Aggregate OL Results

The Ravens provided Jackson Ample Time and Space (ATS) on 11 of 25 drop backs (44%), above their 38% rate for the season.  Among 13 non-ATS drop backs, 5 were balls delivered before pressure could develop (BOQ) and 9 were pressures. 

Summarizing the OL performance:

  • They did not allow any sacks
  • They were charged with 3.67 of the 4 QHs
  • They allowed 3 pressures
  • They were not responsible for a run for loss
  • They were not penalized

Individual Scoring

The Ravens ran 64 scored snaps (excludes accepted penalties which result in no play, kneels, spikes, and special teams plays that result in a run or pass).

Brown:  Zeus played well against an unimpressive set of Giants edge defenders.  His most common opponents were rookies Cam Brown and Tae Crowder as well as 5th-year player David Mayo.  He did not allow a single pressure event, although Lamar ran him out of a pressure when DT Leonard Williams beat him inside on a stunt (Q3, 11:50).  He missed 6 blocks, 3 of which were losses at or behind the LoS.  He made 2 blocks in level 2, delivered 2 pancakes, and connected (or sold a fake) on 5 of 8 pulls.  His highlight was a pull to flatten S Logan Ryan in space (Q2, 0:34).  That play was one of many where the Giants tried to cut pulling offensive linemen.  The strategy led to a high number of pancakes in this game. 

Scoring:  64 plays, 58 blocks, 6 missed, 58 points (.91 per play).  That’s an A with no adjustment.

Bozeman:  Bradley continued to play well and lead the run game.  He was beaten outside by Leonard Williams for a full pressure when Orlando Brown pulled right (Q1, 11:30).  He also was responsible for a 1/3 share of 2 different QHs (Q2, 0:29; Q3, 12:41, bulled by Williams).  He missed 6 blocks, of which 2 were losses at the LoS.  He made 2 blocks in level 2, had 8 pancakes, 7 of which occurred when Giants players attempted to cut him on pulls.  He connected on 14 of 18 pulling assignments overall.  He had a highlight combination block on DT BJ Hill the S Ryan in level 2 (Q1, 8:21)

Scoring:  64 plays, 56 blocks, 5 missed, 1 pressure, 2/3 (1/3 + 1/3) QH,  52 points (.81 per play).  That’s a B after adjustment.

Mekari:  Patrick played well again before leaving with a back injury after the Ravens scored on their first 2 possessions.  It was nice to see him play penalty-free football, something that has hampered his scoring in recent weeks.  He did not have any negative events but both his missed blocks were losses at or behind the LoS.  Those included a Suggs-esque cut from OLB David Mayo that upended Mekari and caused Brown to trip (Q1, 10:14).  He had 1 block in level 2 and made 4/5 pulls.  He did not have a pancake or highlight.

Scoring: 23 plays, 21 blocks, 2 missed, 21 points (.91 per play).  That’s an A with adjustment.

Powers:  Ben was solid at RG in a game where he had scoring help from Lamar Jackson.  He was bulled by DT Dalvin Tomlinson for a pressure (Q2, 7:04).  Jackson made a remarkable escape to run Ben out of a 2nd pressure with an 18-yard scramble (Q1, 5:12).  He had a 1/3 share of a QH (Q3, 12:41).  Among 2 losses on 3 missed blocks, he was upended by OLB Mayo on a pull (Q1, 12:06).  He had 3 blocks in level 2, delivered 1 pancake, and made 6 of his 7 pulls.  His highlight was a 5-yard push of DT Dexter Lawrence that he maintained to the whistle (Q1, 10:48).

Scoring:  64 plays, 55 blocks, 6 missed, 1.5 pressures, 1/3 QH, 51 points (.80 per play). That’s a C.  I took away his adjustment because Lamar bailed him out on the above pressure. 

To summarize my thoughts on the pressures Lamar evades:

  • They are a nontrivial offensive advantage
  • The linemen involved are each charged with a miss when it happens
  • That said, each may have also contributed to Jackson’s ability to escape
  • That is particularly true in the case of 12-to-6 blocks where an OT gets a defender behind the pocket before losing him and in cases where any lineman gives ground by bull rush, but maintains his relative position between the defender and Lamar (Q1, 5:12 is a great example)
  • Lamar’s abilities and these reflexive responsibilities mean offensive linemen have a different (an easier) job with Jackson than a traditional pocket QB

Fluker:  DJ took played 50 snaps at RT and again played well.  He surrendered a full QH when he blocked inside on DT Dexter Lawrence and failed to pick up DE Jabaal Sheard who rushed delayed.  That was his only negative play.  Of 3 missed blocks, none were losses at the LoS.  He made 2 blocks in level 2 but did not have a pancake.  He connected on 1 of 3 pulls.  He had a highlight seal (combination) on DT Dexter Lawrence then the pursuing DT Leonard Williams that helped spring Jackson for a 20-yard run (Q2, 0:23).

Scoring:  50 plays, 46 blocks, 3 missed, 1 QH, 43 points (.86 per play).  That’s an A- with adjustment for quality of opponent.  It will be interesting to see what the Ravens try to do with DJ this offseason.  He’s proven himself a valuable backup and there may be a market for him in a league starved for OTs above the replacement level.  However, his fit in Baltimore is perfect for this offense as the backup at either RG or RT.  In any case, he should be playing somewhere in 2021.

Skura:  Matt struggled in pass blocking, but also had several off-target snaps.  He was shed by DT Lawrence for a QH (Q4, 4:37) on Edwards’ 27-yard catch and run by the right sideline.  He also got a 1/3 charge on each of 2 QHs (Q2, 0:29; Q3, 12:41).  He missed just 1 block, which was L2NB.  He made 4 blocks in level 2 and connected on his only pull.  He did not have a pancake or highlight.

Scoring:  46 plays, 42 blocks, 1 missed, 1.67 (1 + 1/3 + 1/3) QH, 37 points (.80 per play).  That’s a C- .  I did not adjust his score, given the snap issues. 

Phillips:  Tyre played in relief for just 15 snaps at RT.  He made 13 of his blocks and gave up ½ pressure.  It’s good to see him play a solid game, but he is below the 20-snap minimum for a grade.  Phillips’ roster spot for 2021 is not in doubt, but it’s not clear where he’ll play and also not obvious how he’ll be positioned on the depth chart.  He’s a player who needs to make a big jump from year 1 to year 2 with a combination of position-specific coaching and strength training/conditioning.  If he can make it as an NFL tackle, it will be like Zeus where technique and awareness help him overcome slower feet.

Bredeson:  Ben made 9 of his 11 blocks as a sixth offensive lineman.

If you’re interested in seeing scoring trends for the players this season, those charts will be posted in the Gallery section and updated weekly.