Frustration.
For Ravens fans, it has been building for years. In 2018, frustration was felt when the Ravens lost a Wild Card game at home to the Chargers after LA’s defensive coordinator Gus Bradley drew up a plan to thwart the offensive attack “engineered” by Marty Mornhinweg. In 2019, on the heels of a (14-2) campaign, expectations soared as the No. 1 seeded Ravens hosted the Titans. Once again, an opponent had an answer for Lamar Jackson, as Tennessee’s D-coordinator Dean Pees – yes, Dean Pees, developed a scheme that diffused the league’s top-ranked offense.
2020 was a strange season, defined in large part by COVID. After notching his first and only playoff win against the Titans a week earlier, the Ravens offense failed to post against the Bills at Orchard Park. Then in 2021, despite the plethora of injuries to key players, the Ravens managed to start the season at (8-3). Heading into Week 13, they were the AFC’s No. 1 seed. Frustration kicked in again as fans watched the team lose six straight – several losses redefining the level of fan frustration as time and time again, two-point conversion attempts failed, turning potential victory into defeat.
And then 2022 came along.
In a town used to the team’s defense putting games away with double-digit leads, this edition of the Ravens gave up leads like the greeters at Walmart give up happy faces. Ravens fans were hardly smiling. Games that should have been easily won turned into losses. More injuries challenged the team’s depth chart including one to the team’s franchise QB. But somehow, the Ravens managed to punch their ticket to the postseason dance.
But once again, frustration reared its ugly head. The dance card was punched only once.
A season marked by highs and lows; a season during which we all hoped that Lamar Jackson might put to rest any doubts about his long-term value, only ushered in more questions and more doubt. Today, the fanbase is split over whether they want Lamar to stay or go, as narratives about his alleged selfishness are as commonplace as critics of Greg Roman.
Frustration.
Frustrated, Incorporated.
The good news is that the Ravens aren’t that far away from competing with the likes of the Chiefs, Bills and Bengals. Despite the team’s flaws, they’ve already proven that they can go toe-to-toe with each.
So, what lies ahead?
There is a lot of work to be done this offseason. It will be the most challenging one for GM Eric DeCosta since he was handed the reins of the team’s front office in 2019. And it all starts with the enigmatic Lamar Jackson who’s behaving like a player seeking a one-way ticket out of town.
More Offense
Over the course of the last nine games of the 2022 season, the Ravens averaged just 14.7 points per game. Offense will clearly be on the mind of DeCosta as he implements needed augmentations. But DeCosta’s offseason scalpel will be challenged by the Ravens archaic philosophical approach to offense and its accompanying lack of imagination.
What free agent receivers will be attracted to an offense led by Greg Roman? What potential short-term quarterback solutions would be interested in boosting their career in Baltimore if there is no change at offensive coordinator (assuming Lamar moves on)?
Let’s be honest, this isn’t all on Greg Roman. His boss plays a role in these offensive deficiencies and he’s equally culpable. John Harbaugh is complicit in the Ravens offensive failures because he enables it – he signs off it through his apparent complacency. In order for DeCosta to bring the Ravens into the modern era of offense in the NFL – to even approach the modern era, a change at OC is mandatory.
Now Harbaugh has by contract, 100% say in his assistants. If he refuses to move on from Roman, owner Steve Bisciotti should step in and deliver an ultimatum. This garbage, this continual revolving door of receivers discarded by other clubs, has got to end.
Consider the players who have asked out of Baltimore:
Hayden Hurst, 2018 first-round pick
Orlando Brown, Jr., 2018 third-round pick
Marquise Brown, 2019 first-round pick
That is a lot of draft capital spent on players who asked out of this offense and that really can’t sit well with DeCosta. Who’s next? Rashod Bateman? J.K. Dobbins?
You can feel the passion, competitiveness, frustration and so many other emotions from J.K. Dobbins here
“I should be the guy, I’m tired of holding that back” pic.twitter.com/Vc1LXxZz0l
— Kevin Oestreicher (@koestreicher34) January 17, 2023
It is believed that last year Roman signed a one-year extension with a club option for 2023. So it’s possible that we could hear that he and the team have mutually agreed to part ways, much like the Ravens and Wink Martindale did nearly one year ago on January 21, 2022.
Postseason Success
During their history, the Ravens have enjoyed success in the playoffs. But that success has faded into the rearview mirror and despite having the personnel to win in the postseason, victories during the dance have been few and far between. Since the 2012 championship season, the Ravens are (2-5) in the playoffs.
The Ravens are the 2nd team in the last 15 seasons to lose a playoff game where they ran for 150-plus yards and allowed fewer than 250 yards. The other was the 2020 Ravens against the Bills. pic.twitter.com/C4GYoHux94
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) January 16, 2023
The Ravens are first team in NFL postseason history to out-gain their opponents by 120 yards in four straight games. Baltimore is 1-3 in those games.
(h/t @ESPNStatsInfo) pic.twitter.com/2uluJRoiFb
— Jamison Hensley (@jamisonhensley) January 16, 2023
It’s not as if the Ravens couldn’t compete with the teams they lost to in the playoffs. But they have appeared to be out-schemed, out-coached, outpaced and eventually outscored. Since Lamar’s arrival in 2018, the Ravens are (1-4) in the postseason, averaging just 13.8 PPG.
There’s a difference between complacency and continuity.
It’s time for Harbaugh to understand the difference.
If Greg Roman is still employed by the #Ravens on Tuesday because Harbaugh is protecting him, then they should both be gone. Not championing John's dismissal, but if he refuses to remove Roman, then he's endorsing the prehistoric offense, the existence of which = failure. https://t.co/cBRmewGOON
— Tony Lombardi (@RSRLombardi) January 16, 2023
Annual Attrition
It is said that each of the NFL’s 32 teams regularly experiences on average, an attrition rate of 25%. Imagine your 3 closest co-workers and then imagine that each year one of them leaves.
Besides the roster augmentation, DeCosta will also need to prepare for the potential departures of some key Ravens either because they are cap casualties, they seek greener pastures or maybe, they’re just heading out to pasture. The list of players who could move on is lengthy. RSR’s Brian McFarland begins his offseason work here with a list of considerations that will certainly fill DeCosta’s plate.
Since there have been a lot of questions about cuts/trades, here are the Cap implications of the cutting/trading of some Ravens (this is purely informational and not an endorsement of any particular move): https://t.co/fLeLSyBdUE pic.twitter.com/ft8ynle49p
— Brian McFarland (@RavensSalaryCap) January 17, 2023
Ravens DE Calais Campbell said he will take some time to decide his future. He contemplated retirement last offseason.
“There’s a chance I could be back here next year,” Campbell said.
He’s been a true class act during his time in Baltimore. pic.twitter.com/hqCBlO89ON
— Jamison Hensley (@jamisonhensley) January 16, 2023
The Fumble
Tyler Huntley’s fumble at the goal line was excruciating. The Ravens looked like they were about to take a 7-point lead and with the defense stifling Joe Burrow & Co., an upset seemed to be within reach.
But even with the fumble, Mark Andrews’ pure hustle could have and arguably should have ended Sam Hubbard’s 98-yard return. Markus Bailey pushes Andrews as he attempts to tackle Hubbard and then lifts his hands in the air almost as an admission of guilt. The debatable foul takes place at roughly the 20 yard line which likely puts the Bengals offense at the Ravens 30 if the penalty had been called. Given the way that the Ravens defense had played from the beginning of the second quarter up to that point, it’s very possible that they could have held the Bengals to a field goal.
And then maybe the outcome is different.
Our #NFL rules analyst @DeanBlandino explains why the officials were correct to not throw a penalty on Sam Hubbard's 98-yard fumble return TD#RuleTheJungle pic.twitter.com/PPMjqOgGWr
— The 33rd Team (@The33rdTeamFB) January 16, 2023
This crushing turn of events was very reminiscent of similar frustration experienced in January of 2021.
#OTD in 2021 Taron Johnson's NFL playoff tying record 101-yard pic six leads the Buffalo Bills to a 17-3 playoff win over the Baltimore Ravens. Seems a Raven playoff game isn't complete without a long return for a TD pic.twitter.com/9p93FPZser
— ThisDateInBuffaloSportsHistory (@BuffSportsHstry) January 16, 2023
The 2023 NFL Draft
Currently the Ravens have just 5 picks in the 2023 draft which is the fewest total in the league, save the Dolphins who also have 5 picks. For those who think the Dolphins are a potential trade partner for the services of Lamar Jackson, their dearth of draft capital probably takes them out of the running.
After sacrificing a 2nd and a 5th for Roquan Smith, the Ravens 2023 picks are currently as follows:
• 1st round (22nd)
• 3rd
• 4th
• 5th (via the Patriots)
• 6th
The Ravens are not expected to receive any compensatory picks this year.
Frustration? Yes.
Is the sky falling?
Absolutely not!
Let the (offseason) games begin…
19 Responses
I’ve never liked players who negotiate contracts via the press and now social media. Either work it out or move on. None of this bs.
Tony.. Love the articles, I’m with you.. If there is no change at OC, what is the point of signing lamar, and frankly what is the point of watching this team. I love the Ravens but this is insanity. Roman should’ve been out the door after the Buffalo loss. Maybe Roman has compromising pictures of Harbaugh.. You have a generational talent and you are running a souped up Navy offense.. We will take care of Lamar 5 Years 215 Million with 175 Million in GTD
Insightful as usual, Tony! From my perspective, the most compelling statistic is the 2-5 postseason record since the 2012 SB win! Following that sensational SB win, Harbaugh has failed to adapt his offensive system and philosophy to the pass oriented NFL, which has not only resulted in his dismal postseason performance, but also in player defections and WRs loathe to play here! My guess is that’s what we’re probably witnessing with Lamar, whose close friend, Hollywood Brown, demanded a trade because he didn’t want to play in this system! Unless Harbaugh is willing to adapt his offense to the times, he needs to go! Just one frustrated fan’s opinion for a change…….
We almost did not make it to the 2012 playoffs. It took the firing of Cam Cameron to do it. We were behind at half time of he AFCCG against the patriots. It took a Flacco talking to Harbaugh to right the ship in the second half and we reached the Super Bowl which we won thanks to the passing game of Flacco and Jim Caldwell. Harbaughs old school we zag when they zig DOES NOT WORK.
Just dropping Roman won’t be enough. But I can see it as mandatory step one, see what improvement you get. Maybe DeCosta somehow, miraculously, finally manages to hit on a stud WR in the draft or convinces a free agent WR that with Roman gone Baltimore is a place to play. It could happen.
Time to clean the coaching house..all of it. Eric D has quite the uphill climb. But we do have talent even without Lamar, whose rocket has run out of fuel.
The passing offense definitely needs a major up-grade. The 4 teams left in the AFC all have young top rated QBs. You are not going to win a Super Bowl, leading the league in rushing. The top 3 rushing teams this year were the Bears, Ravens and Falcons. Not the company I would like to be associated with if I am the Ravens. The Chargers just fired their OC Joe Lombardi. The Chargers offense under Lombardi was 3rd rated for passing offense and 9th rated for total yards. If Harbaugh isn’t on the phone with him right now offering him whatever he wants to come as our OC, then SB should fire Harbaugh and Make Mike McDonald the new head coach.
Joe Lombardi. I like the name.
Me. too
Me. too.
I’m not sure Lamar wants to be here anymore. It’s convoluted, but I would trade Lamar to Atlanta for 2 firsts and Drake London. I would then flip our first to SF for Trey Lance. It looks more and more like Purdy is their QB of the future. Lance has a similar skill set to Lamar and is still in his rookie contract. Best of all worlds to me is to resign Lamar. I just don’t think he wants to be here.
I completely agree. I would not be surprised if they already have a trade partner for Lamar. A grade they lied about the grade 2 sprain by announcing it as a 1-3 week injury. The grade of a sprain is determined by physical exam and MRI, not “how it feels” or “how it progresses”. Lying about it was not for a competitive advantage and not to increase the value of the chess piece. It was already decided that Lamar will be tagged and traded. I would LOVE to be proved wrong but Lamar’s language the last 2 weeks has been that of an ex-raven. I blame the coaching staff for having developed this desire of not being a ravens in Lamar
Please, no. Trey Lance?! That dude is hot garbage and has done absolutely nothing in the league with arguably one of the best offensive rosters..
Sad end but about what you’d expect with real defense and no real offense.
As to the article, I think that calling a penalty on the runback would have been wrong. Playoff game, crucial moment, split second decision (I think not reviewable) and certainly not flagrant like that PI that cost the Saints a few years ago.
Since Lamar is the center of everything, I want to address a few things regarding the playoff history(please correct my memory if needed). In 18 , Lamar started against San Diego and was terrible in 1st half with passing and ball security. The crowd at least many, any many of the halftime pundits realized that he was shaken and wanted Flacco. This was an obvious call, but Harbs sticks with LJ and though he(LJ) nearly redeemed himself in the second half, it ended in the loss.
In 19 riding the most fun regular season for me, he did do Ok against the Titans but was not a world beater. In the Buffalo game he, not Harbs or Roman, had the ravens closing in the red zone at 10-3 Buffalo and throws a pick 6 (see article). Now Its 17-3 in a moment and here we go again. (Keep in mind this is with Brown, Yanda, and healthy Ronnie S on the line )
With regard to Hurst, Zeus Jr and Brown: Hurst was a bit hurt and overshadowed by a great DeCosta pick named Andrews. He knew he was #2 and why not ask for a change. He turned into Dobbins there. Orlando Brown was very good, but not great and he demanded too much . But he netted Oweh (so so, so far) and Cleveland (maybe), I think an Ok deal. Brown was a bad DeCosta pick and cost several games with drops. Reminded me of Perriman. He has also dropped a few big ones in his new home and never struggled for the extra yard. So I say good riddance.
So what i think is that Lamar is far from the great quarterback and his major skillset only diminishes with time. I guess he overestimates his value but not enough insiders are around to move him. Not playing last Sunday is maybe OK, but not being with the team is not forgivable for me. You have to be a leader. He wasn’t. Let him go and get something for him
I do think Harbs and of course Roman should be gone for failing to orchestrate better ( time management, calls, “end of the bar” comments etc.) and failing to create some sort of offensive balance, near balance. Really needs a change. That of course begs the question ” Who are you going to get? I dunno!
It does not matter who we get. It is getting old. We need new blood. I understand that continuity is a good thing in the coaching staff but when we have one playoff victory in the last 8 years , 5e coaching staff needs to change. The identity of the team is old.
Continuity is good if it’s producing positive results! But, when you keep doing the same things over and over expecting different results, that’s Einstein’s definition of insanity! And, when Harbaugh says he wants to emulate 2012 without a viable passing game, that’s……delusional!
Agree – I actually think this team has a window right now to compete.
– No major unrestricted free agents
– Championship level defense anchored by Roquan, Queen, Hamilton & Marlo.
– DT a little shaky – no one caliber of Ngata or B. Williams in their prime but good unit.
– Can Oweh and Ojabo become pass rush terrors – if so – unit goes from a to A+ with McDonald at the helm.
– They have the GOAT kicker and solid special teams
– Sign Lamar – pay it. They are going to be competing against Pickett, Burrow & Watson in the division alone for several years, and that is not including Herbert, Mahomes, Lawrence and possibly Tua outside the division. The AFC is stacked with QB talent. This idea that you just get rid of him and sign Derek Carr instead is asinine. Carr has no ability to put a team on his back and snatch a win with dynamic playmaking ability – with both his arms & legs – which we have seen Lamar do on several occasions. When he’s healthy he is one of the most dangerous playmakers in the NFL. They are not in a position to just simply draft his replacement as well despite all the “fans at the end of the bar” that want to burn the house down top to bottom and trade the injured QB after a 10-7 season where they came 1 bad play from the final four in a wild card game where they were nearly a 10 point underdog. Seriously, they would have no stomach for drafting a rookie, putting him out there and having him struggle while a championship caliber defense wastes away on the sideline. Burrow and Herbert are going to reset the QB market when their deals are extended, the salary cap is going to go up and there is no guarantee of anything in the draft. Trubisky was graded higher and drafted before Mahomes. Mayfield and Darnold were drafted ahead of Josh Allen and Lamar. Zack Wilson was drafted ahead of Justin Fields. That is a crapshoot the organization should not play with a known quantity like Lamar and a half dozen AFC MVP caliber QBs between the ages of 22-27 entering their primes.
– Backfield of JK, Gus and Ricard could be best in NFL.
– OL is really solid with Stanley back – could be slightly better with pass protection – but the draft of Linderbaum was A+. D’Alissandris does an amazing job with this unit. They were least penalized in NFL.
– WR1 – the Ravens need to get better vertically. They have no ability to stretch. I was not a Hollywood fan – but at least he could pose a threat to stretch. Biggest offensive need (as always).
– WR2 – Bateman – great hands and YAC. Could be another SSS or Anquan type.
-TE – Andrews and Likely could potentially be best tandem in NFL.
COACH – Do not renew Roman. Would love to see someone of the Shannahan 49ers tree like Bobby Slowick. I don’t get all the Harbs hate. This guy takes repeatedly undermanned teams and keeps them competitive. He wins more than he loses and makes playoffs regularly. I heard so many – “they are going to get blown out/smoked – I ain’t even watching from people.” He made all the right moves. He rested his guys in week 18, didn’t tip his hand, didn’t panic when they got down 9 -0 and had a hell of a game plan – if Huntley just executes the play as called/practiced they may have won as a 9 point road underdog. Even last year with all the injuries and 3rd stringers – they took teams like the Packers and Rams down to the wire and lost by a point. Harbs is a championship caliber coach that knows how to navigate the grind of an NFL season and an extremely competitive AFC North. You can’t hand this unit over to a rookie head coach.
Well we not getting an OC from outside unless we convince them Lamar staying. Even if new OC improves passing game the odds are quite good that running game will fall off without the best run game designer on the planet. The failure last 5 years is not on Lamar and coaches its on front office. If Lamar is traded to a team with weapons this will become disgustingly painfully obvious. Its a shane because EDC has built a SB roster everywhere else but sabotaged it at WR
Sorry but i am still looking 4 evidence that lj is going to be a pinpoint passer which requires standing in the pocket (where he gets season ending injuries), throwing receivers open, and pinpoint passing i.e. back shoulder passes rather than overthrowing wide open receivers by 10+ yards. I love lj but it just seems people think the reason he is not a passer is on the mgmt and team and he shouldn’t carry any responsibility.