Ravens News 7/1: ‘11’ personnel usage, trade proposal and more

Robert Griffin: Ravens’ offense to ‘shock some people’ - Adam Maya

“This game is about mismatches and that’s what we’re trying to create,” Griffin said. “You get a guy like Hollywood, it’s a speed mismatch. When you get a guy like Boykin, it’s a height and reach mismatch. Get them in situations where they can be successful.”

Griffin, whose ultimate goal at 29 “is to become a franchise quarterback” again, said Roman and QBs coach James Urban emphasized in a private meeting how much they value Griffin’s role on the team and, potentially, in the offense should Jackson be sidelined.

”It meant a lot for them to sit down and have that talk with me,” Griffin said. “I haven’t had that talk with anyone for a long, long time. I’ve just been fighting for the next meal. And when I got drafted in 2012, I never thought I’d be in that position where I had to fight for the next meal. ...

”I’m happy to be here, I’m excited to be here, I love this place, I love this organization. They’ve treated me well. I have bigger goals in mind, and those goals start with the Baltimore Ravens. So I have to make sure I do everything I can to be the best for the Baltimore Ravens.”

2018 Offensive Personnel Analysis - Brian Knowles

On the flip side, there were a few teams that could have used 11 personnel a bit more often. The Patriots and Ravens started going that way after years of favoring two tight-end sets; they were two of the teams who increased their 11 personnel by double digits.

As for the Ravens, you’d think that a team that used the least 11 personnel in 2017 and drafted two tight ends early in the 2018 draft would continue to be near the bottom, but no; they shot up dramatically. This is what happens when you bring in Willie Snead, Michael Crabtree and John Brown to replace Mike Wallace, Jeremy Maclin and Breshad Perriman. It’s worth noting that there was not a significant difference between Joe Flacco’s Ravens and Lamar Jackson’s Ravens in personnel usage. It’ll be interesting to see if their 11 makeover continues now that Greg Roman is taking over playcalling duties, Roman’s offenses have historically focused around tight ends and fullbacks rather than splitting receivers out wide.

The Baltimore Ravens should trade for DL Jarran Reed - Nicholas Price

Last season, Reed broke out with 10.5 sacks, 50 tackles, and 12 TFLs. He showed the burst and technique that made him such a valued player during the 2016 NFL Draft. In Ken Norton‘s system, Reed thrived and looks to be a nice piece along the Seahawks new look defensive with LJ Collier, Poona Ford, and Ziggy Ansah.

While Reed has shown us what he can do, I believe his best football is still ahead of him. And what better way to fully bring that out in him than to pair him with one of the better d-line coaches in the NFL?

Who am I talking about you may ask? The man I am speaking of is that of Baltimore Ravens defensive line coach Joe Cullen. Since joining the Ravens staff in 2016, Cullen has made Brandon Williams into a Pro-Bowler and Michael Pierce into one of the better nose tackles in football.

In order to nab Reed, Baltimore could throw Seattle a fourth or fifth rounder with the addition of a player. That could include anyone from Tyus Bowser, Alex Lewis, or one of the Ravens’ many corners.