John Eisenberg Profile

The focus on quarterback Lamar Jackson's contract situation is understandable, but his on-field performance will be the centerpiece of Baltimore's efforts to return to the playoffs.

It's hard to remember when there was less certainty about what the Ravens will do in the first round, due to their having so many needs.

The Ravens' 2022 roster building has been about controlling several parts of the game, but the healthy return of Ronnie Stanley may be the most important of all.

Baltimore's franchise quarterback says 'I love my Ravens' to those speculating about his future.

Some of their AFC rivals have made headlines with splashy moves, but they should stay the course with their usual blueprint.

No player better embodies who the Ravens are and what they want to look like in 2022 and beyond.

Seldom are the Ravens willing to take swings when the costs are higher, but Eric DeCosta said Baltimore was 'probably a little embarrassed' not to make the playoffs.

The Ravens quietly telegraphed they'd probably be in the market for a free agent safety such as Marcus Williams, who could help them compete in the AFC North.

Although Tavon Young's release was not a surprise, it significantly increases the likelihood that the Ravens will draft a cornerback with their first-round pick.

He could be the Ravens' quarterback for three more years without signing a new deal. I can't hyperventilate that long.

Not hearing a ton of chatter about this but I'd be surprised if the Ravens don't try to add a tight end who is a more viable second receiving option after Mark Andrews.

Almost every year, they've added wide receivers with track records to bolster their passing game. But 2022 might be the year they don't do it.

Zach Orr's coaching rise is impressive. Bolstering the offensive line and retaining current players are likelier uses of whatever salary-cap space is carved out than inking a big-name free agent.

A new defensive coordinator. A new team president. A bevy of unrestricted free agents and high draft picks guarantees a roster shake-up.

After hearing General Manager Eric DeCosta Friday, I think it's clear the lack of forced turnovers in 2021 was a major factor in the calculus that led to a change at defensive coordinator.

Ravens General Manager Eric DeCosta talked about adding two pieces to the offensive line this offseason.

A decline in the running game, a rise in penalties and too many drives ending with field goals, Head Coach John Harbaugh has made it clear he wants to be more efficient and productive on that side of the ball.

Steeped in the Ravens' ways yet sprung from a new generation, Mike Macdonald projects to hit that sweet spot between tradition and invention. My hunch is some bedrock concepts will go unchanged while others get major makeovers.

Wink Martindale gave the Ravens defense an identity. But changes at coordinator are part of life in the NFL.

I realize it's strictly a hypothetical exercise to consider how the Ravens might have fit into that playoff puzzle if they'd experienced fewer injuries. But I think they could have fared quite well.

Chuck Clark showed his leadership at the end of the season. Cornerback is above pass rusher on my list of 2022 needs.

The Ravens have to get healthier, more explosive, and fix some season-long issues. None of it can be taken for granted.

Against long odds, the door to the playoffs opened wider than anyone imagined. The Ravens were going to have a real shot if they took care of their business.

If the 2021 Ravens season resembled a 'Curb Your Enthusiasm' episode, here's the script.

Sunday's Ravens-Steelers finale will feature two teams that will spend the offseason wondering what to do about a former punching bag that suddenly punched back this season.

Great effort, close loss – the 2021 season in a nutshell.

A key part of Patrick Mekari's extension is he's just 24. The team desperately needs to get younger up front. No one thought a tight end would be the one to break Michael Jackson's record.

The Ravens' defensive rankings seem like someone's idea of a practical joke. But factors Wink Martindale didn't control have had a lot to do with those numbers.

As the Ravens' list of subtractions grew, you had to wonder if there was a tipping point beyond which they simply couldn't muster such magic. Well, there was.

A week in which they only had 13 healthy defensive players at one practice sounds like the biggest test yet.

It's dangerous to start thinking you've got the Ravens right where you want them. Because they really wouldn't want it any other way.

Even in a loss, the Ravens had one of their finest performances of 2021. I'm growing weary of all the two-point conversion second-guessing. Tyler Huntley didn't look like he should be anyone's backup.

John Harbaugh has done stellar work in keeping afloat a team continually dealing with debilitating injuries and other setbacks and issues.

The status of Lamar Jackson's ankle surely will dominate all chatter about the Ravens this week, but I don't believe a wave of code-red panic is poised to roll through, like a violent thunderstorm, if Jackson can't go.

The fight the Ravens showed Sunday bodes well for the likelihood of them being a tough out against any opponent, no matter how much adversity they're facing. You can do a lot with that.

Continuing to stop the run and get off the field on third down become the first commandments for the Ravens defense after Marlon Humphrey's injury, but Patrick Mekari's injury is perhaps more important short-term.

The Ravens have generated plenty to worry about all season while navigating a fearsome run of injuries and a long gauntlet of close games and unpredictable performances. But the challenges are persistent.

John Harbaugh's two-point conversion decision was a dice-roll I'm willing to take. Injuries have nearly brought the Ravens to their knees on multiple occasions in 2021, and it just keeps happening.

It doesn't make one ounce of sense that a team with a minus-7 turnover ratio has the best record in the AFC heading into Week 13.

Until Lamar Jackson and the offense start producing more points and yards against ultra-heavy pressure, opponents are going to keep bringing it. The reeling Steelers surely will Sunday at Heinz Field.

This game illustrated an evolving truth about the Ravens – namely, they have more than one way to beat you. As the Browns and a national TV audience learned, the Ravens' defense also can lead the way in producing the right result.

Both teams really need to win Sunday night. The defense can't have a good day without a somewhat decent job of limiting Nick Chubb. The offensive game plan begins with helping tackle Alejandro Villanueva.

It might be ugly, but the Ravens are a team that finds ways to win instead of settling for easy rationales for losing.

Style points have never mattered less. In this game, there was just one plotline: Could the Ravens find some way to get the job done?

The cover-your-eyes defeat in Miami was reminiscent of a 2011 prime-time road loss in which the Ravens didn't register a first down in Jacksonville until late in the third quarter. They scored 30 points and won the next week.

It's hard to find solace of any measure when you're beaten so soundly.

It's quite a statement about Justin Tucker that he is so strong and accurate with his leg that he can impact an opponent's strategy.

Lamar Jackson is the difference in turbulent games, and he helped himself by letting others help him. The defense doesn't get an 'A' but it was much improved.

Combined effect of eventual returns would give the Ravens quite a boost. It'll be interesting to see how defenses handle Baltimore's wide receiver trio. Gary Kubiak's offense will make a return trip to M&T Bank Stadium.

Ravens' history bodes well for after the bye. Baltimore has had tough competition so far. My prediction for the Ravens' moves at the trade deadline.

Obviously, the Bengals were better than the Ravens Sunday. But ARE they better? That's a very different question, much harder to answer.

The Ravens won't entertain many sweet dreams over the bye. The Ravens will need to tweak their defensive approach when the teams meet again later in the season.

Against the odds, the Ravens should be fine at offensive tackle without Ronnie Stanley. Le'Veon Bell could have his largest role yet. It sure seems the organization wants to sign DeShon Elliott to a new deal.

It was clear the Ravens' defense was hellbent on making the statement that it, too, could dominate an opponent as thoroughly as Lamar Jackson and the offense.

My ranking of the Ravens' wild wins. The mother of all the eye-popping Lamar Jackson stats. The season-ending injury that should be included with the other biggies.

What lies ahead for the Ravens might be just as crazy as what's already happened. As they wade into their season, some unusual qualities about the Ravens are coming into focus.

This game wasn't the least bit normal and it certainly wasn't reasonable. It was an opera with three acts.

The Ravens don't want Lamar Jackson's running subtracted from their offensive blueprint. It's a huge part of what they do.

This was an important win with many markings that felt oh-so familiar.

The Ravens have never needed more from Lamar Jackson, and he's delivering. I'd get Marquise Brown several touches early Sunday to ease the pressure.

Add a huge brick to Justin Tucker's Hall of Fame candidacy. Equally incredible, just not as historic, was the play that gave Tucker a chance to make history.

The Ravens' unique offense can't be fun to prepare for, especially on a short week. The importance of depth.

Sunday night's victory against the Chiefs illustrated that, in fact, the Ravens can beat the best teams in the league by being who they are.

Maybe the Ravens have won more important games in terms of standings and playoffs since Lamar Jackson became their quarterback, but I'm not sure they've won one that felt better.

The Ravens could sure benefit from a tough environment Sunday night. It's too easy to second-guess trading Orlando Brown Jr.

The long season is just getting started, but the Ravens are already at a point where they need to wield their positives to stay on track. They're facing quite a challenge.

There was a lot that didn't make sense. Fair or not, the Ravens need Lamar Jackson to be close to flawless. The Raiders flat-out won one-on-one battles up front.

Don't be surprised if Mark Andrews posts career-highs this season. The DC who supposedly 'figured out' Lamar Jackson first will be on the Raiders' sideline.

The run of injuries and subtractions needs to stop at some point, but they haven't changed the big picture. The Ravens are still a good team.

You'd think the Ravens' season was about to veer off a cliff and effectively end before it begins. But that's not the case, not at all.

The Ravens gambled and won with their roster maneuvers. Jimmy Smith's injury is one to watch. The Ravens' development program was on full display. 

J.K. Dobbins' subtraction leaves a sizable hole in the offensive blueprint. But the Ravens' coaches and players aren't just going to throw up their hands, weep and start planning for 2022.

Instead of offering my thoughts on the Ravens' 37-3 win, here's my prediction for the upcoming roster decisions.

A little insight on the 1959 Packers and winning in the preseason. The Ravens watched Shaun Wade in practice and thought they could get by without him.

Pundits are predicting the Ravens will default to their run-heavy offense after injuries have derailed training camp practice time together. But, c'mon, the season is a journey.

The Ravens spilled some of their DNA on the Panthers' turf. Tyler Huntley dealt with adversity and bounced back. The power running game resurfaced behind an improved offensive line.

Despite an early injury, here's why I'd be extremely surprised if the arc of Rashod Bateman's career follows the same trajectory as Breshad Perriman's.

The sound of fans at M&T Bank Stadium was reason to celebrate. The Ravens were right to sit Lamar Jackson. A handful of bubble players enjoyed good nights.

The Ravens are passing the ball a ton on the fields of the Under Armour Performance Center, but don't be fooled. Their offense is still anchored by the rushing attack.