Tag: Patrick Ricard

Patrick Ricard believes Ravens can be efficient out of heavy personnel sets

Ravens fullback Patrick Ricard believes the team can be effective out of their heavy personnel groupings

The Baltimore Ravens lost to the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 1 of the 2024 season by the final score of 27-20. The team saw success with running back Derrick Henry on the first drive of the game but only utilized him sparingly after that.

Baltimore found success running out of its heavy personnel early in the game, which it should try to do more often over the course of games. Ravens fullback Patrick Ricard spoke on Baltimore’s use of its heavy personnel, saying that it can be very efficient but does not take away from everything else the offense can do.

“I think very. It all depends. We’re going to see. But yes, when you have two big-body guys like that [Isaiah Likely and Mark Andrews] who can get open, who can make difficult catches and are hard to bring down, I think it’s going to be very efficient, but it’s not going to take away from everything else that we’re going to do.”

Baltimore brought in Henry for a reason, and while head coach John Harbaugh made it clear that he isn’t getting 30 carries per game, he should be the focal point on the ground, particularly in heavy looks. Add in tight ends Mark Andrews and Isaiah Likely who can do damage through the air, The Ravens should be looking to capitalize in every way they can with heavier sets all season long.

Ravens FB Patrick Ricard talks about ‘incredible’ size and speed of RB Derrick Henry

Ravens fullback Patrick Ricard talked about the “incredible” size and speed of running back Derrick Henry

The Baltimore Ravens signed running back Derrick Henry to a two-year deal worth $16 million during the 2024 offseason. The team will rely on him significantly during the year, especially alongside quarterback Lamar Jackson.

Henry found the end zone in his first game as a Raven, showing why Baltimore brought him in. Ravens fullback Patrick Ricard talked about Henry’s size, mentioning how his unique blend of size and speed makes him such a special player.

“OK, so it’s a little weird, but if you look at Derrick [Henry], he’s a lot of legs. Like, he has very, very long legs, so I think that is why he’s very fast, very explosive [and] very hard to bring down, because when you are moving those big legs, it’s really hard to bring down. But yes, it’s just incredible how he has that size with that speed. That’s why he’s so special.”

Henry wasn’t utilized much after Baltimore’s first offensive possession of their Week 1 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs, and multiple contributing factors contributed to that. However, the team should be able to use him much more going forward, especially as the season continues.

Ravens FB Patrick Ricard building chemistry with RB Derrick Henry

Ravens fullback Patrick Ricard is building chemistry with running back Derrick Henry

The Baltimore Ravens have assembled an incredible one-two punch in their offensive backfield with quarterback Lamar Jackson and running back Derrick Henry. The two should cause plenty of problems for opposing defenses, from Week 1 all the way to the end of the year.

Ravens fullback Patrick Ricard was asked about Henry, and had great things to say about his new teammate. He talked about his it’s been good to get in practices with the veteran, especially as they continue to build chemistry.

“It’s nice to finally get to practice together and kind of see what plays [Derrick Henry] likes, and he told me he likes every running play, so it makes it easy. For me it’s just to kind of see what he sees in terms of the flow of how the run play kind of develops and how I should hit the hole to get my guy so he can run off of it; it’s little things like that. I mean, with a [running] back like him, it just makes you want to just hit someone even harder [and] push him even a little bit further, because he’s a big guy. He’s got to run through there, but he’ll run through it, so as long as I can move a guy, we’ll be all good.”

Henry and Ricard is a massive duo to try and bring down, which opposing defenses are likely to find out the hard way. Both players are almost impossible to bring down, and Ricard should be able to clear plenty of pathways for the veteran.

Ravens vs. Packers: Top photos from preseason finale at Lambeau Field

We’re looking at the top photos from the Baltimore Ravens preseason loss to the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field

It’s only the preseason, but the Ravens will head towards the 53-man roster cutdown date with a sour taste after a 30-7 loss to the Packers at Lambeau Field on Saturday afternoon. Josh Johnson was 5-7 for 71 yards and one passing touchdown, while Michael Pratt led Green Bay in passing, going 8-12 for 80 yards and one touchdown. The Packers were dominant on the ground, amassing 193 rushing yards, as Ellis Merriweather led all ball carriers with 16 yards for 74 yards. The Packers held the ball for nearly ten minutes longer than the Ravens and out-gained Baltimore by 326 yards to 177 for John Harbaugh’s bunch. With Baltimore now turning its attention toward the Chiefs, here’s an instant analysis of the loss. ***

Ravens vs. Falcons: Top photos from Baltimore’s 13-12 win in preseason Week 2

We’re looking at the top photos from the Baltimore Ravens 13-12 win over the Atlanta Falcons in the preseason Week 2 matchup

Backup quarterback Josh Johnson was perfect on the afternoon, and rookie Emory Jones added a 56-yard touchdown throw to Dayton Wade in the second half to lift the Baltimore Ravens to a 13-12 victory over the Atlanta Falcons on Saturday at M&T Bank Stadium.  The Ravens snapped a three-game preseason losing streak, while Atlanta had 343 yards of total offense but was 4-13 on third downs. Baltimore had another putrid day on the ground, rushing for 71 yards on 30 attempts.  With the team set to start preparation for the preseason finale, here are the top photos from the win over Atlanta. ***

Ravens OC Todd Monken must get Zay Flowers more 1-on-1 opportunities

Baltimore Ravens WR Zay Flowers produced 387 YAC on just 77 receptions last season.

Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Zay Flowers has a dynamic skill set that must be adequately utilized in 2024. Ravens offensive coordinator Todd Monken should strategize ways to scheme Flowers into more 1-on-1 opportunities at the intermediate and third levels in the passing game.

Ultimately, Monken must force opponents out of Dime and Nickel personnel to give Flowers more one-on-one opportunities. Monken can do this by deploying 22 personnel, three tight ends, and one wide receiver sets. 

Flowers is best when he has space to operate on the outside. Yet, when Monken deploys three—and four-receiver sets, the field becomes cluttered, and defenses can sit in zone coverage.

Impressively, Flowers produced 387 YAC on just 77 receptions last season within an offense with the second-fewest pass attempts in the NFL. 

Monken should focus on establishing the run and then deferring to the pass on second and third downs when the Ravens offense has shorter lines to gain. Creating explosive passing plays with Flowers can be the astronomical ingredient to perfect the Ravens’ offensive attack in 2024.

Top photos from Ravens 16-13 loss to Eagles in preseason opener

We’re looking at the top photos from the Baltimore Ravens 16-13 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles in the preseason opener at M&T Bank Stadium

The Ravens returned to the field for live game action for the first time since their heartbreaking, 17-10 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC title game.

Baltimore hosted Philadelphia at M&T Bank Stadium, with both teams on similar arcs, and championship paths. Starting quarterback Lamar Jackson sat out along with key starters on both sides of the football.

Eagles kicker Jake Elliott made a 49-yard field goal with no time remaining to give the Philadelphia Eagles a 16-13 victory after Baltimore quarterback Emory Jones — who had just entered the game — was sacked and fumbled on the next play.

The recovery by Patrick Johnson gave Elliott his final opportunity of the night.

With Baltimore set to start preparation for the Falcons in the second week of the preseason, we’re looking at the top photos from Friday night.

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Ravens tight end coach George Godsey praises Charlie Kolar ahead of his third season

Ravens tight end coach George Godsey praises Charlie Kolar ahead of his third season

The Baltimore Ravens are arguably the league’s best tight end group, with Mark Andrews being one of the NFL’s best at the position and Isaiah likely emerging as a legitimate weapon in the passing attack last season. Lost in the shuffle behind those two is third-year tight end Charlie Kolar, who was drafted 11 picks ahead of Likely in the fourth round of the 2022 NFL Draft.

Ravens tight end coach George Godsey had high praise for Kolar ahead of his third season.

“I think you’re going to see a big jump from him,” Godsey said. “He’s made a huge [stride] from, not only just Year One to [Year] Two, but now [Year] Two to [Year] Three. I think you’re going to see a big jump – he’s working extra, again he’s another guy that’s capable of taking in a lot of information – both in the run game and the pass game. He’s going to make his mark physically at the line of scrimmage controlling the defender. I’m excited about what he’s doing.”

It will be hard for Kolar to find targets in the passing game behind Andrews and Likely, but he could carve out a more significant role as an inline blocker. While Todd Monken’s offense is not as tight-end-heavy as previous offensive coordinator Greg Roman’s, Baltimore remains committed to producing a dominant rushing attack, evidenced by signing veteran running back Derrick Henry in free agency this offseason. This leaves a part for players like Kolar and fullback Patrick Ricard to play in the offense.

Ravens training camp: Top photos from Day 5 of practice

We’re looking at the top photos from Day 5 of Baltimore Ravens training camp practices

The Ravens had a day off from training camp on Thursday but returned to the Under Armour Performance Center on Friday and Saturday for their first two full-padded summer practices. Lamar Jackson returned to the lineup after a medical evaluation for flu-like symptoms. At the same time, the team honored the late Jacoby Jones on the day that family and friends traveled to New Orleans for his funeral services. With Sunday’s practice quickly approaching, here are takeaways and notes from Saturday’s session. ***

Ravens initial 90-man roster arranged by uniform number ahead of training camp

Baltimore Ravens’ 90-man roster at the start of 2024 training camp

The Baltimore Ravens have officially reported to the Under Armour Performance Center for the start of training camp with the first practice scheduled for Sunday morning.

There will be starting jobs and roster spots up for grabs, which should make for some intriguing position battles throughout camp and the preseason.

Currently, the Ravens have 90 players on their roster, and that will be trimmed down to 53 ahead of the start of the regular season, and by August 27.

With training camp underway, here’s an updated look at the Ravenss’ initial 90-man roster at the start of training camp, organized by jersey number.