Losing Keaton Mitchell is a big blow to the Ravens offense. He provides a dimension that can’t be schemed or taught. Speed is innate. Speed kills. His loss will test the resourcefulness of offensive coordinator Todd Monken. Enter Melvin Gordon.
Gordon was the first-round pick (15th overall) of the San Diego Chargers in 2015. He’s a two-time Pro Bowler with 6,515 yards and 55 touchdowns to his credit. Over his last three full seasons, Gordon’s yards per carry have dropped from 4.6 to 4.5 to 3.5. The precipitous fall suggests that the 30-year-old former Wisconsin Badger could be washed.
The Ravens won’t be looking to Gordon to pick up the slack for Mitchell. They’ll just look to him to be a complementary piece who can absorb a few carries per game and to potentially add a component to the passing game. During his 8 seasons prior to joining the Ravens, Gordon caught 309 passes.
But back to the topic of speed for a moment. We’ve seen players who haven’t seen the field much during a given season, look rather spry when they get an opportunity. A season wears down players. As the end of a campaign draws near, they aren’t quite as fast as they were back during training camp. So, when a rested player takes the field competing against those worn down by the season, relatively speaking, they appear faster. That just might be a benefit the Ravens can enjoy with the veteran Gordon.
Replacing Keaton Mitchell is next to impossible. He provides a unique dimension that isn't easily duplicated. But that doesn't mean that Melvin Gordon can't help the #Ravens in a reserve role. pic.twitter.com/z4Ryp8orLm
— Tony Lombardi (@RSRLombardi) December 19, 2023
MVP
I don’t know about you but the weekly debate over who’s the NFL’s MVP favorite, is a tired and boring discussion. And quite honestly, I really don’t care who wins the MVP. Thankfully, the Ravens don’t either.
When asked about Lamar’s chances of winning the MVP John Harbaugh curtly replied:
“I don’t really care. I could care less about any of that, and the beautiful thing is Lamar [Jackson] couldn’t care less either. What we care about is the game on [Monday]. That’s one thing for sure. We’re trying to be 1-0 this week. This is the most important week of the season to us just like all the last weeks have been when they’ve come up. That’s really our … It’s a singular focus that our guys have that I love, and that’s the way it’s supposed to be.”
Bingo.
It’s all about the team. It’s all about winning, one week at a time. The rest of the individual accolades will fall into place if the TEAM takes care of business.
Let Josh Allen, Tyreek Hill, Dak Prescott, Brock Purdy, Christian McCaffrey and the flavor of the week be intoxicated by such rhetoric.
That said, there’s no denying Lamar’s excellence. Does he have his flaws? Of course, a few of which could be cured if Ronnie Stanley and Morgan Moses do their jobs. But even when they don’t, Lamar is capable of plays that make you go, “Wow!”
Even Lamar's teammates who watch him every day are amazed by the things he does. Just a special breed of player! #RavensFlock pic.twitter.com/QxgZ7v6ueE
— Tony Lombardi (@RSRLombardi) December 19, 2023
And while Lamar’s amazing escape and subsequent throw to Isaiah Likely add up to an eye-popping play, the throw I was most impressed with was the one below where Lamar stands tall in the pocket, sees the free blitzer coming, knows he’s going to be hit yet still delivers a strike to Odell Beckham, Jr. If only Odell was as aware as Lamar on the play, he might still be running.
Lamar Jackson stands ⬆️ and delivers 🎯 pic.twitter.com/kXMIjvhzG8
— Ryan Mink (@ryanmink) December 18, 2023
An Albatross
That is what the Ronnie Stanley contract represents for the Ravens. On October 30, 2020 the team announced that they had agreed to a 5-year, $98.75M extension with Stanley. Since then Stanley has played in 23 games and he’s never been the same All Pro that he was in 2019. And it’s unlikely that he ever will play to the level of his contract.
We have signed LT @megatronnie to a 5-year contract extension‼️‼️ pic.twitter.com/oHDHQQj7oh
— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) October 30, 2020
The Ravens are hoping that he’ll at least be an above average protectorate of the blind side. What they do beyond the 2023 season is anyone’s guess. They’ve already kicked the can down the road a couple of times with Stanley’s contract to create cap space. Now, those restructures and the contract itself, in retrospect, look like the biggest mistakes of GM Eric DeCosta’s career.
If Stanley gives the team 6 more games of competent play in 2023-24, all will be forgiven. But I’m not holding my breath on that with Nick Bosa, Chase Young, Bradley Chubb and T.J. Watt all waiting with bated breath. Mr. Monken, you’ve got some scheming to do…
[Related Article: Ravens Make Run Game Adjustments]
Remembering Sizzle
The video below popped up today in Facebook memories. It’s a reminder of the greatness of Terrell Suggs. It’s interesting how time can erase the true impact of these accomplishments from our recollections.
"Time will not diminish the glory of their deeds"
Remembering some sizzling moments… pic.twitter.com/9fhYztwwIt
— Tony Lombardi (@RSRLombardi) December 19, 2023
There’s not a player currently on the Ravens roster who comes close to Sizzle’s level of dominance. And as I reminisce, I can’t help but to be reminded of the day Suggs slipped to the Ravens at pick No. 10 during the 2003 draft day fiasco triggered by the Vikings time on the clock expiring. And then I laugh while remembering the words of Brian Billick when some criticized the pick due to Suggs’ poor 40-time at The Combine.
“If quarterbacks start taking 40-yard drops, then I’ll be a little concerned.”
The Kolar Plunge
The Ravens were successful emulating the Eagles “Tush Push” on Sunday night. Charlie Kolar was under center and things worked out ok despite the fact that the Jaguars had 12 men on the field.
The Charlie Kolar "Tush Push" pic.twitter.com/GrkyxzK44r
— Ryan Mink (@ryanmink) December 18, 2023
I’d suggest one change. Why waste Lamar there? Why not have another player contribute to The Kolar Plunge? I’m pretty sure Roquan Smith would be a willing and great contributor.
Trevor Trauma
Jaguars QB Trevor Lawrence as of this writing, remains in concussion protocol following the Sunday Night game against the Ravens. It isn’t clear when the concussion happened but there’s no denying that something was off with the capable signal caller who throws an accurate fastball with zip. He missed open receivers during the Jaguars final possession and you have to wonder if the concussion was a contributing factor. You also must wonder if the play below is responsible for that concussion. At the very least Lawrence should have been looked at. He wasn’t.
The #Jaguars are looking at another backup quarterback in the event Trevor Lawrence doesn't emerge from concussion protocol. The concussion probably happened on this play after being tossed to the ground by #Ravens DT Justin Madubuike. pic.twitter.com/4JqE8Y38q7
— Tony Lombardi (@RSRLombardi) December 19, 2023
Prior to this play, Lawrence had connected on nine consecutive passes. Following the play, he went 4 of 14 for 24 yards. Something was definitely off. I rest my case.
King Flacco?
Joe Flacco has created quite a buzz in Cleveland since his arrival. Considering the garbage the Browns had behind center before Joe, it’s easy for Ohioans to get caught up in the moment. Flacco has been decent, going (2-1) in three starts while throwing 7 TD’s against 5 INT’s for a passer rating of 81.6. But let’s not forget that he nearly blew the game against the (5-9) Bears by tossing three interceptions, one of the pick-six variety.
just one King giving his respects to another King 👑@KingJames | @JoeFlacco pic.twitter.com/59jlo5020j
— Cleveland Browns (@Browns) December 18, 2023
King Flacco. That’s funny. Joe might very well be the league’s most overrated quarterback at this moment.
I can’t wait to see how the story ends.
Ravens Chaplain
The Today Show did a nice piece on Ravens’ chaplain, Johnny Shelton. It reminded me of a conversation I had with Sage Steele several years ago about NFL players. In so many words, Sage defended the players as a whole saying that most are faithful family men whose reputations are sometimes tarnished by the actions of a few of their peers off the field. Sage even went so far to suggest that the percentage of NFL players engaging in criminal behavior is far less than society as a whole, while the percentage who are God-fearing is far greater.
In this feature which you can watch below, the importance of faith in the lives of players is paramount. One of the more poignant segments of this feature involves a conversation between NBC’s Savannah Sellers and Shelton:
• Sellers: Do most people know that [a team chaplain] is part of an NFL team?
• Shelton: Most people don’t know, which is a good thing, for us is that you stay out of the way.
• Sellers: Well today is your moment.
• Shelton: It’s God’s moment.
All NFL teams have a team chaplain, though not many fans know about them. Johnny Shelton, the team chaplain for the Baltimore Ravens sat down with NBC’s @WatchSavannah to talk about being the spiritual guide for the team, both on and off the field. pic.twitter.com/hEUk661LAT
— TODAY (@TODAYshow) December 18, 2023
A Charlie Brown Christmas
As a kid, watching A Charlie Brown Christmas was an annual ritual during The Season. And even as an adult, I’ll watch it from time to time as a reminder of the true importance of Christmas for Christians worldwide.
To everyone of all faiths and denominations, I hope you have a joyful Holiday Season with family and friends.
And of course a Happy Festivus!
8 Responses
Agree with the MVP talk. Some Fans on some these boards are so into LJ getting another MVP ,I shake my head. It is a popularity award. Rarely does the real MVP get the award. The only MVP award I find is worthy is the Super Bowl MVP and usually the person who wins that is on the winning team. I am sure LJ would trade his unanimous MVP award for a Super Bowl award every time.
Not only does the season wear players down, but practicing all year long does, too! And, that contributes to injuries because feet, knees and ankles, to name a few body parts, are not being given ample time to heal, let alone……rest! Having watched pro football for more than 75 years, there were never so many injuries back when the game was a fall and winter SPORT, not a year round business! Just one fan’s opinion for a change……
They don’t practice half as much as they used to. Check out the current collective bargaining agreement. There are limitations on how much they can practice, how many can be padded, etc. That’s not the problem. They actually may not be practicing enough.
This is the second year the Ravens’ medical experts and front office people inexplicably misjudged Ronnie’s readiness to play. Harbaugh and line coach also culpable. How can you not see before the season starts that he isn’t going to be the same guy? And get adequate depth? Sure, Mekari is solid. But last year and in the pre-season Faalele was really bad. If both Moses and Stanley are out Sunday and one goes down, I guess Cleveland moves to tackle. Wow! Re: faith in the locker room, Harbaugh leading players in the Lord’s Prayer seems wrong to me. I’m a man of faith myself but I don’t see how one faith’s prayer is featured when you likely have players who are Muslim, Jewish, etc. All the writers are keeping quiet about this. They shouldn’t be.
Well if Harbs wants to do a prayer its ok by me and I’d bet if someone wants a chance to do a Muslim or Jewish prayer, I’m sure it would be honored by everyone in the room, especially the coach. Your sort of opinion has put a blanket on free speech. That spin, your spin, is what’s wrong not right, and more writers should write about it.
Right, have a reporter tell us the facts: are there chances for multiple prayers, etc? What’s the rest of the story? Nobody knows. I don’t. You don’t. Without that information, we only see on the team’s website a Lords Prayer session.
Has nothing to do with “putting a blanket on free speech.” No need to get huffy.
Tony just like the rest of you in a certain segment of Ravens fans who don’t seem to be able to do 2 things at once. Too simple minded bc you think just bc Lamar is going for 2nd MVP and rightfully so he&they are not also laser focused on the bigger mission. And maybe it doesn’t matter to you older folks bc you’re loyal to Johnny U, Colts over the Ravens and or Flacco Apologists ETD. But let’s just call it 100% down the middle outside Mahomes, Lamar has most HOF accolades and resume built up in his young career. 2nd MVP Cements a HOF Career pretty much at 26.. just does. Every 2x MVP QB is in HOF.
That means something for young organization that’s had no Star Qb. Sorry Flacco wasn’t HOF Star Qb
This is such an uninformed take with wild assumptions. Play well, do your best for the team and the accolades and personal achievements will follow. It’s a pretty simple concept really. Well, for most anyway…