Ravens fullback Patrick Ricard understands his role might decrease in new offensive coordinator Todd Monken’s system, but all the four-time Pro Bowler cares about is doing his part to help Baltimore win games … and he thinks the sky is the limit for his team with Lamar Jackson officially back in the fold.
Ricard, who turns 29 later this month, is preparing for his seventh season in the NFL. He originally signed with the Ravens as an undrafted free-agent defensive lineman out of Maine, but he has served as a full-time fullback since 2020. He played in all three phases during his first three seasons.
Ricard was a key part of former offensive coordinator Greg Roman’s system from 2019-2022. He played 1,997 offensive snaps during Roman’s tenure as coordinator, peaking in 2022 (698, or 64 percent of offensive snaps). A 6-foot-3, 311-pound sledgehammer of a lead blocker, Ricard helped clear the way for a running game that racked up 11,566 yards in four seasons under Roman.
The Ravens are expected to turn to a more modern pro-style offense under Monken, most recently the offensive coordinator with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2016-2018), Cleveland Browns (2019) and the University of Georgia (2020-2022). Monken helped the Bulldogs win two national championships prior to leaving for Baltimore.
Ricard is confident he can still contribute for the Ravens even if he’s not used quite as much as he was under Roman.
“[Monken] will make a scheme based on the players versus just coming in and saying, ‘This is what we’re doing, this is how I run it,'” Ricard said on Glenn Clark Radio May 2. “I do see a role for myself on this team with this offense, being in it for the last couple of weeks. I’m excited for it. It may not be quite as much as I was used with Greg Roman, but I’m OK with that. As long as we’re winning games and I’m doing my part to help win, that’s all I really care about.”
The Ravens are holding 10 voluntary OTA workouts from May 22 to June 9 and mandatory minicamp from June 13-15, so the time for Ricard and his teammates to hit the field and begin showing how they fit into the 2023 offense is quickly approaching. As for now, the fullback is getting a feel for the offense.
“Right now I’m just trying to learn the playbook as best I can and try to show my ability to where he can see what I can do,” Ricard said. “I have film to back it up for the last number of years that you can see anyway, but I think just him seeing me in person is going to help just etch my role more so, but definitely excited with this offense and all the changes that are happening. I think it’s going to be good for us.”
However, Ricard is thankful no changes are occurring at the quarterback position. After prolonged negotiations that included myriad twists and turns, Jackson and the Ravens came to an agreement on a five-year, $260 million extension that the quarterback officially signed on May 4.
Ricard never wavered on wanting his quarterback to return. After all, Jackson is 45-16 as a regular-season starter since 2018.
“No one really knows what’s the vibe or what’s being said inside the building,” Ricard said. “I think that’s all that really matters is how the players feel, the coaches feel and everyone in that building. We all had Lamar’s back. We all wanted him back. We all understood his circumstances, and we all just want the best for him.”
Jackson will have two new weapons to throw to this year in veteran wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. and first-round rookie Zay Flowers. Rashod Bateman and Devin Duvernay are set to return at receiver, along with trusted target Mark Andrews at tight end.
Now, Jackson will be tasked with staying on the field — injuries have forced him to miss the end of the season each of the past two years — and translating that regular-season success to the playoffs. Ricard likes Jackson’s chances.
“I think everything’s going to be smooth going forward between everyone. I think everyone’s happy,” Ricard said. “There were so many great things that were happening leading up to his signing, so it’s just kind of like the cherry on top of everything that’s gone down with improving with the coaches and players, just everything that’s happened with this team. I really feel now with Lamar back we’re definitely a Super Bowl contender with all the other moves that have happened.”
For more from Ricard, listen to the full interview here:
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