The Ravens host the Atlanta Falcons and rookie quarterback Desmond Ridder this weekend at The Bank. Ridder made his first career start last week during a 21-18 loss in New Orleans. The Ravens opened up as 7 ½ points favorites but at the moment the line is set at 6 ½. The movement in the line undoubtedly stems from the uncertainties surrounding the availability of Lamar Jackson.
It goes without saying, this is a must-win for the Ravens, not so much in terms of their playoff possibilities, but more so to improve the damaged psyche of the team. A loss at home in December to a rookie quarterback piloting a (5-9) team will undoubtedly trigger a #RavensFlock meltdown. It could also ignite stress in the team’s locker room. The pressure is real.
The signs are already there.
Following the bitter disappointment of the 13-3 loss to the Browns on Saturday Night before a national audience, Ravens LB Tyus Bowser returned to team headquarters for some postgame treatment where he found signs scattered about the entrance to the building. The signs read, “Fire Greg Roman”. Bowser took video of the signs and posted them on Instagram. Bowser’s post was interpreted as a sign of frustration and an indirect endorsement of the sign’s sentiment.
Later he backtracked, sweeping the issue under the carpet with the grace and style of a polished PR Exec.
Before getting asked any questions, Ravens LB Tyus Bowser said it was “a bad move” for him to post an IG video showing “Fire Greg Roman” papers.
Bowser said he apologized to Roman for doing that and fully respects him. pic.twitter.com/BCoFdcXmmb
— Jamison Hensley (@jamisonhensley) December 20, 2022
During the game in Cleveland, Mark Andrews was visibly frustrated and he had a brief but rather animated chat with John Harbaugh on the sideline. To start the season, Andrews picked up where he left off in 2021 during his All Pro campaign. He posted 39 catches, 455 yards and 5 TDs during the first six games this season. Since then, he’s had just 22 catches for 247 yards and hasn’t found the end zone. You know that he’s frustrated. The pressure was apparent when Mark took his turn at the podium on Tuesday.
Angry Mark Andrews 😤😈#Ravens pic.twitter.com/bWFdkiWE5j
— Sarah Ellison (@sgellison) December 20, 2022
During his Monday press conference, Harbaugh was a little chippy while defending his coaching staff. He also practiced a little passive aggressiveness when addressing the burgeoning angst of the fan base.
“I love the fans talking about everything they can talk about. We’re together, man; we’re a team. We’re in here, we’re spending all of our time getting ready for the Atlanta Falcons with every ounce of energy and fiber we have, with a bunch of very good people at what they do [and] who understand everything about our team better than anybody else possibly could. We’re getting ready to play the game, so all the other stuff, we don’t have time for that. As [Patriots head] Coach [Bill] Belichick said, ‘We’re onto Atlanta.’ We’re on to Atlanta, and all the end of the bar-type conversation is for the people sitting at the end of the bar.”
Harbaugh is very measured when addressing the media. He knows the game and plays it well. The fact that he couldn’t hold back on this subtle dig is symptomatic of swelling pressure.
Speaking of which, there may be no other player feeling the intensity of pressure on par with that of Lamar Jackson. Lamar’s absence has shone a light on the extreme deficiencies in Greg Roman’s offense when operating without the guy who has carried it on his back. And it hasn’t been easy for the Ravens franchise QB. Jackson’s struggles this season coupled with that elusive contract which hangs around the team like a threatening cloud, has only served to heighten Lamar’s need to perform at an elite level. And unfortunately he’s fallen short. Pressure can trigger undesirable results.
The Ravens can point to several culprits for their offensive woes. There’s plenty of blame to go around. But those struggles have probably cost Lamar more than any other Raven. And because he is immensely popular amongst the players the frustrations inherent in the team’s obsolete passing attack are felt not only by Lamar, but by the entire locker room. That might help to explain Bowser’s knee-jerk response on social media.
Yesterday the Ravens claimed Sammy Watkins off waivers and signed former Bengals WR Mike Thomas to their practice squad, both out of necessity given the season-ending foot injury suffered by Devin Duvernay and the insane ineptness of the passing game. Desperate times call for…well, you know.
You might think that a receiver might be excited about joining the Ravens practice squad given the lack of talent at the varsity level. It could be perceived that such a dearth of quality receivers might translate to an opportunity for a promotion. Andy Isabella, who has been on the Ravens practice squad since October 10, might have other ideas. Isabella, a 2019 2nd-round pick of the Arizona Cardinals, can’t even sniff the field – can’t even take snaps away from James Proche who has exactly 8 catches on 14 targets for 62 yards in 12 games.
But that’s another story for another day.
We have claimed WR @sammywatkins off waivers.
Welcome back ‼️ pic.twitter.com/aRE315q0DM
— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) December 20, 2022
[Related Article: Ravens Forging Ahead]
On Saturday at The Bank, the wind chill will hover around single digits with winds gusting to 32 mph. That’s cold and those conditions coupled with the fact that it’s Christmas Eve will keep attendance down. And if the Ravens offense is as inept on the day before Christmas as it was in Cleveland, the 35,000 creatures in attendance WILL be stirring and they won’t be as quiet as mice. Their collective chilly response to unsavory events on the field could make the air temps feel like a heat wave.
Then, more frustration will spill over into the locker room.
And it just might blow.
On many levels and for many reasons, the Ravens better win on Sunday.
The alternative is frightening.
5 Responses
Tony, the alternative may be frightening… short term. But longterm it might be a good thing, at least in my mind. Maybe the powers that be will finally come the realization that this team, starting at the top, is mired in sustained mediocrity. I can’t even listen to Harbaugh’s bs anymore, and I can barely watch this team.
it`s all greg roman…just like it was all the 5 other coordinators over the last 10 years…
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planned obsolescence?…..or just a problem no one has the cojones to address?…..what`s the definition of insanity again?
The Ravens have announced the utmost confidence in their coaching staff, which is tantamount to rearranging the deck chairs on the Titanic as she was sinking! This is an organization either in denial, delusional or……both!
WTG Tony for stirring things up. Always honest and to the point but I don’t think the coaches, FO, SB, or the fans want to hear it. We’re stuck with this coaching staff until after the season The players have been demoralized for awhile, starting with Lamar. I don’t see Lamar playing this week, especially now that the weather is supposed to be cold. I feel for all especially the players. So much talent but so little leadership. Keys to winning is not the added old recycled WRs, it’s do what we do best. Run, run, run and solid D. We have alot of heart here. We shall overcome until after the season is over then we will see some much needed changes finally.
Tony – is it a possibility that Lamar will hold out for the rest of the season. Clearly being unsure of what the future portends and a SB run seeming less likely… I wonder what his advisors are saying. I know some of the talking heads are already thinking this may be in the works. What would be ways we could tell from the outside that this is a possibility? Would they add another quarterback?