Final week my colleagues Derek Arnold and Dev Panchwagh identified how the Ravens struggles within the playoffs could be immediately attributed to turnovers. The Ravens commit them however don’t create them anymore. A comparability of the Joe Flacco years to the Lamar Jackson reign exhibits an amazingly inept dearth in pressured turnovers for the higher a part of a decade – one thing that was as soon as a key ingredient within the Ravens’ recipe for achievement.
A part of the issue stems from the dearth of pressured fumbles from the linebackers. And in case your title isn’t Marlon Humphrey, the crew’s secondary does little to supply stolen possessions. So, it ought to shock nobody that John Harbaugh is trying to repair this damaged facet of the Ravens protection, and he’s began with the firing of inside linebacker coach Mark DeLeone and secondary coach Chris Hewitt.
DeLeone was employed lower than a 12 months in the past however the lack of turnovers, the lack to develop Trenton Simpson, the decline in Roquan Smith’s productiveness and variety of influence performs, plus some main early season struggles, mixed to counsel in a fairly profound approach that change was so as. After which there’s Hewitt.
I usually questioned in regards to the Hewitt who has been on the Ravens employees for 13 years and in addition to being labeled “Pass Game Coordinator”, Harbaugh additionally thought so as to add “Assistant Head Coach” beside Hewitt’s workplace nameplate. The title would possibly include a bump in pay, and it additionally offers the crew a little bit leverage if one other crew comes calling, trying to poach an assistant coach. Why Harbaugh thought Hewitt deserved that title and poaching protecting mechanism stays a thriller.
We witnessed the defensive mind drain final season from the Ravens defensive teaching ranks. Mike Macdonald left for Seattle; Anthony Weaver left for Miami; and Dennard Wilson went to Music Metropolis to run the Titans protection. None requested to take Hewitt alongside. And it makes you surprise how well-regarded he’s.
Yesterday, the Ravens and Hewitt have introduced a mutual parting of the way after Pagano was employed. Let’s be actual, Hewitt was already on his approach out, in any other case, Harbaugh doesn’t have that dialog with Pagano to convey the extremely widespread former defensive coordinator again to Baltimore.
In addition to the dearth of turnovers, Hewitt failed miserably within the growth of Brandon Stephens. Now granted, Stephens should personal his extremely disappointing 2024 marketing campaign. However his precipitous drop-off in productiveness was fairly surprising. Stephens is nearly all the time within the neighborhood of focused receivers. He does a pleasant job mirroring move catchers, courtesy of fluid hips. However his ball abilities are extraordinarily substandard, one thing that was apparent to even informal observers of the sport. It may very well be argued that Stephens’ ball abilities worsened in 2024 and that no less than partially, falls on Hewitt.
Transferring from Hewitt to Pagano is a serious improve and a coup for Harbaugh.
Chuck Pagano on popping out of retirement to hitch the Ravens:
“The thing that pulls you off the couch is the opportunity to win, and win it all. They’ve built a phenomenal roster. They are a wagon from top top bottom.” pic.twitter.com/NTDJArMeWq
— Ryan Mink (@ryanmink) January 29, 2025
That is superb!! Grateful to be headed again to Bmore and looking out ahead to having fun with the BEST Crab desserts on the 
— Chuck Pagano (@ChuckPaganoNFL) January 29, 2025
The #Ravens and assistant head coach/move sport coordinator Chris Hewitt agreed to mutually half methods, per league supply.
Hewitt had been on employees since 2012. However either side felt timing was proper for a recent begin. Hewitt interviewed for DC jobs final 12 months and could have curiosity. pic.twitter.com/WVnP089ViG
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) January 29, 2025
Sunken Monken?
Todd Monken was thought-about for a few head teaching alternatives within the NFL over the previous month or so. When the alleged curiosity turned public data, I questioned its authenticity. I’ve little question that some Zoom enabled interviews passed off, however I simply by no means thought that Monken, who turns 59 on February 5, match the modern-day profile of a brand new NFL head teaching candidate.
His solely expertise as a head coach was from 2013-15 at Southern Miss. Monken was (13-25) because the Golden Eagles’ skipper.
But it surely isn’t simply Monken’s restricted expertise and substandard report as a head coach that’s of concern. A potential new employer has to ponder how a lot of the Ravens’ offensive success has to do with soon-to-be three-time MVP Lamar Jackson.
That stated, Monken staying on Harbaugh’s employees is a win for the Ravens. It needs to be thrilling to see how Chapter 3 of the Monken/Jackson relationship unfolds. Hopefully they’ll discover ways to defend the soccer through the postseason.
Excited for extra years of Todd Monken failed fist bumps. pic.twitter.com/ncwgaydZTG
— Zach Bollinger (@zachbollinger18) January 27, 2025
Different Information & Notes
* Thus far, 4 of the ten Ravens invited to the Professional Bowl in Orlando have stated, “thanks, but no thanks”. Lamar, Derrick Henry, Roquan Smith and Nnamdi Madubuike have all dropped out of the flag soccer festivities close by the Magic Kingdom. Who can blame them? I assume the NFL makes some cash off this lame spectacle, therefore its lame existence. How about 86-ing that canine and simply give all these named to the respective squads a participation trophy that may in the future find yourself on eBay?
* When the Ravens cleaned out their lockers following the devastating loss to the Payments, DT Michael Pierce had his teammates signal his helmet. Many, myself included, took that to as a sign for Pierce’s imminent retirement. Thus far, nothing official has been introduced but when suspicions are formally confirmed, Pierce will probably be missed for his Frosty The Snowman physique, proficiencies in run protection, his boyish appeal and locker room presence and his co-starring function with good buddy Brent City on the team-produced Ravens Wired.
* On February 6 through the NFL Honors ceremony that will probably be broadcast on each FOX and NFL Community, we’ll study a number of issues that will probably be of curiosity to #RavensFlock. The league MVP will probably be revealed as will the Corridor of Fame inductees. Lamar Jackson is the favourite to win MVP whereas Terrell Suggs and Marshal Yanda will study in the event that they’ll quickly be homeowners of the HOF gold jacket. I’m guessing that Lamar wins, Suggs is a primary poll HOF’er whereas Yanda might want to wait one other 12 months or two – par for the course for those who’re an offensive lineman not named Ogden.
I used to be doomscrolling final evening and got here throughout a compilation of the most effective #NFL introductions, which of those are higher?
A) Sizzle, ball so arduous college;
B) Matthew Judon, physique constructed by Taco Bell.
I can’t resolve! #RavensFlock pic.twitter.com/FiLAm3qzxj
— Nic Mason (@British_Raven19) January 30, 2025
On This Day in Ravens Historical past
The crew airplane arrived in New Orleans in 2013 because the Ravens ready to tackle the San Francisco 49ers in Tremendous Bowl 47, a sport gained by Baltimore 34-31 with MVP honors going to Joe Flacco.
I’ve acquired feedback and messages from followers this week who consider that the Ravens won’t ever win a Tremendous Bowl with Lamar on the helm of the offense. I fully disagree.
It’s coming.
However I doubt that the Ravens will look this fashionable exiting the airplane.
The submit Hirings, Firings, Wirings and Retirings appeared first on Russell Road Report.
:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25852886/1258718121.jpg?w=150&resize=150,150&ssl=1 "Jaguars common supervisor search: 4 names to regulate")
