-
Jamison Hensley
A number of Authors
OWINGS MILLS, Md. — At Friday’s introductory information convention for Trey Hendrickson, one of many first phrases that Baltimore Ravens coach Jesse Minter used to explain his new cross rusher was “nearer.”
Minter introduced up the statistic about how Hendrickson is second within the NFL in fourth-quarter sacks since 2021 with 26.5.
“Once we speak about with the ability to have a better mentality and end video games and dominate within the fourth quarter, Trey is the epitome of that [with] how he is performed the final 4 or 5 years,” Minter mentioned.
The flexibility to complete video games is a serious purpose why Baltimore signed Hendrickson to a four-year, $112 million deal, which incorporates $60 million assured. Baltimore added Hendrickson lower than 24 hours after its commerce fell by way of for Las Vegas Raiders cross rusher Maxx Crosby.
The Ravens are hoping Hendrickson can reverse their fortune late in video games. Baltimore has blown an NFL-worst 16 leads within the remaining 5 minutes of video games over the previous 5 seasons.
Hendrickson believes he is at his greatest within the fourth quarter as a result of he is motivated “intrinsically.”
“I feel successful on protection and getting the ball again to your quarterback is one thing that I am motivated to do,” Hendrickson mentioned. “I need the opposite 10 guys to rely on me. If we’re in a spot and it is a pinch, you bought to have gasoline within the tank and you bought to have the ability to push when all people else does not wish to.”
Ravens basic supervisor Eric DeCosta talked about earlier within the week that there was an opportunity that Hendrickson and Crosby may have performed collectively. Baltimore was in talks with Hendrickson earlier than backing out of its commerce for Crosby. League sources advised ESPN that the Ravens had medical considerations that arose throughout Crosby’s bodily.
Hendrickson mentioned it will have been a “phenomenal alternative” to be paired with Crosby.
“Nothing however respect for him and the best way he carries himself on and off the sphere, the adversity that he is overcome in his private life,” Hendrickson mentioned of Crosby. “In some unspecified time in the future, you understand that this was going to be one thing that was an amazing alternative to hurry on an incredible protection. Whoever’s on the opposite facet of the ball, you bought guys which were on this constructing that I am excited to play with as effectively.”
Hendrickson provides Baltimore one among its most prolific cross rushers in years. Since 2021, Hendrickson’s 61 sacks rank fourth within the NFL behind Myles Garrett (83), T.J. Watt (65.5) and Micah Parsons (65). Over that span, probably the most sacks produced by a Ravens edge rusher is Kyle Van Noy with 23.5.
In his 5 seasons with the AFC North rival Cincinnati Bengals, Hendrickson has watched the Ravens’ protection and has been impressed with the likes of security Kyle Hamilton and center linebacker Roquan Smith.
“Nicely, I’ve seen a whole lot of purple on the Professional Bowls over the past 4 years,” Hendrickson mentioned.
Hendrickson mentioned that taking part in the Bengals twice a season did not actually think about his determination to signal with the Ravens. However he was happy to remain within the division.
“It is gritty soccer, and it is the kind of soccer I wish to play,” Hendrickson mentioned. “Profitable video games is probably the most thrilling factor about being right here within the Ravens constructing. There’s a normal of successful right here that is unmatched throughout the league.”
