OTL: Saquon the Raven?

Hello everyone, and happy Wednesday to you, Flock.

While we await the final three games of football, the Ravens are continuing their search for their seventh Offensive Coordinator since John Harbaugh was hired.

While the names of the search have been discussed, we now have the in-house options that the Ravens are interviewing:

Ravens coach John Harbaugh has interviewed both QBs coach James Urban and TE coach George Godsey for his offensive coordinator opening.

— Jeff Zrebiec (@jeffzrebiec) January 24, 2023

Harbs said at the end-of-the-year press conference that all options in-house and outside would be considered for the job. However, these just don’t do it for me. Look, if the Ravens are going to fix this offense, it has to come from the outside. I understand considering all options, but if these guys were fixes, they would have been promoted right away.

We need someone fresh with new ideas and someone young. These guys don’t fit that mold, and Harbs is probably only interviewing them for appearance’s sake. You don’t want your assistants thinking they’re stuck in dead-end positions.

Now someone that does fit that profile…

Per sources, Rams pass-game coordinator/QBs coach Zac Robinson interviewed for the Ravens OC job over Zoom today. He was with the Chargers on Monday, and has drawn coordinator interest from another team as well.

The 36-year-old's seen as a rising star on Sean McVay's staff.

— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) January 24, 2023

Now, this is what I am talking about. Young, offensive-minded, has worked with and fixed quarterbacks in the past and would bring something fresh to Baltimore. Out of all the names confirmed that the Ravens are interested in, this is, so far, my favorite. He comes from one of the best offensive coaching trees in football, would run a lot more of a modern passing game, and would attract wide receivers instead of scaring them away (shoutout Greg Roman).

He already got an interview with the Chargers, so the Ravens likely have competition if they want him. This is the type they should be going after; he could be the offensive Mike Macdonald.

Enough about the OC; other news from the Ravens happened to drop:

The Ravens have claimed CB Trayvon Mullen off of waivers from the Cowboys. He was a 2019 second-round pick of the Raiders.

— Field Yates (@FieldYates) January 23, 2023

Mullen is Lamar Jackson‘s cousin. Outside of that fact, this is only corner depth. He had a solid year a couple of years ago but has bounced around since.

Other news is that we know our opponents for the 2023 season:

Our 2023 opponents are set: pic.twitter.com/RN68P4ETRG

— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) January 24, 2023

No, I will not confidently say what our record will be since we have no idea how this team will look. Playing west coast teams has always been fun, and we do get the weak AFC South next year. Again though, nothing groundbreaking from me here.

To close out, here is something odd I found:

Where will Saquon Barkley sign IF he leaves the #NYGiants? (Odds vis @betonline_ag):

Ravens (+400)
Bills (+425)
Broncos (+500)
Jets (+600)
Patriots (+700)
Cowboys (+750)
Chiefs (+800)
Panthers (+900)
Saints (+900)
Bears (10/1)
Seahawks (10/1)
Cardinals (14/1)

— Jaime Eisner (@JaimeEisner) January 23, 2023

What is Vegas cooking? If the Ravens sign Saquon Barkley without improving the receiver room and with JK Dobbins and Gus Edwards on the roster, this fanbase might burn this team to the ground. I love Saquon, and without the Ravens’ situation, he and Lamar would be the deadliest read-option duo in the league, but it doesn’t make sense.

With that said, I hope the Ravens hire a young offensive coordinator who brings something fresh. Maybe we can talk about the hire in this space next time.