Baltimore Ravens Stock Report: Who’s hot, who’s not Week 2

Patrick Ricard:

Last week Ricard made this list in the “who’s not” category. This week Ricard was a difference-maker and it showed. Two weeks ago against Cleveland Ricard fumbled the ball on the goal-line and was not his usual self in the blocking game. Time and time again Ricard was clearing lanes for rushers and he caught a touchdown this play.

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Against Cleveland, Ricard was not his usual self, I wrote that he needed to return to form and he did just that. This week the Ravens controlled the time of possession for almost 35 minutes and ran for over 200-yards. Comparatively, that is twice as many rushing yards from week ones win and time of possession was even. For the Ravens, Ricard was a key focal point for them this week. In the first half, the Ravens ran primarily three by one sets, but with the lead, in the second half, the team ran a lot of heavy packages. These featured Ricard lining up everywhere in the backfield, tight end, and splitting out wide.

For Ricard, his value is brought by his versatility. He is one of, if not the best blocking fullback and is working on becoming more of a runner/receiver, but at 300 lbs his value is in his mobility and ability to block. As the team did not carry three tight ends, Ricard needs to help cover at tight end but does that in different ways. The way the Ravens offense is, Ricard will get motioned, sometimes more than once. When he is motioned, the defense adjusts and it creates angles for the offensive line and Ricard to block. In the second half with an uptick in usage the running game thrived. Ricard blasted holes open for Gus Edwards and kept the team moving downfield.

When this team is running the ball with efficiency, they are scary. With four skilled running backs and Lamar Jackson, that is no problem. The key to the puzzle is Ricard helping the offensive lines open lanes as defenses stack the box with seven or eight players at a time. Look for the running game to be back at around 200 yards a game again and Ricard to continue to find new roles on the offense and make an impact.