Baltimore Sun columnist Mike Preston will reply followers’ questions all through the Ravens season. After Baltimore beat the Atlanta Falcons, 17-9, on Saturday, loads of questions stay earlier than a Week 17 matchup towards the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Here’s Preston’s take:
(Editor’s word: Questions have been edited for size and readability.)
Clock administration. Play calling. Execution. Lamar Jackson’s progress. All appear to get failing grades. Simply put, can we eliminate offensive coordinator Greg Roman this offseason?
— Peter in Virginia
It all relies on how deep the Ravens can go into the postseason and if they’ve a big improve in offensive manufacturing. At this level, I might say Roman is not going to return as OC subsequent season. I believe there are a selection of disgruntled individuals throughout the group, together with gamers and members of the teaching workers. Unfortunately, all of the issues that you simply talked about haven’t been issues this season however for a few years. It’s in all probability time to breathe some contemporary air and concepts into this offense.
Same as most Ravens followers, I’m involved concerning the offense. But I’m not utterly within the “fire Roman during the season” camp. I don’t suppose it solves something now. But didn’t the Ravens rent a “Pass Game Coordinator” this previous offseason. Not positive what he has been doing however possibly handoff play calling obligation to him?
— Steve
It would make completely no sense to fireside Roman throughout the season. They employed a number of new receivers coaches two years in the past however I’m undecided Harbaugh is able to change Roman proper now. Most individuals prefer to level out that the Ravens fired Cam Cameron, who was changed by Jim Caldwell throughout the staff’s 2012 Super Bowl championship season, however the Ravens don’t have an offensive coach with Caldwell’s intensive background. Also, the circumstances have been totally different — Cameron was fired after the staff’s loss to a despised Washington staff and its proprietor Dan Snyder, and Cameron modified up his sport plan on the day of the sport after coach John Harbaugh had advised proprietor Steve Bisciotti one thing totally different. That mixture led to Cameron’s dismissal.
Also, the Ravens’ forte is working the ball, and that’s what Roman does effectively. You can’t change now, not with J.Ok. Dobbins and Gus Edwards working effectively and the offensive line enjoying at a excessive degree as a result of that’s their specialty, too.
Does it make sense to half manner with Lamar Jackson this offseason to try to institute a brand new offensive mentality and keep away from an enormous, albatross contract? The Ravens are a working staff that doesn’t all the time persist with the run and Lamar appears to be holding again any progress towards buying gamers who would enhance the passing sport. As huge of an LJ fan as I’m, this pains me to ask, however actuality has to set in ultimately.
— Robert Pace
I believe the Ravens do a deal that’s economically sound primarily based on Jackson’s report, work ethic, progress, skill to guide and damage historical past. If they’ll’t come to an settlement, the Ravens will place the franchise tag on him, however there’s a risk they may commerce him. In truth, I’m positive the Ravens have already checked out potential commerce companions, groups that is likely to be making a range within the first 5 picks of the upcoming NFL draft.
If you learn between the strains of Harbaugh’s latest reply about Jackson’s return from a knee sprain after Saturday’s win towards the Atlanta Falcons, he mainly mentioned we’re leaving that as much as medical specialists, and he’s solely involved about those that can play.
Ouch.
I do know this can be untimely, however do you suppose the Ravens might be on the lookout for a top quality quarterback within the 2023 draft? Lamar’s latest accidents, his contract calls for (and obvious displeasure), in addition to his latest play, even when wholesome, don’t bode effectively for his future in Baltimore, though he’s by far the perfect the Ravens have. Neither Tyler Huntley nor Anthony Brown has but proven they might be a top quality No. 1 QB, and there’s a motive why neither was drafted.
— Bob in North Carolina
It’s not untimely. There are some who consider this draft has numerous good quarterbacks and I’m positive the Ravens will get one, possibly not within the first spherical however not less than by the center ones. Don’t prejudge these quarterbacks at the moment on the roster. They are restricted however numerous it’s by design and scheme. With Huntley, generally you see the identical frustration as Jackson in the case of not being allowed to throw downfield. Just about every little thing within the passing sport is dangerous, which is why the Ravens are in want of an overhaul. I do know that neither Brown nor Huntley have been drafted however I’ve seen each carry out higher in coaching camp when the ambiance was relaxed and the offense was extra wide-open.
Quite a lot of followers and a few radio reporters consider we’ll by no means see Lamar play in a Ravens uniform once more. Do you consider that to be true?
— Josh
Josh, I might consider that extra if it got here from sportswriters as an alternative of radio guys. Regardless, I don’t know what is going to occur at this level, however I assure it will likely be an attention-grabbing offseason. According to a number of medical doctors I’ve spoken to, Jackson ought to be capable of return inside 4 to 6 weeks from his damage. We’re getting near that. Now, if he doesn’t return and he hasn’t been in full compliance with the staff’s medical and coaching workers, then there might be main issues.
It’s one thing to keep watch over.
I do know many of the focus today is on the Ravens offense, or lack thereof, however I wished to give attention to particular groups, specifically, Jordan Stout. I do know he’s only a rookie, however NFL punting stats via Week 15, he’s averaging 46.0 yards a punt (twenty third) and 40.9 web yards (twenty first). They spent a fourth-round decide on him, though the Ravens appear to all the time be capable of discover good undrafted kickers and punters with ease. I’m beginning to get Dave Zastudil vibes from him (OK, however not definitely worth the draft decide). What form of grade would you give him to date?
— Paul in Orlando
I’d put him within the C to C+ vary. Like each different participant earlier than him, he’s a rookie and there’s something to be mentioned about studying the league, totally different stadiums and wind variations in every of them. Like all rookies, I’d give him a three- to four-year window to develop. But as a result of the Ravens have been good on particular groups via the years and Harbaugh has that background of working with these items, I’ll give them the good thing about the doubt for drafting Stout within the fourth spherical. Is he Sam Koch? Nope, however possibly we’ve all gotten just a little spoiled with the kicking sport with Koch and kicker Justin Tucker.
With the Lamar Jackson experiment seeming to be a failure together with Harbaugh having just one playoff victory since 2015, exterior of a Super Bowl victory, does Steve Bisciotti push the reset button on the finish of the yr by buying and selling Lamar and firing Harbaugh?
— B Ry
When you say failure, I assume you imply by way of going deep into the postseason and successful a Super Bowl title. Overall, in the event you take a look at Jackson’s report, I wouldn’t name {that a} failure. He has been one of the vital profitable quarterbacks in league historical past so far as his win-loss report in 5 years. The offense isn’t prolific and his progress as a thrower is proscribed, however the time period “failure” doesn’t apply.
Maybe the Ravens half methods with Jackson after the season. As I wrote above, I don’t know. Harbaugh sticks for one more yr however when you begin eliminating coordinators the top coach is all the time the subsequent to go.
The Ravens don’t have numerous weapons offensively. To get essentially the most out of what we’ve got, the Ravens have to be unpredictable at occasions (and I don’t imply giving up on the run after we’ve been decimating groups both). But why not run some units with each J.Ok. Dobbins and Gus Edwards? Give defenses one thing they haven’t seen this yr!
— Greg
Just to have these two in the identical backfield doesn’t make a lot distinction. To me, crucial offensive down for the Ravens is first down as a result of there may be all the time the choice of a play-action move. If you may get 4 or 5 yards on first down, that opens up the playbook. But in the event that they get stopped on first down, their offense turns into restricted due to their small-ball passing assault and lack of weapons.
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Source: www.bostonherald.com