Browns DC Jim Schwartz named AP 2023 NFL Assistant Coach of the Year

Cleveland Browns DC Jim Schwartz named AP 2023 NFL Assistant Coach of the Year over Ravens Todd Monken and former Ravens DC Mike Macdonald

Browns defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz was named the Associated Press 2023 NFL Assistant Coach of the Year on Thursday night at NFL Honors in Las Vegas.

Schwartz’s defense in Cleveland finished first in the league in yards allowed (270.2 per game), tied for fifth in takeaways (28) and sixth in sacks (49) in 2023.

In 2022, the Browns allowed 331.2 YPG, with ten takeaways and 34 sacks — Schwartz’s first year in Cleveland.

Baltimore had the NFL’s most talked about defense, but the Browns led the league in first downs allowed (253), third-down conversion rate (29.1%), and fourth-down conversion rate (40%). In comparison, opposing offenses were forced into three-and-outs on 48.6% of total drives against Cleveland, which ranked best in the NFL, per NFL Research.

Schwartz beat out former Ravens DC Mike Macdonald, Lions OC Ben Johnson, Texans OC Bobby Slowik, and current Ravens OC Todd Monken for the award.

Pair of former UGA coaches nominated for NFL assistant coach of the year award

Pair of former Georgia football coaches nominated for prestigious NFL assistant coach of the year award

Two former Georgia football coaches have been nominated to win the AP Assistant Coach of the Year award.

Former Georgia offensive coordinator Todd Monken called a lot of great games throughout the 2023 NFL season. Monken, who is the Baltimore Ravens’ offensive coordinator, helped star quarterback Lamar Jackson put together a MVP season before the Ravens lost to the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC championship game.

Additionally, Baltimore’s defensive coordinator, Mike Macdonald, coached at Georgia from 2010-2013 under Mark Richt. The Ravens had one of the best defenses in the NFL. Baltimore had a great defensive performance to hold Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs to 17 points in the AFC title game.

Monken and Macdonald are two of five nominees to win the AP Assistant Coach of the Year award. They join Houston Texans offensive coordinator, Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson, and Cleveland Browns defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz as the five nominees.

The NFL Honors take place on Feb. 8 at 9:00 p.m. ET in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Are we ready to be honest about Lamar Jackson?

Baltimore Ravens QB Lamar Jackson was unimpressive in the AFC championship game, and it’s time to be honest about his shortcomings.

After Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson lost again in the playoffs, it’s time to be honest about his shortcomings.

While offensive coordinator Todd Monken does deserve some blame for abandoning the running game, is Monken wrong for expecting his “MVP” to complete passes with accuracy and timing on three-step drops? Furthermore, Monken’s quick passing attack was the correct counter to the blitz scheme of Kansas City Chiefs defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo.

Jackson’s play was pedestrian at best, holding the ball too long in the pocket, dropping back 15-plus yards aimlessly on the first play, and throwing into triple coverage at a crucial point of the game. The Ravens were 3 of 11 on third down. Jackson went 20 for 37 through the air and was sacked four times, losing a fumble on one of them.

As a result of Jackson’s inability to lead the offense, the Ravens defense had to be on the field for 73 snaps. After shutting the Chiefs down entirely in the second half, the Ravens still had to wake up to the false narrative that Patrick Mahomes carved them up. Defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald didn’t even speak to the media before he decided to skip town.

Instead of presuming the Ravens will be back next season, Jackson needs to process the loss and know that the AFC North will be a much more challenging road in 2024. Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow will return from injury, and the Cleveland Browns will have running back Nick Chubb back from injury.

The Ravens didn’t sign Jackson to a five-year, $260 million contract last offseason for empty promises at the podium, locker room dance moves or his ability to win the MVP award. Jackson must improve his game as a pocket passer. It’s time to hold him accountable.

4-Down Territory: Dan Campbell. Ravens’ offense, Kyle Shanahan, Worst of the Week

Dan Campbell, Lamar Jackson, Kyle Shanahan, and the Worst of the Week! All up in this week’s “4-Down Territory!”

Now that Super Bowl LVIII is set between the Kansas City Chiefs and the San Francisco 49ers, it’s time once again for Doug Farrar of Touchdown Wire, and Kyle Madson of Niners Wire, to come to the table with their own unique brand of analysis in “4-Down Territory.”

This week, the guys have some serious questions to answer:

  1. Should Dan Campbell be pilloried for his fourth-down decisions?
  2. What have we learned about the Baltimore Ravens after their AFC Championship game loss?
  3. Why should Kyle Shanahan have more faith in a possible first Lombardi Trophy?
  4. What was our Worst of the Week?

You can watch this week’s “4-Down Territory” right here:

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You can also listen and subscribe to the “4-Down Territory” podcast on Spotify…

and on Apple Podcasts.

Todd Monken deserves blame for Ravens loss in AFC Championship

Offensive Coordinator Todd Monken completely abandoned the No. 1 ranked Ravens rush attack in the AFC Championship.

The Baltimore Ravens ranked No. 1 in rush yards per game all season long. Yet, offensive coordinator Todd Monken opted for 37 pass plays in the AFC Championship.

If Monken thought Kansas City Chiefs’ defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo wouldn’t blitz his generic shotgun attack, think again. Quarterback Lamar Jackson struggled versus the Chiefs’ blitz all afternoon being sacked four times. Yet, instead of opting to run the ball to gain tempo, Monken insisted on reaching for home-run plays through the air.

Baltimore loss the time of possession stat 37:20 to 22:30, meaning, Monken basically left the Ravens’ defense out to rot.


Fueled by frustration, and endless trash talk from Chiefs tight-end Travis Kelce, linebacker Roquan Smith and the Ravens’ defense rendered some penalties. Still, Smith and the Ravens’ defense held the Chiefs to just 17 total points and a 2nd-half shutout through 73 plays (incredible).

 
 
 
 
 
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Considering that this was Monken’s first-season making it this far in the NFL Playoffs, grace will be extended on his behalf. Hopefully he uses this experience as a compel to data-dump his ideals and call the plays that actually fit into the teams personnel.

The Ravens’ bizarre offensive game plan cost them a trip to the Super Bowl

The Baltimore Ravens fell to the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday, and their offensive game plan was a big reason why.

Often times in the NFL, coaches can overthink themselves and not learn from the peers around them, perhaps thinking they can outsmart what is right in front of them. It was a painful reminder for Baltimore Ravens fans everywhere that sometimes you should stick with the obvious, if the obvious works. In a heart breaking loss to the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC Championship game, offensive coordinator Todd Monken and this Ravens offense decided to stray away from their biggest strength and the Chiefs’ biggest weakness.

Just last weekend we saw the Buffalo Bills pound the rock directly down the gullet of Kansas City to the tune of 192 yards on 39 carries. While the Bills of course did not ultimately win the game, it was a brilliant yet simplistic strategy that may have been one missed kick away from working. There is little doubt the Baltimore offensive coaching staff watched that game and saw what the Chiefs did and did not do well against Buffalo, so it leaves a bit of a head scratcher as to why one of the best running games in the NFL was suddenly turned away from on the biggest stage.

The Ravens were third in offensive rush efficiency on the year and yet only ended up running the ball eighteen times in a game that was never really out of hand at any point. The Chiefs on the year were giving up 4.5 yards a run and were clearly susceptible to a running attack, even if they were paying extra attention to the running game it’s still an area you needed to attack.

It truly becomes head-scratching as to why the Ravens didn’t hand the ball off more to Gus Edwards who averaged 6.7 yards on his three carries or dialed up more designed quarterback runs. It’s a sobering reminder that sometimes the answers are right in front of you, and to go into a game with a different set of ideas than the obvious can lead to a game getting away from you.

Ravens had better start running the ball if they want to advance to the Super Bowl

The Ravens’ surprising decision to go away from their run game has allowed an iffy Chiefs run defense to thrive.

With a 17-7 deficit at the end of the first half in their AFC Championship matchup against the Kansas City Chiefs, the one-seed Baltimore Ravens had better make a couple of corrections in the second half. Covering Travis Kelce would be a great idea; Kelce had nine catches on nine targets for 96 yards and a touchdown in the first half. But it’s Baltimore’s reluctance to run the ball on a consistent basis that really makes no sense.

In the first half, the Ravens ran just nine times for 46 yards, and 27 yards came from quarterback Lamar Jackson on four carries. Running back GUs Edwards had just one carry… for 15 yards. This makes little sense. Coming into this game, the Ravens ranked first in rushing yards per game (157) and rushing yards per attempt (5.9), while the Chiefs came into this one ranked 17th in rushing yards allowed per game (117), and 24th in rushing yards per attempt allowed (5.0). .

With all of Steve Spagnuolo’s creative blitzes, and the extent to which the Chiefs play dime defense behind them, this is a weakness that Baltimore offensive coordinator Todd Monken must exploit if the Ravens are to advance to Super Bowl LVIII.

Lamar Jackson may end Chiefs dynasty in AFC Championship

Ravens QB Lamar Jackson will look to end the Chiefs and advance to Super Bowl LVIII on Sunday.

Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson will make his first-ever appearance in the AFC Championship with a chance to end Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs’ reigning dynasty.

Kansas City Chiefs’ defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo better have an answer for Jackson Sunday. The Ravens average 4.9 yards per carry, using a committee of running backs to wear down opponents. Jackson led the Ravens with  821 rush yards on 148 carries this season. That’s 5.5 yards per attempt.

The Chiefs are allowing 4.5 yards per carry on defense and the Ravens rank No. 2 in the NFL in rushing touchdowns with 26.

Ravens’ offensive coordinator Todd Monken knows how to use the run game in moderation. Monken likes to call on Jackson in the Red Zone but the Chiefs have only allowed 10 rushing touchdowns this year.

Jackson and Monken will want to use the run and intermediate/quick pass game to sustain offensive drives.

Unlike in the past, Jackson now has a plethora of wide receivers, tight ends, and running backs to distribute the ball in the passing game.

Jackson will look to end the Chiefs and advance to Super Bowl LVIII on Sunday.

Lamar Jackson named a finalist for MVP; Ravens have three coaches up for AP awards

Lamar Jackson named a finalist for NFL MVP; John Harbaugh a finalist for Coach of the Year, Todd Monken-Mike Macdonald finalist for Assistant Coach of the Year

The NFL and The Associated Press have announced the finalists for their annual awards for the 2023 NFL season.

Lamar Jackson, Christian McCaffrey and Dak Prescott are finalists for The Associated Press 2023 NFL Most Valuable Player and Offensive Player of the Year awards. Head coach John Harbaugh is a finalist for the AP Coach of the Year, while coordinators Mike Macdonald and Todd Monken are finalist for the AP Assistant Coach of the Year awards.

A nationwide panel of 50 media members who regularly cover the league completed voting before the playoffs began.

Award winners will be announced at NFL Honors presented by Invisalign, an Align Technology brand, on Thursday, Feb. 8 at the Resorts World Theatre in Las Vegas. NFL Honors, the league’s primetime awards special, will air live at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT on the CBS Television Network and NFL Network and stream live on Paramount+ and NFL+. The program may not air live in all time zones.

The full list of awards and finalists include:

Report: Panthers ‘really high’ on 4 to 5 HC candidates

Per ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, the Panthers are “really high” on a handful of names in this year’s HC search.

This year’s head-coaching search has been heating up for the Carolina Panthers.

According to ESPN senior NFL reporter Jeremy Fowler, the organization may be zeroing in on a handful of favorites. He wrote the following about the latest league-wide buzz on Thursday:

I’m hearing the Panthers have four or five candidates they are really high on. One is Buccaneers offensive coordinator Dave Canales, who interviewed Wednesday afternoon in Charlotte. Canales’ offense caught fire late in the season, his work with quarterbacks is strong, and he learned under Carroll for 13 years. The word is owner David Tepper is also intrigued by Ravens offensive coordinator Todd Monken, who is eligible to interview after this week. Evero — the in-house candidate — interviewed twice, and Carolina has long targeted Ben Johnson, though I haven’t heard much momentum there at this point. He’s going to have options.

Canales and Evero reportedly both received second, in-person interviews this week. Monken, meanwhile, has had one known interview and Johnson, whose Detroit Lions are prepping for the NFC title game, cannot speak with the team again until Jan. 29.

Fowler also notes that former Tennessee Titans head coach Mike Vrabel, who is expected to meet with the Panthers today, could be a “wild card” candidate given how much owner David Tepper values leadership. Vrabel was dismissed after a six-year run in Tennessee, one that resulted in a 54-45 record and three playoff appearances.

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