The tough loss to the Chiefs gave us some insights regarding the future of the 2024 Ravens. A lot of what I saw on tape was encouraging, a few things not as much so. Overall, I saw more promising things than I expected. But let’s start at the top and work our way down through this list of Ravens insights.
Lamar
I didn’t need to watch the tape to find the great with Lamar; we all saw it live. Jackson was far more fluid, elusive, and quick as a runner than we saw last year. Lamar looked like he did two and three years ago. Simply, he’s arguably the most elusive runner in the league, with that incredible knack for shifting any part of his body to elude would-be tacklers. For those who say, “be careful,” I think we’ve barely seen the beginning of what the Ravens’ running attack will look like, once the run blocking ticks up (I’ll get to that). Paring the running version of Lamar that we saw against the Chiefs with Derrick Henry once he’s revved up and – well – look out rest of the league.
On the other hand, as a passer we largely saw the same old Lamar. A tick slow almost everywhere. Not seeing (or even looking) at wide open receivers (I’ll get to that too). Wildly over-throwing wide-open receivers down the field. And leaving points on the field that would turn the Ravens into winners. We just have to accept that these passing limitations (ex-not seeing open receivers) is a lifelong limitation for Jackson as a passer. Don’t expect it to change.
One pass play that just killed us was the play before the infamous pass to Zay Flowers (or Rashod Bateman) on the next to last snap of the game. On that prior play Isaiah Likely was wide open heading to the corner of the end zone. He waved for the ball. Lamar’s head was turned that way. He simply waited way to long to release the ball, finally zinging it too high at the back corner; frankly, the only way Likely couldn’t catch it. It was painful to watch.
By the way, if he was throwing to Bateman on that next to last play (maybe, maybe not), then he was real slow there too because Bateman was wide open right before he reached the goal line. Bateman would have easily scored if Lamar had released the ball on time.
Vorhees and Faalele
There was a lot to like about Andrew Vorhees’ first NFL start. He was very solid in pass protection, largely walling people off from Lamar and picking up his assignments smoothly. I didn’t really see Vorhees off balance, as he seemed to present a solid anchor and base. His hand placement was also solid and he showed adequate strength.
As a run blocker Vorhees was better on the move in zone attempts than as a pile driver. There was a few too many occasions where he just didn’t get the drive with enough raw power to move people back, as he stalled out coming out of his stance. Yes, he needs more strength if he’s going to consistently create space. He’s a work in progress here, but there is upside.
Now I’ve been fairly circumspect about Daniel Faalele. But I must concede that, absent one or two plays against the indomitable Chris Jones, Faalele was solid in pass protection. The move to the inside reduces the extent to which he must open his stance and he looked more comfortable there than he’s been on the outside. He has to continue to improve with his hand usage and his grip strength, but overall he was adequate, if not slightly more so, in pass protection.
The challenge with Faalele from the guard position is that he’s just so high as a run blocker. It’s difficult for him to get the bend he needs in order to fully utilize his natural strength. Defenders get under his pads and he’s unable to drive through them. And he’s not much on the move either, at this point. I’m more concerned about his ability in the run game than I am with Vorhees. I believe Vorhees can become a solid – if not better – guard in this league. I’m not there with Faalele.
Roger Rosengarten
It’s not happening for Rosengarten, and he played a lot less than one might have thought. It was brutal for him on a few plays in pass protection. Chris Jones blew past him before Rosengarten knew the light was green, and he simply was overmatched. In the best of worlds, Rosengarten (who I did not love on draft day) would be riding the pines, working the weights, and learning. At this early juncture, the Ravens are dependent on Pat Mekari (who had a solid game), and better hope that Ronnie Stanley can stay healthy.
Ravens Insights – Ronnie Stanley
I was really happy with what I saw from Stanley. He moved with much more ease than last year, leading me to conclude that his knee was a problem then, and isn’t now. One just didn’t notice Ronnie on tape, which is a very good thing, especially after last season. His base was more stout, his power was good, and he moved reasonably well. We’re not going to get back the Pro Bowl Ronnie Stanley. But in week one this was a much better player than the sorry sort from 2023. Now, let’s see what he does when he matches up against speed.
GET HIM THE BALL!
This has become a sad broken record. Rashod Bateman was open, and ignored, so much last year that he looked lonesome. Lamar rarely looked his way, to the detriment of the offense. Now, I’m beginning to believe that Lamar just doesn’t like Rashod (I’m not saying that literally, of course). Once again, Bateman was open all over the field; short, intermediate, and deep. Many times, he won immediately on his first step. His routes are crisp and fluid. And Bateman is a threat with the ball in his hand. Yet, he was almost never the first look; or even the second look if Lamar took a second look.
This is really a critical flaw. If you make Bateman a serious threat – which he should be – the entire Ravens offense becomes almost impossible to handle. And the coaches must see this on tape. If you want a receiver to get open, Bateman’s your man. Bateman’s number actually needs to be called, Todd Monken. Instead of falling in love with the almost ridiculous wide receiver screens to Zay Flowers (which I don’t understand), call Bateman’s number a few times on the other side of the line of scrimmage. Use him!
Another note for Todd Monken. Why the devil insist on getting Flowers – your jitterbug – the ball behind the line of scrimmage when the maximum number of would-be tacklers are in front of him? Get him the ball past the line of scrimmage, preferably while crossing the field, when that number of tacklers is absolutely less. And even fewer tacklers if you throw Flowers the ball while he’s moving. If my opinion isn’t clear regarding Monken in this respect then here it is: your utilization of Flowers fails to maximize his abilities, and significantly so. And your failure to utilize Bateman is inexplicable. Now, is that clear enough?
Odafe Oweh
He was dominant against Kansas City. Oweh is on the verge of stardom, and he’s quickly becoming the player the Ravens just can’t afford to lose. Oweh brought a lot of pressure, beat both tackles, and was really tough in the run game. I thought Oweh was almost there last year. And based on this one game, I know he’s there now if he keeps at it. Just stay healthy.
David Ojabo
Ojabo looked a lot like the player we saw on tape at Michigan. He was much quicker and more explosive than we saw last year. His speed spin was excellent and he had several rushes where he used his power to get under the blocker’s pads and force his way to the quarterback. Now Mahomes is so good it’s difficult to sack him. But Ojabo won numerous times and I’m excited to see if he can produce more. Zach Orr rarely had him on the field on first down, so the Ravens still see Ojabo as a liability in the run game. But Ojabo is going to push Kyle Van Noy for downs.
Travis Jones
There was a real hope in training camp that Jones would take the next step this year. Well in week one, he did just that. Jones was dominant on the inside, pushed the pocket quite a bit, and displaced Michael Pierce as the primary player lined up next to Nnamdi Madubuike. This is a player the Ravens need to lock up because he’s on a trajectory to being a Pro Bowl caliber interior defensive lineman. Jones also exhibited an ability to pursue plays down the field. He brought energy and was very effective.
Trenton Simpson and Malik Harrison
Patrick Mahomes just doesn’t miss much on the field. Zach Orr lined up Harrison on the inside to start the game, and Mahomes immediately abused it. He easily isolated Harrison in coverage against Rashee Rice and then Isaac Pacheco on quick pass plays, both of whom made Harrison look like he was wearing the proverbial lead shoes. I thought Orr might try Harrison on the outside on first down, to hold that edge. But by lining him up on the inside next to Roquan Smith, he exposed Harrison and cost the Ravens dearly.
I thought it was well established by Mike McDonald that Harrison could not play effectively on the inside. I guess Orr had to learn for himself. It will be interesting to see whether there are any changes against the Raiders.
Trenton Simpson showed the traits we barely glimpsed last year. He was fast to the ball, fairly decisive, and tackled well. I can see the concern with Simpson in the run game. If a blocker gets to him it’s hard for Simpson to shed. Yes, he needs more strength. I’m not sure he can add much muscle at this point, as he should have in the past off-season. But Simpson showed excellent instincts, as exhibited in his pass breakup on a scramble by Mahomes. We will see more of Simpson, and we should. He can stay with backs.
Roquan Smith and Kyle Hamilton
I think Smith had his worst game as a Raven. On several occasions he guessed and was out-smarted by Mahomes, who moved Smith just enough with his devious play to set up some big wins in the pass game. Smith allowed several big plays in his coverages and was largely ineffective (though he made a significant play on a run blitz).
While watching the game I thought Zach Orr had not lined up Hamilton nearly enough at the line of scrimmage. But the film showed otherwise, and Hamilton was largely a non-factor, probably for the first time from that position. He also seemingly messed up on the broken defensive play touchdown yielded to Xavier Worthy. Hamilton and Smith must play better and they will. But in week one, they weren’t at the level they need to be.
Ravens Insights – What Does it All Mean?
The offense has a lot more potential that was not exploited in week one. My biggest concern is in the run game, where one of the two guards simply must bring more drive in the power game. The pass protection was solid if not strong, Ronnie Stanley played well and Andrew Vorhees had a solid game. The Ravens failed to meaningfully exploit Derrick Henry and Rashod Bateman was largely an afterthought. I believe there’s a lot of upside here. But the offensive line is very thin, particularly at tackle, and injuries are a back-of-the-mind worry.
The defensive front looks very intriguing. Jones and Madubuike look like an excellent pair on the inside, and if Ojabo can continue to improve, he and Oweh may well make a dynamic duo on the outside. Nate Wiggins played a little and his injury this week will keep him out, but the Ravens may actually have five corners who can cover, which is saying a lot. The defensive has a lot of upside too, and after a few more weeks I hope to see Zach Orr settle into a comfort zone with his play selection and his combinations.
Yes, the Ravens are 0-1 and simply must beat the Raiders this week. There’s certainly enough talent there to do that, and more.
