Ravens Isaiah Likely Focusing on The 'Little Details' Amid Mark Andrews' Absence
They say when one door closes, another opens. For Baltimore Ravens tight end Isaiah Likely, the door to more playing time has swung open as All-Pro tight end Mark Andrews is out for the foreseeable future.
Now, with the opportunity in front of him, Likely, who has just nine catches for 89 yards this season, is getting ready for an increased role in Todd Monken's offense.
The differences in practice this week for Likely compared to previous weeks is stark as he prepares to step into the All-Pro's shoes for the remainder of the season.
“I've been just trying to majoring on the little details," Likely said. "I mean just still understanding that I have a role and then just understand that what Lamar needs me more to do. I got speed up this route if he wants me to block differently on the edge for him because I'm not going to lie, me and Mark do things different in our own ways that's what makes us human, but like just still trying to incorporate and blend with the with the offense.”
With Andrews now seemingly lost for the rest of the regular season, it will now fall on Likely and other young tight end Charlie Kolar to work in tandem to try and replicate what Andrews produces on offense.
Ravens tight end Isaiah Likely is readying himself for an increased workload in the absence of Mark Andrews.
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But if you think that Andrews isn't one to help his teammates despite his injury, well, you would be wrong.
For Likely, Andrews has already been giving pointers to help him transition into the TE1 role.
“I tell everybody like Mark's like that big brother role in aspect," Likely said. "He's done a fantastic job helping me day in and day out on run block, route running, pass blocking, everything and just giving me everything voice of wisdom on everything. I do so you know having him still be able to talk to me even after his injury definitely was heartwarming.”
The Ravens sit top of the AFC as the No. 1 seed after the Kansas City Chiefs lost to the Philadelphia Eagles, and now attention turns to staying there for the remainder of the season.
Doing it without Andrews seems like a tall order, but in Isaiah Likely, the Ravens have a young tight end who is hellbent on making the most of an incredible opportunity to put his stamp on this offense.
