According to reports, Gary Kubiak wants to come back as an offensive coordinator. The Ravens must make every effort to bring him back.
Well, would you look at that? According to CBS Sports insider Jason La Canfora, Gary Kubiak is open to returning to the NFL as an offensive coordinator.
Former Broncos head coach Gary Kubiak open to a return as an offensive coordinator - https://t.co/8YWtYT4QKi https://t.co/jMGpGL0KMo
— Jason La Canfora (@JasonLaCanfora) November 5, 2017
Kubiak has taken time away from football over the past year due to health concerns but is keen on making a return. If Canfora’s reports are true, a ton of teams will be vying for his services. The Ravens should be one of those teams and need to make every effort to bring Kubiak back to Baltimore.
The Ravens hired Kubiak shortly after the 2013 season to replace Jim Caldwell. Caldwell left to become the head coach of the Lions and Kubiak was fired after a 2-11 start to the season. It didn’t take long for Kubiak’s impact to have an effect on the Ravens offense and it worked wonders for them that season.
West Coast Success
Remember a time when the Ravens offense didn’t struggle? You have to go back to 2014, the last time they made the postseason. Kubiak’s West Coast offense changed the dynamic of the offense and led the Ravens to a 10-6 record.
The combination of zone-blocking and play-action passing made the Ravens a top 15 offense that year. Joe Flacco had a career season, throwing for close to 4,000 yards but more importantly 27 touchdowns to only 12 interceptions. A down and out running back in Justin Forsett resurrected his career and ran for 1266 yards and eight touchdowns. Sure the Ravens were healthier, but the offensive scheme perfectly fit the offense. Kubiak’s success with the Ravens earned him a head coaching job with the Denver Broncos the following season. His success carried over as he led Peyton Manning and company to a Super Bowl title.
Since Kubiak has left, the Ravens offense hasn’t been the same. Marc Trestman and Marty Mornhinweg have implemented their offense systems with no avail. The Ravens have missed the playoffs the two years and are on their way to that same result this season. The offense is anemic and hard to watch week in and week out. Blame injuries all you want but Joe Flacco and the entire offense have been terrible.
The bottom line
It’s certainly been a personnel issue with the Ravens offense this season but that’s only been part of the problem. As much as I expect Mornhinweg to finish out the season as the offensive coordinator, he’s not the long-term solution. It’s time for the Ravens to go back to the offensive coordinator that last got them to the playoffs.
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Kubiak and Flacco seemed to have a great relationship and that offensive scheme was clearly the best we’ve ever seen Joe play. This is not only could be an offense saver but also a job saver for John Harbaugh. If the Ravens turn the offense around with how this defense is playing, they are contenders next season. There’s no reason Gary Kubiak shouldn’t be the offensive coordinator next season and Ozzie Newsome and the front office need to make it happen.