Baltimore Sun columnist Mike Preston will reply followers’ questions all through the Ravens season. After Baltimore fell to the Pittsburgh Steelers, 16-13, on Sunday night time, loads of questions stay earlier than a Week 18 matchup in opposition to the Cincinnati Bengals.
Here’s Preston’s take:
(Editor’s notice: Questions have been edited for size and readability.)
Mike, Seattle obtained two first-round picks (2022 and 2023), two second-round picks (2022 and 2023) and a 2022 fifth-round choose, plus three gamers for 34-year-old Russell Wilson and a 2022 fourth-round choose. Houston obtained three first-round picks, a third-rounder and two fourth-rounders for controversial 27-year-old Deshaun Watson and a sixth-round choose. What do you assume the Ravens might demand if (IF) they entertained presents for soon-to-be 26-year-old Lamar Jackson?
— Bob in North Carolina
Bob, all of it is determined by the negotiations, with what staff and what that staff’s historical past is in making trades. Some groups, just like the Los Angeles Rams, are keen to half with draft picks and others, just like the Ravens, consider you construct by means of the draft. I’m positive that after two years of negotiating with Jackson, Ravens common supervisor Eric DeCosta has despatched out sufficient trial balloons to know what he can get for Jackson if the staff decides to commerce him.
Also bear in mind there won’t be as many groups keen to commerce for Jackson as some may assume. He is a superb runner however solely a mean passer, so he has to play in a sure system or inside a selected framework. At this level, it’s too early to foretell what is going to occur however I assume DeCosta has accomplished sufficient homework to drag the set off on a commerce if needed. I assume there will probably be groups keen to surrender a number of first-round picks for Jackson.
When it was lately introduced that Ed Reed was named the top coach at Bethune-Cookman, John Harbaugh was ebullient in his reward of the Ravens Hall of Famer and “coach on the field,” who was recognized for his movie research. Since Harbaugh has such a excessive opinion of Reed, are you aware if there was ever an effort to get him on the Ravens employees? If not, what does that reveal concerning the management and dynamics of the teaching employees below Harbaugh? Thanks for the entire insights you present.
— Don Truitt in Colesville
I’m unaware of Harbaugh ever providing Reed a place on his employees. In reality, I’ve not often seen Reed, Ray Lewis or Jonathan Ogden on the staff’s coaching advanced since they retired. I feel all three have stable relationships with Harbaugh, nevertheless it was Harbaugh who ran out the gamers with sturdy personalities after the staff received the Super Bowl in 2012. In regards to Lewis and Reed, I feel they respect Harbaugh, particularly for what they achieved in profitable the title, however I don’t consider they are going to be inviting one another to dinner anytime quickly.
As for his present employees, and even the gamers, I consider Harbaugh likes to be the dominant persona, and it serves him nicely. But it’s exhausting to win titles with out alpha males, and the Ravens’ haven’t come shut since these guys left in 2012. Harbaugh believes within the staff chemistry philosophy and he works it nicely, however one of the best coaches know methods to take care of the high-maintenance gamers and get them on board as nicely.
As for Reed as a head coach, that’s going to be attention-grabbing. I’ve had my ups and downs with Reed however we share a mutual respect. I feel there’s a mushy aspect of the man that he doesn’t like to point out, however it should serve him nicely in coping with school gamers. No one can ever query his love for the sport.
The Ravens have tried to handle the wage cap by having an affordable/rookie as a backup quarterback at totally different instances (Troy Smith, Tyrod Taylor, Tyler Huntley/Anthony Brown). Given that Lamar could have missed a number of video games in back-to-back seasons now, wouldn’t it be of their greatest curiosity to have a extra serviceable backup subsequent season? Or is it simply so simple as saying it doesn’t matter who your backup is, if you need to depend on him for a number of video games, you most likely received’t do nicely anyway? For the report, if Lamar isn’t enjoying in opposition to the Bengals, I feel they need to simply go forward and begin Anthony Brown at this level. Thanks.
— Paul in Orlando
I feel whichever quarterback is wholesome will begin. I don’t understand how lengthy Jackson will play if wholesome, however I consider the Ravens wish to get him out on the sphere. As for a quarterback, I feel the Ravens will choose one within the draft and there’s a particular want. When the Ravens drafted Jackson, there have been some who stated his probabilities of getting harm wouldn’t improve nevertheless it was ridiculous then and even worse now. Just take a look at the system. Not solely has Jackson missed substantial enjoying time the final two years however Huntley has a banged-up shoulder as nicely. You simply can’t preserve working possibility performs with quarterbacks.
As far as Brown, I assumed he performed nicely within the preseason however the Ravens must gear up for a postseason run, not gear down. The key phrase right here is steadiness. They don’t must gentle up the sphere with a downfield passing sport however no less than put concern in a protection. Also, discovering a working quarterback isn’t exhausting, which is why it’s simple to seek out one and on a budget.
Our present offensive sport plan is constructed to limit Huntley since he’s the backup, and our large receivers and never that good. Keep working the ball. But that reduces our gamers to their weakest degree. Why not open up the playbook a bit and see what they will do? We solely throw the ball completely in passing conditions, by no means on third-and-1 when the D-line is stacked as a result of they realize it’s a working play. And when was the final time we noticed a deep ball on second-and-4? Give the receivers an opportunity to succeed earlier than we write them off.
— Peter in Virginia
Peter, I perceive why the Ravens went conservative after the New York Giants sport by which Jackson dedicated two pricey turnovers. I agree, no less than to a degree, with them working a lot as a result of that’s their power they usually have been going to beat a variety of unhealthy groups they confronted by carrying them down within the second half.
But it’s a special sport within the postseason, the place they’re going to be going through the league’s high quarterbacks in Kansas City’s Patrick Mahomes, Buffalo’s Josh Allen and Cincinnati’s Joe Burrow. So, I predict they’ll open it up extra offensively within the playoffs however I’d wish to see extra of that strategy in Sunday’s sport in opposition to the Bengals. They may as nicely prepare.
Hi Mike, John Harbaugh appears irritated and exhausted by the excruciating losses and the each day Lamar Jackson drama, which most likely received’t finish anytime quickly. I’m positive he received’t like Steve Bisciotti telling him to fireplace Greg Roman and he have to be bored with answering questions concerning the poor large receivers Eric DeCosta saddled him with. He’s been within the league a very long time and it’s a psychological and bodily grind. Do you assume he may name it quits with the Ravens after this season?
— Jesse Marr in Los Angeles
Harbaugh has a contract that carries him by means of the 2025 season and I don’t see him strolling away. Harbaugh is old style, loyal and a fighter. Of course he appears drained and exhausted. What coach doesn’t close to the top of any season, regardless if in case you have a profitable or shedding report? Coaching on nearly any degree is a grind, particularly in the event you do it proper and care. It’s even more durable on the foremost school and NFL degree as a result of you need to take care of so many individuals and gamers.
I don’t see Harbaugh strolling away except it was about household and total, regardless of the current criticism, I nonetheless assume he’s an excellent soccer coach. He has weaknesses, however all coaches do. A significant secret is compensating for weaknesses.
Mr. Preston, I consider Tom Brady used to take a decrease wage than he might have demanded in order that the Patriots had extra money/wage cap room to herald different gamers (aka weapons) who might make the staff extra aggressive. Is there any probability Lamar Jackson may contemplate doing one thing related? Thanks on your nice reporting in The Sun.
— Dawna Cobb
Dawna, no. If you consider that will occur then you definately consider in Santa Claus and the Easter Bunny. Thanks for the compliments.
I used to be questioning in the event you thought Lamar would have extra success in Kyle Shanahan’s zone offense that would play extra into Lamar’s athleticism and power as a middle-of-the-field passer? Also, is that this an offense the Ravens teaching employees would contemplate sooner or later?
— Nate
I feel any quarterback would have success in Shanahan’s offense as a result of he has the most effective offensive minds within the NFL. I’m unsure how a lot Jackson would enhance however I’d wish to see the Ravens transfer in a special course so far as having somebody direct the offense. If you’re going to probably place the franchise tag on Jackson, then the staff wants a brand new voice and course. If it’s broke, repair it.
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Source: www.bostonherald.com