How New Baltimore OC Todd Monken Will Change the Ravens Offense
Todd Monken helped the Georgia Bulldogs to two-straight national championships, and averaged 40.7 points per game in 2022. Now Monken will try and apply his scheme - or a variation thereof - to the Baltimore Ravens and the NFL.
Monken spoke with the media on Tuesday and discussed how the offense might look under his tutelage.
Monken wants to force defenses to have to cover the whole field against his offense, leaving them guessing where the play will go.
"I think players want to play in a game that spaces the field," Monken said. "I think when you go into an install meeting, all of your skill players want to say, 'Where are my opportunities coming? Where am I going to get a chance to touch the football and showcase my ability?"
"The game has become more of a space game; using all 53-and-a-third yards and using the width and depth of the field, using space players and your skill players. The game has changed; it's changing. At one time, it was taller pocket passers, and now you're seeing more shorter, athletic players. The game has changed in terms of using their athleticism, using players' athleticisms, what they bring to the table because the game is about space. It's about being explosive. Well, how do you create explosives? Well, part of it is creating space."
Monken also favors an up-tempo style, often utilizing the no-huddle tactic to keep defenses off balance.
"Different kinds of tempos, huddle, no-huddle, real fast, controlled tempo, call plays at the line, don't call plays at the line … These are all things that you talk about [and] things that he brings to the table that he's really very versatile with," Harbaugh said. "That's going to be very valuable for us."
Monken also loves to create mismatches with tight ends. And thankfully the Ravens can boast one of the deepest tight end rooms in the league with Mark Andrews, Isaiah Likely, Charlie Kolar. Baltimore could also choose to keep free agents Nick Boyle and Josh Oliver.
"Mark (Andrews) has done it for X number of years," Monken said. "Then you're got a young player (Likely) who is learning how to play at the professional level. But they both have the ability to make plays down the field, run after catch. So, it's a great starting point, because I think they're tough matchup guys."
Despite his up-tempo preference, Monken does not neglect the run game. Both top running backs at Georgia last season, Kenny McIntosh and Daijun Edwards averaged 5.5. yards per carry.
With J.K. Dobbins and Gus Edwards on the roster, Monken can take advantage.
"I first started watching (film), and I'm like, 'Wow, they do really good stuff in the run game. Like, holy cow, that is very creative,''' Monken said. " Obviously, the better you run the football, the better you throw it, so it starts with an excellent run game and then go from there."
And finally, Monken can develop running quarterbacks. Look at what he did with Georgia signal-caller Stetson Bennett IV, who tied for the team lead with 10 rushing touchdowns last season. And there's no question Bennett doesn't possess the rushing ability of Lamar Jackson or Tyler Huntley.
"There are more and more athletic quarterbacks; there's more spread," Monken said. "And the more spread you are and the more empty you are, it's more fun if your guy is athletic. He can get you out of trouble."
There's no question the Ravens' offense will look different in 2023. But the biggest question is will it be better? Also, who will be under center to run it?
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