Tag: Todd Monken

Ravens vs. Steelers: Derrick Henry and Najee Harris may impact tempo

Both Baltimore Ravens HB Derrick Henry and Pittsburgh Steelers HB Najee Harris rank top ten in rushing attempts for the 2024 season.

Both Baltimore Ravens running back Derrick Henry and Pittsburgh Steelers running back Najee Harris rank in the top ten in rush attempts for the 2024 season. Henry ranks No. 1 with 184 attempts while Harris has 157, sitting at No. 8. In their week 11 AFC North divisional matchup, which running back will dictate the pace?

Sunday’s forecast may yield gloomy weather as the Steelers look to remain ahead of their rival in the AFC. Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin has already expressed a concern with defending the very deep depth chart of the  Ravens offense. So, expect Tomlin to rely on Harris and reserve running back Jaylen Warren to feature numerous carries versus the Ravens’ No. 1 ranked rush defense.

Henry’s usage may actually be more critical for the Ravens if his team wants to prevail on the road. With Steelers linebacker T.J. Watt’s pass-rushing threat, Ravens’ offensive coordinator Todd Monken cannot get pass-happy this weekend. Granted, Henry, a minimum of 19 carries will be important if the Ravens want to dictate the game tempo.

Tomlin never seems to get off schedule, and his determination is clearly expressed in his dedication to Harris and the Steelers ground game. Harris only has 645 total rushing yards compared to Henry’s 1,120, but Tomlin insists on feeding him the ball, knowing that the offense relies on his production. Ravens head coach John Harbaugh must be mindful of the Steelers’ game plan and counter by using Henry to control the game tempo and extend offensive drives.

Derrick Henry can help the Ravens avoid another hiccup vs. Bengals

it’s time the Baltimore Ravens stop treating HB Derrick Henry as an added commodity and focus on making him the primary option on offense.

Quarterback Joe Burrow and the Cincinnati Bengals are in town to face the Baltimore Ravens for Thursday night football. To neutralize Burrow and the stellar Bengals pass game, the Ravens should rely on running back Derrick Henry to both lead the offensive attack and milk the game clock.

The 6-3 Ravens cannot afford another hiccup in week 10, especially versus an AFC North foe. Currently sitting behind the Pittsburgh Steelers in the division standings, the Ravens need to put their foot down in primetime, and the entire world will be watching. 

In Week 8, Henry was limited to just 11 carries, and the Ravens lost 24-29 to the Cleveland Browns. The Ravens have three losses on their season record, and only one of those opponents is currently in playoff contention. Nevertheless, all hope is not lost as offensive coordinator Todd Monken keeps Henry well-fed in tonight’s attack.

Henry’s 23 carries for 106 yards and two touchdowns were complete staples to the Ravens’ 41-10 victory over the Denver Broncos last Sunday. Sure, quarterback Lamar Jackson had a great outing, but it’s time the Ravens stopped pretending that Henry was just an added commodity and focused on making him the primary option on offense.

Ultimately, if the Ravens get into a shootout against the Bengals as they did in week 5, favor might not grant them the last-minute victory like last time. Thus, the Ravens must stay ahead of schedule and feed Henry the ball.

Ravens OC Todd Monken reveals where he’s seen growth from Zay Flowers in 2024

Ravens offensive coordinator Todd Monken revealed where he’s seen growth from wide receiver Zay Flowers in 2024

The Baltimore Ravens selected wide receiver Zay Flowers with the No. 22 pick in the 2023 NFL draft. After a stellar rookie season, Flowers has followed it up with another tremendous sophomore campaign, one that’s seen him further his connection with quarterback Lamar Jackson even deeper.

Baltimore offensive coordinator Todd Monken was asked about Flowers. He mentioned how things are different when someone is a rookie as opposed to when they have experience at the NFL level. He also talked about how while on-field growth is one thing, handling things like social media, the length of the NFL season, and more all contribute to growth, and it’s all easier the second time around.

“Well, a couple of weeks ago, I kind of mentioned that there’s a lot of things that go into that. The first year for a rookie – everything’s different. Where you live is different, [the] food is different, the coaching is different, the system is different, [and] the stage you’re on is different for a lot of players. Some not as much, but for others it is. Having to deal with everything that comes with being a professional player; social media, how do you handle that part of it? How do you handle the length of a season? I mean, holy cow, [look at] how long our season is. I think it’s just the comfort of already going through it like all of us. When you go through something, I think it’s easier the second time around.”

Flowers has been majorly impressive throughout his first two seasons in Baltimore. He hopes the trend can continue for many years, with massive amounts of success attached to his NFL career.

Ravens OC Todd Monken shares what WR Diontae Johnson can add to offense

Ravens offensive coordinator Todd Monken shared how wide receiver Diontae Johnson can add to the team’s offense

The Baltimore Ravens acquainted wide receiver Diontae Johnson from the Carolina Panthers just before Week 9. Baltimore gave up a fifth-round pick to acquire Johnson’s services while also receiving a sixth-rounder back with him.

When asked about Johnson, Ravens offensive coordinator Todd Monken shared the areas where he thinks the veteran can help the offense. He talked about Johnson’s ability to separate and the talent that he displays.

“First of all, just seeing [Diontae Johnson] the first couple of days, I like what I see. I think he adds tremendous depth to us at receiver, [and] I think he gives us another guy who can separate. I think our tight ends can separate; I think our receivers can separate; I think we have other guys that can win. And I think it allows us to – again, you’re just always trying to add talent, and I think we’ve added a talented player.”

Johnson will slot in behind Zay Flowers and Rashod Bateman in Baltimore’s receiver pecking order. The team will be better with Johnson in the fold, and it’s exciting to think about the full potential of the offense with him in it.

Ravens OC Todd Monken on new offensive pieces: ‘It’s exciting’

Ravens offensive coordinator Todd Monken is excited to get new offensive pieces

The Baltimore Ravens currently boast the top offense in the NFL, both rushing and throwing the football. The team has found massive amounts of success behind quarterback Lamar Jackson and running back Derrick Henry, with others contributing to the team’s dominance as well.

Despite their incredible year on offense, the Ravens are poised to get even stronger on that side of the ball with more talent being added to the mix. Baltimore acquired wide receiver Diontae Johnson from the Carolina Panthers and will be getting running back Keaton Mitchell back soon, things that Ravens offensive coordinator Todd Monken called “exciting”.

“Having really talented players and having a really talented staff and a gameplan that they understand, allows you to really function at a high level. But it starts with having really talented players. So, it’s exciting to get those guys back, and it also provides depth if you lose somebody. Really, that’s the nature of what we do – you’re going to lose players, so having quality depth, guys that can come in and function at a really high level when your expectations are really high. If your expectations aren’t really high, then well, that’s different. We’re the Baltimore Ravens; we’re expected to win. So whoever that is, we have to have enough depth to do that.”

Both Johnson and Mitchell will bring added elements to Baltimore’s offense that should make them even more explosive and dangerous on that side of the ball. With the Ravens’ defense struggling the way that they have been so far through the first half of 2024, every point will count moving forward.

Ravens’ fans want less King Crab and more King HB Derrick Henry

Baltimore Ravens fans are losing their appetite watching OC Todd Monken neglect running back Derrick Henry from the game plan.

Baltimore Ravens fans are losing their appetite watching offensive coordinator Todd Monken conjure ways to neglect running back Derrick Henry from the game plan.

If fans could toss Monken’s playsheet into the inner harbor next to the king crabs, they wouldn’t hesitate because Monken seems to have Henry’s name sequenced far too little.

Steelers linebacker Patrick Queen told us he didn’t really like seafood, and even if Henry does, I’m sure he’d rather starve from a lack of crab than be starved of rushing carries in the Ravens’ offense. 

Henry ignited the Ravens’ five-game winning streak in week 3, finishing with two touchdowns, 25 carries, and 151 rushing yards. Since then, Henry has posted games with 169 yards, 199 yards, 132 yards, and 92 yards versus the Cincinnati Bengals in week 5. His usage decreased because the Ravens trailed big and needed to pass.

With the Cleveland Browns ranked No. 19 in opponent rush yards per game,  “Why in the blue crab” was Derrick Henry limited to just 11 carries?  It’s becoming senseless.

It’s unlikely for Henry to turn crabby about the team’s shortcomings versus the Browns, but thanks to Monken’s run-game negligence, the Steelers have slipped ahead of the Ravens in the AFC North and will enjoy their bye unbothered in week 9. 

Todd Monken has Ravens’ fans mad on Monday: Browns win 29-24

Baltimore Ravens OC Todd Monken scorched the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in week 7 but his gameplan got snuffed by the Cleveland Browns in week 8.

Just when the Baltimore Ravens seemed to have established a balanced offensive attack, offensive coordinator Todd Monken descended back into a pass-heavy strategy in Sunday’s loss to the Cleveland Browns.



Quarterback Lamar Jackson converted just 23 of his 38 pass attempts, and higher pass volumes have proven to be a proven recipe for offensive disharmony. Consider that Jackson’s pass attempts were hovering around 25 per game in the last two previous games.

Monken has been here before, and it’s inexcusable. With running back Derrick Henry averaging 6.6 yards per carry, there’s no reason Henry was limited to just 11 carries.

After the offensive performance the Ravens displayed versus the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, perhaps Monken assumed he could enter Cleveland with reckless abandon. Well, thanks to Monken’s pass-heavy monkey business, the Ravens have potentially given the keys to the AFC North to the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Ravens climb to No. 1 in NFL in points per game after win over Bucs

The Baltimore Ravens defeated the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in style Monday night and climbed to No. 1 in the NFL in total points per game.

Not only did the Baltimore Ravens defeat the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in style on Monday, but they also surged to the top of the NFL in total points per game.

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Quarterback Lamar Jackson has been superhuman lately and needed just 22 pass attempts, and nine carries to total five touchdowns Monday night.

Jackson’s entourage includes tight ends Mark Andrews and Isaiah Likely, running backs Derrick Henry and Justice Hill, and lastly, wide receivers Zay Flowers and Rashod Bateman.

Any and every defensive tactic thrown at the Ravens can be easily countered due to the plethora of options they have in personnel.  

When opponents crowd the box, Jackson can target Bateman and Flowers on deep routes like we saw Monday. Yet, when defenses show two-high safeties, Jackson can target pass catchers at the intermediate and short level or target underneath voids with HB screen plays.

Ultimately, the team’s plush personnel and offensive coordinator Todd Monken’s mastermind are currently fueling its success on offense. The team has looked pretty much unstoppable on offense through six weeks.

Zay Flowers is faster than Speedy Gonzales, Ravens improve to 4-2

Whether opponents use zone or man coverage versus Baltimore Ravens WR Zay Flowers, they still can’t account for his impeccable quickness.

Whether opponents use zone or man coverage versus Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Zay Flowers, they still can’t account for his impeccable quickness.

Nine catches for 142 receiving yards means Flowers finished week six with a whopping 14.7 yards per catch average versus the Washington Commanders.

With Ravens running back Derrick Henry and quarterback Lamar Jackson demanding attention in the trenches, Flowers, and teammates Mark Andrews and Rashod Bateman have been able to run loose in voids at the intermediate and deep level of the pass defense.

As long as offensive coordinator Todd Monken continues to run a balanced attack, Flowers and others will get their share of targets in the passing game.

Yesterday, Monken totaled 28 first downs, winning the time of possession 36.08 to 23:52. Flowers has been an essential possession receiver, moving the chains when needed, and it’s only a matter of time before he breaks another big play for a touchdown.

Ravens rank No. 9 in pass yards per game; Lamar Jackson & QB coach Tee Martin are “in a groove”

Baltimore Ravens QB Lamar Jackson and QB coach Tee Martin have the Ravens ranking No. 9 in the NFL in pass yards per game through five weeks.

Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson has been on fire this season and quarterback coach Tee Martin is like kerosene to the flame.

Jackson and Martin have the Ravens ranking No. 9 in the NFL in pass yards per game through five weeks. Accredit their “groove” (chemistry) to endless hours spent building camaraderie and studying film during practice sessions at the Under Armour Performance Center in Owing Mills, MD.



What’s been most impressive about Jackson this season is how quickly he is making reads and releasing the ball. Martin has helped Jackson on anticipatory throws, encouraging him to let it rip sooner on 3-step drops.

Jackson has already totaled nine touchdowns this season and he’ll be looking to add a few more versus the Washington Commanders. Without a doubt, Jackson and Coach Martin are locked in, ready to get their fourth straight win in week 6.

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The Commanders are allowing just 198 pass yards per game this season, but they haven’t faced a quarterback with the caliber of Jackson. Well at least until Sunday.