Experts compare Lamar Jackson/Todd Monken pairing to Michael Jordan/Phil Jackson

Four years after Lamar Jackson took the NFL by storm and became the second unanimous MVP in league history, the Ravens quarterback has taken his game to an even higher level.

First-year offensive coordinator Todd Monken deserves a lot of credit for helping Jackson improve. Russell Street Report’s Dev Panchwagh likes the role Monken played in Jackson’s development, much like former Chicago Bulls head coach Phil Jackson did to ’90s NBA superstar Michael Jordan The same impact.

“Once (Phil) Jackson took over, he immediately made some changes, one of which was the installation of the triangle offense,” Panchvar wrote. “This is an offense that needs Jordan’s support because it requires a team-first approach to be successful. Jordan needs to pass the ball more and run without the ball more than the isolation basketball he’s accustomed to. Jackson sees the benefits of offloading Jordan burden so other players can make it easier for the superstar.

“Jordan later admitted that he wasn’t sure about the offense at first, but he eventually unlocked his game more as a complete player. … Jackson also challenged Jordan on an intellectual and spiritual level. You could say, he The approach taken with Jordan may make more sense for his development on a personal level. In that sense, speaking of Jackson, Baltimore Ravens offensive coordinator Todd Monken has unlocked quarterback Lamar Jackson’s Everything. Personality, mentality, passer, runner, decision-maker. Leader. All of it.”

Panchvar noted that, like Jordan, Lamar Jackson also benefits from having a coach who can take more advantage of his coordinator side.

“From a distance, Lamar seemed to be toying with zen and calm,” Panchvar wrote. “He sees the pitch differently. He makes his game look like it’s on autopilot. Yes, there are certain games and plays where he still applies pressure and tries to do too much. But overall, This season, he looks more relaxed, trusting his weapons and playing (within himself).”

Panchivar said the root of Jackson’s development into a more complete quarterback is the trust built between him and Monken.

“What we are seeing in Lamar is a generational player playing with complete freedom that is directly attributable to Monken’s influence,” Panchwa wrote. “I could have said more about what Monken did. All the X’s and O’s adjustments that have also driven Jackson’s game – spreading the field more horizontally and playing with his legs to create more misdirection are prime examples. That’s for another post Article for another day.

“What we should give Monken the most credit for is getting the most out of Jackson as a cerebral quarterback and figuring out how to get him excited again. As Jackson said, he’s having fun. If you have the most talented guy in the league The playmakers also have that feel, the buy-in and the true partnership, and you get what the Ravens have accomplished so far, which looks to be an unstoppable team that’s ready for the Super Bowl.”

Sports Illustrated’s Albert Brill also wrote about Monken’s role in Jackson’s evolution this season.

“To be sure, Monken has improved the passing game since arriving in January. He’s done that schematically, and he’s also done it by empowering Jackson,” Brill wrote .

Jackson told Brill: “It gives me free will and puts us in a better situation. He’s already told me, ‘If you don’t like it, get out of it. But if you mess up, that’s on you. . Everybody was like ‘I’m going to know this is your responsibility. He’s the one who gave me that freedom.’

The Miami Dolphins and San Francisco 49ers have two of the best offenses in the league, but the Ravens’ defense has slowed them down in consecutive weeks.

“Baltimore’s defense has been outstanding all season and has a million reasons to celebrate,” No. 33’s Derek Klassen wrote. “Still, there’s something special and meaningful about applying it to two offenses that other coordinators look to for inspiration.”

Klassen looks at why the Ravens defense is kryptonite for two explosive units. He delved into the X’s and O’s, but said the main reason was the Ravens’ unique equipment.

“Justin Madubuike and Jadeveon Clowney are thugs in the frontcourt. Madubuike is a car bomb in the middle, and even after all these years, Clowney is still the best edge pusher in the league. These players are It helps against any offense, but especially one led by (49ers QB) Brock Purdy and (Dolphins QB) Tua Tagovailoa. You want to keep those two quarterbacks in the in the pocket. You want to speed up their process and crowd their throwing platform. Don’t let them run away; make them feel like they can’t breathe.

“Then, linebacker Loquan Smith. Smith is a vacuum in the middle of the field, a black hole between the numbers, shutting the window. Smith’s awareness of routes and spacing in his zone is textbook, and he doesn’t shy away from that, even when Smith In games without the ball, he often buys time for the rest of the defensive players to get into position.

“In Game 2, safety Kyle Hamilton gives defensive coordinator Mike McDonald a unique weapon that can move throughout the formation and solve various problems. Hamilton can play in the back half and play in Playing man-to-man coverage in the slot and adapting to the run, Hamilton is a white whale in the league, always looking for defensive backs to serve as schematic master keys.

“Having those star players, which is Smith and Hamilton, can find answers to disrupt (49ers head coach Kyle) Shanahan and (Dolphins head coach Mike) McDaniel’s offense in a way that no other defense can.” McDown Na has honed those answers into a clear blueprint — not a method that can be replicated, but a method that works for the Ravens, and only the Ravens, because of the specific players on the roster.”

ESPN’s Bill Barnwell picks his All-NBA team. Four Ravens made the first team, joining the 49ers and Dallas Cowboys on the first team. Here are some excerpts from Ravens players:

“I believe Jackson is a better passer than the guy we saw in 2019. … Jackson looks more confident in the pocket. He’s averaging more yards per attempt than anyone in the league , in addition to the three Shanahan system quarterbacks (Brock Purdy, Tua Tagovailoa and CJ Stroud). He also continued to challenge the team in the mid-range (from 11 to 20 yards downfield), using Defenses who are worried about his legs and want that extra safety against the run. He leads the league among quarterbacks in the middle (95.9), and the only quarterback averaging more yards per attempt on those passes is Per Purdy. But Purdy also threw six interceptions in the zone, while Jackson held off 11 passes. ”

“Madubuike’s breakout season as an interior pass rusher was outstanding. While the 26-year-old has excelled at times and looked to be a solid starting tackle in previous seasons, But I’m not sure anyone expects him to be the most physically dominant interior rusher in the league in 2023. Well, he is. Watch the Ravens every week and you’ll see Madubuc living in the backfield, simply groundlessly overpowering opposing defenders and forcing opposing quarterbacks into wild scrambles and field goal attempts. While Ravens coordinator Mike Macdonald relies on zone pressure to create havoc on the edge of the protection scheme, Madubuike simply comes from Overwhelmed them from the inside out.”

“When the Ravens led the Dolphins 28-7 last season, it was because they allowed 215 yards after the catch. On Sunday (against Miami), Smith limited the league’s third-best YAC offense to 115. The Ravens were originally Allowed the second-fewest YAC per catch this season. A lot of that will depend on Smith, who made the players around him better after joining the organization via a midseason trade in 2022.

“Remember when the Eagles took defensive tackle Jordan Davis ahead of the Ravens in the 2022 draft, and the Ravens were forced to draft a guy who could run a 4.59-second 40-yard dash? Well, the way Hamilton plays Not like a guy who posted a 4.59 grade. He’s become coordinator Mike Macdonald’s ultimate piece, playing safety, slot cornerback and off-ball defender this season. He’s even had a few snaps at edge rusher, in In these positions he alternates chasing the quarterback and getting into the throwing line to take advantage of confusion on the opposing signal caller.”

John Harbaugh is getting props for winning Coach of the Year, and it’s well deserved. Ravens Wire’s Larry Brown Jr. is the latest expert to defend Harbaugh’s win.

“Harbaugh has had a remarkable career with a 171-107 record, but this season he is even more special,” Brown wrote. “Harbaugh deserves credit for allowing new offensive coordinator Todd Monken the freedom to implement a newer, non-traditional offense. The Ravens are second in points allowed per game, first in points allowed per game, and Arguably the league’s MVP. Quarterback Lamar Jackson.

“With a talented roster, Harbaugh has done a tremendous job establishing a sense of unity in the Ravens locker room. … Ravens tight end Mark Andrews and running back Keaton Mitchell suffered a season-ending injury in addition to overcoming early-season injuries to defensive back Marlon Humphrey and wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. Harbaugh’s calm demeanor was impressive. The energy is infectious, which is obviously why the reserves came into the lineup and performed so well, including safety Geno Stone, who led the team with seven interceptions, and tight end Isaiah. “possible. “