By Jeff Zrebiec / The Athletic

The time to hire Mark Andrews is early in the week. This is a well-known fact surrounding the Baltimore Ravens facility in Owings Mills, Maryland.

As game day approaches, Andrews, a 29-year-old tight end, becomes less inclined to make small talk. His penetrating gaze and matter-of-fact demeanor convey a clear message: there is a game to prepare for and distractions are unwelcome.

“Mark is just an intense guy,” said fellow Ravens tight end Isaiah Likely.

His teammates are impressed and often amused by Andrew’s unwavering intensity. Some, including safety Kyle Hamilton, watch how he approaches practices and meetings and try to emulate him. Baltimore’s players and coaches view him as the quintessential Raven, someone whose personality and playing style reflect the franchise he has represented for seven years.

“It couldn’t be said better: I was born a raven,” Andrews said recently. “The way we like to play football here, the style we play, there is no place in the world I would rather be. I just want to keep winning games for this team and start making our progress.”

Two weekends ago, Andrews scored the first points with a 13-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Lamar Jackson in the Ravens’ 35-14 win over the New York Giants in East Rutherford, New Jersey. It was the 48th touchdown of Andrews’ career; He surpassed Jamal Lewis, a running back, to set a franchise record.

Andrews sprinted toward Jackson and the two celebrated with a chest bump. It was a fitting gesture between two players who were part of the Ravens’ productive 2018 draft class and developed instant chemistry. There is a simple understanding between them that goes beyond “X” and “O”.

“Just open up,” Jackson tells Andrews.

The how and where depends on what Andrews, who caught another touchdown pass from Jackson in the Ravens’ 34-17 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday, sees in the game. They trust that they know what the other is thinking and doing. Improvisation is her superpower.

Sometimes Andrews doesn’t even have to get open to get the ball. Against Philadelphia in Week 13, Jackson threw to Andrews when he was surrounded by three Eagles defenders in the end zone. According to NFL’s Next Gen Stats, the 14-yard touchdown throw had a completion probability of 18.1%. Andrews noticed it anyway.

“Mark,” Jackson said, “is that guy.”

For nearly seven seasons, Andrews has been Jackson’s go-to target, the player he looks for on third downs, in the red zone or any time the quarterback is in trouble. Andrews is a three-time Pro Bowler, but he’s probably been under the radar nationally. Such is life when Travis Kelce, one of the best pass catchers in NFL history, plays for an AFC rival, the Kansas City Chiefs.

Only Kelce has more receptions among tight ends than Andrews since the 2019 season. Only San Francisco’s Kelce and George Kittle have more receiving yards. However, Andrews has scored the most touchdowns during this time.

Andrews is one of the most productive pass catchers and playmakers in Ravens history. Before last weekend’s games, he ranked first in receiving touchdowns (48) and third behind Derrick Mason and Todd Heap in receptions (426) and receiving yards (5,371).

Playing one of the game’s most demanding positions, Andrews hadn’t missed much time until he broke his fibula and injured ankle ligaments in a Week 11 game against the Cincinnati Bengals last year. He missed Baltimore’s final six games of the regular season and the divisional round playoff win against Houston before returning for the AFC Championship loss to the Chiefs.

Otherwise, Andrews has been durable, consistent and productive since bursting onto the scene as a third-round pick. (The Ravens drafted another tight end in the first round this year, Hayden Hurst, who is now with the Los Angeles Chargers.)

“Just unique,” ​​Ravens coach John Harbaugh said. “He’s not nicknamed ‘Man-Drews’ for nothing, because that’s exactly what he brings to the table. He’s busy all the time. You can just tell he’s thinking about it as he drives home or to work, probably while he’s sleeping. He’s probably dreaming about it. He really is.”

Friendly and calm off the field, Andrews becomes a different person when he enters the Ravens’ facility. The intensity increases even more as the Ravens reach the practice field.

Andrews yelled at defenders, slammed his helmet and knocked over a referee — all during a training camp practice. He’s been training at full speed, treating July workouts like he’s an undrafted free agent trying to make the team.

“You never want to take that fire away from Mark,” Likely said. “I feel like that’s what drives him. That’s what the offense is all about.”

Ravens decision-makers have talked about giving Andrews occasional breaks from practice or at least limiting his reps. Andrews isn’t interested.

“An elite competitor,” offensive coordinator Todd Monken said. “I think that’s the best way to put it. Football is important to him. Everything we do is important to him – meetings are important to him, his body is important to him, how he plays. He’s a top competitor – one of the top competitors I’ve ever been around.”

Teammates joke with him, trying to make him laugh and cheer him up. Andrews is not humorless. He’s a hugely popular teammate, but relaxation is a hard sell.

“I take this very seriously,” Andrews said. “There is always room for improvement. There’s nothing better than being out there and playing football with the boys. If you don’t look right in practice, if you don’t feel right, if you don’t feel quite right, I think it’s hard to play well.”

This hasn’t been the easiest season for Andrews. A leg injury from training camp remains. He was in a car accident near the Ravens facility on Aug. 14 that he said could have been fatal had he not been wearing a seatbelt.

In the first four games of the season, he had just six catches (on nine targets) for 65 yards. For the first time in his career, he went without a catch in two consecutive games. The questions began.

There were even rumors, at least outside the building, that the Ravens should trade Andrews to get Likely and Charlie Kolar in the game more often. The fact that this discussion even took place still annoys Jackson.

“I haven’t forgotten that, and I know he hasn’t forgotten that, and he just shows it every single game,” Jackson said two weekends ago.

Andrews acknowledged that there was a time in his career when criticism and questions might have bothered him. But he overcame the slow start this year by staying positive. It paid off.

He has scored eight touchdowns in the last 10 games since surviving back-to-back no-catch contests. He also averages just under 45 yards per game. He doesn’t score as many goals as he did in the past, but the Ravens have the top-ranked offense in football. They also had the best red zone offense in football, due in part to Andrews’ heroics.

Andrews was recently asked what inspired his efforts and attention to detail. He gave a quick answer.

“I enjoy competing and I love this game,” he said. “I always wanted to be the best in my position. I have always wanted to become the best version of myself. I know how good I can be. I feel like I’m just scratching at it. I’m always trying to get there and get better. And I want to win a Super Bowl.”