Positionless, versatile, flexible. Ravens Tight Ends Coach George Godsey seemed to run out of synonyms to convey the threat his guys will pose this season.
Baltimore has the ultimate offensive dual threat in quarterback Lamar Jackson and a new gamebreaker in running back Derrick Henry. The NFL world is buzzing about the challenges defenses will have dealing with that one-two punch.
But they aren’t the only ones that are going to twist opponents into a pretzel this season. Baltimore’s tight ends featuring Mark Andrews, Isaiah Likely, Charlie Kolar, and Patrick Ricard in large part hold the keys to the unpredictability of the Ravens offense.
“Game-planning? It’s been very fun,” Godsey said Saturday at training camp.
“I think when we present what our challenges are offensively for someone to defend, I think it creates a lot of problems, and that’s what we’re after. We have big guys; we have physical guys; we have end-line guys; we have guys who can extend. That’s what we’re trying to do is create as many mismatches as possible.”
Everybody knows Mark Andrews is one of the top tight ends in the game, looking to return stronger after missing much of last year with a leg injury. He lined up in the slot 70% of the time last season in Year 1 with Offensive Coordinator Todd Monken, per Pro Football Focus. That was up from 51% in Greg Roman’s offense.
Godsey called Andrews a “positionless” player. He also lined up out wide for 65 snaps and inline or as a tackle in an unbalanced formation 76 times. Andrews even got one snap at quarterback.
Third-year tight end Isaiah Likely may be even more positionally dynamic. His snaps between the slot and inline were about an even split, and he saw 35 out wide and nine in the backfield. Likely expects an even more diverse mix this season.
“I’m very excited. I feel like I finally get to show everybody my football knowledge – being that ‘chess piece,’ as I say it,” Likely said.
“From inline to off the ball to in the slot to out wide to in the backfield, showing ‘Monk’ that as long as I know where I am for that specific play and that specific design, [attacking] that matchup, I can be the nightmare that everybody wants me to be.”
Godsey praised the communication between Likely and Jackson, which has been a big reason why they’ve developed such good chemistry. It’s the same way Andrews became a trusted target. Godsey also said Likely is asking good questions in meetings as he soaks up every position’s duties.
“Isaiah’s so flexible – you saw it last year, and that’s going to continue to improve,” Godsey said. “He challenges safeties, he challenges corners – he’s inside obviously working against our [linebackers].”
The key is the Ravens can’t signal whether they’re going to pass or run based on formation. Andrews and Likely have to block well enough in the running game that opponents can’t go light with personnel whenever they’re on the field.
Kolar is an under-the-radar critical player to Baltimore’s offensive designs. If Kolar can block well enough in the run and passing game, he will make the Ravens more of a chameleon. Kolar played 82% of his snaps inline last season, and he has bulked up even more from last season to better handle blocking duties while being an outlet in the passing game.
“I think you’re going to see a big jump from him,” Godsey said of Kolar. “He’s working extra. He’s another guy that’s capable of taking in a lot of information – both in the run game and the pass game. He’s going to make his mark physically at the line of scrimmage controlling the defender. I’m excited about what he’s doing.”
Ricard will continue to primarily be used as an extra inline blocker to help the tackles and as a linebacker plow coming out of the backfield. He played more than 60% of his snaps from inline last season. But if Kolar can handle the blocking duties, that could eat into Ricard’s snaps.
Regardless of snap counts, the Ravens’ tight ends are ready to earn as many opportunities as possible and feast. While a pair of wide receivers – Zay Flowers and Odell Beckham Jr. – topped Baltimore’s list of targets and receiving yards last season (mostly because of Andrews’ midseason injury), the Ravens offense could funnel more through their deep tight end group this season.
“Our group that we have is so versatile, and [I’m] really excited about the group; really from top down,” Godsey said.
“We have four guys that we think we can put out there at any point, at any position. We’re physical, we catch the ball, we run – we’re going to be moved around in the offense, and that’s the role that we want.”