With head coach Jesse Minter introducing his three coordinators in a press conference in Owings Mills on Wednesday, I’ve offered a dozen thoughts, each in 50 words or less:
1. Baltimore introduced an entirely new coaching brain trust for the first time since the inaugural 1996 season. Yes, three of the four faces have Ravens roots, but it still feels fresh and fun. Of course, business officially picks up with the start of the offseason program on April 6.
2. Coach-player communication is intentionally limited this time of year, but Declan Doyle said he had an hour-plus Zoom conversation with Lamar Jackson during his coordinator interview. That’s the kind of engagement fans wanted to see during the interview process, so you hope it pays off with a fruitful working relationship.
3. While acknowledging spring workouts are voluntary, Doyle didn’t back down from expressing the need for players to get to work and begin “building the relationship with their coaches [and] other players starting off this next regime on the right foot.” It’s pretty apparent to whom that organizational message was directed.
4. Doyle offered high praise for Jackson and his incredible two-play ability — the call itself and then Jackson creating on his own — before adding, “That first play can be more consistent at times with his eyes, with his footwork within the system.” That was some unexpected candor from the 29-year-old coordinator.
5. Given how sensitive and challenging contract negotiations have been over the years, I did have to wonder if Eric DeCosta would have preferred Doyle saying a little less about Jackson publicly when the two haven’t yet begun working together. You had to respect the honest critique, however.
6. In contrast, Anthony Weaver remained ultra positive responding to a question about Baltimore’s struggles with the pass rush and secondary last season. Of course, Weaver previously worked with Zach Orr and even coached him in college, so he was going to tread carefully talking about a friend.
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7. “I’m here to serve. I’m here to serve players and help them reach whatever God-given potential they have. I don’t need to be a head coach to do that.” What a great perspective for Weaver to have despite very understandable disappointment over not getting a head coach job.
8. That said, it’s not lost on Weaver that five Ravens defensive coordinators have become NFL head coaches. Despite not calling the defense on game days, the 45-year-old is still in a good spot to realize that dream if the unit excels. “This job … is hardly a consolation prize.”
9. With Minter being a first-time head coach with many new responsibilities on his plate, Weaver’s leadership and attention to detail will be critical to not having hiccups when the former takes the game-day call sheet. Doyle was in that position with Ben Johnson in Chicago, so his experiences should help.
10. That Keondre Jackson flew into town in support of Anthony Levine says plenty about the 2025 undrafted free agent who took advantage of opportunities and the new special teams coordinator who coached him up. Levine is a great story and ranks 11th on the franchise’s all-time list for games played.
11. Having played for Minter, Levine said the new head coach “told us what we needed to hear and not what we wanted to hear” and noted Minter’s ability to connect with players and build relationships as what “made him special.” Levine could be an underrated factor helping players buy in.
12. As someone who’s never claimed to be a fashion plate despite my affinity for #FashionTweets, I was amused by the polarizing opinions on Minter’s blazer-hoodie combination during the press conference. I think I’ll leave that look to the head coach while just hoping my clothes match on any given day.
