reason to believe Hopkins can buck the trend,” Cooper wrote.

Despite the mixed results from some veteran acquisitions in the past, Cooper noted that Hopkins, at 32, still possesses elite pass-catching ability. He pointed out that Hopkins recorded only 639 receiving yards last season but achieved a solid contested catch rate. “For only $5 million in base salary, the Ravens are taking a low-risk gamble that Hopkins is still an elite pass catcher,” Cooper explained.

Fans can anticipate an exciting dynamic in the Ravens’ offense with the additions of Rush and Hopkins as the team aims to solidify its position as a leading contender in the AFC.