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How Trace McSorley became an unsung hero of Baltimore’s epic win vs. Cleveland

By Kevin Brown

How McSorley became an unsung hero of Ravens' epic win vs. Browns originally appeared on NBC Sports Washington

Following a Baker Mayfield rushing touchdown to give Cleveland a one-point lead more than halfway through the fourth quarter, the prospects looked bleak for the Ravens to keep their playoff chase alive with a win Monday night. 

Re-enter backup quarterback Trace McSorley, who had been called upon to relieve a cramping Lamar Jackson in the second half. McSorley, Baltimore’s sixth-round pick in 2019 was the only available option coach John Harbaugh had to replace Jackson. Veteran quarterback Robert Griffin III, the team’s second option, was out with a hamstring injury and undrafted rookie Tyler Huntley didn’t dress. 

McSorley trotted out on the field and started shakily, throwing an incomplete pass on a broken play-action play before handing it off to J.K. Dobbins, who was stuffed at the line of scrimmage. Then, McSorley made something magical happen. 

RELATED: Why the Ravens’ huge Monday night win actually concerned Chris Simms

“We’re talking about Lamar, rightfully so. I got to give a shout out to Trace McSorley,” ESPN’s Dan Orlovsky said on Tuesday’s “NFL Live” show. “This is the play of the game, third-and-10. If he doesn’t make this play, Lamar never gets to be hero ball.”

The Penn State product had a lot to do on his 13-yard completion to Willie Snead IV on third down and 10. Former pro QB and current QB guru Orlovsky broke it down.  

“It’s ‘quarters’ coverage. He’s got Willie Snead on that seven-stop,” Orlovsky explained. “How good is this? Like the defensive tackle wins his rep, you’ve got to move in the pocket, move your feet, get your body aligned, and make that throw for your football team to even have a chance. Shoutout to McSorley.”

Though McSorley wasn’t able to complete the drive – he sprained his knee while trying to get away from pressure on the next third down – the shoutout was certainly warranted. Without that clutch completion, Jackson wouldn’t have had the chance to connect with Marquise “Hollywood” Brown for the late go-ahead touchdown on fourth-and-eight. 

McSorley’s reaction to that play says it all.

Unfortunately for McSorley, he’ll be ruled out at least for the next three weeks after Baltimore placed him on the injured reserve list to recover from that sprained knee. Still, he can rest easy knowing he did his part to keep the team’s season alive.

Wizards executive Sashi Brown resigns for position with Ravens

By Chase Hughes
Wizards exec Brown leaves to join Ravens originally appeared on NBC Sports WashingtonLess than three months after he was promoted and handed a contract extension, Sashi Brown has resigned from his position as president of Monumental Baseball and special advisor to chairman Ted Leonsis, NBC Sports Washington has confirmed. The news was first reported by the Athletic. Brown is leaving the organization to join the Baltimore Ravens, as reported by ESPN and later announced by the team. His departure comes just days before the NBA trade deadline, a momentous time for the Wizards' front office of which he was a part of. Brown helped oversee the analytics and research operation, which also informs the Mystics and Capital City Go-Go.Brown joined the Wizards when Monumental Basketball was formed in the summer of 2019. He arrived when Tommy Sheppard was named general manager. When Brown received his recent promotion in November, Sheppard was made team president at the same time.In a press release announcing their promotions, Leonsis said this of Brown:"Sashi has been instrumental in making us a leader in analytics, research and player engagement while efficiently streamlining operations across all of our basketball teams and venues."Brown had previously worked in the NFL as the vice president of the Cleveland Browns. Before that, he spent time with the Jacksonville Jaguars. This represents a return to the NFL, where Brown has spent the majority of his career.Brown's original post at Monumental was as chief planning and operations officer. During his nearly three years with the organization, he made a series of hires to expand the Wizards' analytics efforts.Now Brown leaves the organization right before they are likely to reshape their roster at the deadline and just months before they hope to re-sign star guard Bradley Beal to a contract extension.
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