Ever since Week 2's final whistle, many questions have been asked. One that has been asked relatively often centers around Derrick Henry and his second-half usage, or lack thereof. The Baltimore Ravens were going to be asked about it at some point. That day came on Thursday, when offensive coordinator Declan Doyle spoke with the media.
There's a lot to unpack about what went wrongduring an ugly loss to the New Orleans Saints, but again, Derrick Henry's involvement during the second half and a failed third-and-1 deep shot have become defining moments.
Doyle didn't shy away from the conversation. He accepted responsibility for the outcome while making it clear the Ravens haven't forgotten who their offense is built around.
Doyle remains confident in the decision but knows the result fuels criticism.
When discussing the third-and-1
call, Doyle explained that Baltimore believed it had identified a defensive look worth attacking downfield.
"Obviously any time a play doesn't work, it falls squarely on the play-caller. As we were kind of going through that, there was deliberation on second down kind of going into third down. We felt like we had a pretty good bead on what they would do in a situation like that. Obviously after it doesn't convert, I wish I called any other play on my sheet, but that's the way it goes. That's life in the business. You have to be calculated. Yet at the same time, I am very aware that Derrick Henry's on our roster. I love Derrick, and it really has to start with our run game. That's the way our offense is."
That final portion of Doyle's answer may be the most noteworthy. The Ravens have heard the criticism. Fans have spent much of the week questioning why Henry wasn't featured more prominently as the game tightened in the second half. Doyle did not promise a dramatic shift in philosophy, but he openly acknowledged that Baltimore's offense is designed to flow through its running game.
Baltimore believes execution was the bigger issue.
Doyle also pushed back on the idea that the Ravens abandoned Henry. Instead, he pointed to mistakes that repeatedly put the offense in difficult situations.
"I thought we were doing a good job in the run game itself. Obviously, in the second half there, we shoot ourselves with some penalties and put ourselves behind the sticks at times and have to kind of overcome that a little bit. Addressing those issues with our players and making sure that we understand the corrections, how we move forward together, I think that's really what goes into that."
That explanation mirrors a theme that has surfaced throughout the week inside the Jefferson Health Training Complex. Whether it's been Lamar Jackson, Derrick Henry, Kyle Hamilton, or Jesse Minter, the message has largely been the same. The Ravens do not believe they need to reinvent themselves after one disappointing performance. They believe they need to execute better.
Sunday's matchup with the Dallas Cowboys will provide the next opportunity to prove it. If Baltimore is going to bounce back in Brazil, many eyes will be on Henry's workload. Doyle's comments suggest the Ravens understand that reality. More importantly, they suggest the offensive coordinator still views the running game as the foundation of everything Baltimore wants to accomplish.
This article originally appeared on Ravens Wire: Ravens' Declan Doyle addresses Derrick Henry's second-half usage
