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Baltimore Ravens: Greg Roman move makes sense but is also concerning

By Erik Lambert

BALTIMORE, MARYLAND - JANUARY 06: Quarterback Lamar Jackson #8 of the Baltimore Ravens in action against the Los Angeles Chargers during the AFC Wild Card Playoff game at M&T Bank Stadium on January 06, 2019 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
BALTIMORE, MARYLAND - JANUARY 06: Quarterback Lamar Jackson #8 of the Baltimore Ravens in action against the Los Angeles Chargers during the AFC Wild Card Playoff game at M&T Bank Stadium on January 06, 2019 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) /
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The Baltimore Ravens made a big decision regarding their offensive future following the end of their playoff run this past season.

With Lamar Jackson firmly entrenched as the starting quarterback, it seems head coach John Harbaugh is aiming to get the absolute most out of his skill set as possible. To that end, he decided to make a change at the offensive coordinator position. While removing Marty Morninwheg isn’t a huge surprise, his replacement should draw plenty of buzz. That being former San Francisco 49ers and Buffalo Bills offensive coordinator Greg Roman.

Roman has spent the past two seasons as the tight ends coach for the Ravens but it felt like the team may have stashed him for just such an occasion. One of the biggest things about his reputation dating back to his days in San Francisco is his lauded ability to elevate a running game around a mobile quarterback. It turned Colin Kaepernick into a star for a brief period and even got a Pro Bowl out of Tyrod Taylor in Buffalo.

So in the context of Jackson, a supremely athletic and mobile quarterback, it makes perfect sense to put Roman in charge.

Problem is Roman likely won’t give Jackson the help he needs as a passer

There is one concern though. As effective as Kaepernick and Taylor were initially under Roman, neither of them ever really developed where it mattered as true pocket passers. They merely became extensions of the ground game and delivered their best throws based off that. Whenever they were asked to win games with their arms, it didn’t always go well. So doesn’t that defeat the purpose of what the end game should be for Baltimore?

That being the mission of turning Jackson into a pass-first type of quarterback. Somebody who can run around when he wants to rather than has to. If the Ravens push forward with this plan, it’s worth noting that the Roman has never had a passing attack rank higher than 3rd and those quarterbacks he made effective haven’t found starting work after he left. It feels like Baltimore is accepting their fate and just trying to get the most out of what Jackson does well.

This rather than actively trying to mold him into a legitimate NFL passer.

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