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Would Ravens fans welcome Steelers WR Antonio Brown? - Ryan Wormell
If there’s one Raven who knows just how difficult it is to cover Steelers wide receiver Antonio Brown, it’s Marlon Humphrey.
What is newsworthy is the Steelers potentially shopping Brown, after numerous reports of locker room struggles and diva qualities from the star. And since he knows just how dangerous Brown can be, it makes sense that Humphrey would prefer to see him in purple and black.
That goes double for the Ravens, who would A) take a playmaker away from their biggest rivals, and B) finally give themselves a star receiver, something they haven’t had on the roster since Anquan Boldin during the Super Bowl run.
While no team wants to add an alleged diva to their locker room, the Ravens have historically believed in the strength and leadership of their veterans, and therefore haven’t shied away from problematic players.
Pittsburgh reportedly desires a first round pick in return for Antonio Brown. It is unclear if John Harbaugh would welcome his personality into the Ravens locker room. Furthermore, it seems unlikely the Steelers would consider trading the star receiver within the AFC North division.
Better option for Lamar Jackson’s backup: RG3 or Tyrod Taylor? - Jamison Hensley
The Ravens’ best options are bringing back either Robert Griffin III or Tyrod Taylor. Both are experienced (which is a necessity given the increased injury risk of Jackson’s running) and are familiar with Baltimore’s unconventional offense.
Taylor, who will be an unrestricted free agent in March, produced his only Pro Bowl season in 2015 when new Ravens offensive coordinator Greg Roman was his playcaller in Buffalo. Griffin, who impressed teammates and coaches in his first season in Baltimore, will also be a free agent.
Both veterans with the skillset to thrive and familiarity in Greg Roman’s offense, either Taylor or Griffin would be ideal backups for Lamar Jackson. Eric DeCosta could offer each a muti-year low cost contract and sign whichever quarterback agrees first.
Eric Wood: Ravens OC Greg Roman ‘Can Be Very Good For A Young Quarterback’ - Luke Jackson
Former NFL offensive lineman Eric Wood, who played in Greg Roman’s offense for two years with the Buffalo Bills, believes Roman, now the offensive coordinator for the Baltimore Ravens, will make a positive impact on the development of quarterback Lamar Jackson and downplayed the substandard production the Bills had in the passing game throughout Roman’s time in Buffalo.
“There were so many imprints of himself on this season for the Ravens as far as a lot of the different run concepts were similar stuff to what we ran … stuff that only Greg thinks of,” Wood said on Glenn Clark Radio Jan. 14. “And he’s excellent in the run game. He can be very good for a young quarterback, giving him simple reads, getting the ball out on time. I really liked blocking for Greg Roman when he was up in Buffalo, a guy I still stay in contact with and have a ton of respect for.”
“It may have been more our personnel, but time will tell in Baltimore,” said Wood, now an NFL columnist for The Athletic. “They have plenty of weapons outside. It’ll be interesting to see what they do. I loved some of the play-action concepts they used with Lamar this year. It looked like similar stuff we ran …, and then it’ll just be how far Lamar can progress over these next few years as to what that passing game does because I don’t think Greg as a play-caller and as an offense designer is limited in that regard.”
The Ravens do not necessarily need a prolific passing game. If Lamar Jackson can improve his accuracy to the point where the receivers can consistently catch the ball in stride and maximize their yards after the catch, the team should be a contender in 2019.