Injuries are an unfortunate part of professional football. It comes with the territory – the nature of the beast. Whenever injuries occur across the National Football League, teams peruse their respective depth chart and utter the tired but inevitable cliché, “next man up”!
If only it was that simple.
The loss of Mark Andrews is a significant blow to the Ravens offense. A cliché isn’t going to heal the wounds suffered by Todd Monken’s unit. It will take more than that to fill the void left by the absence of Andrews. Next MEN up is more like it. Monken will need to replace Andrews’ targets, particularly in the red zone, AND…in a meaningful way. He’ll need to have Isaiah Likely or Charlie Kolar or both step up and not be overwhelmed by larger roles. And John Harbaugh will have to hope that someone, anyone, steps up to fill the anticipated drop off in leadership triggered by Andrews’ unavailability.
Doing all or any of this won’t be easy, but if the Ravens want to realize their ambitious goals during the 2023 season, it has to happen. The Ravens will have to find a way.
Injuries to key players are frustrating. Just when it seemed the Ravens were getting other players more involved like Odell Beckham, Jr., Rashod Bateman and rookie RB Keaton Mitchell, and the offense started to click, losing a player like Andrews, who commands attention, makes the effectiveness of the others more of a challenge. Defenses can deploy their assets more efficiently.
During his presser on Monday, John Harbaugh was asked about Andrews’ injuries – the high ankle sprain and the cracked fibula.
“Nothing’s completely definitive yet, but my understanding is in talking with our trainer [Adrian Dixon] and the doctors is that it wasn’t as bad as initially feared right after the game. There is the type of damage that’s done sometimes in that kind of an action, what happens to the ankle, but it wasn’t as bad as it could’ve been. It’s cleaner than they thought based on the MRI. He’s going to be involved with Dr. [Robert] Anderson down there in [North] Carolina in Charlotte here [in] the next few days. We’ll know more, but there might be an outside chance he could get back at some point in time. We’ll just have to see how that goes, though. I don’t want to say that’s definitive by any stretch, but there is some optimism.”
Why did you go there John? Why not just keep the possible, albeit improbable return of Andrews at some point this season, in house? Why set any public expectation for his return? Instead, John invited more questions during the weeks ahead. Questions that he’ll soon grow weary of. Questions that he’ll soon dismiss and then show disdain towards those who asked the question that he invited with is optimism – real or imagined. Questions that eventually could persuade the uninformed to ponder Andrews’ toughness like some have with other injured players past and present – you know who they are.
You’d think that Harbaugh would have learned by now.
During the same presser Harbaugh was asked about the decision to not activate DT Broderick Washington for the game against the Cincinnati Bengals?
“[It] just has to do with our opponent [and] the types of formations and personnel groups they were in and the type of game they play on offense. It was a strategic decision in terms of how to best use our personnel.”
The Ravens just gave the guy a 3-year, $15.75M extension and he’s inactive? Oh, it gets better. When John was asked how Washington is playing as compared to last year, he served this up:
“I love Broderick. He’s a guy that just brings it every single practice [and] every single game. [He’s a] very physical player. [He] does a great job pushing the pocket [in the] pass [and] run game. [He’s a] leader [and] tone setter, for sure. He’s a Raven. We love it when he’s out there. He understood the situation. That’s a week-to-week process.”
So, Washington does it all, the Ravens paid him accordingly, the Bengals averaged 5.9 YPC, but Broderick was deemed less important than Jalyn Armour-Davis or Josh Ross? C’mon man!
Washington hasn’t played as well in 2023 as he did last season. But a team that has struggled against the run on first down for the past few games, could have used more beef across the interior defensive line, particularly during a short week. The wear and tear was obvious from the jump for Michael Pierce. It’s tough to get the most out of IDL personnel with limited recovery time.
[The Heat is On! Who’s Feeling It?]
Looking For Help
Apparently the “Help Wanted” sign is out and the Ravens are looking to add to their tight end room.
The Ravens hosted FA TE OJ Howard for a workout today, per @AaronWilson_NFL.
Baltimore continues to look for depth at the position. pic.twitter.com/tUaVzRDcY1
— Ravens Nation LIVE (@LIVERavenNation) November 20, 2023
You may recall that there were some who thought the Ravens would make a play for O.J. Howard during the 2017 NFL Draft. The Ravens were on the clock at No. 16. Howard was there for the taking. Instead the Ravens selected O.J.’s teammate, Marlon Humphrey. Time has proven that the Ravens made the right choice and it isn’t even close.
That said, the Ravens alleged overtures towards Howard are interesting. The 29-year-old Howard last played with the Houston Texans in 2022 where the 2017 19th overall pick collected 10 passes for 145 yards and 2 TD’s. Howard was drafted by Tampa and his offensive coordinator during his first two seasons was none other than Todd Monken. Howard had his best two seasons under Monken, catching a total of 60 passes in 24 games for 997 yards and 11 TD’s.
It seems like a safe bet to conclude that the Ravens interest in Howard has been influenced by Monken’s positive experience with the 6’6” tight end.
On to LA
The Ravens begin their player preparations for the Chargers today and for the moment the Ravens are 4-point road favorites. It’s a suspicious number against a (4-6) team that appears to be unraveling. Plus, their struggling defense will be without the services of 4-time Pro Bowler Joey Bosa.
Some random stats about the Chargers defense since last year:
In 3rd & 10+ situations, have given up the highest % of first downs (penalties included), 31.1% of the time
Have allowed the 2nd highest % of series that involve a 2nd & 15 play to be turned into a 1st down/TD, 48.6%— Arjun Menon (@arjunmenon100) November 20, 2023
No. 1 Seed
With the Chiefs loss to the Eagles last night, the Ravens now own the AFC’s best record. Keeping it will be a challenge and as history has proven, the Ravens are capable of some exciting moments when they visit the Chargers.
Enjoy your day everyone and here’s to incredibly Happy Thanksgiving for all of you and your families.
Ray Lewis’ game-winning tackle on fourth down against the Chargers was something to remember:
9/20/2009 pic.twitter.com/7SPXUi8yeo
— Ravens Nation LIVE (@LIVERavenNation) January 26, 2023
Joe Flacco really threw a checkdown to Ray Rice on 4th & 29 lmaooo 🐐 pic.twitter.com/mh5dSWrswW
— RAMEY (@HoodieRamey) April 1, 2022
Can’t forget this dime from Lamar and the catch and run from Mark Andrews vs the Chargers. pic.twitter.com/AeKJfKVuMe
— The Exit 52 Podcast (@Exit52Podcast) October 13, 2021
12 Responses
Harbs comment concerning Andrews had me scratching my head. Harbs raised hope only to , in all reality, get the fans frustrated when Andrews can’t play this season. Of course, if the second opinion supports that statement then we have a different storyline but a I would have at least waited until after Andrews got evaluated in Charlotte before I made that statement.
Weren’t we the number 1# seed at some point last year or the year before? Just win and let the season and seeds play itself out.
I think although it will annoying questions – it may drive the team to work towards making the long run into playoffs. Imagine him coming back for the Super Bowl. That’s enough weeks away and gets everybody giddy at the prospect. Going IR will take weeks off and they can time that based on the upcoming bye. It’s good to have some hope even if it does not materialize. In the meantime – the rest of the wr cadre will need to stick to the program.
If players need something like this for motivation, I have to question the drive of the players and the coaching staff’s ability to motivate.
Because he can’t help himself! Almost everything he always says about injuries is unreliable! I’d be more concerned about keeping his franchise QB heathy because he’s taken more than his share of hits so far this season! And, if he goes down the season, for all intents and purposes, is…..over! The league is reeling from injuries to starting QBs, so let’s hope that doesn’t happen……..
What’s your take on the The Athletic’s Player Survey, more specifically the Head Coach question. Granted there were only 72 replies (so taken with a grain of salt), but the fact that no one mentioned Harbaugh is eye opening.
Tony all he said it was it’s a possibility and then even said that nothing is definitive by any means. Why is that irking you so much sir? Are you beginning to turn down La Canfora Blvd?
You never know with Harbs on any injury he is the master of deception. I will say since watching pro ball since about 1964 I do not remember many walking off the field with a fractured leg even the smaller bone not to mention the ankle sprain to boot. I do remember Unitas and Flacco walking off with torn ACLs. Andrews is a stud.
I’m glad Harbs said this. Not because it is meaningful for this year (extraordinarily doubtful he returns this year), but because it means he should be good for next year, even ready for OTAs. Otherwise, as I thought, this might be an injury that carries into 2024 season.
I would say this would be a little bit of a problem if it was anyone other than Mark Andrews. No one is going to question his commitment to the team or his desire to get back to playing. He isn’t going to hold out for more money like some diva WR (which, luckily, we haven’t really had on our team). He’s a good kid, a solid character. In fact, it might actually rev up a fanbase that was crushed when they saw him go down, make them engaged when otherwise they might have lost interest. I wouldn’t second-guess Harbaugh too much, although that is Baltimore’s second favorite sport. 🙂
Same ol’ Harbs. Sticking his foot in his mouth and opening himself up for criticism Andrews doesn’t come back.
O.J. Howard? Really? Makes me wonder but if another TE goes down he may be worth a look-see. I think we are good right now with Likely, Kolar, and Ricard and we do have others on the PS.
The Chargers. And Staley was hired why? Wasn’t he supposed to be a “defensive genius” and the defense plays this poorly. I’m still surprised he’s still there but hope he stays coaching until after our game.
I assume the signing of Washington (not Howard) means Vokolek will be promoted. Washington is a sort of career practice squad player. I think this is a little exciting. Vokolek was very good in preseason and now has had three months of additional practice, development.
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