It sure helped that DeShaun Watson missed the Browns game last week. Perils for any “contender” whose backup quarterback is a rookie. The Browns were doomed before the first snap. Let’s jump into this week’s comments from the couch.
Todd Monken to the Rescue
The Browns’ defense stymied the Ravens in the first quarter. It swarmed to the ball and dominated the play. Power runs were not working, nor was Lamar getting any time to fully drop back. Monken had to make a dramatic switch, and he did.
When you are confronted by a defense as fast as Cleveland’s, and one that dominates opposing blockers, you have to use their strengths against them. Monken realized what was happening, and shifted into a very heavy dose of misdirection. The primary feature of this approach was misdirection between the ball carriers and the offensive line. Browns’ defenders had been reading the blocks of the linemen and getting into position before the Ravens’ blockers could fully execute.
Instead of utilizing run plays with blockers powering in front of the runners, Monken used his offensive linemen to fool the defense. The lineman pulled one way and the Ravens runners went another. We saw this play after play in the second quarter whether on a naked pull or on a cross block, all to tremendous effect. Suddenly, the dominant Browns defense, programmed to read and react directly to blocks, was helpless. The Ravens dominated the Browns defense for several drives throughout the second quarter, and the game was effectively over.
Let’s not fool ourselves about quarters one, three and four against the Browns, however. The offense did nothing during those times. We need to see a lot more this week.
Myles Garrett is Unblockable – Now What About T.J. Watt. And Alex Highsmith?
Patrick Mekari had a nightmare day trying to block Myles Garrett. Garrett is the best pass rusher in the league. His extraordinary athletic ability is hard to counter for the top left tackles in the league. If Mekari cheated at the snap and leaned a bit to the outside, Garrett simply swatted him and pushed to the inside. Or ran around him, it didn’t matter. Lean to the inside, and watch the back of Garrett’s jersey.
This week the Ravens are faced with slowing down T.J. Watt, who might be the thinnest of a hair width’s behind Garrett. This would be very tough matchup for Morgan Moses, but Moses probably can’t go this week. It’s an impossible matchup for either Mekari or Daniel Faalele. I admit I was very surprised that Monken didn’t help Mekari much more last week against Garrett. This implies that Monken will take his chances (by and large) against Watt, i.e., Mekari/Faalele can’t expect a lot of help. But the Ravens will likely have to find a way to slow Watt down – chipping, Patrick Ricard outside of Faalele, etc. I’d be shocked if Faalele substantially handles Watt. This is how the Steelers can win this week. Put extreme pressure on Jackson without blitzing, and Lamar will make his mistakes. Can’t you visualize a strip-sack coming?
This week we will likely get a taste of what Ronnie Stanley has to offer. Stanley played poorly in week one. He certainly did not look like himself. The Ravens need him against the Pittsburgh front and Highsmith, who has elite speed around the edge. If for some reason Stanley can’t go, Monken will be very challenged to protect Lamar.
Status of the Ravens Offense, and More
Until the offensive line is back to full strength, we can’t truly evaluate the power of the offense. Yes, they need Beckham and/or Bateman to complete the receiver group. Yes, Lamar has been more effective with quicker-release play calls (less decision making). But to fully exploit the offensive potential, we have to wait and see whether they can consistently threaten down the field.
And then there’s the reality that Lamar still has real difficulty under duress. I expect Pittsburgh to find ways to maximize pressure against Lamar. But do they play man or zone behind the pressure? If you want to force Jackson to hold the ball, you play man but take your chances with Lamar’s improvised running. Play man, and a bunch of those quick-release targets are gone. If you go zone, Lamar’s improvised running becomes more challenged, but more quick-release targets are likely available. Realizing that the Steelers have struggled against the run this year, I’m probably playing more zone behind the pressure and yielding some of the underneath stuff to Jackson. We will see.
Brandon Stephens
I should have given some props to Stephens before last week’s game. This guy has made tremendous strides this year. His man coverage has been exceptionally good, and Stephens has always been a superior tackler. Now he needs to add the final link to his game – turning his head back towards the football to that he can force a few turnovers and add a few more pass breakups. Mike Macdonald must be thrilled with Stephens’ play so far, and so should you. Stephens is heading towards becoming a legit number two corner in this league.
The Running Backs This Week
Justice Hill looked great on his few plays last week. But turf toe is a tough injury and usually only rest cures it. Melvin Gordon lacks the top end speed of his earlier days (that was only too evident against the Browns). And, the Ravens will have to elevate him to the regular roster this week if they want to play him. Remember, Gus Edwards carried a heavy workload last week against the Browns and the Ravens must have more backfield assets available this week.
Then there’s Keaton Mitchell. I’m dying to see Mitchell on the field and he’d be an excellent change of pace/third down back this week. We won’t kid ourselves, however. Mitchell has no chance of chipping either Watt or Highsmith, but he can help exploit both rushers as they come up the field towards Lamar. Either Mitchell or Kenyan Drake figure to be active this week.
The Tight End Room: Where is This Going?
Mark Andrews looks fully recovered. But one thing that’s evident this year is how little ball action is available to the second tight end. Isaiah Likely has had little impact, and Charlie Kolar has had precisely no impact. Sending two tight ends into routes when the full complement of wide receivers is available is not compelling.
The Ravens re-signing of Eric Tomlinson to the practice squad is a bit revealing. They already had the exhibition season wonder Travis Vokolek on the squad. Though he’s a big man, Vokolek was nowhere near as developed a blocker as Tomlinson. Does the Tomlinson signing suggest something about the future of the tight end room?
I was a solid fan of Charlie Kolar before his draft. I still like Kolar as a receiver. But does he fit in now, with Andrews healthy? I wouldn’t want to expose Kolar to waivers – he’ll get claimed. Will he be on the team (absent injury) by year-end?
Less Blitzing by Roquan Equals Better Defense
By my eyes, Roquan Smith blitzed a lot less against the Browns. The Ravens pass defense in the middle of the field was much better as a result. This needs to continue against Pittsburgh and, for that matter, for the balance of the season. Smith is a terror in pass defense and controls the middle of the field like no other inside linebacker in the NFL.
Last Comments from the Couch
One has to wonder where David Ojabo’s career is headed. The Ravens have been mum regarding Ojabo’s knee injury so we are left to wonder regarding its seriousness. But given that the Ravens are contemplating a year-ending IR designation for Ojabo he may well not take the field again in 2023. When he did, we saw nothing of the player who was rushing quarterbacks at Michigan. The Ravens will have two glaring needs in the 2024 draft. Edge rusher (again) will be one of them.
John Simpson is a revelation. He’s more than what fans could have anticipated, holding his own almost all of the time. He’s not dominant, but he’s been solid.
Let’s get Rashod Bateman involved. Presumably, Bateman is playing against Pittsburgh. Will he make an impact? If I were Monken, I’d make a real effort to get Bateman involved because the Ravens need a balancing wideout to ultimately provide Zay Flowers with more isolated opportunities. Yes, I’d prefer it (ideally) be Bateman over Beckham but frankly, either of the two suffice.
Geno Stone has been very solid on the back end. He lacks speed but plays heady and has been a good tackler. Ron Darby has largely been solid as well. Thank goodness for that. The Ravens can’t get Marcus Williams and Marlon Humphrey back soon enough.
great reading