Tag: Todd Monken

Ravens OC Todd Monken should not take preseason struggles lightly

There has been a consistent problem within the Baltimore Ravens offense through all three preseason. OC Todd Monken must adjust.

NFL fans always revert to the “it’s just the preseason” moniker when their favorite team gets blasted during an exhibition game. However, we’ve seen the same consistent problem within the Baltimore Ravens offense throughout all three preseason games. These problems directly relate to offensive coordinator Todd Monken’s execution and scheme.

Firstly, minimum targets have been made towards rookie wide receiver Devontez Walker, who still tends to have an injury. Secondly, countless turnovers on offense indicate that not everyone is in sync throughout the depth chart.

Through 180 total minutes of preseason football, the Ravens failed to produce a game score higher than 17 points and have averaged just 11 first downs per game. Meanwhile, their opponents have averaged 21 first downs a game versus them.

 

Again, it is endlessly presumptuous to assume that the Ravens will be the same defensive powerhouse from a season ago with key losses on their depth chart. This means their offense will need to be sharp, and we’ve seen everything but sharpness from the reserves, which should be feeding off the leadership of NFL MVP Lamar Jackson and company.

Neither the Green Bay Packers nor the Ravens starters were participatory, so that excuse doesn’t fit as a scapegoat. Monken is responsible for establishing a competitive spirit on offense so the team can carry over into the regular season. So far, things have been a struggle.

Ravens OC Todd Monken is focused on trying to find clever ways to use WR Zay Flowers

Ravens offensive coordinator Todd Monken is trying to find creative ways to use wide receiver Zay Flowers

The Baltimore Ravens selected wide receiver Zay Flowers in the first round of the 2023 NFL draft. He had a phenomenally rookie season and is looking to build on it this upcoming year as the team’s unquestioned No. 1 wideout.

When asked about Flowers, Baltimore offensive coordinator Todd Monken said he wants to find more ways to involve the second-year wideout this season. He talked about Flowers’s confidence over the course of last year and how he became more engaged with more experience.

“Well you could see it over the year – you could see it thought the year: his development, his confidence, his ability to be engaged. I think that’s the biggest thing. You can see that with players as they gain experience – they’re confident to be engaged on the field and in meetings, ask questions, have ideas, have thoughts. Like, ‘Can we do it this way? What about this? What about this?’ When you’re younger, you’re just trying to learn it – it’s hard to be engaged when you’re not sure yourself. That’s where he’s really come a long way. You can really see that – [we] saw it this offseason really being engaged in the offense.”

Flowers will be a top pass catcher on the Ravens’ offense, assuming he can stay healthy. He must continue his strong play, as he was a massive part of the team’s offense last year and will be relied upon as such again this year.

Ravens OC Todd Monken expects big things from WR Rashod Bateman

Ravens offensive coordinator Todd Monken expects big things from wide receiver Rashod Bateman

The Baltimore Ravens drafted wide receiver Rashod Bateman in the first round of the 2021 NFL draft. He hasn’t had the start to his NFL career that everyone expected, but he is looking to get back on track this season.

Baltimore offensive coordinator Todd Monken was asked about Bateman’s expectations for the 2024 season but deferred to the wide receiver himself for his own. However, Monken did mention that he’s expecting big things from the former Minnesota star, mentioning health as a significant factor.

“Well, you’d have to ask him in terms of for him. I think he’s always had a belief in himself as a player. I think it’s good for all of us; quarterbacks, [as well as] collectively as a team. We’re expecting a big year from Rashod [Bateman]. Once he got fully healthy, which wasn’t for a while last year – he was hurt, got healthy, got nicked up again, came on. We’re expecting great things from him, and he is from himself.”

Bateman and quarterback Lamar Jackson will need to get on the same page to achieve the season they’re hoping for. It will be imperative for the two to build up plenty of chemistry, especially considering the fourth-year wideout will have a major role on offense.

Ravens OC Todd Monken raves about the leadership of WR Nelson Agholor

Ravens offensive coordinator Todd Monken raved about the leadership of wide receiver Nelson Agholor

The Baltimore Ravens signed wide receiver Nelson Agholor to a one-year deal last offseason in the hopes that he could contribute solidly to their WR corps. He did that and more, instantly becoming a leader on the team and putting up solid numbers as well.

Agholor re-signed with Baltimore before starting free agency and is expected to take on a bigger role with the team in 2024. Ravens offensive coordinator Todd Monken raved about Agholor and his presence on the team, especially his leadership qualities.

“It really hasn’t changed per se, [Nelson Agholor] was like that last year. Obviously, with Odell [Beckham Jr.] moving on, that changes a little bit, in terms of ‘Nelly’ [Nelson Agholor] being back. The way that I see it, because I’m not in the receiver room, is the same that I said about some older guys – he’s engaged. In all of the meetings, he’s engaged. If he doesn’t understand, he asks. If he has a better way of doing it, he talks about it. That, to me, is the number one part of leadership, or being an older player, is seeing the big picture and then relaying that rest of the players.”

With Odell Beckham Jr. now in Miami with the Dolphins, Agholor will be relied upon to be the sole veteran presence in the wide receiver room, considering most of the rest of the group is younger. He’s certainly up for the challenge and hopefully will be able to deliver for the Ravens again this year.

Todd Monken says the Ravens’ analytics department gives the team an edge

Ravens offensive coordinator Todd Monken said the analytics department gives the team an edge

The Baltimore Ravens are always looking for every advantage to win games and be as successful as possible. They have plenty of great strategies in place, which only add to what they try to do year in and year out.

When talking to the media, Ravens offensive coordinator Todd Monken shared that analytics are a huge part of the team’s work and that the NFL game, in general, is currently moving in this direction. He mentioned how Baltimore has a lot of intelligent people who run its analytics, and that gives it an edge.

“They’re a huge part of it. In terms of where it’s gone over the last few years in terms of information – the power of information that’s out there. I think information’s unbelievably useful – what you do with it is up to you. Whether the situation arises, whether it be by personnel, whether it be by game situations. We’ve got some really really smart people in those departments that I think give us an edge.”

The Ravens are an extremely analytics-based team, with head coach John Harbaugh and others trying to play the percentages as much as possible. While this strategy doesn’t always work, the Ravens are committed to it and should use it plenty in 2024.

Ravens news: OC Todd Monken wants ‘an offense that’s a nightmare to defend’

Todd Monken wants ‘an offense that’s a nightmare to defend’

Year 1 of Todd Monken’s tenure as the Baltimore Ravens offensive coordinator was a resounding success. His unit finished sixth in total yards, first in rushing yards, and fourth in points, while quarterback Lamar Jackson went on to win his second MVP award. With a full season under his belt now, Monken will look to build upon the sturdy foundation set last year.

After evaluating last year, Monken was asked what kind of identity he wanted his offense to have.

“Certainly you want to have an offense that’s a nightmare to defend,” Monken said. “I think that’s what we’re all trying to accomplish – [have] an offense that you’re capable of winning in a variety of ways. If you need to run it to win, you can run it to win. If you need to throw it to win, you can throw it to win. That’s all we’re fighting for – to be elite in all those areas. And then the last part of it is, are you leading situational football? Short yardage, red zone, are you not turning it over, you’re explosive [and] formatted. All those things that really dictate a game.”

The Ravens’ offense underwent some change this offseason, particularly on the offensive line. Both starting guards Kevin Zeitler and John Simpson departed in free agency and right tackle Morgan Moses was traded to the New York Jets. Veteran wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. (second on the team in receiving yards) also left in free agency.

Baltimore signed running back Derrick Henry to a two-year, $16 million contract, giving Monken a true workhorse in the backfield next to Jackson. Henry and Jackson could take the league’s best-rushing attack to an even higher level, further opening up the passing game.

The passing attack should once again heavily feature tight ends, such as Mark Andrews and Isaiah Likely, as well as wide receiver Zay Flowers in his second season. Fourth-year wide receiver Rashod Bateman will be relied upon more this season after back-to-back disappointing and injury-riddled seasons for the 2021 first-round pick.

Lamar Jackson performs best when Ravens call their “quick-pass” plays

Baltimore Ravens QB Lamar Jackson is a rhythm passer that becomes increasingly accurate when the offensive tempo is fluid.

Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson is a rhythm passer that becomes increasingly accurate when the offensive tempo is fluid.

To counter the blitz this season, the Ravens will want to use the quick pass to back defenses out of man coverage. With opponents likely to crowd the line of scrimmage to stop the run, Jackson will need his wide receivers to win on quick routes (drags, slants, outs, & screens) and avoid getting jammed at the line of scrimmage.

The Ravens were sacked 41 times last season yet had the second-fewest pass attempts in the NFL.

The Ravens’ offensive line is currently being reconstructed, with rookie offensive tackle Josh Rosengarten as a player to watch for in 2024.

With this, offensive coordinator Todd Monken should use the deep pass sparingly, especially until he knows the potential of his offensive line.

Using the quick pass game effectively will force opponents to back off the line of scrimmage. Once the quick pass game ignites, running back Derrick Henry, Justice Hill, and Jackson can have their way in the ground game.

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.

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.

Nelson Agholor or Devontez Walker: Who will be WR No. 3 on the Ravens Depth Chart?

Baltimore Ravens WR Nelson Angholor and rookie WR Devontez Walker should create a healthy dilemma as far as the depth chart goes.

The Baltimore Ravens signed Nelson Agholor to a one-year $3.25 million deal this off-season but the emergence of rookie wide receiver Devontez Walker should create a healthy dilemma as far as the depth chart goes.

Agholor’s four touchdowns last season was impressive. He possesses the physicality to defy the usually undersized slot cornerbacks in the NFL. The problem is however, so does Walker.

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Walker also runs a faster 40-yard dash time of 4.36 seconds and stands six-foot two-inches making him slightly taller than Agholor as well. With opponents likely to crowd the line of scrimmage due to the Ravens’ tendency to run the football, Walker could be a vertical threat in the slot at speeds slightly quicker than Agholor.

Contrary to popular belief, it is in fact the passing attack that may be most important for the Ravens in 2024. Opponents will likely focus in on slowing down Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry in the ground game so assuring that offensive coordinator Todd Monken deploys the best possible personnel on the field when the Ravens go to 3 WR sets is very important.

Will Agholor’s veteran savvy play-style grant him more reps or will Walker’s youth and athleticism help him solidify as No. 3, we will find out soon.