1. Baltimore Ravens are finding roles for Patrick Ricard
The only potential starters we saw on offense were John Simpson, Zay Flowers, and then Patrick Ricard. To be fair, Ricard will not start in the Todd Monken offense, but in the Greg Roman offense, he was a trusted starter throughout the years.
The issue is that Monken and Roman contrast in styles in a dramatic way. The spacing and downfield passing that Monken institutes do not typically lead to a fullback on the field. So, the Ravens have been creative in how they use him.
First, they tired him as an offensive lineman. Now, they are essentially playing him as a blocking tight end. He played a good bit in preseason week two, and most of his snaps were on the line as an extra tight end.
This makes sense when you look at the Baltimore Ravens roster. Mark Andrews, Isaiah Likely, and Charlie Kolar are all pass-catching tight ends who struggle with blocking. So, the Ravens do not need a full back, but they need a blocking tight end. Monken knows that the added chip help on the edges can lead to extra seconds in a downfield passing attack. This usage will ensure his role on the new offense. Expect to see him on the line, not behind the line in 2023.