Baltimore Sun columnist Mike Preston will reply followers’ questions all through the Ravens season. Coming off Baltimore’s 23-20 Week 7 win in opposition to the Cleveland Browns, loads of questions stay with Baltimore set to journey to face Tom Brady and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Thursday night time.
Here’s Preston’s take:
(Editor’s notice: Questions have been edited for size and readability.)
While many Ravens followers choose aside Lamar every week, I’d prefer to first acknowledge the protection has been offering a profitable recipe ever since Week 1. But, coming again to the issue, it simply doesn’t appear to be Lamar is having enjoyable anymore, and it may very well be the truth that we proceed to see only a few halftime or fourth-quarter changes. Is the offensive play-calling responsible for the shortage of late offensive manufacturing? Every well-equipped offense appears to really have routes that create separation and unfold the sphere, however the Ravens appear to all the time play a sort of offense that consists of primary route bushes and proceed to lack the flexibility to get separation. Is it scheme or participant capacity, or Lamar lacking them?
— Drew Hamel
Preston: Jackson appeared to be having enjoyable within the first three weeks of the season when he was taking part in properly, however that modified as a result of he’s struggling. He must placed on his massive boy pants. He declined to just accept the supply introduced by the group within the preseason and gambled that he would play properly. It was his resolution, so now he has to take care of the implications and deal with the strain when issues aren’t going properly. The easy reply is that he must play properly once more. Instead of pouting on the bench and never speaking to teammates like his predecessor Joe Flacco, present some management and convey his A-game persistently. If he performs properly and the Ravens go deep into the postseason, then the strain is again on group officers to get a deal achieved.
As far because the play calling, the Ravens knew what they had been stepping into once they promoted Greg Roman to offensive coordinator in 2019. As the OC with San Francisco and later Buffalo, Roman was identified for constructing sturdy working video games however common passing assaults. At least with the 49ers, coach Jim Harbaugh was there to create and develop the passing recreation. In Baltimore, the Ravens don’t have that luxurious. They gambled with Roman and had been snug constructing their offense round Jackson, a working quarterback.
Whenever an offense or protection turns into one-dimensional, there are some issues. Teams that move lots expose their defenseless quarterbacks to extra vicious hits within the pocket and typically wrestle within the crimson zone with out a sturdy working recreation. In Baltimore, the Ravens’ passing recreation is ineffective, and proper now, out of sync. The greatest offensive groups attempt for steadiness so far as move versus the run, however the Ravens’ passing recreation undoubtedly lacks creativity.
Will the Ravens add a legit huge receiver earlier than the commerce deadline on Nov. 1? Also, do you suppose Roman has reached the max with Lamar? Something simply appears off with the offense.
— Rodney Williams
The Ravens added veteran receiver DeSean Jackson final week, however there isn’t a timetable for him to step onto the taking part in discipline. Jackson is a speedster who has 632 catches for 11,110 yards and 58 touchdowns whereas taking part in for Philadelphia, Washington, Tampa Bay, the Los Angeles Rams and Las Vegas. At age 35, his greatest days are behind him, however it’s a great gamble for the Ravens as a result of Jackson nonetheless might need somewhat left within the tank and it isn’t costing them a lot.
Baltimore has turn into a daily cease for older receivers like Michael Crabtree, Mike Wallace, Jeremy Maclin, T.J. Houshmandzadeh and Dez Bryant. Only a number of have labored out — Anquan Boldin, Steve Smith Sr. and Derrick Mason.
As for Roman and Jackson, don’t learn an excessive amount of into him throwing solely 16 passes in opposition to Cleveland on Sunday. Jackson has struggled with turnovers just lately and will have thrown for 3 extra touchdowns within the group’s loss to the Giants two weeks in the past. The Ravens principally took the ball out of his arms versus the Browns as a result of they had been struggling to dam ends Myles Garrett and Jadeveon Clowney, and quarterback Jacoby Brissett wasn’t going to beat Baltimore until Jackson turned the ball over like he did in opposition to New York.
It was a secure recreation plan, and the Ravens had been again to their previous identification of getting a run-first mentality. But in the event that they attain the playoffs, that can change. They’re going to wish Jackson to make performs along with his arm in addition to his legs.
The Ravens have me dumbfounded. They tease us with all of the methods we are able to use Devin Duvernay and with Roman being the offensive coordinator in Buffalo with Percy Harvin one would assume he would use Duvernay in those self same methods. Could you assist us perceive why they’re reluctant to make use of him? Thanks.
— Robert Bass
I assumed the Ravens had been past that stage of not utilizing Duvernay correctly, however I used to be unsuitable. Against the Bengals, Roman used Duvernay on tosses, end-arounds and as a receiver and return specialist. Against the Giants, he disappeared. Against the Browns, he had two catches for 42 yards, together with a 31-yarder on the opening possession to arrange a 32-yard discipline objective by Justin Tucker. He additionally returned a punt 46 yards within the second quarter to arrange one other Tucker discipline objective.
I’ve been campaigning for this child to the touch the ball about 10 occasions a recreation for 2 years now. The Ravens want to make use of him like Kansas City did and Miami does with Tyreek Hill. He has excellent velocity and units up his blocks properly. He is changing into one of many least used weapons on the roster.
Maybe Harbaugh wants to deal with that with Mr. Roman.
The Ravens have dedicated loads of {dollars} and years to their secondary with little return over the previous a number of years. Looking into your crystal ball, how do you see the Ravens addressing the problems within the secondary going ahead?
— Andy in Hagerstown
Drafting a cornerback needs to be a high precedence and the Ravens additionally have to get this proper. Starting cornerback Marcus Peters is a fierce competitor however has misplaced a step, which is why groups are going after him each week. Fellow cornerback Marlon Humphrey can nonetheless play at a excessive stage, however solely on the within the place he will be near the road of scrimmage. I just like the rookie Damarion “Pepe” Williams outdoors or inside and he may have the ability to step right into a beginning position subsequent season. Rookie Jalyn Armour-Davis performed properly within the preseason, however Harbaugh gave him the short hook from the lineup early within the first quarter of their Week 3 recreation in opposition to New England. Still, he’ll get one other shot.
Regardless, the Ravens have to seek out somebody to interchange Peters and group with Williams subsequent 12 months. It’s arduous to win within the NFL already. It’s even more durable with out a shutdown cornerback.
Mike, thanks for having this discussion board. After all of the hoopla in regards to the Ravens’ improved protection previous to this season, why do common/backup quarterbacks appear to play like All-Pros when dealing with the Ravens? Is it simply accidents (which all groups have) or is there extra to it (like teaching)? Thank you.
— Bob Okay.
It’s a mixture of the 2, however my largest problem is with the linebackers and their drops. Something is lacking. They aren’t getting deep sufficient as a result of loads of groups are discovering holes in behind the within linebackers and in entrance of the safeties.
The Ravens additionally wrestle to cowl the surface of the sphere within the deep third. Brissett threw a 55-yard move to receiver Amari Cooper within the first quarter and he was so wide-open that you can barely see a Raven within the protection space initially, even on TV. If Brissett’s move didn’t have extra cling time than a Sam Koch punt, this might have been a straightforward landing.
In the previous, the shortage of a move rush has all the time been blamed for permitting too many yards within the air, however Baltimore sacked Brissett 5 occasions and he nonetheless accomplished 22 of 27 passes for 258 yards. So, it’s undoubtedly time to take a look at the scheme and communication.
Two 33-year-old move rushers, Jason Pierre-Paul and Justin Houston, each just lately began taking part in once more after completely different layoffs and appeared to instantly have success attending to the quarterback. Odafe Oweh remains to be within the “missed it by that much” part of attending to the quarterback. Is it only a maturation factor with him, given his bodily attributes? Thanks.
— Paul Moss
Preston: Yes, I nonetheless regard him as a mission. He has nice want and a robust work ethic. He is all the time one of many final ones to depart the apply discipline after placing in additional time with the veterans. In reality, his final three video games had been the perfect of his profession.
He nonetheless has lots to enhance on, however he’s simply beginning to fulfill his potential.
I’m suggesting the blockbuster commerce of all time. Mike Tomlin is headed for his first dropping season. John Harbaugh’s mojo in Baltimore is all however gone. Both are glorious coaches. They don’t need to be out of labor. Why not give each of them new life? Trade Harbs and his employees for Tomlin and his employees!
— Jim D
Preston: Next query, please.
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