Baltimore Solar columnist Mike Preston will reply followers’ questions all through the Ravens season. Contemporary off Baltimore’s 23-20 Week 4 loss to the Buffalo Payments, loads of questions stay with the reigning AFC champion Cincinnati Bengals coming to city for a “Sunday Evening Soccer” showdown.
Right here’s Preston’s take:
(Editor’s word: Questions have been edited for size and readability)
Mike, please inform me the qualifications Mike MacDonald has for being the defensive coordinator moreover being a present to the Ravens from John Harbaugh’s brother. The protection appears to be worse than ever. Based mostly on Harbaugh’s determination to go for a landing on fourth down reasonably than a discipline objective, it reveals he has no confidence in his protection to carry the Payments’ offense. Martindale have to be laughing in New York since he's the one who took the autumn after final season for the poor protection as a consequence of all of the defensive accidents.
— Bob Kronberg
Mike Preston: If there may be one factor I've discovered from former Ravens basic supervisor Ozzie Newsome since protecting this workforce in 1996, it’s persistence. Newsome was all the time prepared to offer his assistant coaches, entrance workplace employees and gamers time to enhance and develop. Earlier than coaching camp began, I wrote that due to some newly employed coaches and gamers getting back from main accidents, it could take three or 4 video games to determine the place this workforce is headed.
Proper now, the Ravens are in the identical state of affairs as most groups within the NFL. Few groups are enjoying at a persistently excessive stage.
Bob, if you happen to thought Macdonald was going to stroll in and wave a magic wand to make issues considerably higher, you then had been manner off base. Again in 1996, it took then-coordinator Marvin Lewis two or three years to straighten out his protection as a result of they had been used to enjoying the fashion taught to them by former Cleveland coach Invoice Belichick.
I don’t know all of Macdonald’s pedigree, however he spent seven years in Baltimore as an assistant earlier than going to Michigan, which implies he spent a variety of time working in mainly the identical strain system instituted by Lewis and different former coordinators corresponding to Rex Ryan and Martindale. I anticipated to see communication issues, particularly on the again finish, as a result of many of the starters had been held out of preseason video games and each coordinator needs to place his signature on his protection. The Ravens haven’t dissatisfied as a result of they give the impression of being as unorganized because the outdated Keystone Cops.
Nicely, let’s see if that adjustments.
Macdonald can’t be blamed for a few of the workforce’s different defensive shortcomings. Each inside and outdoors linebacker play has been poor, a lot in order that outdoors linebacker Jason Pierre-Paul performed all however 9 snaps in opposition to the Payments regardless of not having a full week of observe. That’s an indictment in itself.
The Ravens play tight protection for almost a half, however then lose focus as soon as the opposite groups regulate. The move rush has been poor for about 4 years now, and sure, I'd have gambled on deciding on a move rusher within the first spherical as an alternative of taking Notre Dame security Kyle Hamilton.
With all that mentioned, the Ravens had the worst move protection within the NFL final yr, they usually rank final once more to date this season. This isn’t Main League Baseball, the place you possibly can convey up some minor league prospect to assist. This employees has to work by means of it and discover the strengths and weaknesses of its gamers. We are able to level fingers at what went fallacious and who was in charge on the finish of the season. All you are able to do now could be simply hope and wait.
Within the 2012 season, it was reported Harbaugh nearly misplaced the locker room. Any likelihood of that taking place right here? I do know it’s soccer and feelings are excessive, however you don’t see these sideline blowups between coach and participant from the Ravens.
— Jay Parker
Preston: Oh, I’ve seen blowups earlier than between assistant coaches and a participant, however by no means a head coach and a participant. Assistant or place coaches are often the buffer and liaison between the top coach and the respective gamers, which is why cornerback Marcus Peters’ blow-up on the sideline Sunday with Harbaugh was so unusual. I perceive the feelings and tempers flaring however trying to get within the face of a head coach is a serious no-no within the NFL.
I by no means thought Harbaugh was near dropping his locker room in 2012. Harbaugh is an old-school coach who believes in onerous work, workforce and self-discipline. He was employed by proprietor Steve Bisciotti to revive a much-needed work ethic as a result of the Ravens had gotten away from that below Harbaugh’s predecessor, Brian Billick. However in 2012, the Ravens had some veterans — linebacker Ray Lewis, security Ed Reed, receiver Anquan Boldin and security Bernard Pollard — who had been used to doing it their very own manner. It was pure for them to “bump heads” with Harbaugh however they put their variations apart as a result of they wished to win a Tremendous Bowl.
After that occurred, it was time for the nice departure of these alpha males.
Within the case of Peters, it was good to see a participant present some emotion and care as a result of clearly Harbaugh has no religion in his protection, which is why he gambled on that fourth-down name late within the sport. Harbaugh must be cautious to not let this case fester as a result of Peters is revered within the locker room and might affect younger gamers.
Harbaugh is sensible sufficient to determine that out and the 2 will come to some sort of decision. If not, that might turn into a serious downside within the months forward.
Mike, since Lamar Jackson entered the league, the groups you'll want to beat to get to the Tremendous Bowl within the AFC are the Payments, Titans, and Chiefs. Embrace the Steelers as a result of they're the Ravens’ archrival. Lamar’s in his fifth yr and he’s solely overwhelmed these groups one time every. Is it time to start out asking the query (or previous the time) if he can win the massive video games on the largest stage?
— Jason in Federal Hill
Preston: I’ve been asking two comparable questions for 2 years now. One, can Jackson take the Ravens deep into the postseason? And two, can he win a Tremendous Bowl? He has executed nearly every thing else so far as coaching, conditioning and movie research to enhance his general sport, however there may be nonetheless doubt about him with the ability to win large video games in crunch time along with his arm. Jackson needs a brand new contract however for the sort of cash he's demanding, he wants to point out he can win large within the postseason. Former Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco did in 2012, after which the Ravens made him the highest-paid quarterback within the NFL.
To me, if you wish to receives a commission large then you must ship large, though I’m nonetheless undecided I'd give Jackson a totally assured contract.
Why is it that my household and I can simply predict if the Ravens are operating or throwing primarily based on their offensive formation? If we are able to see it, I assume a skilled NFL eye can simply predict what they're doing. How is Greg Roman regarded amongst his friends? Are most groups with an electrical operating and throwing quarterback operating double tights and incorporating a fullback into their assault?
— Jesse Walker
Preston: I've had some issues with Greg Roman’s offenses previously however not this yr. Proper now, the Ravens are averaging 359.3 yards per sport — 217.3 passing and 142 speeding. They're additionally averaging 29.8 factors.
What’s to not like?
I’m not ecstatic about a few of Roman’s calls on short-yardage conditions and would like he run 300-pound fullback Patrick Ricard up the intestine for a yard or two or put Jackson out on the sting extra in some run-pass-option performs. General, although, the Ravens have been profitable.
So far as the double tights and incorporating a fullback, most offenses ought to be capable to muscle up and achieve short-yardage conditions. I just like the Ravens’ offense being multi-dimensional.
But when this offense goes to take one other main step, Jackson has to be taught to have the ability to learn and throw to the surface areas of the sphere.
In hindsight, do you assume a defensive finish like George Karlaftis ought to have been one of many two first-round picks this yr? I’ll admit he didn’t wow me popping out of Purdue, however watching him with the Chiefs, he appears fairly relentless on the market. Up to now, looks like Kyle Hamilton’s presence has been extra of a luxurious than want, particularly in mild that we by no means ended up buying and selling Chuck Clark, and Hamilton’s snap depend appears to have gone down because the Dolphins sport.
— Paul from Orlando
Preston: As said above, I'd have taken a move rusher. One of many keys to having a terrific protection is with the ability to get strain with the entrance 4 so a protection can drop seven gamers into protection. Regardless, the Ravens turned enamored with Hamilton, though they have already got Chuck Clark and Marcus Williams on the roster. Additionally they chosen cornerbacks Jayln Armour-Davis and Damarion Williams within the fourth spherical. However the issue is that defensive backs will get uncovered if quarterbacks are given time to throw.
The Ravens caught with their mantra of taking the very best participant out there, however on this state of affairs, it could’ve been good to “attain” on a move rusher.
Mike, what's the standing of tight finish Nick Boyle? He's not even sniffing the sphere today. Is it bodily or is he within the coach’s doghouse?
— Dan in Elkton
Preston: Dan, to be trustworthy, I feel Boyle is considered one of Harbaugh’s favourite gamers, and the workforce is rewarding him for getting back from main knee surgical procedure after his November 2020 harm. The man has labored onerous to return, however I noticed him struggling to catch the ball and limping after main cuts throughout coaching camp. He has executed nothing fallacious to be put in Harbaugh’s doghouse.
Have a query for Mike Preston? E-mail sports activities@baltsun.com with “Ravens mailbag” within the topic line and it may very well be answered in The Baltimore Solar.
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