Baltimore Sun columnist Mike Preston will reply followers’ questions all through the Ravens season. Coming off Baltimore’s 20-10 win over the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 12, loads of questions stay heading into their bye week.
Here’s Preston’s take:
(Editor’s notice: Questions have been edited for size and readability.)
Justin Tucker is having certainly one of his worst seasons since 2015. You can see it in his eyes and demeanor when he goes to kick. It doesn’t assist that he has had various kicks blocked. What do you assume the particular groups coaches must do to assist him get his head again within the sport? — Adam PanareseI
I don’t have an issue with Tucker. The kicks he has had blocked have been due to a missed blocking task and one other try was about 55 yards, and lots of these get blocked across the league as a result of there must be a low trajectory to get the gap. If Tucker misses a discipline objective every so often, I’ve no drawback with it. It simply reveals he’s human. But proper now, he’s nonetheless the very best kicker within the sport and lots of groups within the NFL wish to have him on the roster. If the Ravens want a discipline objective in crunch time, Tucker is the man I would like lining as much as kick.
Through the primary 12 video games watching the offense, looks like Todd Monken remains to be tinkering with issues. With the bye, and solely 5 video games left after they come again, do you assume he’ll use this downtime to streamline the offense and slender the main focus of what they do to be able to maximize outcomes? Thanks. — Paul in Orlando
Ravens coach John Harbaugh has talked about self-scouting in years previous throughout the bye week and it gained’t change this season. Monken has had the complete offseason and 12 video games to “tinker” with the offense, and by now he is aware of what are the strengths and weaknesses of this group. Regardless, the sport plan for every week can also be decided by the opposing group’s strengths and weaknesses. So, every week you’re in all probability going to see some new wrinkles, and a few of that will probably be constructed across the pace of operating again Keaton Mitchell and receiver Zay Flowers. The Ravens presently use three operating backs, and they should maintain Mitchell contemporary. Remember, the rookies haven’t had a lot of a break following their last season in faculty.
I wouldn’t say Monken is streamlining as a lot as getting the right matchups with personnel for every group. I might identical to to see the Ravens enhance at countering strikes after the opposite groups make changes at halftime. The Ravens normally begin sturdy however are sluggish to complete. Some of it’s by design after they attempt to shut out the sport with a powerful operating assault, however they’ve additionally struggled when opposing groups make corrections. They should be higher on the chess match.
Is Lamar Jackson a rookie? We usually hear on broadcasts about Lamar’s maturation, his nonetheless “learning” the best way to play quarterback within the NFL, and so on. We by no means hear these issues about Burrow, Herbert, Allen, Lawrence, and even Goff; all (besides Goff) have been drafted throughout the identical draft or only one yr after Lamar. The truth is Lamar is a veteran of six years, and I ponder WHY there stays this narrative of “he’s still learning.” With the success he’s had and as a veteran participant, why aren’t writers, analysts and followers extra targeted on what Lamar is and what he brings quite than what he nonetheless doesn’t do and must be? And do you consider a Super Bowl win actually ends this narrative? — Marty Domres
Marty, I normally don’t pay a lot consideration to TV commentators as a result of they like to hype these gamers as much as the purpose of ridiculousness. It’s grow to be downright foolish at instances. They may be saying Jackson remains to be “learning” the offense as a result of he has a brand new offensive coordinator this season. Who is aware of with these guys?
By now, everyone knows Jackson’s strengths (operating the ball, fast decision-making, good accuracy on brief to intermediate passes) and weaknesses (lack of accuracy throwing the deep ball and out of doors the numbers, sluggish in studying defenses, struggles staying contained in the pocket). He has an ideal win-loss file and spectacular stats, however I put him in the identical class as Dallas quarterback Dak Prescott. They must win within the postseason and go deep into the playoffs. The NFL has grow to be a league of common groups. It’s good to have all these wins in opposition to less-talented groups, however what occurs within the postseason when groups are shut or close to equal energy? Jackson realizes this.
All the accolades are nice however all gamers, particularly quarterbacks, need to win a Super Bowl. Ask former Miami Dolphins quarterback Dan Marino. He is within the Hall of Fame and nonetheless holds a number of passing data, however he didn’t win a Super Bowl in his 17 seasons within the league. The Lombardi Trophy cements a legacy.
Trent Dilfer wasn’t an ideal quarterback, however he will probably be remembered in Baltimore because the starter of the 2000 Super Bowl group.
It is nice to see Lamar give himself up whereas operating, avoiding hits by the defenders. But is there any method for anybody to show him the best way to slide? When he falls down, he seems to be very awkward, having his arms, shoulders and legs make laborious contact with the bottom. And are you involved about the way forward for Mark Andrews? Ronnie Stanley has by no means been the identical since his ankle damage a number of years in the past. — Robert
Sorry Robert, Jackson nonetheless doesn’t give himself up simply. He is best at it now than in earlier years, however he wants to enhance there earlier than he suffers one other critical damage. As for sliding, we will’t overlook former Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco, who didn’t know the best way to slide both. Since the Orioles had success this season, perhaps Harbaugh ought to have them come over for a coaching session or two.
As for Andrews, getting back from an damage is at all times a priority however he has a powerful work ethic. I discussed this earlier within the yr however the one different Raven I’ve seen work more durable in apply than Andrews is former center linebacker Ray Lewis. It’s that angle that may drive him to return, after which we’ll be capable of see if he has misplaced something as soon as he begins training frequently.
What’s the largest offseason precedence? — Jemar Mills
Right now, it must be discovering a younger, high quality offensive sort out, ideally on the left aspect. I might additionally begin taking a look at exterior linebackers despite the fact that each David Ojabo and Odafe Oweh are younger gamers. Neither has performed as much as expectations. While Kyle Van Noy and Jadeveon Clowney have performed properly, Van Noy is 33 and Clowney is 31. The Ravens want some youthful gamers, ideally one or two that may grow to be dominant go rushers.
Is Ronnie Stanley ever going to be the identical? — @GregCampbe8629
I’ve talked about it earlier than and I’ll say it once more. Stanley has had a number of operations on his ankle and it limits his capability to plant and push, particularly in go safety. He might be efficient however won’t ever be the dominant participant he was earlier than the 2020 damage. Stanley is an expert and he is aware of that concerning the scenario. There have been studies that he has struggled by way of a knee damage and rushed to get out on the sphere and play in opposition to the Chargers. Maybe that’s true, and at the least he desires to get again on the sphere. But his greatest days are behind him and the Ravens want to find out if he can play properly sufficient sooner or later to proceed to guard Jackson’s blind aspect. I might say no at this level.
Have a query for Mike Preston? Email sports [email protected] with “Ravens mailbag” within the topic line and it might be answered in The Baltimore Sun.
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Source: www.bostonherald.com