Raven Country

Ravens OC Defends Starting Guard After Struggles

Baltimore Ravens offensive coordinator Todd Monken isn't having any of the online criticism directed at his right guard.
Jon Alfano|
Baltimore Ravens offensive coordinator Todd Monken on the field before the game against the Washington Commanders at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-Imagn Images
Baltimore Ravens offensive coordinator Todd Monken on the field before the game against the Washington Commanders at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-Imagn Images | Tommy Gilligan-Imagn Images

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Baltimore Ravens

Throughout Daniel Faalele's first season as the Baltimore Ravens' starting right guard, he was constantly subject to online criticism over his uneven play. Already, it's looking like that will be the case once again this season.

Faalele started Thursday's preseason opener against the Indianapolis Colts, and unfortunately, his play was uneven once again. In a particular lowlight, Colts defensive tackle Adetomiwa Adebawore bowled him over for an easy sack on Cooper Rush.

Despite Faalele's rough outing, offensive coordinator Todd Monken made it very clear that he still believes in his guard.

"I'm so proud of Daniel," Monken told reporters Tuesday. "He worked hard in the offseason [and] came in [to camp] in great shape. I think I was talking earlier that we're excited for Daniel. He's come a long way. He is a really, really good football player.

Baltimore Ravens offensive lineman Daniel Faalele
Nov 12, 2023; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Baltimore Ravens offensive tackle Daniel Faalele (77) looks on before a game against the Cleveland Browns at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jessica Rapfogel-Imagn Images | Jessica Rapfogel-Imagn Images

"In today's day and age, shock value, whatever's seen for one shot on the Internet doesn't make a man, or a great play doesn't make a man. As I was saying earlier, we were talking like if the Internet posts someone walking into church, it doesn't make him a great Christian. It just means they walked into church. They picked out one clip of it. That's not Daniel. Daniel's been outstanding throughout all of camp and has played his rear end off, and we're excited where he is at now and where he is going to continue to grow."

Faalele, 25, was one of the NFL's heaviest players last season at 380 pounds, but lost about 20 pounds over the offseason. Monken and the Ravens hope that him slimming down a bit will allow him to move more effectively and address one of his biggest weaknesses from last season.

More than anything, though, Monken wants to make it abundantly clear that the online criticism does not affect his view of Faalele in any way.

"Well, first of all, I don't respond to it," Monken said. "I'm not naive to seeing those things, but it was one play. That was one example. I can't imagine any of us [having] one example of something in our life, and that's who they are. That's the silliest [stuff] I've ever heard in my life. It's just the way it is. It is the world we live in, right?"

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Jon Alfano
JON ALFANO

Jon is a lead writer for Baltimore Ravens On SI and contributes to other sites around the network as well. The Tampa native previously worked with sites such as ClutchPoints and GiveMeSport and earned his journalism degree at the University of Central Florida.

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