Five Reasons You Should Be Raven About Baltimore
Lamar Jackson’s contract resolution
It might have come a year later than most Ravens fans would have liked. It might not be the fully-guaranteed deal he was after, but it is finally done.
In February, it was reported he turned down a $250 million contract with $133 million of that money fully guaranteed. In April it was reported that he settled for $185 million guarantees on a deal worth a total of $260 million for five years. Making Jackson the highest-paid quarterback in the history of the NFL.
Zay Flowers
According to Madden, he’s the second-best rookie wide receiver, behind Jaxon Smith-Njigba (who will be electrifying if he’s healthy). In the actual real world, he’s a very elusive runner, He plays a lot faster than his Combine numbers suggest. And, according to reports, he’s been the best performer at the Ravens training camp.
He also ran the ball at Boston College. Don’t be surprised if he’s running jet sweeps or wide receiver reverses for the Ravens. Flowers could even pop up in the backfield if Todd Monken is feeling eccentric.
Todd Monken
The new offensive coordinator arrives in Baltimore after winning back-to-back CFP National Championships with the Georgia Bulldogs. He had the perfectly functional Stetson Bennett at quarterback in Athens, so working with Lamar Jackson’s natural talent will be a comparative walk in the park. Under Monken, Bennett threw 56 touchdowns in two years and also ran 11 in.
Monken says he’s going to take Jackson back to his college days and line up with four wide receivers on the field. That’s a very aggressive statement and while it should excite fans in Baltimore it should come with a note of caution. Lining up with four wide receivers only leaves room for one other skill player. Be it a running back or a single tight end. J.K. Dobbins, Patrick Ricard, Justice Hill, and Josh Oliver (who’s now a Viking) all featured in the passing game last year. None of them are receivers.
Mark Andrews AND Isaiah Likely
Obviously, no offense operates in a single formation every snap, but Monken’s initial plan doesn’t appear to fit the Ravens’ roster. How Monken mixes up the looks and involves the best players will go a long way to determine his level of success.
With two elite pass-catching tight ends it would make more sense to line up with one running back and two tight ends. Sean McVay used this formation to the Rams advantage in 2020. Even before that, it was successfully adopted by the Chiefs and Eagles.
That Good Old Ravens Defense
They’ve lost a few players from the dominant unit they had in 2022, but six of them are still on the free agency market so may return.
In 2022, just two teams allowed fewer rushing yards than the Ravens. One AFC team, the Bills conceded fewer points than Mike McDonald’s charges in 2022 and it was only the Jets who conceded fewer touchdowns. Four teams in the NFL, the Jets, Texans, Bengals and Saints, allowed fewer passing touchdowns. They also ranked fourth for fumbles recoveries.
Rock Ya-Sin and Angelo Blackson arriving in free agency will fill the gaps left by Calais Campbell and Marcus Peters (who is one of those who could return). Three more defensive players arrived in Baltimore during the draft to reinvigorate the team. Linebacker Trenton Simpson was drafted from Clemson. Tavius Robinson can also play linebacker, but given his size (he’s six feet six inches tall) he’s more likely to be on the defensive line. Cornerback Kyu Blu Kelly arrives from Stanford too. The Ravens also signed nine undrafted free agents who could land roster spots on the defensive side of the ball. One way or another they’ll have a heady mix of youth and experience.
Main Image: Jessica Rapfogel-USA TODAY Sports
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