AV to the Ratbirds

I wish him the best in life just not on the field any more.

https://www.nfl.com/news/ravens-sign-alejandro-villaneuva-steelers-two-year-14m-deal

Good for AV: cashed in for (presumably) one last contract. Always loved AV: went from the fields of Afghanistan to blocking for Ben's blindside.

One story about him I remember: he was taking classes and told his professor he wouldn't be able to finish the assignment over the weekend. When asked why, he said he would be providing protection for NFL QB Ben Roethlisberger.

jak341 wrote:

Good for AV: cashed in for (presumably) one last contract. Always loved AV: went from the fields of Afghanistan to blocking for Ben's blindside.

One story about him I remember: he was taking classes and told his professor he wouldn't be able to finish the assignment over the weekend. When asked why, he said he would be providing protection for NFL QB Ben Roethlisberger.

I have all the respect in the world for AV and it's not like he can give up any info on our offense the team doesn't even know what Canada's O is gonna be like.Joke's on Hairball

hope he's playing left tackle when they play the Steelers.

Love AV. Awesome guy, awesome character.

That being said, as far as his play I felt like he really struggled last season. He's no a spring chicken anymore, and I'd argue that his height has become a detriment with his athleticism not being quite what it used to be. Definitely struggled against shorter pass rushers who could get under his pads and push him around.

The Ravens needed to fill Orlando Brown's shoes, but they definitely down-graded at the position. AV's pass blocking was decent at tims, but his run blocking was not very good. I've always viewed the guy as more of a finesse type of blocker. I am excited to see what our younger talent can do, we need to get back to being physical and punching opponent's in their mouths.

AV takes swipe at scheme and JuJu out the door. He isn't wrong.

Alejandro Villanueva said it's better for linemen to play for a run-first team like the Ravens.

"I’m assuming it’s not as much fun for the receivers because they’re not getting all of the catches, they’re making the Tik Toks and and they’re having fun on their social media."

— Jamison Hensley (@jamisonhensley) May 5, 2021

And DeCastro too from this article. He isn't wrong here either.

https://pittsburgh.cbslocal.com/2021/05/05/alejandro-villanueva-smack-talks-pittsburgh-steelers/

jak341 wrote:

AV takes swipe at scheme and JuJu out the door. He isn't wrong.

Alejandro Villanueva said it's better for linemen to play for a run-first team like the Ravens.

"I’m assuming it’s not as much fun for the receivers because they’re not getting all of the catches, they’re making the Tik Toks and and they’re having fun on their social media."

— Jamison Hensley (@jamisonhensley) May 5, 2021

And DeCastro too from this article. He isn't wrong here either.

https://pittsburgh.cbslocal.com/2021/05/05/alejandro-villanueva-smack-talks-pittsburgh-steelers/

I mean the dude isn't totally wrong, but sounds to me like sour grapes and excuse making for poor play. He doesn't have to be a fan of the scheme, but it's his job and the job of the rest of the o-line to execute it. Lack of physicality, missed blocks, missed assignments... that's on them, not on the scheme.

AV is going to get beaten like a drum when he goes up against our defense. Whether it's TJ, Heyward, or Highsmith lined up in front of him, it won't matter, any of them are going to take his lunch money.

Apparently, AV is a known troll. Many players came out in defense of him saying this is what he does.

Banner said it would be like AV to say something 'scandalous' to the media and turn his phone off of the day and let the chaos spread.

jak341 wrote:

Apparently, AV is a known troll. Many players came out in defense of him saying this is what he does.

Banner said it would be like AV to say something 'scandalous' to the media and turn his phone off of the day and let the chaos spread.

Yeah, the media definitely took those quotes out of context as well lol. Once I read the full quotes it came across as joking to me.

Gotta give him credit, that's next level trolling.

I just went over to check their message board and it seems they're not happy with him:
https://forum.russellstreetreport.com/showthread.php?215775-Villanueva-is-bad-REALLY-bad

Here's AV (still 78) blocking the wrong man leading to a stripsack:
https://www.reddit.com/r/ravens/comments/pnx4yl/_/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=ios_app&utm_name=iossmf

Stella Nation wrote:

I just went over to check their message board and it seems they're not happy with him:
https://forum.russellstreetreport.com/showthread.php?215775-Villanueva-is-bad-REALLY-bad

Here's AV (still 78) blocking the wrong man leading to a stripsack:
https://www.reddit.com/r/ravens/comments/pnx4yl/_/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=ios_app&utm_name=iossmf

l like the guy but his playing days are done.