Ravens wide receiver Marlon Brown is trying to weather a “Perfect Storm” when it comes to getting more involved in the Ravens new offense.
After a 2013 season with an offensive line that struggled to protect Joe Flacco and establish the run game, the undrafted wide receiver out of Georgia was one of just a few bright spots on offense.
Brown managed seven touchdown catches last year, tying Torrey Smith (7 in 2011) for the Ravens franchise rookie record and the most (tied with Detroit TE Joseph Fauria) among all NFL UDFAs.
The 2014 season brought about drastic changes on offense headed by new coordinator Gary Kubiak. The free agent acquisitions of veterans Steve Smith Sr. and Owen Daniels along with rookie draft picks Crockett Gillmore and Michael Campanaro certainly had to leave Marlon wondering how exactly he fit into the system. After all Torrey Smith wasn’t going anywhere and the team welcomed the return of a healthy Dennis Pitta and a speedy Jacoby Jones.
Throughout training camp the big picture regarding Brown’s fit didn’t get any clearer. In fact the water got even murkier for the second-year wide out. Brown saw his reps decrease as unknown players such as Kamar Aiken and Jace Davis saw more reps along with Deonte Thompson.
As training camp concluded the Ravens opted to to carry six receivers on their active roster meaning Brown would have to battle even harder in practice to see the field on Sundays.
Issues arise for every NFL team and the landscape certainly changes weekly. The ebbs and flows are influenced by many things ranging from injuries to head coaches opting for the proverbial “hot hand.”
For Brown this season, he appears to be the odd man out even though Jacoby Jones has been relegated to kick return duties and Campanaro is battling a hamstring injury. Many, myself included, wonder why.
Through nine games this season (active for seven), Brown has a total of just eight catches (9 targets) for 75 total yards and zero drops in 184 offensive snaps including 56 snaps over the last two games.
Some will say he isn’t a great route runner and that’s the reason his targets have decreased this season. However outside of Smith Sr. and Campanaro when healthy, there aren’t any “great route runners” among the receiving corps. Brown has accumulated a total of 118 total routes run of which 85 have come out of the slot position resulting in five receptions for 54 yards.
Given the lack of playmakers on offense, there isn’t a better time than now for Kubiak to utilize the the 6-5, 214 pound Brown particularly in the tightest of places — the red zone.
Let’s be honest, the Ravens aren’t exactly setting fire to the red zone, particularly against quality teams. In fact the team’s 52.9 % touchdown percentage inside the red zone ranks 22nd in league.
As the AFC North’s cellar-dwelling Ravens enter week ten of the season with a 5-4 record, it’s time the offense does whatever is necessary with whomever is capable.
It’s time for Brown to get more snaps and targets and use his ability that carried much of the offense in 2013.
Until then Marlon, keep riding the storm out…
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