Baltimore Sun columnist Mike Preston will reply followers’ questions all through the Ravens season. Fresh off Baltimore’s 23-20 Week 4 loss to the Buffalo Bills, loads of questions stay with the reigning AFC champion Cincinnati Bengals coming to city for a “Sunday Night Football” showdown.
Here’s Preston’s take:
(Editor’s be aware: Questions have been edited for size and readability)
Mike, please inform me the {qualifications} Mike MacDonald has for being the defensive coordinator apart from being a present to the Ravens from John Harbaugh’s brother. The protection appears to be worse than ever. Based on Harbaugh’s resolution to go for a landing on fourth down fairly than a discipline objective, it exhibits he has no confidence in his protection to carry the Bills’ offense. Martindale have to be laughing in New York since he’s the one who took the autumn after final season for the poor protection because of all of the defensive accidents.
— Bob Kronberg
Mike Preston: If there’s one factor I’ve discovered from former Ravens basic supervisor Ozzie Newsome since overlaying this staff in 1996, it’s endurance. Newsome was at all times keen to present his assistant coaches, entrance workplace workers and gamers time to enhance and develop. Before coaching camp began, I wrote that due to some newly employed coaches and gamers coming back from main accidents, it could take three or 4 video games to determine the place this staff is headed.
Right now, the Ravens are in the identical state of affairs as most groups within the NFL. Few groups are enjoying at a persistently excessive stage.
Bob, should you thought Macdonald was going to stroll in and wave a magic wand to make issues considerably higher, then you definitely have been approach off base. Back in 1996, it took then-coordinator Marvin Lewis two or three years to straighten out his protection as a result of they have been used to enjoying the fashion taught to them by former Cleveland coach Bill Belichick.
I don’t know all of Macdonald’s pedigree, however he spent seven years in Baltimore as an assistant earlier than going to Michigan, which suggests he spent loads of time working in principally the identical stress system instituted by Lewis and different former coordinators reminiscent of Rex Ryan and Martindale. I anticipated to see communication issues, particularly on the again finish, as a result of many of the starters have been held out of preseason video games and each coordinator desires to place his signature on his protection. The Ravens haven’t dissatisfied as a result of they give the impression of being as unorganized because the outdated Keystone Cops.
Well, let’s see if that adjustments.
Macdonald can’t be blamed for a few of the staff’s different defensive shortcomings. Both inside and out of doors linebacker play has been poor, a lot in order that outdoors linebacker Jason Pierre-Paul performed all however 9 snaps towards the Bills regardless of not having a full week of observe. That’s an indictment in itself.
The Ravens play tight protection for practically a half, however then lose focus as soon as the opposite groups regulate. The go rush has been poor for about 4 years now, and sure, I’d have gambled on choosing a go rusher within the first spherical as an alternative of taking Notre Dame security Kyle Hamilton.
With all that mentioned, the Ravens had the worst go protection within the NFL final yr, they usually rank final once more up to now this season. This isn’t Major League Baseball, the place you may deliver up some minor league prospect to assist. This workers has to work by it and discover the strengths and weaknesses of its gamers. We can level fingers at what went improper and who was guilty on the finish of the season. All you are able to do now could be simply hope and wait.
In the 2012 season, it was reported Harbaugh nearly misplaced the locker room. Any probability of that occuring right here? I do know it’s soccer and feelings are excessive, however you don’t see these sideline blowups between coach and participant from the Ravens.
— Jay Parker
Preston: Oh, I’ve seen blowups earlier than between assistant coaches and a participant, however by no means a head coach and a participant. Assistant or place coaches are often the buffer and liaison between the top coach and the respective gamers, which is why cornerback Marcus Peters’ blow-up on the sideline Sunday with Harbaugh was so unusual. I perceive the feelings and tempers flaring however making an attempt to get within the face of a head coach is a significant no-no within the NFL.
I by no means thought Harbaugh was near shedding his locker room in 2012. Harbaugh is an old-school coach who believes in arduous work, staff and self-discipline. He was employed by proprietor Steve Bisciotti to revive a much-needed work ethic as a result of the Ravens had gotten away from that underneath Harbaugh’s predecessor, Brian Billick. But in 2012, the Ravens had some veterans — linebacker Ray Lewis, security Ed Reed, receiver Anquan Boldin and security Bernard Pollard — who have been used to doing it their very own approach. It was pure for them to “bump heads” with Harbaugh however they put their variations apart as a result of they wished to win a Super Bowl.
After that occurred, it was time for the nice departure of these alpha males.
In the case of Peters, it was good to see a participant present some emotion and care as a result of clearly Harbaugh has no religion in his protection, which is why he gambled on that fourth-down name late within the recreation. Harbaugh needs to be cautious to not let this example fester as a result of Peters is revered within the locker room and may affect younger gamers.
Harbaugh is wise sufficient to determine that out and the 2 will come to some kind of decision. If not, that might change into a significant downside within the months forward.
Mike, since Lamar Jackson entered the league, the groups you could beat to get to the Super Bowl within the AFC are the Bills, Titans, and Chiefs. Include the Steelers as a result of they’re the Ravens’ archrival. Lamar’s in his fifth yr and he’s solely overwhelmed these groups one time every. Is it time to begin asking the query (or previous the time) if he can win the massive video games on the largest stage?
— Jason in Federal Hill
Preston: I’ve been asking two related questions for 2 years now. One, can Jackson take the Ravens deep into the postseason? And two, can he win a Super Bowl? He has performed nearly every little thing else so far as coaching, conditioning and movie research to enhance his general recreation, however there’s nonetheless doubt about him with the ability to win massive video games in crunch time along with his arm. Jackson desires a brand new contract however for the type of cash he’s demanding, he wants to point out he can win massive within the postseason. Former Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco did in 2012, after which the Ravens made him the highest-paid quarterback within the NFL.
To me, if you wish to receives a commission massive then you need to ship massive, though I’m nonetheless unsure I’d give Jackson a totally assured contract.
Why is it that my household and I can simply predict if the Ravens are operating or throwing primarily based on their offensive formation? If we are able to see it, I assume a skilled NFL eye can simply predict what they’re doing. How is Greg Roman regarded amongst his friends? Are most groups with an electrical operating and throwing quarterback operating double tights and incorporating a fullback into their assault?
— Jesse Walker
Preston: I’ve had some issues with Greg Roman’s offenses prior to now however not this yr. Right now, the Ravens are averaging 359.3 yards per recreation — 217.3 passing and 142 dashing. They are additionally averaging 29.8 factors.
What’s to not like?
I’m not ecstatic about a few of Roman’s calls on short-yardage conditions and would favor he run 300-pound fullback Patrick Ricard up the intestine for a yard or two or put Jackson out on the sting extra in some run-pass-option performs. Overall, although, the Ravens have been profitable.
As far because the double tights and incorporating a fullback, most offenses ought to have the ability to muscle up and reach short-yardage conditions. I just like the Ravens’ offense being multi-dimensional.
But if this offense goes to take one other main step, Jackson has to be taught to have the ability to learn and throw to the surface areas of the sphere.
In hindsight, do you assume a defensive finish like George Karlaftis ought to have been one of many two first-round picks this yr? I’ll admit he didn’t wow me popping out of Purdue, however watching him with the Chiefs, he appears fairly relentless on the market. So far, looks like Kyle Hamilton’s presence has been extra of a luxurious than want, particularly in gentle that we by no means ended up buying and selling Chuck Clark, and Hamilton’s snap rely appears to have gone down for the reason that Dolphins recreation.
— Paul from Orlando
Preston: As acknowledged above, I’d have taken a go rusher. One of the keys to having a fantastic protection is with the ability to get stress with the entrance 4 so a protection can drop seven gamers into protection. Regardless, the Ravens turned enamored with Hamilton, though they have already got Chuck Clark and Marcus Williams on the roster. They additionally chosen cornerbacks Jayln Armour-Davis and Damarion Williams within the fourth spherical. But the issue is that defensive backs will get uncovered if quarterbacks are given time to throw.
The Ravens caught with their mantra of taking one of the best participant obtainable, however on this state of affairs, it could’ve been good to “reach” on a go rusher.
Mike, what’s the standing of tight finish Nick Boyle? He isn’t even sniffing the sphere as of late. Is it bodily or is he within the coach’s doghouse?
— Dan in Elkton
Preston: Dan, to be trustworthy, I believe Boyle is one in every of Harbaugh’s favourite gamers, and the staff is rewarding him for getting back from main knee surgical procedure after his November 2020 harm. The man has labored arduous to return, however I noticed him struggling to catch the ball and limping after main cuts throughout coaching camp. He has performed nothing improper to be put in Harbaugh’s doghouse.
Have a query for Mike Preston? Email sports [email protected] with “Ravens mailbag” within the topic line and it may very well be answered in The Baltimore Sun.
()
Source: www.bostonherald.com