When the 2019 season started for the Baltimore Ravens, there was excitement in the air but also senses of cautious optimism and eagerness. Questions about how good Baltimore was going to be were looming and some didn’t believe the team could take the next step forward. However, the Ravens finished the 2019 regular season with a 14-2 record, which was the best mark in franchise history.
Throughout the year much was learned about this Baltimore team. As we transition into the offseason, it’s important to look back on the season and see where the Ravens grew and what we learned.
As it’s been over a month since our last taste of Ravens football, let’s take a look at a few takeaways from the 2019 season for Baltimore.
Lamar Jackson is the real deal
The biggest question facing the Ravens at the start of the 2019 season was whether Jackson could be the long-term solution at quarterback. Many critics doubted his ability to improve as a passer, noting the questionable accuracy of his rookie season as proof. Now, it’s safe to say those questions were put to rest and Baltimore absolutely knows they’ve got the future of the position under center.
During his MVP campaign, Jackson threw for 3,127 yards and 36 touchdowns compared to just six interceptions. It’s even more impressive when you consider Jackson sat out Week 17 and was rested in the fourth quarter of five different blowout wins. He improved on many aspects of his game including his footwork and reading the field which led to better accuracy and fewer turnovers.
Despite those improvements, arguably the most important evolution in his game was his awareness to be smart with his body, avoiding big hits and giving up a yard occasionally to make sure that he didn’t put himself in danger of a long-term injury. Seeing anyone get hit hard can raise some concern but Jackson has received a lot of criticism for his play-style as a quarterback.
Jackson proved with his play that he is the answer for Baltimore. He has everything the team needs and wants in a franchise quarterback, and he hasn’t even hit his ceiling yet. He has a bright future, both on and off the field.
GM Eric DeCosta has replaced Ozzie Newsome
When DeCosta finally got his opportunity to run the team after longtime general manager Ozzie Newsome retired, he knew he had big shoes to fill. After his first offseason (and regular season), it’s safe to say Baltimore is in good hands.
DeCosta nailed his first draft, drafting wide receiver Marquise Brown in the first round and nabbing falling talent like linebacker Jaylon Ferguson and wide receiver Miles Boykin. In free agency, DeCosta used his cap space to sign Earl Thomas to upgrade at free safety. He also had arguably the biggest steal of the offseason signing running back Mark Ingram to a three year, $15 million dollar deal.
DeCosta didn’t just make moves in the offseason but quickly assessed holes in the roster and signed key contributors in the middle of the season. He let go of outside linebacker Tim Williams, signing inside linebackers Josh Bynes and L.J. Fort as well as defensive tackles Domata Peko and Justin Ellis. All helped Baltimore’s defense make a complete turnaround from the beginning of the season to the unit that finished in Week 17.
But DeCosta’s best work came during a regular-season trade for cornerback Marcus Peters. The Ravens sent struggling linebacker Kenny Young and a fifth-round pick to the Los Angeles Rams for Peters, eventually signing the All-Pro cornerback to a three-year extension later in the season.
With all of these moves, DeCosta solidified and stabilized the defense while not overreacting. He could have easily traded two first-round picks for then-Jaguars cornerback Jalen Ramsey but instead traded for what ended up being the far more productive and likely cheaper player in Peters.
In between all the new additions to the roster, DeCosta has made a point to focus on retaining the homegrown talent. He’s locked up nine different players ahead of free agency, signing some a full year early. It’s paid off by making free agency more manageable while getting some salary-cap savings as well.
If last year was any indication, Baltimore has found their guy. The saying is “In Ozzie we trust” but now it might have to be edited to say, “In EDC we believe.”
Baltimore can handle adversity
Throughout the 2019 season, the Ravens had to face a massive amount of adversity.
Starting before the regular season even began, Baltimore lost starting slot cornerback Tavon Young. Fellow cornerback Jimmy Smith went down just six snaps into Week 1. Rookie wide receiver Marquise Brown missed a great deal of training camp with a foot injury and never really hit 100% all season long.
Baltimore also had a very difficult schedule, facing six of the 11 other playoff teams in the regular season and going 5-1 against that group. The Ravens got saddled with having to play the Kansas City Chiefs, Seattle Seahawks and Buffalo Bills away from M&T Bank Stadium, some of the toughest places to play in the NFL.
The Ravens had a target on their back throughout the entire season. After their 59-10 win over the Miami Dolphins, they were immediately identified as a threat and were put under a microscope. Their successes never seemed to be fully appreciated while their mistakes were overly criticized. As a team that was used to playing in the shadows and being the underdog, it was a new sensation.
When they finally got the postseason, Baltimore had the ultimate adversity to deal with: losing. While tough words were exchanged immediately following the Ravens’ playoff loss to the Tennessee Titans, the players quickly turned it into more drive for the 2020 season.
The various and intense adversity Baltimore faced last season should have them better prepared and hungrier for next season.
There’s still room for improvement
Baltimore was downright dominant last season. They set a franchise-best 14-2 record and earned the No. 1 seed in the AFC for the first time in franchise history. The shattered a 41-year old rushing record and became the first team to average 200-plus rushing yards and 200-plus passing yards per game. Jackson set a whole host of records himself, including destroying Michael Vick’s single-season rushing record.
But even more impressive is that the 2019 season was supposed to be the stepping stone. For as good as they were last season, they haven’t even hit their ceiling yet — and that’s before adding any new players.
The Ravens have a few needs they need to address in the offseason. They ranked in the bottom third of the league in sacks and their top pass rusher — Matthew Judon — is a free agent this offseason. While wide receiver Marquise Brown had a great rookie campaign, Baltimore needs a running mate on the opposite side who can play the possession-receiver role. The defense could use more consistency at inside linebacker to solidify everything together better. All of those things could make the Ravens even more dangerous.
There’s no such thing as a perfect team. Every single team in the NFL has roster needs and holes in their gameplans. Baltimore is certainly no different there but is in a more unique situation thanks to a great core of players still on their rookie contracts, led by Jackson at quarterback. The Ravens have some cap space and draft capital to get better this offseason while seeing improvement in individual young players.
