THE BIG CRAB CAKE: 2024 Season

While the season didn’t end the way we all would prefer, when all was said and done, the Ravens 2024 season was an exciting one, serving up many memorable moments and difficult challenges.

From the jump, the Ravens had hurdles to overcome along the offensive line, at wide receiver, on the defensive edge and within the defensive coaching ranks. These challenges were rather obvious before, during and after free agency, the draft and even the NFL trade deadline. Yet along the way, to the organization’s credit, they found a way to get better – to effectively manage each hurdle to produce an AFC North Champ.

To scale these slippery slopes, the Ravens asked some players to do more than they’ve ever done – to take their respective games to new levels to help the team manage weaknesses. They pushed some coaches to stock up on the midnight oil and find a way to help Zach Orr get on the fast track during his first season as a defensive play caller. It was a lot to ask for but somehow the Ravens did and turned what initially looked like a slightly better than .500 team into one that was consider a Super Bowl LIX contender.

Along the way, there were a few unsung heroes. In this article we’ll touch on the few who made the biggest impact, eventually landing on The Big Crab Cake, aka the Unsung Hero for the Ravens 2024 season.

Chris Board

The Ravens hoped that they had a plug and play replacement for the departed Patrick Queen in the form of Trenton Simpson. Unfortunately, things didn’t work out for the second-year linebacker. Opposing offenses found canyon-like openings in the Ravens second line of pass defense. Short crossers to slot receivers and tight ends resulted in splash plays. Simpson, despite all the athletic tools, just wasn’t ready. So the Ravens opted to fill the void by alternating Malik Harrison and Chris Board. But it was Board who helped tighten up the pass defense and that was a vital component to the resurgence of Zach Orr’s unit from Week 11 on.

Kyle Van Noy

When the 33-year-old linebacker and 2-time Super Bowl Champ was re-signed this past offseason, no one expected the kind of performance from KVN that he consistently delivered throughout the Ravens 2024 season. Van Noy finished the season with 12 ½ sacks good for 4th in the league, outpacing some sack stalwarts such as Micah Parsons (12), T.J. Watt (11 ½), Nick Bosa (9) and Brian Burns (8 ½). Van Noy was a leader on the field, along the sidelines and in the locker room. His accomplishments were somewhat disregarded when he wasn’t selected to the Pro Bowl squad, but he did eventually become the 10th Raven to make it to the flag football game in Orlando, recently being named as an alternate.

Ronnie Stanley

Ronnie bet on himself. He took a healthy pay cut to keep his job and help the Ravens manage the cap. Stanley had his best season since 2019 and for the first time in his career, played in every single game. Stanley was named as a Pro Bowl alternate and seemingly played the season with a new attitude and team-first approach. Many of The King’s big runs on pitches to the left, were set up by blocks from Ronnie.

Justice Hill

The Ravens signed Justice to a 2-year, $6M extension early during the Ravens 2024 season, and the way he performed during the season, the Ravens got themselves a big-time bargain. Hill rushed for 228 yards while spelling Derrick Henry, averaging 4.9 YPC. Hill also caught 42 passes for 383 yards, both career highs. Of his 89 touches in 2024, 31 went for first downs. Hill is also a very accomplished blocker in pass pro and doesn’t back down to any defender and plays the game with an infectious joy. He’s under contract with the Ravens through 2026.

Ar’Darius Washington

In previous articles I’ve referred to Ar’Darius as a poor man’s Tyrann Mathieu. Washington, for a player who is listed as 5’8” and 180 pounds is fearless and plays with reckless abandon. He also has outstanding instincts, and his ball skills improved during the season. Pound for pound he is without question the Ravens’ best tackler. Along with Kyle Hamilton, Washington provided stability to the deep middle of the Ravens secondary, without which the team would be lucky to make the playoffs. Washington’s ascent took away the stench of the Marcus Williams signing and it allowed the team to return Eddie Jackson to his family in Gary, Indiana. Surely, I jest…

Roger Rosengarten

When the Ravens made Rosengarten the 62nd overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, I thought Eric DeCosta & Co. reached for need. I’m happy to say that I was wrong. Rosengarten improved throughout the season and morphed from a team question mark to start the campaign, to a very good NFL tackle. He brought stability to the position and at times stonewalled some of the best edge rushers in the game, including Will Anderson, T.J. Watt and Myles Garrett. Without Rosengarten’s accelerated development, the league’s No. 1 offense could never be the league’s best. And without a No. 1 offense, the Ravens would never have made it to the Divisional Round. Rosengarten should also be credited for keeping Lamar Jackson clean enough throughout the season to play a full slate of games, the first time in his career that Lamar has done that.

As you can see, there are several solid choices for the 2024 Big Crab Cake courtesy of Jimmy’s Famous Seafood, but we give a slight tip of the cap during the Ravens 2024 season, to the former Husky who protected Michael Penix’ blindside.

Roger Rosengarten, come on down and get your Big Crab Cake!

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Source: https://russellstreetreport.com/2025/01/28/the-big-crab-cake/ravens-2024-season-unsung-hero/