We ask about the Ravens’ addition of Derrick Henry, the struggles in their secondary, and more.
This Sunday, the Cleveland Browns have a new quarterback at home as they take on the Baltimore Ravens. To help preview a few topics from the Ravens’ perspective, we reached out to Kyle Barber from Baltimore Ravens and exchanged five questions with him.
Photo by Perry Knotts/Getty Images
Chris: “The Ravens’ offense has been good for years, but it seems like they’ve taken it another step further this year, including the season that Derrick Henry is having. How has Henry been different than the backs Baltimore has had previously?”
Kyle: “Henry is the upgraded, amplified version of what they had in Gus Edwards. A big, physical running back with an excellent combination of size, strength and speed. Edwards was about as close as one could get to Henry. Now, they have Henry, who is bigger, stronger, faster and more explosive. And that combination, paired with Lamar Jackson and the strength of their offensive line and perimeter blockers in tight ends Mark Andrews, Isaiah Likely, Charlie Kolar and fullback Patrick Ricard, have made them a bludgeoning force. He hits the gaps faster. He finds the edge quicker and sheds tacklers with greater momentum. His vision is superior and the gravity of Jackson is forcing defenses to remain stationary an extra split-second, which is lethal against Henry.”
Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images
Chris: “What has been the biggest weakness in Baltimore’s defense?”
Kyle: “The Ravens’ secondary has been flat-out weak. They can’t get stops. They don’t get off the field. What was expected to be the best secondary in the NFL with Marlon Humphrey, Brandon Stephens, Kyle Hamilton, Marcus Williams and more has turned into a yards-allowing team.
There are levels to this, though. Consistently, the Ravens are getting the lead. When they do so, teams are passing more. So, they’re being tested more than any other squad. But, they’re failing those tests when 3rd & shorts are being converted. Then 3rd & mediums and even 3rd & longs are being allowed. Over the past three games, the Ravens’ defense has allowed more conversions than stops. Part of it is due to who they were playing. But, they’re failing to execute. Their communication isn’t sound. And for that reason, they’re not getting stops.”
Photo by Ian Johnson/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Chris: “Which member of the Ravens’ 2024 rookie draft class has contributed the most so far?”
Kyle: “Second-round tackle Roger Rosengarten has been the biggest contributor. After a couple weeks of him rotating in at right tackle while the Ravens fielded a new offensive line, they’ve fully committed to Rosengarten at right tackle and moved the versatile Patrick Mekari to full-time left guard and benched second-year blocker Andrew Vorhees. Rosengarten has held his own. He’s made key blocks while also allowing pressures. He’s going through traditional rookie growing pains but winning more than losing.
If you’re going purely off PFF grades, he’s a starting-caliber tackle, ranked in the 50s among all tackles in overall, pass blocking and run blocking. Just a consistent contributor and developing.
First-round cornerback Nate Wiggins is closing the gap to be included in contributing in 2024, and he’ll likely be on the field for the majority of snaps against the Browns, too.”
Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images
Chris: “Tell us about one player who Browns fans may not have heard of, but who could have an impact on this Sunday’s game.”
Kyle: “This is tough only because the Ravens’ stars are the ones with the most impact. They don’t have too many of those “up-and-coming” players. They’re all pretty well known, but I’ll say Rashod Bateman. He’s been the Ravens’ “breakout” receiver this season as his connection with Jackson has found its synchronicity. He’s become available, healthy and that has translated to a greater impact. We saw on Monday what he can do and the impact he can contribute”
Chris: “The Browns are early underdogs against the Ravens on Sunday (Ravens +9.5 as of this question, per FanDuel Sportsbook). Who would you pick against the spread?”
Kyle: “This has all the makings of a loss built into it. New quarterback who will — at minimum — not be historically bad. Nick Chubb appears healthy for a full workload. This, combined with a defense that is strong and capable getting more rest because they won’t be sent onto the field with the same frequency as the past few weeks will culminate in, at least, Ravens not covering the spread. I won’t say the Ravens will lose this one, but I expect this one to be a long, drawn-out competition between two tough teams.”
Thanks again to Kyle for taking the time to answer my questions.