Why the veterans wr deandre hopkins ‘games’ with Ravens

Owings Mills, Maryland – In February 2020, the open receiver by Andre Hopkins published a photo on the social networks of the NFL honors ceremony that presented himself, the field marshal Lamar Jackson and the Derrick Henry corridor. The legend said: “How many TD can this trio total?”

After Hopkins joined Jackson and Henry last week by signing a one year and $ 5 million with the Baltimore Ravens, he finally had the opportunity to answer his question.

“Hopefully, enough to win many games,” said Hopkins. “So I don’t have a number, but I hope it’s more than a bit.”

From a historical perspective, the arrival of Hopkins gives Baltimore a weird tandem. With Hopkins, Jackson and Henry, the Ravens will become the second team from the 1970 fusion to open a season with three times All-Pros such as Field Marshal, open receiver and corridor. They join the Indianapolis Colts 2005, who had Peyton Manning, Marvin Harrison and Edgerrin James.

But, during the Hopkins introductory press conference last week, Hopkins was based on his expectations. Hopkins, 32, is more focused on giving advice to young Baltimore receivers in Zay Flowers and Rashod Bateman than the amount of objectives you will obtain.

When asked how much he has left in the tank, Hopkins replied that he will take it “day by day.”

“They say: ‘You will know when your body gives you about you’, and it hasn’t given me yet,” said Hopkins. “Then, who knows.”

Hopkins has been one of the most productive wide receptors of his generation, going to five Pro Bowls and being appointed the first team All-Pro three times. Since he entered the League in 2013, its 984 receptions lead all open receptors and their 12,965 yards receivers lead all players.

But Hopkins is removed five years of his last Pro Bowl season. He has produced a 1,000 -yard season in the last four years, in 2023 with the Tennessee Titans, when he counted 1,057 yards.

Last season, Hopkins totaled 56 trapped for 610 yards and five touchdowns with the Titans and Kansas City Chiefs. Its 10.9 average yards per capture were a minimum of race.

Upon entering his 13th season, Hopkins believes he can help Baltimore with his ability to open.

“I’ve never been 4.3 or 4.4 [40-yard dash] Guy, but I can make ball plays and disputed captures, “said Hopkins.” I feel that has been something that I have been able to excel. “

Jackson established race maximums last season with 4,172 air yards and 41 TouchDown passes because the growth of its open receptors. The flowers stood out in the generation of yards after the capture, and Bateman was the best creator of the game in the team of the team.

Hopkins can complement them with their safe hands. Of the 70 open receptors that have had 500 objectives since 2013, Hopkins has the fifth lower drop rate at 1.6%. Last season, the Ravens open receptors occupied the 30th in the NFL with a 5.1%drop rate.

“I had a big smile on my face when we signed ‘D-Hop’,” said Ravens’s offensive Tackle Ronnie Stanley. “You know what you are getting with that guy. I think he is an open receiver from the Hall of Fame, and I still think he has many good repetitions, years, seasons in him. And he is a physical player, he is a competitive player, and I think he will really fit into our team.”

The Ravens have tried to find a reliable number 3 receiver for Jackson over the years, adding Odell Beckham Jr., Nelson Agholor and Duantae Johnson. None caught more than 35 passes in a single season for Baltimore.

If the first day of Hopkins in the installation of the Ravens is an indication, you are ready to help immediately. Before talking with journalists last week, he asked the team to show the training room to be able to do fast training.

“From the chief coach down, I feel they compete [and] They are Dawgs, “said Hopkins.” I feel that this organization [and] This team coincides with who I am. “