The Ravens don’t figure to play established starters during the preseason, but former Baltimore defensive coordinator Chuck Pagano sees value in the team playing offensive starters a bit to try to establish a rhythm in new offensive coordinator Todd Monken’s system.
Starters used to play much more in the preseason — perhaps a half or more in their team’s second or third preseason game — throughout the NFL. But starters don’t play nearly as much these days, especially with joint practices essentially replacing preseason action for starters.
But some starters around the league still do see some action during the preseason. It’s something the Ravens should think about with their starting offense, according to Pagano, who was Baltimore’s defensive coordinator in 2011 before becoming the head coach in Indianapolis (2012-2017).
Pagano suggested that preseason reps would help get the offense on the same page given the newness of Monken’s system and terminology. The Ravens play Washington on Aug. 21 and Tampa Bay on Aug. 26 prior to the season opener against Houston on Sept. 10.
“With this new system, I think you’ve got to play those guys. You can protect them with play calls. You don’t have to put them in harm’s way,” Pagano said on Glenn Clark Radio Aug. 17. “You put Pat Mahomes out there, you throw a screen, the ball’s out of his hand. Preseason, they write ‘hot potato’ on your glove or on your wristband, on your tape just to remind you, ‘Get the damn ball out of your hand, Pat.’ Lamar, same thing — hand it off, zone read, RPO, throw some screens, take a few shots down the field then get the heck out of there.”
Pagano referenced New Orleans’ 12-play, 80-yard touchdown drive that spanned 5:24 against Kansas City on Aug. 13 as the perfect way for starters to fall into a rhythm heading into the regular season. Quarterback Derek Carr connected on 6 of 8 throws for 70 yards and a score in his first action as a Saint.
However, Ravens head coach John Harbaugh tried to get his first-team offense some time together ahead of the 2021 season only for it to backfire. He sent his starters out for a couple series against Washington in the final preseason game, but starting running back J.K. Dobbins suffered a season-ending torn ACL.
The Ravens never found a suitable replacement that season, and the injury lingered into 2022.
“Such a fine balance because you put those guys in and say, ‘Hey, we’re going to get eight, ten plays out of them, one drive, take them down,'” Pagano said. “Derek Carr for the Saints — eight plays, ten plays, 80 yards, touchdown, OK, boom, you’re done. Is that enough? Probably not. But you got work done, you put points on the board, you feel good about yourself.”
With top cornerback Marlon Humphrey possibly out into the regular season with a foot injury, it becomes all the more paramount for the Ravens’ offense to come out firing with a seamless adjustment to Monken’s system. The Ravens travel to division foes Cincinnati, Cleveland and Pittsburgh within the first five weeks of the season.
“We’re going to know a hell of a lot about the AFC North early in the season, good or bad,” Pagano said. “Playing those three division teams all on the road, if you come out humming and you get some guys back on defense, we know how important those division games are. That’s going to be huge. I can’t wait to see that play out.”
For more from Pagano, listen to the full interview here:
Photo Credit: Kenya Allen/PressBox