The Baltimore Ravens hosted an introductory press conference for their new coordinators on Wednesday. Offensive coordinator Declan Doyle, defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver, and special teams coordinator Anthony Levine Sr. all answered questions from the media, as did head coach Jesse Minter. Here are the top takeaways:
Standards, standards, standards
Between the four coaches, the words ‘expectation’ and ‘standard’ (or some variation) were used over 20 times on Wednesday. Declan Doyle said that he expects the players to be at OTAs
in the hopes of “starting this next regime on the right foot.” And in Jesse Minter’s opening statement at his introductory presser in January, he said that he wanted to “create our own standards that will allow us to reach our ultimate goals together.” Clearly, this is going to be a theme of the new administration.
That is not to say that the Ravens did not have standards before, but accountability to live up to those standards may have been lacking. There’s a new sheriff in town, and he and his deputies know what this team is capable of and intend to hold them to it.
Declan Doyle wants to get even more out of Lamar Jackson
Lamar Jackson won two MVPs with two different offensive coordinators in the span of five seasons (and should have won a third in 2024). He ranks among the top 10 quarterbacks in NFL history in the following statistical categories: passer rating (t-1st), touchdown rate (5th), yards per attempt (t-9th), interception rate (t-9th). How much better than he get?
Declan Doyle intends to find out. He was impressed Jackson’s “growth mindset” in their early conversations and expressed his excitement to chase an even higher level of play, both for Jackson individually and for the offense as a whole.
Anthony Weaver is thrilled to be back in Baltimore
Anthony Weaver interviewed to succeed Mike Macdonald as the Ravens’ defensive coordinator in 2024.. He was passed over for Zach Orr, and even after two strong years in Miami, he could not land a head-coaching or play-calling DC during this hiring cycle.
Instead, he spoke about the position being “the main defensive coordinator in the National Football League.” A little hyperbolic? Perhaps. But the Ravens’ defensive coaching tree is littered with successes, including several who are head coaches and DCs to this day. He has a big legacy to live up to.
