The Baltimore Ravensare running out of time to turn their season around. Another quarterback change gives them a chance to reset, but after a difficult stretch that exposed problems throughout the roster, Jacoby Brissett's arrivalrepresents more than an attempt to find a steadier presence under center.
Baltimore needs someone who can bring a little direction to a locker room that has endured plenty of frustration. Head coach Jesse Minter confirmed Mondaythat Brissett will start against the Los Angeles Chargers. The veteran has limited time to get comfortable with his new teammates and the offense, but Minter believes his experience and familiarity with different systems should help him make the transition. Here's what's just as important. The Ravens
hope Brissett's presence boosts a team searching for a reason to believe it can still get back on track.
Jesse Minter expects Jacoby Brissett to bring experience and leadership to Baltimore
Brissett has played for several organizations and worked in multiple offensive systems during his NFL career. Minter pointed to that background as a reason for confidence, describing the quarterback as a mature professional who can take command of the offense and help establish accountability.
"[Jacoby Brissett]'s been around most of the weekend. [Quarterbacks] Coach 'Izzy' [Israel Woolfork] was able to spend a bunch of time with him. Obviously, they have a relationship from a previous stop. I expect him to hit the ground running. We'll pick up kind of an extra day with the guys tomorrow, begin kind of a normal week of practice on Wednesday to get a day ahead [and] pick up an extra day later in the week. I think especially with us playing on Monday, for his circumstance it's good to allow him as much time as possible. I do expect him to be our starter on Monday night."
Minter also explained what he expects Brissett to bring beyond his ability to execute the offense.
"[Jacoby Brissett is] an 11-year vet that has played for a bunch of different teams [and] played in a bunch of different systems. I think he'll operate our offense at a level required to be successful. We're really excited about the addition, and he's just a very mature pro that I think will bring a leadership style to our offense from the quarterback position. We are excited to add him, and I think again, he'll get the ball out on time; he'll be able to kind of run the whole thing. He'll be a leader. He'll hold guys accountable, and I'm just excited about the addition and the chance that it gives us to kind of spark this thing."
That last point is particularly relevant for a team that has struggled to find consistency. Brissett isn't being asked to reinvent Baltimore's offense overnight. Minter wants a quarterback who can get the ball out on time, manage the system, and provide a dependable presence for the players around him.
The Jacoby Brissett trade could give the Ravens' locker room a much-needed jolt
Minter acknowledged that the trade could have an impact beyond the offense. After a difficult three-game stretch, adding an experienced quarterback gives Baltimore something new to rally around. The coach believes Brissett's background and approach can lift the team as it prepares for its next challenge.
"I think that gives the team a jolt a little bit. Again, [these are] situational circumstances. You can sit around and say, 'Oh man, I can't believe this happened, this happened [and] this happened.' We got through a really tough three-game stretch on our schedule. The results are what they are. The quarterback situation is what it is. We didn't play well enough on defense or special teams or offense in any of those three games to put ourselves in position. So now, I think the move just provides a veteran presence, a guy that's played a bunch, that's been on some different teams, that has played high-level football at different times in his career [and] has had different opportunities different years to start. [Jacoby Brissett] has a 3-to-1 touchdown-to-interception ratio in his career, so he's taking care of the ball. He's moved offenses and we're just excited to add him, and I think the team will feel that and, as we go into preparation, I think they'll feel his presence."
Minter's assessment also reminds everyone that Brissett cannot be expected to solve every problem facing the Ravens. He specifically pointed to shortcomings on offense, defense, and special teams during the team's recent skid. A quarterback change may create some renewed energy, but the rest of the roster still has to respond.
Baltimore hopes Brissett can provide stability at the most important position while helping the team regain confidence. His arrival gives the Ravens a different voice and veteran presence, but the bigger challenge will be getting the entire team to play well enough for that change to matter.
This article originally appeared on Ravens Wire: Ravens expect Jacoby Brissett to deliver leadership along with QB play
