Latest news with #ToddMonken
Yahoo
a day ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Ravens Training Camp: Derrick Henry and Patrick Ricard look to dominate in 21 personnel
With the Baltimore Ravens prepared to start NFL Training Camp 2024 tomorrow, coaches and support staff should will be amped to get reps in with ideal offensive packaging, personnel, and formations. With the Ravens leading the NFL in rushing yards per game last season, the Ravens would be wise to get a hefty amount of reps with running back Derrick Henry and full back Patrick Ricard on the field in tandem. While Ricard doesn't deploy often in the team's offensive attack, offensive coordinator Todd Monken has opted to call his number when the team goes into 21 personnel. With Henry and Ricard lined up in Strong, Weak, or I-formation, defenses have had and will have their hands full trying to account for the quickness, power, and force of the Ravens' rushing attack. Outside zone and stretch runs allow Henry to get to edge, while simultaneously allowing Ricard to climb to the second-level of the defense to block the lateral movement of opposing linebackers. With Henry unlikely to go down after initial contact, the usage of 21 personnel has shown to be even more effective when the Ravens are in the red-zone. No other team in the NFL had a higher red-zone touchdown percentage than the Ravens in 2024. Henry tallied up a total of 16 rushing touchdowns on the season, a testament of just how effective the ground game had been for the Ravens collectively. Ultimately this works well because Ricard isn't looking to be the star of the show. Instead, Ricard is looking to works in tandem with the Ravens' offensive line to insure that Henry has running lanes to push through. Had Monken prioritized the run earlier this winter, the Ravens may have went on to advance to the Super Bowl. Nevertheless, the the team will have another chance to make it all make sense in 2025. Expect Monken to deploy Henry and Ricard in 21 personnel at Training Camp this summer. This article originally appeared on Ravens Wire: Derrick Henry and Patrick Ricard look to dominate in Year Two together
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Ravens WR Zay Flowers needs touches to remain untouchable
Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Zay Flowers is the best of the bunch on the team roster, and it's not even debatable. Still, with the addition of wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins and the emergence of Rashod Bateman, Ravens offensive coordinator Todd Monken must be sure not to shy away from targeting Flowers as the primary in the passing game. With so many weapons on offense, including a dual-threat rushing attack in quarterback Lamar Jackson and running back Derrick Henry, it will be vital to draw a line of demarcation early on. Probabilities and the opponent's strategy, of course, will play a part in how Monken can distribute the football. However, Flowers, having sadly missed the 2025 NFL Playoffs with a knee injury, still finished the season with a 14.3 yards per catch average. Proving himself to be a key element in Jackson's incredible total passing yard totals last season. Big plays of 20-plus yards, including those as a result of yards after catch, have allowed Flowers to pose as a serious threat to opponents. Ravens' opponents know that they must account for the run, so Monken needs to commit to the run while keeping Flowers targeted in moderation. Ultimately, Monken needs to shy away from four-wide receiver sets and prioritize by allowing Flowers to operate as both a slot and sole Z (boundary side) wide receiver, where he can operate in space. Flowers needs his touches, and Monken must make his targets in the offensive attack meaningful. This article originally appeared on Ravens Wire: Ravens WR Zay Flowers needs touches to remain untouchable
USA Today
05-07-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
PFSN ranks all 32 NFL offenses (including the Broncos)
Pro Football Network recently released an article ranking the top NFL offenses going into the 2025 NFL season. The Detroit Lions take up the No. 1 spot, while the Cleveland Browns, deservedly, take last place while they find a way to sort through their mess. But the Denver Broncos aren't too high, nor too low: according to PFSN, they are just right at No. 16. PFSN's Kyle Soppe loves the Bo Nix-Sean Payton marriage, but wonders if it can make a similar jump the Baltimore Ravens took under offensive coordinator Todd Monken. 'In Year 1 of the Sean Payton/Bo Nix marriage, the Denver Broncos' Offense+ ranking moved up seven spots and improved their numerical grade by 10.8 points," Soppe wrote for PFSN. "The Ravens were potent in Year 1 under Todd Monken and elite in Year 2 — could the Broncos follow that trajectory? It's not likely, but it's within the range of outcomes. With some plus-matchups after Thanksgiving, Denver could peak at the right time and build on what was a surprisingly positive 2024.' A middle-of-the-pack ranking seems fair going into the summer. Denver will look to improve on that ranking this fall, starting with a Week 1 showdown with the Tennessee Titans on Sept. 7 (view the full schedule). Related: These 25 celebrities are Broncos fans.
Yahoo
30-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Ravens Rise Up Offensive Rankings Because 1 Major Statistic
Ravens Rise Up Offensive Rankings Because 1 Major Statistic originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The Baltimore Ravens enter 2025 with a "Super Bowl-or-bust" mentality for multiple reasons. Not only do they have the roster skill and depth needed to make a deep run, but last season's playoff disappointment should add fuel to the fire and spark an unrivaled motivation. Advertisement The Ravens improved both sides of the ball this offseason, but the offense will continue to be their calling card as long as superstars Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry are on the field. Jackson is approaching the time when he could be offered the wealthiest contract in NFL history and Henry is locked in with Baltimore having just signed the highest-paying contract ever for a running back north of 30 years old. The dynamic duo will be lead by offensive coordinator Todd Monken, who is going on Year 3 with the Ravens. Baltimore had the No. 1 rushing attack in the NFL last year, but the pass game lagged behind slightly, ranking No. 7 in yards per game. There is one reason why Jackson's production through the air wasn't always clicking: his protection. Advertisement Pro Football Focus noted some statistics that are a clear indication of how the offensive line can allow Jackson to be at his best. When Lamar was given at least 2.5 seconds in the pocket to throw, he registered a league-leading 95.0 passing grade. When he's given less time, that number lowers to 80.9. That figure still ranks eighth-best in the league, but sees a massive drop off from where it could be. Most of that efficiency has to do to with Jackson's other-worldly ability to extend plays with his legs. However, over the course of a long, grueling regular season (and hopefully postseason), it's crucial that the O-line gives him a clean pocket as often as possible to limit fatigue and risk of injury from scrambling. Advertisement Jackson's rushing ability partnered well with the Ravens' line last season, allowing him to be sacked only 23 times, which was the lowest total of any quarterback who played all 17 games. Baltimore retained all but one of their starting lineman from last season, most notably re-signing Pro Bowl left tackle Ronnie Stanley. The return of this contingency has prompted the Ravens to rank second in Pro Football & Sports Network's offensive rankings. 'What the Ravens did in the second year under Todd Monken gets brushed aside a bit due to what the Lions accomplished and Baltimore's lack of postseason success," wrote Kyle Soppe. "But they are coming off of the sixth-best season on file and improved their grade by 12.9 points from 2023.' When Jackson gets more time to throw this season, he'll also have a new receiver target with the addition of veteran DeAndre Hopkins. It may take time to determine Baltimore's true No. 1 option through the air, but Hopkins rounds out an explosive unit with Rashod Bateman, Zay Flowers and tight ends Mark Andrews and Isaiah Likely. Advertisement "The sky is the limit for an offense that has yet to boast an alpha WR1 (T-30th in receptions by the position last year) and is promising big things from the underused Isaiah Likely in the season ahead," Soppe added. If Jackson, Henry, and the rest of the offense continue to play at the top of their game in another full season together under Monken's leadership, the Ravens should have all the tools necessary to rewrite history in the playoffs and capture that elusive AFC Championship and Super Bowl. Related: Ravens Predicted to Dominate NFL in Latest Record Predictions Related: Lamar Jackson Earns Top 25 Spot in All-Time QB Ranking This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 29, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
26-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
NFL Analysis: Lamar Jackson & Ravens OC Todd Monken prepare for Trilogy
Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson heads back after speaking during a news conference following the team's mini camp in preparation for the 2025 NFL season, on June 17, 2025, in Owings Mills, Maryland. (Karl Merton Ferron/Baltimore Sun/Tribune News Service via Getty Images) Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson and offensive coordinator Todd Monken have achieved success together over their two seasons. Jackson has been unreal (phenomenal), totaling 41 passing touchdowns last season on just 474 passing attempts. For perspective, Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow totaled 43 passing touchdowns but needed 120 more passing attempts than Jackson to do so. Efficiency appears to be a key ingredient for the Ravens' offense, despite their untimely postseason exit in 2024. For Monken, the goal has to extend farther than tallying up incredible stats, but falling short in the postseason. Monken's mastermind sometimes gets in the way of what could be so simple, yet his vast optionality on offense might be the reason for his confoundedness. Jackson, on the other hand, continues to demonstrate team leadership and humility, upholding the ideals of Monken in the hope that a Super Bowl title will soon be achieved. Advertisement In year three, perhaps Monken might consider lessening Jackson's pass attempts to around 425. This would result in an average of approximately 25 passing attempts per game. For a deeper analysis and perspective, in five of the Ravens' regular-season losses last season, Jackson averaged 14.6 incompletions per game on a total of 182 pass attempts (36.4 attempts per game). The more pass attempts Jackson has thrown, the less effective the offense has been. In year three, Monken has to shake the fantasy and relinquish his desire to make Jackson the hero every game. The critics love to see Jackson fail, and the narrative that running back Derrick Henry carried the team last season accompanies a list of scornful suggestions that Jackson will have to live with due to consecutive postseason exits. Monken and Jackson will be looking to get things right in 2025, but nothing matters more than Lauryn Hill if the Ravens continue to lose in the NFL Playoffs. This article originally appeared on Ravens Wire: Lamar Jackson & Ravens OC Todd Monken prepare for Trilogy
