The Ravens met expectations through the 2022 season.
They have been anticipated to win between 10 and 11 video games, get to the playoffs and have to beat both Kansas Metropolis, Buffalo or Cincinnati in some mixture to make it to the Tremendous Bowl. They didn’t, dropping to the Bengals, 24-17, within the wild-card spherical.
Now, the Ravens are on the seek for an offensive coordinator to switch Greg Roman, they usually have a call to make about star quarterback Lamar Jackson. Do they commerce him, or do they attempt to work out some equitable contract extension?
No matter what occurs with Jackson, search for the Ravens to pick out a quarterback early in April’s draft and to search out reinforcements at cornerback and broad receiver. They’ll wish to improve their passing sport and on the identical time get quicker on the again finish of the protection.
However earlier than we glance too far into the long run, The Baltimore Solar presents its last report card for the 2022 Ravens.
Quarterbacks
Lamar Jackson began the season robust however the Ravens turned him right into a sport supervisor after two main turnovers late of their 24-20 loss to the New York Giants in Week 6. Jackson wasn’t completely satisfied along with his new function, however he rattled off 4 extra wins earlier than dropping to the Jacksonville Jaguars, and he injured his knee within the first quarter of their subsequent sport towards the Denver Broncos and by no means performed once more, lacking the ultimate six video games. Backup Tyler Huntley performed fairly nicely, finishing 75 of 112 passes for 658 yards and two touchdowns, however will likely be lengthy remembered for his goal-line fumble that Bengals defensive finish Sam Hubbard recovered and took 98 yards for what proved to be the game-winning landing within the Ravens’ 24-17 playoff loss to Cincinnati. No. 3 Anthony Brown confirmed stunning arm energy in his one begin late within the regular-season finale towards the Bengals, however the Ravens by no means totally overcame the lack of Jackson, who accomplished 203 of 326 passes for two,242 yards and 17 touchdowns. Jackson, although, must be reminded that quarterbacks earn their standing of greatness within the playoffs, and you may’t win a Tremendous Bowl in the event you’re not on the sphere. Grade: C
Working backs
Starter J.Ok. Dobbins completed with 520 yards on 92 carries and backup Gus Edwards had 433 yards on 87 makes an attempt, however they seldom labored in tandem like two years in the past. They have been slowed by their recoveries from main knee accidents that pressured every to overlook the 2021 season, and each had lingering results, particularly Dobbins, who additionally tore his hamstring after which had a cleanup surgical procedure midseason. No. 3 working again Kenyon Drake performed nicely at occasions and his cutback capacity offered issues for opposing groups who have been used to the downhill working types of Dobbins and Edwards, as he completed with 482 yards dashing on 109 carries. With a robust offseason, Dobbins and Edwards ought to be capable of develop into a dominant duo in 2023, particularly with a brand new offensive coordinator. Dobbins might develop into the runner who controls the tempo early earlier than Edwards closes the door within the fourth quarter along with his punishing model. They couldn’t discover that rhythm constantly in 2022, however the Ravens nonetheless had one of many prime working video games within the NFL. Grade: B-
Offensive line
The Ravens have been profitable in working their mixture blocks and scraping off to search out different targets within the floor sport. They may have had among the greatest pulling tackles within the sport in Ronnie Stanley and Morgan Moses. Stanley, although, nonetheless appeared like he was struggling to plant his toes in move safety after lacking important time along with his ankle harm, and Moses struggled with pace rushers to the surface. Proper guard Kevin Zeitler was stable, stellar at occasions, and left guard Ben Powers performed so nicely that he’s going to make some huge cash in free company through the offseason. The Ravens have to be ready to ante as much as maintain him and this unit intact. Rookie middle Tyler Linderbaum performed fairly nicely and made blocks into the second degree, however he has to get stronger this offseason with a view to transfer defensive linemen lined up instantly in entrance of him. Backup Patrick Mekari was the right utility man in any respect positions on the offensive line and the Ravens didn’t lose a lot when he crammed in. The Ravens, although, nonetheless have to be higher in move safety, they usually didn’t have a lot of a working sport contained in the purple zone. Throwing downfield and having time to do it must develop into a daily a part of the offense. Grade: B
Receivers
The Ravens have failed miserably at this place by the years in each the draft and free company. Basic supervisor Eric DeCosta wants to deal with why he retains utilizing first-round draft picks on guys like Marquise “Hollywood” Brown and Rashod Bateman, who have been each injured of their last school seasons. Neither has performed as much as the place they have been drafted. The Ravens maintain signing veteran free brokers like Sammy Watkins, Demarcus Robinson (48 catches for 458 yards) and DeSean Jackson (9 catches for 153 yards), however they’re previous their prime. The youthful ones like Devin Duvernay (37 catches for 407 yards) and James Proche II (8 catches for 62 yards) both can’t get open or the Ravens don’t do sufficient to “scheme” them open. The Ravens do have expertise at tight finish, although, as Mark Andrews had 73 receptions for 847 yards and 5 touchdowns and rookie Isaiah Possible had 36 catches for 373 yards and two touchdowns. Additionally they obtained tight finish Josh Oliver within the combine. Grade: D
Line of defense
The Ravens confirmed lots of versatility and depth right here. They obtained little out of nostril guard Michael Pierce, who had season-ending surgical procedure on his torn biceps after Week 3, and obtained ample contributions from replacements Broderick Washington, who completed with 49 tackles, and rookie Travis Jones, who had 24. Washington turned one of many unsung heroes on protection. Veteran finish Calais Campbell had one other robust yr with 36 tackles regardless of lacking three video games. Deal with Justin Madubuike (42 tackles) confirmed good quickness and penetration into the backfield to close down working performs, however he wants to enhance as a move rusher to develop into extra of an entire participant. Finish Brent City additionally offered depth and completed with 21 tackles for a protection that often shut down most opposing working video games. Grade: B
Linebackers
Center linebacker Roquan Smith proved to be the staff’s Most Invaluable Participant and completed with 86 tackles, third greatest on the staff, regardless of taking part in eight video games for the Bears. Smith gave the Ravens a bodily presence within the center however extra importantly, an every-down participant who might run sideline to sideline or present protection. Smith made linebacker Patrick Queen, who led the staff with 117 tackles, higher as a result of the Ravens might use him extra as a run or move blitzer, using his straight-ahead pace, however he nonetheless wants to enhance in move protection. The surface linebackers have been inconsistent all year long in every thing from holding the sting to offering constant stress on quarterbacks. Veterans corresponding to Justin Houston (9 1/2 sacks) and Jason Pierre-Paul (3 sacks) have been robust rushers at occasions, whereas second-year exterior linebacker Odafe Oweh and veteran Tyus Bowser additionally struggled to supply constant stress. Rookie David Ojabo would possibly develop into the staff’s prime move rusher sooner or later however was slowed by a torn Achilles tendon he suffered in March. Grade: B
Secondary
The Ravens have to get quicker at cornerback and discover the shutdown sort. Marcus Peters brings a sure diploma of nastiness to this protection however creates anxious moments when matched towards a speedy receiver just like the Bengals’ Ja’Marr Chase. Marlon Humphrey (71 tackles) is a wonderful slot cornerback when he can work close to the road of scrimmage however struggles in area. The Ravens wish to brag that he didn’t get beat for a landing this season, however what number of occasions did he get penalized for move interference close to the objective line? At security, Marcus Williams (61 tackles) was a superb addition, Chuck Clark was second on the staff with 101 tackles and rookie Kyle Hamilton added 55 whereas taking part in totally different positions on the again finish. Brandon Stephens got here on slowly as a cornerback late within the season however he’s a greater match at security. Grade: C+
Particular groups
Justin Tucker was once more one of the vital dependable kickers within the league, changing on 37 of 43 area targets, together with an extended of 58 yards. He additionally transformed 31 of 32 further factors. Rookie Justin Stout averaged 45.9 yards on 57 punts with 26 contained in the 20, however he must be extra constant, particularly in crunch time. The Ravens had issues discovering returners due to harm, but in addition indecisiveness. Duvernay was all the time a risk till he broke his foot and was positioned on injured reserve on Dec. 20. Grade: B
Teaching
There have been occasions when coach John Harbaugh wanted to gamble on fourth-down conditions and be aggressive, however different occasions when he simply wanted to be affected person. His clock administration continues to be an issue, and that’s a significant a part of any sport, particularly within the postseason. Coordinator Mike Macdonald was sound in his defensive strategy and in his mixture of blending zone and man-to-man. As for the offense, it’s greatest put this manner: Regardless if Greg Roman was pressured out or resigned, it was time for him and the staff to half methods. Grade: C-
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