Derrick Henry Had His Way Too, But Meddling Ravens OC Todd Monken
The world of professional football is often dominated by the narratives surrounding star players. With the spotlight shining brightly on Derrick Henry, the Tennessee Titans’ powerhouse running back, many fans and analysts have come to expect domination on the field from the 6’3″, 247-pound force of nature. He has earned his reputation through historic seasons, including his record-breaking 2020 campaign, where he became the eighth player in NFL history to rush for over 2,000 yards in a season. But there’s a new narrative emerging in the NFL, and it’s not about Henry’s dominance—it’s about Todd Monken, the Baltimore Ravens’ offensive coordinator.
In the competitive and high-stakes world of the NFL, team dynamics and strategies can change in an instant. The role of the offensive coordinator (OC) is crucial in setting the tone for a team’s offensive scheme. And in 2024, Todd Monken found himself in the midst of some controversy as his decisions regarding play calling came under scrutiny, especially during the Ravens’ game against the Titans. While Derrick Henry was his usual self—imposing his will on defenses and putting up impressive numbers—Monken’s approach raised eyebrows. His strategy to limit the Ravens’ rushing game and focus too heavily on a passing attack that wasn’t clicking left many questioning his tactics.
In this piece, we will take an in-depth look at the dynamic between Henry’s rushing prowess and Monken’s controversial game plan for the Ravens. We’ll explore how Monken’s approach, while perhaps well-intentioned, may have undermined the strengths of his team in crucial moments. Moreover, we will dive into the broader implications of Monken’s coaching philosophy, how it impacted the Ravens’ offense in 2024, and why it may be the difference between success and failure for the team moving forward.
Derrick Henry: The Titan Who Had His Way
Derrick Henry’s resume speaks for itself. Known for his explosive power, patience behind the line of scrimmage, and breakaway speed, he’s a unique player in the modern NFL. Despite the increasing trend of passing-heavy offenses, Henry remains one of the few true bell-cow running backs in the league. His ability to pound out yards on the ground, wear down defenses, and take over games is what makes him one of the most feared players in the league.
Against the Ravens’ defense in 2024, Henry had another typical day at the office. Although the Ravens have fielded one of the more formidable defensive units in the league in recent years, Henry’s size and physicality make him an almost impossible challenge to stop. He finished the game with a dominant rushing performance, surpassing 150 yards and finding the end zone twice. In many ways, his performance was a reminder of just how difficult it is to stop a player like Henry when he is in full control of the game.
From the opening whistle, Henry took charge, exploiting the Ravens’ defensive front with his usual blend of power and finesse. His ability to break tackles, churn out tough yards after contact, and control the pace of the game allowed the Titans to dictate tempo. His impact on the field was undeniable, and while the Ravens’ defense did their best to bottle him up, they simply couldn’t match Henry’s physicality.
However, despite Henry’s dominance, there was one factor that seemed to disrupt the natural flow of the game for both teams—the offensive strategies of Todd Monken and the way they didn’t align with the Ravens’ personnel strengths.
Todd Monken’s Meddling and Play Calling Woes
In 2024, the Baltimore Ravens brought in Todd Monken as their new offensive coordinator with the hope that his schemes could modernize the Ravens’ offense and bring balance to their attack. Monken, known for his innovative ideas and experience as the offensive coordinator at the University of Georgia, was expected to bring more versatility to a Baltimore offense that had previously leaned heavily on quarterback Lamar Jackson‘s legs and the running game.
One of the main critiques of Monken’s offensive strategy in 2024 was his tendency to force a passing game that didn’t fully complement the Ravens’ strengths. The Ravens have long been a team built around strong defense and a potent running game, particularly with Jackson’s mobility and the power running of J.K. Dobbins. But Monken seemed fixated on moving the ball through the air, even when it became apparent that the Ravens’ passing attack wasn’t as effective as expected.
During the game against the Titans, Monken’s game plan was questioned. Despite Derrick Henry running riot and controlling the clock, the Ravens’ offense was not able to capitalize on the clock-management opportunities that should have accompanied a heavy rushing attack. Rather than utilizing Jackson’s ability to extend plays with his legs and relying on Dobbins to wear down the defense, Monken insisted on calling more passing plays that placed undue pressure on Jackson’s arm.
While Lamar Jackson is undeniably one of the most dynamic quarterbacks in the league, he is also at his best when he’s using his legs to create opportunities—whether that be through read-option plays, scrambling, or improvising outside of the pocket. Instead, Monken’s play-calling seemed rigid, with a heavy emphasis on the passing game that didn’t align with the Ravens’ strengths. It was a stark contrast to the Titans, who built their offense around Henry’s ability to grind down the clock and keep the Ravens’ offense off the field.
The problem for the Ravens wasn’t just the lack of a consistent rushing attack, but also the inconsistency in their passing game. Jackson did not appear to be in rhythm with his wide receivers, and the lack of a reliable go-to option in the receiving corps made it difficult for the offense to sustain drives. The Titans, meanwhile, were able to control the flow of the game through Henry’s ability to break tackles and sustain long drives. This disparity in offensive strategies contributed to the Ravens’ inability to capitalize on scoring opportunities and control the game’s tempo.
Monken’s Philosophy: A Clash with Team Strengths
In analyzing Monken’s overall coaching philosophy, it’s evident that he has a preference for high-paced, pass-heavy offenses, a scheme that has worked wonders in some situations. At Georgia, Monken’s offenses thrived with dual-threat quarterbacks and a strong passing attack. However, the Ravens’ roster was constructed in a very different fashion—centered around Lamar Jackson’s dynamic running ability and a top-tier defense that thrived on ball control.
While Monken’s desire to diversify the Ravens’ offense is understandable—after all, a balanced attack is essential for playoff contention—the reality is that the Ravens are still best when they play to their identity. The Ravens’ success over the past few seasons has largely been driven by their ability to dominate the ground game and control time of possession. It’s an identity that works well with Jackson’s talents and the offensive line’s ability to create push at the line of scrimmage.
But Monken’s approach, with a heavy focus on passing and trying to turn Jackson into a pure pocket passer, came off as an attempt to fit a square peg into a round hole. The Ravens, despite their various offensive changes over the years, are still fundamentally a team built around the run. They’re most successful when they let Jackson improvise and use his legs to open up lanes for the running backs and tight ends.
The Bigger Question: Is Monken the Right Fit for the Ravens?
The 2024 season for the Ravens may ultimately be defined by how well they can execute Monken’s system, and whether it complements their existing strengths. While Monken has undoubtedly brought a fresh approach to the offense, questions remain about whether his vision fully aligns with the Ravens’ traditional style of play.
The clash between Monken’s offensive scheme and the Ravens’ established identity raises a larger question: Can the Ravens continue to lean on their run-heavy approach, or must they evolve into a more pass-centric team under Monken’s guidance? The answer isn’t clear, and the performance against the Titans illustrated the growing pains that come with such a transition.
For now, it seems that the Ravens may need to reevaluate how they use their personnel and adapt Monken’s scheme to better suit their existing strengths. While the passing game has potential, it should not come at the expense of what makes the Ravens dangerous in the first place: their ability to control the ball with the run, especially when facing a player like Derrick Henry, who can dominate the clock and wear down defenses.
Conclusion: The Future of the Ravens Offense
As the Ravens continue to navigate the challenges of building a balanced offense under Todd Monken’s direction, the key will be finding a middle ground that combines the best of both worlds—strong passing and a dominant run game. Derrick Henry may have had his way in the game against the Ravens, but the question remains whether Monken can adapt his approach to get the most out of his team’s strengths. If he can, the Ravens could very well find themselves in contention for a Super Bowl. If not, the struggles of 2024 could leave fans wondering what might have been, and whether Monken’s vision for the offense is the right fit in Baltimore.
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