The Baltimore Ravens hired Todd Monken, a two-time national champion offensive coordinator with the Georgia Bulldogs, to revamp their offense.
While we’ll have to wait a couple more months to see what the new product actually looks like under the bright lights of the regular season, the early returns from Ravens players are nothing but positive about the new-look, up-tempo offense.
“I actually love it,” franchise quarterback Lamar Jackson told reporters after his first practice under Monken, according to ESPN. “And hearing Coach just call out the play and then stop practice when something wasn’t looking right, and how he just bursts out [with] fire, was pretty funny to me. I’m enjoying it so far.”
Jackson said Monken’s personality extends off the field, too.
“Even in the meeting rooms, Coach is very active,” Jackson said. “He’s talkative and you’re enjoying it — the learning process of what he’s saying [when he’s] teaching us the new offense.”
Even linebacker Roquan Smith, who recently signed a $100 million extension with the team, can see the results of the new coach.
“I actually vividly remember watching plenty of games over the fall, obviously watching the Dawgs — even though they made it look easy a lot of the times — just how he utilizes everyone in their position — a lot of eye candy and things like that,” said Ravens middle linebacker Roquan Smith, who starred at Georgia and remains a huge fan of the football program. “I’m like, ‘Man, if some of this stuff was brought to the league [NFL], it’s going to create some problems,’ because I know it made me think a little bit.”
The Ravens also signed added receivers Odell Beckham Jr., Nelson Agholor and first-round draft pick Zay Flowers to the mix. With all the talent and a new offensive mastermind pulling the strings, Baltimore should have an offense worthy of a Super Bowl.
[ESPN]
