{"id":52857,"date":"2018-11-08T13:04:51","date_gmt":"2018-11-08T18:04:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lwosonnfl.ms.lastwordonsports.com\/?p=52857"},"modified":"2018-11-08T13:04:51","modified_gmt":"2018-11-08T18:04:51","slug":"change-baltimore-ravens-identity","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/2018\/11\/08\/change-baltimore-ravens-identity\/","title":{"rendered":"Why It Might Be Time for a Change to the Baltimore Ravens Identity"},"content":{"rendered":"

After starting the season 4-2 and riding the league’s best defense in 2018, the Baltimore Ravens<\/a> have slumped to under .500 for the first time this season. Their defeats came at the hands of the New Orleans Saints<\/a>, Carolina Panthers<\/a>, and Pittsburgh Steelers<\/a> — who as a group, have a combined record of\u00a018-5-1. For most teams, this would not be a means to panic but in the case of the Ravens, it’s just another season where a good September start has turned into a situation in which the team has to (most likely) win out in order to make the postseason. They’ve failed four out of the five years since winning Super Bowl XLVII<\/a>, including the past three years in a row.<\/p>\n

Now on the verge of tying the longest postseason drought in their franchise’s history, the Ravens may be looking at a complete overhaul. John Harbaugh<\/a><\/strong>‘s job appears to be in jeopardy for the first time and if Baltimore continues their tailspin, he could find himself unemployed sooner rather than later. Couple this with Ozzie Newsome<\/strong>‘s<\/a> resignation at the end of the season and the Ravens could look a lot different in 2019.<\/p>\n

Is it finally time for Baltimore to enter their first retooling phase in franchise history?<\/p>\n

The Baltimore Ravens Identity Is in Need of Change<\/h1>\n

It’s Not A Rebuild, It’s A Rebrand<\/h2>\n

Since the franchise’s inception after being moved to Baltimore from Cleveland, the Ravens have had one kind of mindset; play good, solid defense and run the ball. It’s not a bad way to live but it is completely against the grain of the way the NFL is trending. The most electric teams in the league live and die through their\u00a0ability to pass the ball through the air which has completely led to a change in the way offenses use players out of the backfield. The Ravens on the other hand like playing stubborn\u00a0defense with a ferocious\u00a0pass rush and use their running game to help manage the game clock by keeping the ball in their hands as long as possible. It is no secret that a change at quarterback is looming but the rest of the significant pieces of the team will most likely stay assembled.<\/p>\n

It wouldn’t make any sense for the Ravens to completely dismantle the roster even if Harbaugh were to be relieved of his duties. The cornerstones of the franchise remain on defense and players like Brandon Williams<\/a><\/strong> and Tony Jefferson<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0were given large deals in free agency just a couple years ago. The question is, who will they add or subtract to compliment the players they already have? With so many recently drafted stars on the defensive side of the ball (i.e Marlon Humphrey<\/a><\/strong>, Michael Pierce<\/a><\/strong>), and their best\u00a0defensive player All-Pro linebacker\u00a0C.J. Mosley<\/a><\/strong> set for a long-term\u00a0contract at the end of the year, it is hard to see Eric DeCosta<\/strong> moving on from these players so early in their careers. The Ravens roster isn’t flawless but is just a couple of key pieces away from becoming much improved.<\/p>\n

Lamar Jackson Will Only Bring So Much Change<\/h2>\n

The most important part offense under Joe Flacco<\/a><\/strong> has always been his use of play-action. This game plan has gone out the window multiple times over the season, because of Baltimore’s incredibly lackluster ground game, and has forced Flacco to try and be a nearly perfect passer. After looking greatly improved from last year in his first six games, he’s looked more like the player that sank the Ravens offense to 27th in the NFL in 2017. The Ravens lack of a run game has put more pressure on Flacco to perform and unless this changes when Lamar Jackson<\/a><\/strong> is starting, he is going to have the same problems as Flacco: a lack of wide open receivers and a hindrance\u00a0on his abilities to make big plays.<\/p>\n

Alex Collins<\/a><\/strong> had a decent first year in Baltimore but is showing his true colours in 2018 as he looks like more of a change of pace back as opposed to a bell cow. The next step is finding that lead back type of player who can open up both the run and passing games.<\/p>\n

Jackson is a different type of quarterback to Flacco but the Ravens would most likely still like to utilize and emphasize play action under his leadership. It would be different, as Jackson is most dynamic when he uses his legs to create space, but the central focus remains the same. Use diversions and an excess of running the ball, whether it be with the running backs or quarterback, to open up the field and do damage. Therefore, this would not be a changing of philosophy, but a change in how it is implemented. Jackson is still a raw talent but currently looks closer to a great athlete than a great passer and isn’t ready to start.<\/p>\n

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Sounds like pretty much all options are on the table for Lamar Jackson, except for being the starter right now. Harbs said they've talked about giving Lamar full series'.<\/p>\n

— Ryan Mink (@ryanmink) November 5, 2018<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n