NFL Analysis: Lamar Jackson & Ravens OC Todd Monken prepare for Trilogy
Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson and offensive coordinator Todd Monken have achieved success together over their two seasons. Jackson has been unreal (phenomenal), totaling 41 passing touchdowns last season on just 474 passing attempts. For perspective, Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow totaled 43 passing touchdowns but needed 120 more passing attempts than Jackson to do so. Efficiency appears to be a key ingredient for the Ravens' offense, despite their untimely postseason exit in 2024.
For Monken, the goal has to extend farther than tallying up incredible stats, but falling short in the postseason. Monken's mastermind sometimes gets in the way of what could be so simple, yet his vast optionality on offense might be the reason for his confoundedness. Jackson, on the other hand, continues to demonstrate team leadership and humility, upholding the ideals of Monken in the hope that a Super Bowl title will soon be achieved.
Advertisement
In year three, perhaps Monken might consider lessening Jackson's pass attempts to around 425. This would result in an average of approximately 25 passing attempts per game. For a deeper analysis and perspective, in five of the Ravens' regular-season losses last season, Jackson averaged 14.6 incompletions per game on a total of 182 pass attempts (36.4 attempts per game). The more pass attempts Jackson has thrown, the less effective the offense has been.
In year three, Monken has to shake the fantasy and relinquish his desire to make Jackson the hero every game. The critics love to see Jackson fail, and the narrative that running back Derrick Henry carried the team last season accompanies a list of scornful suggestions that Jackson will have to live with due to consecutive postseason exits. Monken and Jackson will be looking to get things right in 2025, but nothing matters more than Lauryn Hill if the Ravens continue to lose in the NFL Playoffs.
This article originally appeared on Ravens Wire: Lamar Jackson & Ravens OC Todd Monken prepare for Trilogy
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
4 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Nemechek shares how Legacy Motor Club is building closer to a playoff bid
John Hunter Nemechek describes how the organization has changed its culture over the last several months to focus on earning a win in the final weeks of the regular season.
Yahoo
4 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Luka Dončić reportedly agrees to 3-year, $165M max extension with Lakers
The Los Angeles Lakers view Luka Dončić as the future of the franchise. The team inked the 26-year-old to a three-year, $165 million max extension, according to ESPN's Shams Charania. Per Charania, Dončić's deal features a player option in 2028 and he is now eligible for a projected five years and $417 million in 2028. [Join or create a Yahoo Fantasy Football league for the 2025 NFL season] The move doesn't come as a major surprise. Since he debuted with the Dallas Mavericks during the 2018-19 NBA season, Dončić has performed like one of the best players in the NBA. He won the Rookie of the Year award that season, is a five-time All-Star and has five MVP finishes in the top-8. It was always expected the Lakers would sign Dončić to a long-term deal after the team traded Anthony Davis, Max Christie and a first-round pick to Dallas in February in exchange for Dončić. You don't acquire a player of Dončić's caliber and allow him to walk after just a year and a half. Prior to the extension, Dončić was set to enter what could have been the final year of his contract. He held a $48 million player option for the 2026-27 NBA season that he almost certainly would have declined in favor of receiving a record-breaking deal on the free-agent market. The Lakers were never going to let Dončić get to that point, which is why a max extension was always assumed. The bigger question surrounding Dončić's next contract was its length. With Dončić signed, the Lakers now have their future secured. Dončić melded with the team well after being acquired in February. In 28 games in Los Angeles, Dončić averaged 28.2 points, 8.1 rebounds and 7.5 assists, essentially the same numbers he averaged with the Mavericks. Following the Lakers' postseason elimination, head coach JJ Redick challenged the team to get in "championship shape," which many perceived as a challenge aimed at Dončić, whose conditioning has been questioned during his career. By all accounts, Dončić heard that message. He's reportedly dropped "significant weight" ahead of the 2025-26 NBA season. With LeBron James back, and Dončić possibly in the best shape of his life, the Lakers will enter the year with championship aspirations. While James' future with the franchise remains a question — he's 40 and only under contract for one more season — Dončić is talented enough to make the team a perennial contender after James leaves or retires. That was always the plan when the team pulled off its shocking trade for Dončić in February. Following Saturday's extension, it's now the team's reality.
Yahoo
4 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Highlights from Day 9 of Bears training camp
The Chicago Bears were back at Halas Hall for their ninth practice of training camp, where there were plenty of notable observations and highlights from Saturday's padded session. Quarterback Caleb Williams and the starting offense got off to a hot start during 1-on-1 and team drills, but things didn't end well during the two-minute drill. Still, according to Zack Pearson, "Williams and the offense are getting more and more comfortable" these last few practices, and Saturday was "another good day out there." It's certainly encouraging just ahead of preseason with Chicago slated to host the Miami Dolphins for a joint practice next week. Rookie tight end Colston Loveland also continued to thrive with receiver Rome Odunze showcasing his big-play potential. With media in attendance, there were some quick highlights from this padded practice. This post will be updated as more videos appear Highlights from ninth practice of Bears training camp Follow Bears Wire on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: Chicago Bears training camp: Highlights from Day 9
