OTL: Now’s the Time for Mistakes

Over this offseason, there’s been a lot of attention on the development of Baltimore’s new offense, and rightfully so. The Ravens turned the page on Greg Roman, added some high-profile wideouts, and inked Lamar Jackson to a long-term contract. Understandably, expectations are higher coming into 2023, which was part of what had everyone riled up on Saturday.

Practice has mercifully ended for the Ravens’ offense.

Nine interceptions
Six false starts
A partridge in a pear tree

— Kyle Phoenix Barber (@KylePBarber) August 5, 2023

Admittedly, I cringed when I saw the numbers as well. Yes, it’s practice, but you never want to see one of the team’s units struggle so mightily. Luckily, players and reporters clarified later that the offense had been playing off their back foot the whole time in third-and-long drills.

Marlon Humphrey confirms what Isaiah Likely said — Ravens practice was scripted for the defense to win by putting the offense in third-and-long situations. That’s exactly when defenses can pin their ears back and eat.

To the defense’s credit, they did what they were supposed to… https://t.co/BizTwqjqXq

— Sarah Ellison (@sgellison) August 5, 2023

While those numbers still weren’t ideal, it allowed a lot more context to the offense’s struggles, and I’m ok with it. Todd Monken and Co. were simulating situations when the offense would have to take risks to keep a drive alive, and as Marlon Humphrey said, the defense is likely to win in those situations. If there’s any time to force the issue on offense and see what your guys can do, it’s now, when penalties and turnovers don’t count against you. I wouldn’t be surprised at all to see the Ravens take some risks against Philly on Saturday for exactly this reason.

Even if the offensive miscues aren’t set in stone, Monken has taken notice of when they’ve happened, and made sure everyone knows there’s work to be done.

Monken on offense: “We’re not really good right now. We have a long way to go.”

— Jeff Zrebiec (@jeffzrebiec) August 3, 2023

Honestly, I’m all about this accountability. As long as the appropriate tweaks are made by September 10^th, being able to call it out is a welcome change of pace from the same song-and-dance company line we heard during last season. Bear in mind that this is a team currently practicing without their RB1, one of their leading receivers, with an open competition at left guard, and (until yesterday) without Pat Ricard.

Pat Ricard has returned to practice:https://t.co/BopvZvSSSy

— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) August 7, 2023

None of this is to sell the defense short; even with some depth issues, Mike Mac’s unit has looked really good.

Ravens stock report: Who stood out and who didn’t during the second week of training camp? https://t.co/02hUHtAyJn

— Jeff Zrebiec (@jeffzrebiec) August 7, 2023

Kyle Hamilton is continuing to build off his strong rookie campaign. David Ojabo and Odafe Oweh are flashing the potential that we’re all hoping to see. Jalyn Armour-Davis and Brandon Stephens have both made strong cases for becoming regularly featured in the secondary.

Humble & hungry pic.twitter.com/4vITnhSEq3

— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) August 7, 2023

For only his second year as the Ravens DC, Mike Macdonald looks to be delivering what we’ve all come to expect from a Ravens defense.

With some familiar faces landing elsewhere…

Compensation update: Panthers gave edge rusher Justin Houston a one-year deal up to $7 million, that includes $6 million guaranteed. https://t.co/CtE9k1r8um

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) August 7, 2023

…the young core of the team is going to have to pick up the slack. Some growing pains might be involved, but I’ve been pleasantly surprised with how both sides of the ball have been able to adjust as the preseason approaches. Coach Harbaugh acknowledged that the team had an active focus on minimizing mistakes now, which will help as intensity ramps up.

Head coach John Harbaugh on the current intensity of Training Camp: pic.twitter.com/fGkCxwKeu1

— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) August 7, 2023

With that in mind, as Saturday’s preseason contest approaches, look for spots when the Ravens take a gamble. Even if it goes awry, a mistake now might just be the thing that lines it all up when it counts.

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