There are good reasons for a healthy dose of elation following the Ravens’ destruction of the Lions. On offense, it started in the trenches and didn’t end there. There are still lingering concerns, which can’t be ignored, and I touch on that. On defense, besides the obvious we saw continued evidence of more than one emerging star. Both Mike Macdonald (whose praises I’ve been singing since last year) and Todd Monken are masterfully exploiting the talents of their individual players. Let’s get into this weeks’ comments from the couch.
First Reason For Elation – The Expansion of Monken’s Play Book
Weeks ago (look here under “Lamar and the Run Game“), I called for Monken to incorporate elements of misdirection in Lamar Jackson’s passing game. On a personal level I was thrilled to see Monken take my suggestion (I’m sure he’s a reader!) by calling several of these “impossible to defend” plays where Jackson takes one or more steps as a runner but instead becomes a passer. This worked to tremendous effect on three different occasions in the Lions’ game, two of which were designed concepts.
On the first Lamar ran three steps forward as a runner and then threw to an uncovered Odell Beckham. The second involved Jackson rolling to his right as a runner with blockers in front of him, and then hitting Mark Andrews for a score as defenders reacted-up to Lamar’s trojan horse run.
The third was an improvisation, when Lamar was also rolling to his right, faked a hand-off to Gus Edwards with defenders again reacting-up to Jackson. Edwards then slid by them all, becoming a receiver on his 80 yard catch and run. For a couch-coach like me, this was all exciting stuff as it’s evident that Monken “gets it.”
These are generally run/pass option plays that don’t involve the running back. They also allow the running back to remain an active threat on these plays. Given Lamar’s unique extraordinary running skills, these plays put maximum stress on any defense. It’s hard to design a better concept to maximally exploit Jackson’s talent, unlike any other quarterback in the league. And there should be many more variations in Monken’s playbook for these concepts. Greg Roman never sniffed these ideas.
Second Reason For Elation – Incorporating Bateman and Beckham Into the Offense
This is another area where I’ve been calling on Monken to utilize these players, and he did to great effect against the Lions. Let’s not forget that Rashod Bateman has real run-after-the-catch talent. And he’s a pretty good route runner too. Getting him involved in a material way benefits all of the skill position players. Particularly, in my view, Zay Flowers. Once defenses have to respect Bateman again, they will be stretched across their man coverages, having to account for both Flowers and Bateman. Mark Andrews will be a big beneficiary too.
Odell Beckham shouldn’t be forgotten either. Beckham is not the elite receiver that he once was (he’s grossly overpaid, from a value perspective). He won’t stretch the field as he did as a younger player. But Beckham will catch the ball, and he still has a reasonable level of run after the catch ability.
After the Ravens had put the game away against Detroit, Monken called Beckham’s number on a series of routes, indicating a real desire by Monken to test Beckham and elevate Beckham’s profile in the offense going forward.
If one couldn’t see it before, it’s evident now. If the offensive line can protect Jackson, the Ravens will be very difficult to defend. It’s a unit that has the makings of a top three offense in the league.
The Offensive Line – Still Concerns With Ronnie Stanley
Yes, the overall picture for the offensive line against the Lions was great. They kept Lamar clean and, in the end, that’s what matters. But I watched Stanley quite a bit in the game and his play (notwithstanding his lead block on Lamar’s early touchdown run) was still suspect.
For one, there were numerous pass sets where Stanley was lined up deep off of the line; illegally, in fact (though the sets were never penalized). Stanley’s set was even deeper than Morgan Moses on each occasion. These types of sets are an attempt to “cheat” by an offensive tackle. And, to the naked eye, Ronnie “jumped” quite a few snaps with very effective anticipation. Effectively, Stanley is compensating for his physical challenges.
On the big pass to Pat Ricard, Stanley was soundly beaten by Julian Okwara. On this occasion Stanley extended his arms early without a sound base and Okwara easily drove him back and then passed him for a clear path to Jackson. Lamar released the ball and avoided the sack by a split hair.
On a touchdown pass to Mark Andrews to the side away from Stanley, Aidan Hutchinson executed a simple spin move against Ronnie, which threw Stanley wildly off-balance. Again, as it turned out this had no effect on the play, but Stanley was soundly beaten.
On the plus side, Ronnie looked reasonably effective on zone run blocking schemes. But he wasn’t challenged as often by the Lions in pass protection in the manner that I would try to exploit; force him to shift his base, where I think he continues to struggle.
Otherwise, Tyler Linderbaum played yet another almost perfectly clean game. Kevin Zeitler also continued to excel.
Third Reason For Elation – Edge Defenders
I was excited to see the return of Odafe Oweh, and he didn’t disappoint. Although Oweh stalled out on a couple of pass rushes, he generally has more of a plan this year, dipping his shoulder easier and driving hard to the quarterback. I’d like to see him utilize his shoulder dip in combination with a swim move to get under the inside shoulder of a tackle, and there’s no reason that shouldn’t develop. On the edge, Oweh looks stauncher at the point of attack, though in fairness the Lions were behind so much so soon that none of the edge rushers were seriously tasked with holding the edge. I expect more improvement from Oweh in the coming weeks. His strip sack was impressive.
More generally, now that Jeremiah Moon (released) and Tavius Robinson (mostly mop-up time) are out of the primary edge rotation, this group is really shaping up. Macdonald’s use of Kyle Van Noy has been excellent, and Van Noy has been extraordinarily effective. Malik Harrison has become a reasonably stout edge holder on early downs, allowing Jadaveon Clowney to stay fresh. And Oweh’s return and a sound level of play completes a group where the sum of the parts is greater than the individual talents. David Ojabo, if he returns, will only be a rotational piece and, as readers already know, Ojabo offered little if anything when he suited up.
Oh Duvernay, Wherefore Art Thou?
If the Ravens make a move by Tuesday’s deadline, Devin Duvernay is the surplusage that could be part of a package. As a fifth wide receiver he’s contributed virtually nothing on offense this year and, barring injury, does not figure to play much of a role going forward. Remember John Harbaugh’s draft day jubilation when the Ravens nabbed Duvernay? That’s a cloudy, distant memory now. The probability Duvernay will be re-signed next year? As close to absolute zero as the temperature in outer space.
Now I can imagine the Ravens pursuing a wide receiver on trade day. Why, if I’m so high on the receiving corps? Because they are one soft tissue injury away from sliding back to mediocrity, and Bateman, for one, has a strong history there. The continuing evolution of the passing attack is absolutely essential if the Ravens want to reach their potential.
Jerry Jeudy is probably too far a reach given the Broncos unrealistic trade demands. I’m not a huge fan anyway De’Andre Hopkins is likely too expensive as well. Hollywood Brown? Don’t laugh; Lamar loves him, Brown will be a free agent, and mixing him into a group with Zay Flowers and, say, Keaton Mitchell on the field is intriguing. It’s not the craziest notion, is it? Can he be had for Duvernay and, say, a swap of draft picks? Yes, there are other needs, but you never know.
When Will the Defense Be Tested?
Consider the quarterbacks the Ravens have played against so far. Only the once elite and somewhat troubled Joe Burrow, and Jared Goff, stand out amongst the group so far. It will be four more weeks until they face Burrow again. Thereafter, they face the likes of Justin Herbert, Matthew Stafford, Brock Purdy, and Tua Tagovailoa, in order, before ending with the improving Kenny Pickett. That tough stretch will define whether the Ravens defense is truly top of the league, and where it ranks in Ravens’ history.
The pass rushing success has been surprising, to say the least. Let’s face it, the Ravens lack an individually dominant rusher. There’s no Myles Garrett or T.J. Watt on this club. But the generated pressures continue to mount, and the collective effort via Mike Macdonald’s rush designs can’t be denied.
Let’s be satisfied so far with a defense that has far exceeded hopes. Injuries to some players have benefitted others, with Brandon Stephens taking a big time jump as a cover corner. And without the injuries we might not have Kyle Van Noy on the team. Geno Stone has obviously excelled in his role, and Ron Darby (although he can’t tackle) has been a surprising success too. Is this defense as good as the statistics suggest? Let’s wait until they have run through the quarterback gauntlet.
Potpourri
I’m over the elation. Now, for some errata from the couch.
Tyus Bowser
His status is more mysterious than who killed JFK. At this point, Bowser is just running off his contract and to believe he will contribute this year might be the stuff of dreams. It’s a shame, because Bowser had turned himself into a top (though vastly underrated) edge defender and cover linebacker. That player would make this defense better. I’m not sure that player will be available.
Jaylyn Armour-Davis
Unlike Bowser, Armour-Davis has been invisible his entire career. He’s another example of why players with a history of soft tissue problems rightly fall down draft boards. I can’t imagine Mike Macdonald would trust Armour-Davis on the field this year. We have no reason to conclude that Armour-Davis will be anything more than Iman Marshall redux.
Pepe Williams
Wherefore art thou, part two, Pepe Williams? I generally liked what I saw of Williams last year. With more play time I believed he could be a contributing nickel corner. But it’s unlikely we will see Williams either, with the defense clicking such as it is.
The AFC North
The Browns and Steelers are both winning games they shouldn’t. The Steelers looked dreadful in the first three quarters against the Ravens and the Rams, yet won both. Like the Ravens, they will go as far as their offensive line will carry them but no doubt they are hanging around when they should be fishing at the bottom.
The Browns are more problematic. They shockingly beat the 49ers without Deshaun Watson. Their allegedly great defense surrendered 456 yards of offense and 38 points to Gardner Minshew and the Colts, yet won. P. J. Walker stinks yet they’ve won two games with him at the helm. From a schedule perspective, they have it much easier than the Ravens, facing the Broncos instead of the Chargers, and the Jets instead of the Dolphins. The Browns are in a great spot, even if Watson continues to disappoint once he returns. Watson just isn’t the same player he was with the Texans, by any means. Yet, the Browns are a threat to win the division.
The Bengals have the toughest road to hoe of them all, facing the 49ers this week, the Bills (at home) next week, and the Chiefs on the road before the season ends. I haven’t had the chance to see what’s wrong with their offense, but I suspect most teams are just refusing to let the Bengals offense get over the top. So much of the Bengals’ success is predicated on an explosive passing attack. They are unable to compensate when it’s contained, as they lack a consistently effective running game.
The Ravens have very winnable games the next two weeks before the schedule explodes on them. None of their last eight games are gimmees. And they’re on the road in San Francisco, Jacksonville, and Los Angeles (the Chargers). They won’t be “sneaking in.” If the Ravens successfully run the gauntlet of those last eight games, they will stamp this team as one of the Ravens best. That’s a lot of “ifs.”
Now, it’s a bag of chips and back to the couch.
