00:00The big deal, this came before free agency, a trade that was seemingly inevitable,
00:04involved the two teams that we are talking about, right?
00:07Las Vegas and Baltimore.
00:08But it was Max Crosby being traded for multiple first-round draft picks,
00:13including, as we just said, the 14th overall selection,
00:15to bring him to this Baltimore Ravens team that is trying to cash in
00:20on a Super Bowl or bust mantra and a Super Bowl or bust level roster
00:26that adds another high-end contributor.
00:30Joe, some people thought this was a lot that Baltimore gave up.
00:33What was your reaction?
00:35Well, I love Max Crosby, Kevin, but do we feel that Baltimore right here, right now,
00:41is just one player away, potentially, from being a Super Bowl contender?
00:47And I'm not so sure.
00:48Forget about the offense for a second.
00:50Well, look at the defense.
00:51The defense, at times, got abused by mediocre offenses in the conference.
00:58And Max Crosby definitely solidifies the front seven, right?
01:02We know that they want to run the football with Derrick Henry.
01:05As long as Lamar is healthy, they can put up points.
01:08But the problem still remains.
01:10I don't know, from an identity perspective, Max Crosby elevates them to, all of a sudden,
01:16being now the best team in the AFC.
01:18I just don't see it.
01:19I think he's definitely an added piece.
01:22I still think they need wide receiver help.
01:24And again, Lamar Jackson has to stay healthy for basically 17 games and the playoffs.
01:30If you're telling me that's the case, then yeah, they can make a run.
01:33But again, I'm just not buying into it.
01:36I think it'll help the defense.
01:37But again, elevating them to a top five unit, I just don't see it right here, right now.
01:42I think Max Crosby is one of the best edge rushers in the league.
01:48He's also incredible against the run.
01:51And for me, with Baltimore, you know, they did pay a big price, to be very clear.
01:58But that price won't feel as big if they meet their expectations in 2027.
02:04You know, I saw some people, Joe, saying, man, if they miss the playoffs again, if Baltimore misses the playoffs
02:10again, we might have more issues than where their 2027 draft picks lands.
02:15This is a team who year in and year out, Joe, are booked as Super Bowl favorites.
02:19I still somewhat, we've seen Super Bowl odds move a little bit.
02:23I'm still somewhat surprised Baltimore hasn't moved even shorter than they are right now.
02:29Because it's a Ravens team who we know with Lamar Jackson is typically booked anywhere they play, at Buffalo, at
02:36Kansas City, much less at home, as favorites in those football games.
02:40I think it's only a matter of time before we see Baltimore move back to a position like that.
02:48They've given this brand new regime.
02:50It feels like a good amount to work with, right?
02:53And getting a guy like Crosby, you have Kyle Hamilton on the back end here.
02:58I think Baltimore is positioned to take their usual spot, Joe, as AFC favorites.
03:06It doesn't mean they're going to cash in on it.
03:07They've yet to cash in on it, right?
03:10But this is where we always see the Ravens end up, as the favorites in that conference, if not the
03:16entire league.
03:18And Crosby only furthers that.
03:20And there was talk about this team, oh, they're going to draft a wide receiver at 14.
03:24Again, really?
03:26Another round one wide receiver that, you know, are we that excited about here?
03:30I'm excited about what Crosby could be in Baltimore.
03:33They did not have themselves a real prolific edge rusher on that side of the ball.
03:39And I, Joe, think it's very exciting about what can Max Crosby be in a winning situation, right?
03:46I mean, just simply put, I mean, it makes the Miles Garrett season so impressive.
03:50There are more pass rush opportunities when your team's in front, right?
03:54A little bit easier to get after the quarterback when you're playing in that type of situation.
03:58So it's going to certainly be something that we lock on to.
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