The Ravens introduced the departure of Don “Wink” Martindale as their defensive coordinator Friday night time, however they'd already contacted line of defense coach Anthony Weaver and secondary coach Chris Hewitt about taking on the job, in accordance with a workforce supply with direct data of the state of affairs.
The supply additionally stated that coach John Harbaugh will look exterior the group for potential candidates, however the course of will turn into extra intense heading into subsequent week.
When the Ravens misplaced six straight video games on the finish of the season to fall out of playoff competition, some adjustments had been anticipated. However extra followers wished offensive coordinator Greg Roman to be fired as a substitute of Martindale. In response to the workforce supply, Harbaugh and Martindale met a number of occasions earlier than parting methods, and points such because the size of Martindale’s contract and character conflicts between the coaches may need been components within the transfer.
Martindale’s contract expired on the finish of the 2022 season and he may need wished extra safety. Now he’ll have the ability to take a look at the free-agent market with eight head teaching positions out there. In response to a league supply, Martindale will certainly earn one other alternative as a coordinator within the NFL.
The workforce supply stated Martindale, 58, and Harbaugh had some sturdy disagreements all through the season, greater than in years previous. In interviews, Martindale was blunt and outspoken in contrast with the conservative Harbaugh, who most likely didn’t like Martindale’s verbal photographs on the Cincinnati Bengals, quarterback Joe Burrow and coach Zac Taylor’s offense throughout the previous two seasons.
The Bengals took offense, beating the Ravens, 41-21, on Dec. 26 as Burrow accomplished 37 of 46 passes for 525 yards. There was little doubt that Cincinnati deliberately ran up the rating. The connection between Harbaugh and Martindale was paying homage to Harbaugh’s interactions with former Ravens defensive coordinator Rex Ryan earlier than the cocky Ryan left to turn into head coach of the New York Jets in 2009.
Total, a change was most likely wanted. In three of 4 seasons with Martindale as defensive coordinator, the Ravens completed first, fourth and seventh in whole protection. However the Ravens had been harm plagued in 2021, dropping Professional Bowl cornerback Marcus Peters and beginning defensive finish Derek Wolfe for the season in coaching camp after which security DeShon Elliott and cornerback Marlon Humphrey for in depth time later within the 12 months.
This season, the Ravens’ protection completed twenty fifth total whereas rating final towards the go, permitting 278.9 passing yards per sport. There have been two main issues that Martindale didn't right throughout his tenure.
First, the Ravens by no means developed a prime go rusher, though exterior linebackers Za’Darius Smith and Matthew Judon and defensive finish Yannick Ngakoue had success after they left Baltimore.
Secondly, their go protection appeared to be in disarray, even when their stars had been on the sector. It’s one factor to get beat bodily, nevertheless it’s onerous to just accept the psychological errors when gamers are completely out of place. Even in good years, the secondary struggled for prolonged intervals of time.
Weaver, 41, joined the Ravens as line of defense coach this season after serving one season because the defensive coordinator of the Houston Texans, who had the most effective run defenses within the NFL underneath his watch. He developed shut relationships along with his gamers in Baltimore and got here up with some inventive methods because the Ravens once more had the most effective run defenses within the NFL. As a defensive finish, Weaver performed for the Ravens from 2002 to 2005.
Hewitt, 47, has 13 years of teaching expertise and has been in control of the secondary for seven years. All through the workforce’s historical past, the Ravens have employed a number of coordinators from throughout the group, together with Rex Ryan, Greg Mattison, Chuck Pagano, Dean Pees and Martindale.
The Ravens may also have a look at Joe Cullen, their former line of defense coach who served because the Jacksonville Jaguars’ defensive coordinator in 2021. Mike Macdonald, their former linebackers coach, had a powerful season as Michigan’s defensive coordinator. However the Ravens received’t get severe about Macdonald until Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh leaves for a job within the NFL. As of late Friday night time, the Ravens had not contacted Cullen, in accordance with a league supply.
Regardless, teaching this protection received’t be simple. Initially, Peters, Humphrey and Elliot have to point out they'll bounce again from accidents. The Ravens want an infusion of younger expertise on their line of defense and have to seek out some linebackers after disappointing seasons from second-year gamers Patrick Queen and Malik Harrison.
Rebuilding this protection goes to take a while, and that wasn’t on Martindale’s aspect. His contract was set to run out on the finish of subsequent season.
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