James Urban could be an X-factor for the Ravens’ offense

Newly hired quarterbacks coach James Urban could have a tremendous impact on Joe Flacco and the Baltimore Ravens’ offense this season.

Consistency is the key to almost everything, especially on the gridiron. However, that’s not something the Baltimore Ravens have had in the offensive coaching department until now.

Joe Flacco has worked with five different offensive coordinators throughout his ten-year career but enters his second straight year with Marty Mornhinweg. It’s close to three years counting since Mornhinweg’s promotion following Marc Trestman’s firing. Greg Roman also returns for his second season and is considered an integral part of the offensive gameplan.

But with the hype surrounding the upcoming season in Baltimore, James Urban could very well be the X-factor for the offense. The newly hired quarterbacks coach comes into his first season with the Ravens and could provide an immediate impact.

Mornhinweg has served as the team’s offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach since October of 2016. Jim Caldwell did the same from 2012-2013. Allowing Morhinweg to focus primarily on the offense and Urban on Flacco is a win-win because needless to say, both areas have room to improve.

Flacco’s numbers haven’t lived up to the contract since the Super Bowl win. That’s beating a dead horse by now and a conversation that’s been completely oversaturated to the point of no return. But whether it’s adjusting mechanics or improving footwork, I have to believe that consistent one-on-one work with a quarterback coach will be beneficial. Some may consider this too late at this point in Flacco’s career but the Ravens are financially tied to No. 5 for at least one more year.

This is not a move for the present but also the future. Urban will work with Flacco and have an integral part in the development of rookie quarterback Lamar Jackson. Jackson has drawn numerous comparisons to Michael Vick, a quarterback Urban coached in Philadelphia during the 2009 and 2010 seasons.

Urban could also play a hand in the passing attack by way of wide receivers. He spent seven seasons from 2011-2017 with the Cincinnati Bengals, working with the likes of A.J. Green among others. Often times, it’s been those receivers that have been the kryptonite for Baltimore (I.e. Tyler Boyd). With completely new faces at the position from free agent signings to draft picks, the help of a former wide receivers coach is intriguing. I’d compare it to Greg Roman’s influence on the run game.

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Winning games can be about as much about the coaching as the play on the field. In a time where the Ravens enter a crucial 16-game season, Urban is an underlying factor to keep an eye out for.