Tag: Zay Flowers

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.

Zay Flowers and Rashod Bateman expected to remain the top two wide receivers for the Ravens after trade for Diontae Johnson

Zay Flowers and Rashod Bateman expected to remain the top two wide receivers for the Ravens after trade for Diontae Johnson

With the recent trade for Carolina Panthers wide receiver Diontae Johnson, speculation has arisen regarding potential changes to the usage of the Baltimore Ravens’ current top two wide receivers, Zay Flowers and Rashod Bateman.

According to NFL insider Josina Anderson, the pair of homegrown first-rounders are expected to remain as the team’s top two options at the wide receiver position with the arrival of Johnson.

“I’m told Diontae Johnson’s trade acquisition does not reflect a change in view of Zay Flowers and Rashod Bateman as the team’s current WR1 and WR2, per source,” Anderson wrote. “While, I’m told Johnson was brought to Baltimore for his speed, separation and punt returning abilities—especially with Deonte Harty’s (knee) listing on IR, it’s been reinforced to Flowers and Bateman, even going back to last year when the team added additional weapons at wideout, that the organization not only believes in the aforementioned duo but also has very high confidence in them.”

Flowers has taken another step in his second season, becoming quarterback Lamar Jackson’s favorite target in the passing game with 17 more catches than the next player. Flowers’ 527 receiving yards also lead the team and is currently the 12th most in the NFL.

While Bateman is coming off a game he would rather forget against the Cleveland Browns, in which he dropped two crucial passes, his play has been a marked improvement this season. Bateman’s 422 receiving yards are second on the team and 20th in the NFL.

As Anderson later points out, Johnson will most likely eat into veteran wide receiver Nelson Agholor’s playing time.

 

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.

Injuries to key DBs highlight Ravens’ struggles with pass defense in loss to Browns

The Ravens entered this game dead last in the league in pass defense, so the Browns were well aware they could exploit the secondary.

Those who call the NFL a league of parity (not “parody,” OMG! That common malapropism drives me insane) could certainly point to today’s 29-24 win by the Cleveland Browns over the Baltimore Ravens.

Worst beat first in the AFC North division as Baltimore’s five-game win streak ended, as did Cleveland’s five-game losing skid.

Jameis Winston, who many football pundits have declared “washed” for some time, finished 27 of 41 passing for 334 yards, three touchdowns, and no interceptions while leading the Browns’ offense to heights that had not been seen under their franchise quarterback Deshaun Watson this season.

The Ravens entered this game dead last in the league in pass defense, so the Browns were well aware the secondary was a position group that could potentially be exploited.

And things worsened for Baltimore even before a single pass was thrown, as Nate Wiggins (illness), Marlon Humphrey (ankle), and T.J. Tampa (IR) were all ruled out.

More change was still to come in the defensive backs position group, as Marcus Williams was benched for being largely ineffective this season. The Ravens’ pass defense has been a persistent problem this year, but it’s not as bad as it may seem.

Baltimore is so stout against the run that opponents consistently find themselves having to rely on their passing attacks heavily. Also, the Ravens entered the day in first place, with a 5-2 record, and teams with winning records tend to find themselves ahead, and even well ahead, most of the time.

And what do you do when you’re behind, often well behind?  You pretty much have to pass.

So, while today was undoubtedly a shocking surprise defeat, all is not lost.

Ravens take a step back in shocking 29-24 loss to the Browns in Week 8

Ravens take a step back in shocking 29-24 loss to the Browns in Week 8

Baltimore has a penchant for blowing late fourth-quarter leads, but on Sunday, the Ravens took a step back toward the inconsistent unit that lost two straight to start the season.

In what can only be described as a shocking loss, the Cleveland Browns had their most impactful performance without Deshaun Watson in a 29-24 victory over first-place Baltimore in Week 8.

Lamar Jackson started the game 6-6 passing but finished 23-38 passing, for 289 yards (7.6 avg), two touchdowns, and zero interceptions with a 101.8 rating. Just like Baltimore had their five-game winning streak snapped, star running back Derrick Henry came back to earth, rushing for only 73 yards (6.6 avg) and one touchdown on 11 carries.

After missing two practices during the week with an ankle injury, second-year wideout Zay Flowers posted another 100-yard game, logging seven catches for 115 yards on the afternoon.

Zach Orr’s defense played without two starters at cornerback, and Jameis Winston carved up the Ravens. The former Heisman Trophy winner went 23-38 passing for 334 yards and three touchdowns.

The Browns took the lead when Winston threw a 38-yard touchdown pass — his third of the game — to Cedric Tillman with 59 seconds left as Cleveland erased weeks of frustration.

Baltimore will now look to regroup with Bo Nix and the upstart Broncos heading to M&T Bank Stadium in Week 9.

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Is Zay Flowers playing today? Injury updates for Ravens WR

Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Zay Flowers is dealing with an ankle injury. Here are the latest updates.

Baltimore is in Cleveland for an AFC North matchup against the battered Browns. The Browns will start Jameis Winston at quarterback in place of an injured Deshaun Watson.

The Ravens could be without two key starters for Sunday’s game against the  Browns.

Zay Flowers’s injury update

Flowers was a limited participant in Friday’s practice after missing Wednesday and Thursday, and he is now listed as questionable.

Flowers’ injury occurred early in Baltimore’s 41-31 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Monday night, but he finished the game, including recovering an onside kick late.

If Flowers didn’t play, Baltimore would rely on Rashod Bateman, Nelson Agholor, and rookie Devontez Walker.

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Ravens star wide receiver returns to practice ahead of game vs. Browns in Week 8

Ravens star wide receiver Zay Flowers returns to practice ahead of game vs. Browns in Week 8

Zay Flowers missed the first two days of practice this week with an ankle injury, but the Ravens star pass catcher should be good to go for Sunday in Cleveland.

Flowers returned to practice on Friday and was a full participant with no limitations and plenty of dancing.

Marlon Humphrey was the only starter who did not practice, while Rasheen Ali and T.J. Tampa also missed practice and will be out for Sunday.

Ravens vs Browns injury report: Latest updates on Zay Flowers, news for Week 8

Zay Flowers and Marlon Humphrey miss Thursday practice ahead of matchup vs. Browns in Week 8

The Ravens released their Thursday injury report for Week 8 in Cleveland, and Zay Flowers was again among five players who did not practice.   Flowers, Marlon Humphrey, Rasheen Ali, and T.J. Tampa missed another practice.

Rookie cornerback Nate Wiggins and Travis Jones returned to practice, with the defensive tackle a limited participant.

Ravens injury report

Browns injury report

Keaton Mitchell was a limited participant and could need another week or two to prepare to return to the lineup. In contrast, Jalyn Armour-Davis returned to practice and could be activated for Week 8.

Ravens return two players, including CB Nate Wiggins, to practice on Thursday

Ravens return two players, including CB Nate Wiggins, to practice on Thursday

The Ravens just hit the field for Thursday’s session, and rookie cornerback Nate Wiggins (shoulder) and defensive tackle Travis Jones (ankle) returned to practice today, although Jones was limited. He had a walking boot on yesterday.

Star wide receiver Zay Flowers (ankle), rookie running back Rasheen Ali (ankle), rookie cornerback T.J. Tampa (ankle), and star cornerback Marlon Humphrey (knee) all missed the second practice of the week.

If Humphrey and T.J. Tampa don’t play this weekend, the Ravens could activate cornerback Jaylen Armour-Davis after his 21-day practice window opens.

Ravens vs Browns injury report: Latest updates, news for Week 8

The Ravens released their initial injury report for Week 8 in Cleveland, and Zay Flowers was among 11 players with designations ahead of Wednesday’s walkthrough. Ravens injury report We are conducting a late-afternoon walk-through Wednesday, so the …

The Ravens released their initial injury report for Week 8 in Cleveland, and Zay Flowers was among 11 players with designations ahead of Wednesday’s walkthrough.

Ravens injury report

Browns injury report

Other notable Ravens who sat out Wednesday include cornerback Marlon Humphrey, who could miss time with a knee injury. Rookie cornerback Nate Wiggins and defensive tackle Travis Jones were also non-participants.