The Baltimore Ravens have had to make several offensive adjustments over the past few weeks, and offensive coordinator Declan Doyle has been tasked with finding solutions along the way. With another quarterback change now in the picture, head coach Jesse Minter is confident in Doyle's ability to adapt.
Baltimore has dealt with injuries and quarterback changes, including having to turn to Joe Fagnano in its previous game. Now Doyle must prepare the offense for Jacoby Brissett, who brings a different skill set and experience from several NFL systems. Those challenges unfolded across two games. Fagnano entered against Buffalo after injuries to Lamar Jackson and Tyler Huntley, then started against Jacksonville on a short week. Preparing Brissett offers
more time, but it introduces another set of decisions about terminology, protections, and which concepts the quarterback can execute confidently.
The challenge for Doyle is finding a way to make the transition as smooth as possible without asking Brissett to do too much too quickly. The Ravens have already had to adjust their approach several times, and another change at quarterback means the coaching staff has to build the offense around what Brissett does best.
When asked what Doyle has shown through the recent changes, Minter praised the offensive coordinator's poise and problem-solving approach.
"I think a lot of poise. First and foremost, [offensive coordinator Declan Doyle has] a very, very even-keeled, smart, problem-solving type of identity for him. So, it's never, 'Oh my gosh, I can't believe this happened. Woe is me. Man, we're on this, we're on that.' It's always like, 'How do we adjust? How do we solve the problem?' So, I give him a ton of credit in that."
Minter also pointed to the unusual circumstances of the Ravens having to use a third quarterback during a game. He credited Doyle with helping Fagnano get settled and putting together a plan to give the offense its best chance.
That situation is a good example of the kind of adjustments Doyle has been forced to make. Losing a starting quarterback is difficult enough, but having to turn to another option during a game leaves very little time to prepare. The Ravens now need that same ability to adjust as they prepare Brissett.
Minter believes the quarterback's familiarity with some of the offensive concepts should help make the transition easier. He also expects Doyle and quarterbacks coach Israel Woolfork to work closely with Brissett as they put the game plan together.
"They'll collaborate on plays that they like and things like that, and we'll put an offense together that they both feel really good about and most importantly that Jacoby feels like he can operate at a high level."
That last part is important. The Ravens don't need to completely reinvent their offense, but they do need to put Brissett in a position where he can play comfortably and get the ball out of his hands. The more familiar he becomes with the terminology and his teammates, the better Baltimore's chance of avoiding another disjointed offensive performance.
Doyle has another major test ahead of him. How quickly he can get Brissett comfortable could go a long way toward determining whether the Ravens can get their offense back on track.
This article originally appeared on Ravens Wire: Declan Doyle faces a new test, preparing Jacoby Brissett to start
