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The easiest critique to make about new Baltimore Ravens offensive coordinator Declan Doyle is also the most obvious. Stop us if you've heard this before. He's young. In fact, he's the same age as the quarterback he'll be working closest with, Lamar Jackson.
In a league where experience is often equated with credibility, that reality has fueled questions about whether he's ready for the moment. Doyle, however, sees things differently. What most will frame as a weakness, he views as an advantage.
You know something? Call us crazy, but maybe he's right. Maybe we were caught up in 'coach speak' during a recent Ravens press conference, but the new OC made a lot of sense.
Baltimore recently made its top coaching assistants available to the media. Doyle, defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver, and special teams coordinator Anthony Levine Sr. all spoke to the media and fans. Something told us that Doyle would be asked the obvious question, and he was. He was prepared and spoke of how easily he'd be able to connect.
Shared perspectives can foster success in a quarterback-coach relationship. Communication styles, terminology, and even the way players process information have evolved rapidly over the past decade.
Having a coordinator who grew up in the same football era as his franchise quarterback could shorten the learning curve and accelerate trust. For the Ravens, that connection may ultimately matter more than the number of seasons listed on a résumé. Baltimore also has proof that age, young or old, isn't the defining factor in offensive success.
Sure, the most recent Super Bowl win came with veteran leadership at the helm of the offense. The top assistants were Cam Cameron and Jim Caldwell, two established coaches with decades of experience. The lesson from that era wasn't about the coaches' ages. It was about alignment, preparation, putting players in position to succeed, and, of course, winning one more for Ray Lewis.
Doyle's situation represents the other end of that spectrum, but the principle remains the same. What matters most now is his ability to build a strong partnership with Jackson. That process has already become a priority. The Ravens don't need Doyle to walk into the building and command respect through tenure. They need him to collaborate, listen, and help evolve an offense built around one of the league's most unique talents.
If that relationship flourishes, the conversation about age will fade quickly. Doyle's timeline could be of benefit. A young coordinator with fresh ideas, energy, and adaptability offers long-term upside if the pairing works.
Stability on offense has been elusive at times in recent years, and continuity with Jackson would be invaluable. Ultimately, the Ravens aren't betting on Doyle despite his youth or because of it. They're instead betting that his perspective, relatability, and connection with their franchise quarterback can unlock something more, and possibly turn a perceived weakness into a competitive edge.
This article originally appeared on Ravens Wire: Ravens' Declan Doyle sees his perceived weakness as an added advantage
Continue reading...
In a league where experience is often equated with credibility, that reality has fueled questions about whether he's ready for the moment. Doyle, however, sees things differently. What most will frame as a weakness, he views as an advantage.
You know something? Call us crazy, but maybe he's right. Maybe we were caught up in 'coach speak' during a recent Ravens press conference, but the new OC made a lot of sense.
Baltimore recently made its top coaching assistants available to the media. Doyle, defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver, and special teams coordinator Anthony Levine Sr. all spoke to the media and fans. Something told us that Doyle would be asked the obvious question, and he was. He was prepared and spoke of how easily he'd be able to connect.
Shared perspectives can foster success in a quarterback-coach relationship. Communication styles, terminology, and even the way players process information have evolved rapidly over the past decade.
Having a coordinator who grew up in the same football era as his franchise quarterback could shorten the learning curve and accelerate trust. For the Ravens, that connection may ultimately matter more than the number of seasons listed on a résumé. Baltimore also has proof that age, young or old, isn't the defining factor in offensive success.
Sure, the most recent Super Bowl win came with veteran leadership at the helm of the offense. The top assistants were Cam Cameron and Jim Caldwell, two established coaches with decades of experience. The lesson from that era wasn't about the coaches' ages. It was about alignment, preparation, putting players in position to succeed, and, of course, winning one more for Ray Lewis.
Doyle's situation represents the other end of that spectrum, but the principle remains the same. What matters most now is his ability to build a strong partnership with Jackson. That process has already become a priority. The Ravens don't need Doyle to walk into the building and command respect through tenure. They need him to collaborate, listen, and help evolve an offense built around one of the league's most unique talents.
If that relationship flourishes, the conversation about age will fade quickly. Doyle's timeline could be of benefit. A young coordinator with fresh ideas, energy, and adaptability offers long-term upside if the pairing works.
Stability on offense has been elusive at times in recent years, and continuity with Jackson would be invaluable. Ultimately, the Ravens aren't betting on Doyle despite his youth or because of it. They're instead betting that his perspective, relatability, and connection with their franchise quarterback can unlock something more, and possibly turn a perceived weakness into a competitive edge.
This article originally appeared on Ravens Wire: Ravens' Declan Doyle sees his perceived weakness as an added advantage
Continue reading...
