When Anthony Weaver left the Ravens to take the Dolphins defensive coordinator position — a promotion well-deserved, by all accounts — a hole was left in the team’s coaching staff.
Weaver wasn’t just a highly-regarded position coach who watched his unit out-perform most preseason projections, he was also the team’s assistant head coach, and a valued voice in the locker room. Between losing defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald and Weaver, among others, the defensive staff will have a vastly different look next season.
But one unit just got a little clarity, as the Ravens hired Dennis Johnson to serve as defensive line coach.
The Baltimore Ravens are hiring Dennis Johnson as their defensive line coach, source says. Johnson was most recently the DL coach at Baylor University. Big role filled for the Ravens.
— Jonathan Jones (@jjones9) February 21, 2024
Dennis Johnson played for LSU from 2009 to 2011, lettering all 3 years.
Coached:
– 2012-2013: Northwestern State
– 2014: Kentucky briefly, then LSU
– 2015-2019: LSU
– 2020 – 2023: BaylorReally came up through the ranks coaching LB, DL and OLB. Excited for this one! https://t.co/XTlXAYq5B3
See Also50 Words or Less: Why This Is a Critical Combine for RavensRavens News 2/21: Indispensable TalentWhy the Ravens should designate Justin Madubuike with the franchise tag— Cole Jackson (@ColeJacksonFB) February 22, 2024
According to the Waco Tribune, Johnson joined coach Dave Aranda’s staff when he was first hired in 2020.
“During his time in Waco, he helped develop defensive lineman Siaki Ika into an All-American in 2022, and Ika was drafted in the third round by the Cleveland Browns in 2023,” according to the Tribune.
“The Baylor defensive line ranked in the top 17 in the country in rushing defense (118.4 ypg), scoring defense (18.3 ppg) and sacks (3.14 per game) in 2021, when the Bears won the Big 12 Conference championship game and the Sugar Bowl.”
Johnson also has a nickname, according to Baylor’s website, that brings me great joy: Meatball.
That, alone, makes this a good hire.
Of course, this is the offseason, and that means changes are coming — both for the good and the bad. There will be some additions, some subtractions and, well, inevitably, some heartbreak.
One big name to keep an eye on this offseason is attached to one big man, who is also one big player in this defense that Johnson would no doubt like to coach: Justin Madubuike.
According to The Athletic’s Jeff Zrebiec, the Ravens appear to be fully invested in bringing Madubuike back next season, one way or another.
“It doesn’t appear to be a matter of whether the Baltimore Ravens would use the franchise tag on ascending defensive tackle Justin Madubuike,” wrote Zrebiec. “It’s more of a matter of when, and will the two sides be able to reach an agreement on a long-term contract extension first.”
The Ravens would clearly like to lock up Madubuike long-term, both for short-term cap implications and for the security of having one of their best players — a rising one, at that — on the field wearing their uniform. They appear ready to use that franchise tag, but it’s certainly not ideal, according to Zrebiec.
“Let Madubuike hit the free-agent market and he’ll likely depart, opening a significant hole in the middle of a defense that is already primed to lose several key players this offseason. Or have him play the season on the franchise tag, which probably wouldn’t sit very well with Madubuike, and the approximate $21 million charge would also make it extremely tough for DeCosta and the team’s other decision-makers to build a deep, Super Bowl-caliber roster.”
And while some popular players will no doubt leave this season (just, you know, hopefully not that big guy we just talked about), there will inevitably be some replacements. One player who has been rumored as a possibility for the Ravens is a proven pass-rusher from the City of Brotherly Love — Hassan Reddick.
“The 29-year-old is coming off a tremendous season — he logged 11 sacks and 35 quarterback pressures — and he’d be a tremendous addition to Baltimore’s front seven,” according to the article.
“Pass-rushers of Reddick’s caliber typically command first-round compensation on the trade market. However, a deep free-agent class and Philadelphia’s apparent willingness to move him could keep his price point down.
“The Temple product may only command a second-round pick, which is what the Washington Commanders got for Montez Sweat at the trade deadline. Landing Reddick at that price point, possibly with a 2025 selection, would be a dream for the Ravens.”
Green Bay Packers Pegged To Lose 50-Game Starer To The Baltimore Ravens
Another spot that will grab Ravens’ fans’ attention this offseason is guard, where the team could conceivably lose both of its starters. One rumor has the team scooping up Packers guard Jon Runyan.
“During the last three seasons, Runyan, whose father John played nine seasons for the Philadelphia Eagles in the NFC East, was a starter for the Packers. In that time, he made 53 starts, including three in the postseason, and established himself as a starter.
“In terms of pass protection, Runyan’s main strength is his consistency. Pro Football Focus ranks him among the top 10 guards in the NFL for pass blocking efficiency in each of his three seasons as a starter.”
Also of note:
The purple cleats were a sign 👀
The Combine is back next week 📺: NFL Network pic.twitter.com/oqyV17ftNS
— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) February 21, 2024
in all my years as a ravens fan, this was my favorite ravens roster 🏆 #ravensflock pic.twitter.com/Q319yLxjbi
— johnny ® (@immabaltimoron) February 21, 2024
