Mike Preston’s Ravens mailbag: Answering questions about team strengths, Patrick Ricard, underachievers and more | COMMENTARY

Baltimore Sun columnist Mike Preston will answer fans’ questions throughout the Ravens season. Coming off Baltimore’s Week 13 bye, plenty of questions remain heading into a Week 14 matchup against the visiting Los Angeles Rams.

Here’s Preston’s take:

(Editor’s note: Questions have been edited for length and clarity.)

Mike, you recently wrote that the Ravens should run the ball to improve the offense’s consistency. But don’t you have a concern that once the playoffs begin, their opponents will force Lamar Jackson to beat them with his passing abilities? Setting up the same scenario as Lamar’s first playoff game against the Chargers? — John S, Hagerstown

That’s a good question John, but the major difference compared with previous seasons is that the Ravens have the No. 2 ranked defense in the NFL, allowing 273.9 yards per game. I’m old school, and believe a team should play to its strengths. Right now, the Ravens are ranked No. 1 in rushing offense, averaging 158.6 yards per game. If they can play ball control and continue to dominate on defense, that’s the winning formula.

Jackson is a great athlete and runner, but his ball security and inaccuracy can be detrimental, especially in big games. If the Ravens fall behind early and have to play in a shootout, their chance of winning decreases significantly because the offensive line, especially the tackles, struggle in pass protection and Jackson is inaccurate throwing deep, passing outside the numbers and reading defenses.

So, with all that said, it makes sense for the Ravens to play to their strengths of running the ball and playing great defense. If that fails, they could be in trouble, but I like their chances this season compared with previous years.

Has there been a rule change in the NFL in regards to assisting a runner? I was under the impression that assisting the runner was a penalty. We see so many lineman pushing the runner forward after being engaged with a tackler. I have even seen a blocker grab a runner’s arm and jersey to move them forward. Those pileups look like a game of rugby. It’s only a matter of time before there is a serious injury that could have been avoided if they followed the rules. — Bernie Piet, Towson

I agree with you. I’d like to see the officials start blowing the whistle a little earlier because these linemen assisting the running backs are making a mockery of the game. Bernie, you are correct. It’s only a matter of time before someone gets hurt, especially the ball carriers with all that weight on their back and shoulders. Helping or assisting the runner used to be illegal, but the rule changed in 2006.

I don’t like the “Brotherly Shove” quarterback sneak used by the Philadelphia Eagles, either. As I’ve stated before, what is the advantage for defensive linemen putting up a wall when a quarterback gets assisted by the running backs or an offensive lineman playing fullback (see the Cleveland Browns)?

Can you please explain why the Ravens offense fails/refuses to use Pat Ricard in short yardage and goal line situations be it via the run or pass? Those would seem to be prime opportunities for a 300-pound fullback. What am I missing? — Charles Williams

I don’t see much use in having Ricard in goal line situations as a receiver unless the Ravens have used him consistently as a lead blocker throughout the game. Then, he could leak out for a surprise catch.

I’ve seen the Ravens use Ricard several ways, such as a lead blocker, tight end and H-back. Part of the problem might be the injury to tight end Mark Andrews. He was the best blocker at his position on the team, but the Ravens have had to use Ricard part-time as a tight end to chip block on defensive ends or pull on “wham” blocks at the line of scrimmage.

I understand what you’re saying, but I don’t see the Ravens being so dominant run blocking that they can dictate terms. The element of surprise is a good thing, and this team needs that, especially with the speed on the outside with Jackson and rookie running back Keaton Mitchell.

In your opinion, what areas do the Ravens need work? And which players have underperformed so far this season? — Ed Helinski

I am concerned about the offensive line, particularly the play of the tackles, especially in pass protection. The Ravens have a good short-to-intermediate passing game, but are vertically challenged. I think the Ravens have been good in the secondary, but I don’t know if they have been seriously tested by a quality quarterback and good group of receivers.

Underachievers?

Left tackle Ronnie Stanley has struggled since early in the season and it will be interesting to see what the Ravens do with that position in the offseason. Right tackle Morgan Moses has had problems with speed rushers to the outside for the past two seasons.

I expected more out of third-year receiver Rashod Bateman, but rookie Zay Flowers has made up for his shortcomings. Veteran wideout Odell Beckham Jr. has played as expected. Some fans thought he was going to light up the field, but I thought he was more of a complementary player than a standout at age 31. You feel sorry for running back J.K. Dobbins, who tore his Achilles tendon in the first game of the season, but I didn’t see the explosion from him in the preseason that he once had as a rookie.

On defense, a lot of the underperforming players have been injured. Cornerback Marlon Humphrey and safety Marcus Williams have missed substantial time because of injuries, but Williams’ desire to play while hurt says a lot about his character. The Ravens haven’t gotten much from young pass rushers David Ojabo and Odafe Oweh, and that has to be a concern for coach John Harbaugh and the team’s front office.  And then there is the case of outside linebacker Tyus Bowser, who was placed on the reserve/non-football injury list to start the season and has been missing ever since.

Have a question for Mike Preston? Email sports@baltsun.com with “Ravens mailbag” in the subject line and it could be answered in The Baltimore Sun.