Tag: Todd Monken

Todd Monken lands at No. 2 in a PFF ranking of NFL offensive coordinators

Todd Monken lands at No. 2 in a PFF ranking of NFL offensive coordinators

The Baltimore Ravens are entering Year 2 with Todd Monken as offensive coordinator following a massively successful first season that saw quarterback Lamar Jackson win the second MVP award of his career.

When ranking all 32 offensive coordinators ahead of the 2024 NFL season, PFF’s Zoltán Buday had high praise for Monken, listing him at number two, only behind Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson.

“The Ravens hired Monken from Georgia to revitalize their passing game, and he did just that in 2023,” Buday wrote. “Baltimore’s passing attack generated 0.01 and -0.03 EPA per play in 2021 and 2022, respectively, before improving to 0.08 on pass plays in 2023 under Monken, which ranked eighth in the league and contributed to Lamar Jackson winning his second MVP award and earning a career-high 90.4 PFF overall grade. Despite getting much stronger in the passing game, Monken’s offense still dominated in the running game as the Ravens relied heavily on the same run concepts used under Greg Roman. As a result, Baltimore’s offense was one of just five teams to generate positive EPA on run plays, ranking fifth among NFL offenses in EPA per play on runs (0.004).”

The Ravens added veteran running back Derrick Henry for Monken to lean on this season after losing both Gus Edwards and J.K. Dobbins to the Los Angeles Chargers in free agency. Henry gives Monken a true workhorse to rely on to go with one of the league’s best and most dynamic quarterbacks. The offensive line is currently an unknown, though, as Baltimore looks to replace three starters from a season ago.

Todd Monken praises Malik Cunningham in his transition to WR position

Todd Monken praises Malik Cunningham in his transition to WR position

The wide receiver position has been a glaring blindspot for the Baltimore Ravens throughout franchise history. This has led to fans routinely falling in love with training camp and preseason darlings, with the potential latest candidate coming as a former quarterback.

Ravens offensive coordinator Todd Monken was asked what he has seen from Malik Cunningham as he transitions from quarterback to wide receiver.

“[Malik Cunningham’s] done a great job,” Monken said. “[He’s] further along than what I would have thought. When we moved him there, we’re like, ‘OK, here’s a really good athlete, really smart, gets football, smile on his face every day, going to get better in the meetings,’ but really had some natural route-running instincts, balance and body control that I really didn’t think he had. He’s really done a great job. He really has. We’re excited for him and for us. Because, when you move [a player into a new position], there is some anxiety, ‘What’s next?’ He’s done a great job.”

Cunningham signed with the New England Patriots as an undrafted free agent out of Louisville in 2023. Baltimore signed the former Cardinal off the Patriots practice squad on December 12, 2023. The Ravens then decided to try the athletic quarterback at wide receiver, which seems to be a smooth transition so far.

Cunningham is a longshot to make the 53-man roster for Baltimore this season, but a spot on the practice squad could be secured with a strong preseason showing next month.

Ravens OC Todd Monken talks about replacing three starters on the offensive line

Ravens OC Todd Monken talks about replacing three starters on the offensive line

The Baltimore Ravens decided to revamp their offensive line this offseason by letting both starting guards John Simpson and Kevin Zeitler go in free agency and trading right tackle Morgan Moses to the New York Jets. The Ravens will have to turn to inexperienced players to protect reigning MVP quarterback Lamar Jackson.

Offensive coordinator Todd Monken was asked about setting the first unit of starters and how much offensive line coach Joe D’Alessandris will help dictate its appearance.

“Joe [D’Alessandris] has a big voice in that, and we’ve got talent, otherwise we wouldn’t have made the moves we did,” Monken said. “We are still in the business of winning, so the part of that, is that we think those guys can play. We just need to let them go play, and they’re going to continue to develop and get better. All of those young players that have been draft picks that eventually get that opportunity; every player at one time that happens. Whether it was Tyler [Linderbaum] at center or Ronnie [Stanley], other players, they just need the opportunity. We’re excited to let those guys go play and continue to develop. They’re only going to get better, and we’re going to get better with them.”

Andrew Vorhees, Ben Cleveland, and Daniel Faalele appear to be the main competitors for the openings at both guard spots, while veteran swingman Patrick Mekari and rookie second-round pick Roger Rosengarten compete for the starting right tackle duties. Veteran Josh Jones, who Baltimore signed this offseason, is another name to keep in mind at both tackle and guard.

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Ravens TE Mark Andrews could become even harder to defend in 2024

With Baltimore Ravens HB Derrick Henry as a high-volume run threat, tight-end Mark Andrews may thrive in the play-action pass game.

Baltimore Ravens tight end Mark Andrews will directly benefit from the amount of attention running back Derrick Henry demands from opposing defenses in 2024.

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With Henry as a run threat, opponents may be increasingly susceptible to the Ravens’ play-action pass game, leaving opportunities for Andrews to get open in space.

Andrews, who is nearly impossible to defend without double-teaming, runs a 40-yard dash time of 4.67 seconds. Indeed, that’s two-hundred-sixty-five pounds of muscle darting past the average linebacker who might be undersized or, worse, deceived by offensive coordinator Todd Monken’s play-action pass scheme.

Andrews produced 45 receptions for 544 yards and six touchdowns in 2023, averaging 12.1 yards per catch. Andrews’s volume of catches may subside with Monken’s balanced offensive attack this season, but he’ll still be a threat in the red zone.

With opponents worried about the various offensive threats the Ravens’ have in short-yardage situations, Andrews may be in for some explosive plays throughout the season.

Mark Andrews says he’s ‘feeling awesome’ after ankle injury cost him games in 2023

Mark Andrews says he’s ‘feeling awesome’ after ankle injury cost him games in 2023

The Baltimore Ravens are getting one of their top playmakers back healthy this season. After suffering an ankle injury in Week 11 against the Cincinnati Bengals, tight end Mark Andrews went on to miss the remainder of the 2023 regular season. Andrews worked tirelessly to return to the field in time for the team’s game against the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC Championship, but the star tight end was not fully healthy yet.

Andrews was asked how he felt at the beginning of training camp.

“Great,” Andrews said. “Yes, I feel awesome. Like I said, I spent a lot of [time] in the offseason – to work on myself. And again, after OTAs [organized team activities], I just put in that work, and I’m excited to go out there and help this team and continue to grow in this offense and get better together. I feel 100% – if not better than I ever have.”

Andrews has been quarterback Lamar Jackson’s most reliable weapon since the pair were drafted together in 2018. During Andrews’ absence in the final stretch of the 2023 regular season, tight end Isaiah Likely emerged as one of Jackson’s go-to targets in the passing game. Offensive coordinator Todd Monken now has the challenge of incorporating both of the Ravens’ talented tight ends at the same time in the passing attack- something which has yet to come to fruition in the past two seasons since Likely was drafted.

Ravens TE Mark Andrews discusses Year 2 in Todd Monken’s offense

After parting ways with offensive coordinator Greg Roman after five seasons, many wondered what the Baltimore Ravens’ offense would look like with Todd Monken taking over. The unit stumbled a bit to start the season but found their footing later in …

After parting ways with offensive coordinator Greg Roman after five seasons, many wondered what the Baltimore Ravens’ offense would look like with Todd Monken taking over. The unit stumbled a bit to start the season but found their footing later in the year, helping to lead to a league-best 13-4 record, an appearance in the AFC Championship, and the second MVP award of quarterback Lamar Jackson’s career.

“It’s great,” Andrews said. “It’s only going to evolve more and more, I think, as guys get more comfortable – as always, in Year Two, after having an offense and learning it. Things are new, you’re trying to figure out who you are as an identity. And I think right now, we’ve got a really clear picture of what we want to be, how we want to operate and be efficient and give the tools to Lamar [Jackson] and Coach ‘Monk’ [offensive coordinator Todd Monken] to be in the best play at all times. And yes, it’s going to evolve, it’s going to look a little bit different, but I think it’s going to be really well polished.”

Andrews missed the final stretch of the regular season in 2023 after suffering an ankle injury against the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 11. He finished the year with 544 receiving yards and six touchdowns on 45 catches.

With Andrews back healthy now, one major question is how Monken will utilize him alongside third-year tight end Isaiah Likely, who made a name for himself as one of the team’s top playmakers in Andrews’ absence last season.

Ravens OC Todd Monken is just getting his NFL legacy started

Baltimore Ravens OC Todd Monken helped the Ravens finish No. 4 in the NFL in points per game last season. What can we expect in year two?

Baltimore Ravens offensive coordinator Todd Monken helped the Ravens finish No. 4 in the NFL in points per game last season, and he’ll return in 2024 with an offense full of proven star talent and youth. 

Monken reciprocal respect for head coach John Harbaugh has been precious. Monken’s mastermind has already been emphatic for the team. Historically known for its defensive prestige, the Ravens franchise may soon be transitioning into an offensive juggernaut under Monken. 

It seems like a pure no-brainer, right? Monken should focus on optimizing running back Derrick Henry and quarterback Lamar Jackson in the ground game this upcoming season. However, Monken knows the team must be more balanced than predictable.

Ravens wide receiver Zay Flowers will need his touches, and tight-end Mark Andrews will also be expecting his targets in the passing game. Therefore, the art of play sequencing will be most important for Monken and the Ravens’ offense this upcoming season. Will Monken opt for the no-huddle, and will his youthful personnel be ready for an uptempo play style that may entail a vast and dynamic playbook?

Certainly, these are all questions Monken will be looking to answer when the full roster reports for Training Camp on Jul. 20. For now, he’ll enjoy getting reps in with the rookies, including Devontez Walker, whom he has already spoken highly of.

Patrick Queen better be ready to tackle Ravens RB Derrick Henry

Pittsburgh Steelers LB Patrick Queen better be prepared for a head-on collision with Baltimore Ravens HB Derrick Henry this season.

After the sarcasm and slights in the media, Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Patrick Queen better be prepared for a head-on collision with Baltimore Ravens running back Derrick Henry.

Sure, Queen might not like seafood, but he definitely won’t like the task of having to chase MVP quarterback  Lamar Jackson and Henry around for 60 minutes. To add insult to injury, Queen will additionally have to guard speed running back Justice Hill or match up versus arguably the best TE Duo in the NFL on passing downs.


Perhaps Queen isn’t processing the fact that the Ravens ranked No. 1 in rush yards per game last season. This may greatly compromise the time of possession luxury previously afforded to him. With the QB situation not yet settled in Pittsburgh, Queen may be spending more snaps on the field gasping for air instead of on the sideline enjoying comfortable leads. 

Ultimately, whatever Queen delights in nutritionally, or atmospherically, he better be prepared to deal with the very physical Henry this upcoming season.

Are Mark Andrews and Isaiah Likely the best TE duo in the NFL?

Not enough is said about the talents of all-pro Baltimore Ravens tight-end Mark Andrews and his reserve Isaiah Likely.

Not enough is said about the talents of all-pro Baltimore Ravens tight-end Mark Andrews and his reserve Isaiah Likely.

Last season, Likely stepped up big in the absence of Andrews, who sat out multiple weeks with a leg injury. Both tight-ends are sizable pass-catchers with the strength to do damage as run-blockers.


All logic suggests that offensive coordinator Todd Monken should opt for 12 personnel this season. With newly acquired running back Derrick Henry, Monken should think of ways to force the opposing defense into 3-4 and 4-3 and away from nickel-and-dime packages.

Likely, Andrews combined for 81 receptions and 11 touchdowns last season. These stats may have inflated had Andrews not missed eight regular season games. Both players fit ideally into the structure of the Ravens offense constructed around the running and play-action pass game.

With height, athleticism, and run-blocking physicality, Likely and Andrews are undoubtedly the best tight-end tandem in the NFL.

Why rookie WR Devontez Walker could be the biggest sleeper for the Ravens

Baltimore Ravens rookie wide receiver Devontez Walker has the ideal frame to compete at the NFL level. 

At six-foot-two-inches and 200 pounds, Baltimore Ravens rookie wide receiver Devontez Walker has the ideal frame to compete at the NFL level. 

In a recent sit down with team media, Walker revealed that he had been running reps with the first-string at OTA’s. Is offensive coordinator Todd Monken sold on Walker’s upside?

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Walker’s physicality can mesh well with teammate wide receivers Rashod Bateman and Zay Flowers, who are more of the speed guys.

Walker’s highlight reels from the University of North Carolina are filled with high-point catches and touchdown receptions from rookie Drake Maye.

Perhaps Walker can be a red zone threat in Monken’s scheme, a serviceable run blocker, or a decoy deep threat for Flowers on underneath routes. 

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Although the Ravens seemed to take a step back by losing key players on their roster, they’ve done diligence to add youthful talent to a franchise full of locker-room camaraderie.