Hot take #1:Â The Ravens will make the playoffs…if they get healthy.
The big caveat here is health. The Ravens should get guys back from the COVID list (but will they get all of them? or at least all of the important ones?) but what about Calais Campbell? Will his hamstring allow him more snaps?
Lamar Jackson, Anthony Averett, Tavon Young (we never heard anything after he left the game late the other day) and Patrick Ricard? The Ravens need these guys out there. If they are, I like their chances of winning their last two games and I do not think the Raiders or Dolphins will win out.
I know there is a scenario where the Ravens can go 9-8 and make the playoffs but I don’t think it’s that realistic.
10-7 should do it, and a healthy (healthier, at least) Baltimore squad can do it.
Hot take #2:Â The Ravens are going to lose some coaches this offseason.
You have to be impressed with the coaching job being done in Baltimore this year. Yes, they have lost four in a row and are coming off a beat down but they are doing an excellent job of coaching these guys up. The Ravens had 33 guys on the IR and Covid list for the game the other day. They brought up around 10 guys from the practice squad, some of whom haven’t had much NFL experience, and some of those guys did a great job.
This has been happening all year. Teams are going to recognize this and take some of these coaches and give them promotions.
Hot take #3:Â The Ravens offense is in good shape long-term.
I know people believe that the team has to address the offensive line in the offseason but I don’t really buy that. The caveat to that is if Ronnie Stanley retires or there is genuine concern that his ankle won’t heal. We should have a good idea of that by the draft, if not sooner. Otherwise, things are looking good. The line returns basically everyone, plus adds Juwan James. I know people think the offensive line stinks but the reality is it’s pretty solid on the interior and when Patrick Mekari has played, he does well out there. But Alejandro Villanueva has struggled and so has Tyre Phillips when he has had to play at RT. Stanley should alleviate the concerns at LT and the combo of James and Mekari should be good at RT.
Even if they let Bradley Bozeman go, I like Trystan Colon at center (or they can move Mekari back there and have James at RT). If Bozeman does leave, it may increase the need to draft an interior lineman/tackle. I could see them try to add a running back and a third TE…But these guys are generally role player/developmental type guys for the future. Otherwise, you are pretty set offensively. The focus of the offseason will – and should – be on the defense.
The biggest move the offense can make is moving on from Greg Roman and bringing on a coordinator who can improve the passing game and properly use the weapons at the team’s disposal.
Hot take #4:Â Â Marquise Brown is playing his way out of a contract extension.
A few months ago, I talked about how Marquise Brown was playing like a top 10 WR. He was amongst the leaders in several categories and was playing at a high level. However, he has essentially disappeared since then. He has seen all of his stats drop and while some of that has to do with QB changes, other guys are doing just fine in the midst of that. Brown is a good player and you certainly can feel comfortable with him at the right price but I am guessing the right price isn’t a contract he is willing to sign.
This is a big decision for the Ravens and it’s coming soon. Do you commit WR1/2 money to him? I think part of the answer won’t be known until you get a coordinator in here who can better utilize his talents. He is a small WR and can get pushed around and I think that is hurting him right now. But there are plenty of smallish WR who are really good. They are just in better schemes. Roman isn’t the best guy for Brown’s skill set.
The good news is that he’s signed through 2022, and has a fifth-year option for 2023. Seeing what Brown can really do in a sophisticated passing attack is just one more reason to consider jettisoning Roman.
