Like every year, Touchdown Actu offers you its traditional pre-season files. You can find them all by clicking on this link.
Baltimore livened up the 2019 season with spectacular play led by explosive quarterback Lamar Jackson, who picked up 14 wins, including a streak of 12 in a row! Better record in AFC.
Largely favorites, they were defeated by the sensation from Tennessee in the playoffs. Despite this second slap in the playoffs for Jackson, the Ravens are among the contenders for the throne in 2020.
Last season: 14-2, beaten in the playoffs (divisional round)
Offseason movements
After 13 seasons where he won a Super Bowl and was invited 8 times to the Pro Bowl, guard Marshall Yanda has retired. In an attack that relies on ground play, replacing it effectively is vital. For this, the Ravens used the draft (Phillips and Bredeson) as well as the free agent market (Fluker). Still concerning the battle of the trenches, but on the other side of the ball, Michael Brockers finally remained in Los Angeles but the Ravens are reinforced with the arrivals of Calais Campbell and Derek Wolfe. And as usual, the Baltimore franchise has been praised for the quality of its draft.
Grain of sand in the cogs, the departure of Earl Thomas. The altercation with Chuck Clark was not the only episode of behavior that was often irritating to his teammates. In the field, the sporting loss is real.
Notable arrivals: Calais Campbell (DE), Derek Wolfe (DE, Broncos), DJ Fluker (G)
Re-signatures : Matt Judon (OLB), Pernell McPhee (OLB), Matt Skura (C), Chuck Clark (S), Andre SMith (OT), De’Anthony Thomas (WR), Sam Koch (P), Jimmy Smith (CB)
Draft : Patrick Queen (LB), JK Dobbins (RB), Justin Madubuike (DT), Devin Duvernay (WR), Malik Harrison (LB), Tyrie Phillips (G), Ben Bredeson (G), Broderick Washington (DT), James Proche (WR), Geno Stone (S).
Notable losses: Marshall Yanda (G), Tony Jefferson (S), Hayden Hurst (TE), Brandon Carr (CB), Chris Wormley (DE), Josh Bynes (LB), Patrick Onwuasor (LB)
They gave up the season due to Covid-19: De’Anthony Thomas (WR), Andre Smith (OT)
Le(s) point(s) fort(s)
In 2019, the Ravens were the team attempting the most runs in the NFL with 596. They gained 3,296 yards rushing. 3rd in this ranking of yards in the race, the Titans have won 1000 less (2223). 1000! Whether it’s traditionally with a runner or thanks to quarterback Lamar Jackson, the Ravens’ running game is the main strength of the team.
Mark Ingram passed the 1,000-yard mark in 2019, as did Jackson (1,206) while Gus Edwards approached (711). Author of only 2 fumbles in 202 carries, the former Saints forms a dangerous duo with Lamar Jackson on read-option actions (the quarterback deciding at the last moment to give or run with the ball). Already with a nice trio Ingram-Edwards-Hill, the draft adds a fourth thief. J’Kaylin Dobbins is not the fastest of the runners, but he showed his ability to accelerate once he got through the gap with Ohio State. More than 2000 yards in 2019. JK Dobbins should be a replacement in 2020 but injuries come quickly in the NFL, and this position is undoubtedly the most exposed. He then offers a promise that the racing game will remain effective in the absence of a holder.
“He’s confident, easy to coach and he’s talented. It’s a really good combination, ”John Harbaugh told CBS.
Effective, the ground game will be also and especially with Lamar Jackson: 176 races, 1206 yards and 7 touchdowns on the ground in 2019. He is the number 1 asset of the Ravens, the face of the franchise. With his charisma and his spectacular game, the reigning MVP was able to rally the whole team, staff included, to his cause. However, it still lacks a better pass quality (66.1% of completed passes, 3127 yards, 36 TDs, 6 int), especially for deep throws.
The quarterback and runners can thank an offensive line ranked in the NFL top 5, which will however have to make up for the retirement of guard Marshall Yanda. Ronnie Stanley amply justifies his selection in the 1st round of the 2016 draft (6th choice). In 2019 he played 14 games, did not concede any sack and only one penalty! In contrast, Orlando Brown has significant room for improvement for a player already showing a starting level in the NFL. At the center, the question is, to what physical level Matt Skrura will return after his major injury? The interior of the line is young (Bredeson, Bozeman, Powers, Mekari and Phillips) with DJ Fluker bringing in some experience.
If tight-end Mark Andrews continues to shine (852 yards and 10 touchdowns in 2019), the Ravens’ aerial game will remain credible. Former best friend of Baker Mayfield in Oklahoma, Mark Andrews is a relatively reliable receiver and a good tackle for the ground game. Perfect for this offensive system.
The Ravens’ air defense performed well with 13 interceptions in 2019. It must be said that the cast was of choice: Marlon Humphrey, Earl Thomas, Chuck Clark, Marcus Peters as well as Jimmy Smith and Tavon Young. And if the pass-rush was average without more, the defense was in the top 5 NFL against the running game. So the arrival of Calais Campbell on the front curtain can only strengthen this asset. Especially since the defensive coordinator, coveted this offseason, has remained. Don ” Wink » Martindale and his nickname (wink) he wears since college. Note that Wink had already worked with John Harbaugh at the University of Cincinnati (1996) before being defensive coordinator for Jack Harbaugh (the father) with Western Kentucky (2000-2003).
Another strong point earner is Justin Tucker kicker. In 2019 he signed a 28 of 29 at 3 points as well as a 56 of 58 in touchdown transformation. Its regularity commands respect.
“You didn’t know I had that kind of swag, did you?”@Ravens DC Don ‘Wink’ Martindale is a legend ⛓pic.twitter.com/ZqRJfA2RoS
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) November 8, 2019
The weak spots)
Logically, with a focus on ground play, the Ravens’ air attack is underutilized: 29.4 assists per game in 2019, the 29th total in the league. If they won’t cheat their opponents, who will remain focused on defending the racing game, Lamar Jackson will need to throw more in his third season. To do so, the Baltimore franchise has made particular use of the draft. Devin Duvernay is a keen catcher in his movements and his compact physique allowed him to gain 719 yards after landing with the University of Texas. In the same condition, James Proche finished his course at SMU with a total of 301 career receptions (3,949 yards and 39 touchdowns), the precision of his tracks as the main quality. But in 2020, they will be rookies who have not experienced normal preparation.
As in 2019, the leader will be Marquise ” Hollywood » Brown who justified the potential displayed at the University of Oklahoma. More than a simple deep threat, he showed in 2019 his ability to be a number one receiver despite his size deficit: targeted 70 times, only 50 of these passes were qualified as catchable and he caught 46. Size , Myles Boykin does not miss it and after a 2019 season where he was only the 8th option (22 balls thrown in his direction), he was able to make a clean copy with 3 touchdowns and only one released ball. Without a real superstar in the post, the Ravens are betting on a committee in which Willie Snead, at only 27, is a former figure.
If the air defense was strong in 2019 (allowing only 19 completed passes per game, 2nd NFL), it owes it more to the back line than to pressure. 21st in the number of sacks (37), no defender has collected more than 10 with Matt Judon almost reaching it (9.5), the second being Tyus Bower with 5. Insufficient. The young Jaylon Ferguson showed qualities to put pressure on the quarterback, for his second season he will have to better concretize his efforts. The Ravens could have used their number 28 pick on Yetur Gross-Matos, ultimately chosen by the Panthers, they preferred to strengthen the indoor sector of this line of four linebackers.
X factor: rookie interior linebackers
Josh Bynes (6 tackles for loss and 2 interceptions) and Patrick Onwuasor (63 tackles and 3 sacks) went to Cincinnati and New York (Jets), leaving an LJ Fort who arrived during the 2019 season as the only returning holder. The franchise having known the best in history at this position (Ray Lewis) then used the draft to renew itself.
Champion with LSU, Patrick Queen has above-average athletic qualities for him. When after the NFL Combine, the results are compiled, the analysis makes it possible to compare the rookies to the players already in NFL: with 83.8% Patrick Queen is more athletic than the average of linebackers in NFL (50%). His natural qualities to intervene allow him to compensate for a lack of experience after a single season as a starter. Athletic qualities, Malik Harrison does not lack either. Selected in the 3rd round, his profile is complementary to that of Queen. Stronger, he weighs more against the ground game.
These beginners are nevertheless lucky because the Ravens ended the 2019 fiscal year by being 7th in yards conceded to the ground. The defensive line is extremely physical with Calais Campbell, Brandon Williams, Derek Wolfe, Justin Ellis and two rookies to watch: Justin Madubuike and Broderick Washington. A godsend because it will facilitate the work of these young linebackers.
“Shot out of a cannon, Malik Harrison” pic.twitter.com/DBmON1CnUF
— Mr. Ohio (@MrOH1O) November 26, 2018
The player to watch: Chuck Clark
Drafted in the 6th round in 2017, safety Chuck Clark has continued to improve. He only missed one game in three seasons but his use in defense went from 59 snaps in 2017 to 252 in 2018, then 748 in 2019. With more playing time, he only conceded one. only touchdown in 2019. He also defended 9 assists. Skillful on cover, he is also an aggressive player to help his linebackers.
The Ravens have succeeded in 2020 the feat of extending his contract for three more seasons, all at a more than affordable price (10 million guaranteed). With a strong team on both sides of the ball (and as a special team), Chuck Clark seems to be in the perfect place at the perfect time.
Calendar
Browns, @Texans, Chiefs, @Washington, Bengals, @Eagles, Steelers, bye, @Colts, @Patriots, Titans, @Steelers, Cowboys, @Browns, Jaguars, Giants, @Bengals
The podcast audio preview
In summary
The Ravens will be expected in 2020. With an attack that is difficult to stop, aggressive defense and high-quality staff coaching, this time they could go to the end and play the Super Bowl.
The prognosis: 13-3, title contenders
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