Tag: NFL Training Camp 2024

Is Todd Monken the best OC Lamar Jackson has had in Baltimore?

Under OC Todd Monken, Baltimore Ravens QB Lamar Jackson has seen an increase in completion percentage and decrease in fumbles.

The Baltimore Ravens ranked No. 4 in the NFL in points per game last season, their highest ranking since 2019. The dynamics in offensive coordinator Todd Monken’s scheme mesh well with the team. Is Monken the best offensive coordinator quarterback Lamar Jackson has had?

Jackson finished the 2023-24 NFL season with a completion percentage of 67.2, the highest in his career. Monken has intentionally gotten Jackson quick read out of the backfield, frequently working him in three-step drop pass concepts that allow him to play rhythmically.

Monken has also found ways to get the ball to team-leading wide receiver Zay Flowers on quick hitches, crossing, and screen routes. Flowers produced 858 receiving yards on just 77 receptions in his rookie season, or 11.1 yards per catch.

Unlike in Jackson’s 2019 MVP season, Monken has found ways to lessen Jackson’s tendency to run as a last resort. Instead, Monken has designed runs specifically for Jackson in short-yardage situations and inside the red zone. The designed runs for Jackson have helped him decrease his fumble totals, a problem fans saw frequently early in his career.

Lastly, Jackson has a powerhouse to hand the ball off to Derrick Henry, running back. Henry’s expected high volume will preserve Jackson’s run-threat ability, making him even more explosive down the stretch in games when defensive attrition begins to set in. Hiring Monken has ultimately paid dividends for the Ravens.

New York Jets DT Quinnen Williams may increase sack total in 2024

If the New York Jets are able establish scoring leads, DT Quinnen Williams may have more chances to let loose in the pass rush in 2024.

New York Jets defensive tackle Quinnen Williams totaled just 5.5 sacks last season. However, a dynamic change in the Jets’ offensive play style may lead to an increase in sack opportunities for Williams in 2024.

The Jets ranked No. 7 in the NFL with 48 sacks last season and Williams wasn’t even the reckoned force leading the team in such category. Defensive end Bryce Huff and linebacker Jermaine Johnson were the catalyst behind the Jets’ pass rush. Williams, often faced with a double team, has however been pivotal setting picks in defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich’s blitz scheme.

Moreover, with a third-down conversion rate of 25%, the Jets offense practically left its defense out on a limb last season. With an inability to sustain offensive drives, Williams’ and the Jets’ defense spent more time defending the run as last year, as opponents sought to salt games away and dictate time of possession.

Offensive Coordinator Nathaniel Hackett will be intentional about fixing offensive woes and this may yield an increase in points per game for the Jets. Thus, ff the Jets are able to sustain scoring leads this season, this may force opponents into more passing situations, giving Williams a chance to let loose in the pass rush.

Ravens defensive backs may benefit from upcoming joint-practice vs. Packers

With Green Bay Packers QB Jordan Love ranked No. 2 in the NFL pass TD’s last year, joint practice may benefit the Baltimore Ravens DB’s.

Did you know Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love ranked No. 2 in pass touchdowns and No. 7 in passing yards last season? Perhaps the Baltimore Ravens will benefit by having their defensive backs run practice reps in Wisconsin next month.

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Keep a close eye on rookie defensive backs Nate Wiggins and T.J. Tampa in the upcoming joint practice with the Packers. The Packers’ wide receiving core includes Christian Watson, Romeo Doubs, Jayden Reed, and Dontayvion Wicks, targets shown to be serviceable in head coach Matt LaFleur’s offense.

With the addition of running back Josh Jacobs, the Packers will be the perfect offense for the Ravens to test their defense versus play-action. 

Ravens inside linebacker Roquan Smith will be responsible for familiarizing the rookies with pre-snap identifiers and playcalling. With new intricacies to be introduced in defensive coordinator Zach Orr’s playbook, the rookies must prepare by studying film and getting many practice reps.

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The Ravens will get back to it when training camp begins Jul. 20. Orr knows that with the departure of a few key players on defense, the world will be watching to see how the team reinvigorates. 

Do the Ravens still believe in head coach John Harbaugh?

Did you know Ravens HC John Harbaugh owns the record for the most road playoff wins (eight) by a head coach in NFL history?

Few franchises around the NFL have shown long-term faithfulness to their head coach. However, entering his 16th season as the Baltimore Ravens head coach, John Harbaugh has been an exception to that practice.

Let’s pretend Harbaugh didn’t coach quarterback Joe Flacco into stardom despite the waves of criticism at the end of the 2012-2013 season. Flacco’s development almost backfired on Harbaugh, as he won the AP NFL Comeback Player of the Year award and saved the Cleveland Browns’ season last year.

The Ravens finished just 10-6 that year, but Harbaugh won two straight road games versus Peyton Manning and Tom Brady before winning Super Bowl XLVII. The unforgettable glory is worth mentioning.

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Harbaugh has had noticeable success in the NFL and owns the record for the most road playoff wins (eight) by a head coach in NFL history. While Harbaugh has lost a few AFC Championship games, he closed the deal the first time he made the Super Bowl.

Harbaugh was one win away from playing in Super Bowl LVIII, and his optimism has wavered. The franchise believes Harbaugh can and will return the Ravens to the AFC Championship this year. The road to redemption sits right before this team that came up short this past winter.