Slow starts are becoming an unwanted theme for the Ravens of late. They’ve averaged close to three points in the first quarter through 12 games, but it’s been even worse lately. In their past six first quarters, the Ravens have scored nine total points.
Ravens coach John Harbaugh said they are looking at options to fix the problem, including implementing a no-huddle offense early in games.
“It’s definitely an option,” Harbaugh said Wednesday. “It’s definitely something that we have done before among other things. It’s something that’s on the table, for sure.”
Quarterback Lamar Jackson likes the no-huddle offense, as he believes it flexes out the defense. According to Sports Info Solutions, Jackson is 18-for-28 with 149 yards, two touchdowns and one interception and has been sacked twice in the no-huddle. When he’s not in the two-minute drill, Jackson is 14-for-18 with 111 yards, two touchdowns and an interception.
“It lets us do our thing a little faster,” Jackson said. “We had success when we did it. I don’t know what the challenge may be. If it comes up in a game then I will have an answer. We haven’t had any problems with it.”
Bozeman nominated for Walter Payton Man of the Year
Ravens center Bradley Bozeman was designated as the team’s nominee for the Walter Payton Man of the Year award on Tuesday. For Bozeman, it speaks volumes about the Bradley and Nikki Bozeman Foundation he and his wife Nikki started.
“We’ve been given a really big platform,” Bozeman said. “We’ve been blessed to use this platform for good and that’s what we strive to do.”
This year, Bozeman’s foundation partnered with the Cal Ripken Sr. Foundation, the Boys and Girls Clubs of Central Maryland and the Baltimore City Police department to provide food and academic support to children living in Baltimore’s disadvantaged communities.
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In July 2020, Bozeman and Nikki started a meal distribution at Mount Pleasant, and their efforts helped deliver 21,000 meals to 300 families.
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“It’s been amazing,” Bozeman said. “We fed over 3 million meals in about a year and a half, so it’s been great.”
In early 2020, Bozeman and Nikki went on an RV trip from Maryland to California and spoke to more than 12,000 students at 18 schools about preventing bullying. Bozeman said he’s not sure if he will hit the road again this offseason.
“We’re going to play it by ear right now,” he said. “Things are still kind of weird with COVID. Some places are letting people in, some places aren’t. We’re just going to evaluate.”
Extra point
- Cornerback Anthony Averett took blame for the 29-yard touchdown to Steelers wideout Diontae Johnson in the fourth quarter of Sunday’s 20-19 loss. Averett said he didn’t get the right defensive call. “Pretty much everybody was playing one thing except me,” Averett said. “It didn’t get the communication and that’s on me.”