The Baltimore Ravens used some trickery to beat the Cleveland Browns in Week 11, but Mark Andrews’ soon-to-be viral touchdown run off a fake tush push was made possible by a mistake, according to the All-Pro who threw the key block to clear the way for the veteran tight end to score from 35 yards.
Andrews’ trick play success sealed a 23-16 victory for the Ravens at Huntington Bank Field on Sunday, November 16, but he had fullback Patrick Ricard to thank. As is usually the case, Ricard’s block was the catalyst for a successful run, although the five-time Pro Bowler thinks misdirection was just as important.
Ricard spoke with reporters after the game and told The Baltimore Banner’s Jonas Shaffer he “honestly thought like the play was dead, just because when I went out there to block the guy, he kind of just stood there almost? Like I don’t think he knew what was happening, so I thought it was like a dead play and all of sudden I turn around, I see Mark.”
Pressed on whether the defender in question, Browns safety Grant Delpit, really wanted to take him on, Ricard doubled down on how the Ravens created confusion. He explained, “I think he was just focused on the sneak and then Lamar (Jackson) and Derrick (Henry) went the other way, so I think he was kind of like, by the time I got on him I don’t know if he really knew what was happening. And I didn’t either.”
That last line sums up how effective this special play, dubbed “Hurricane,” was in the clutch moment of the game. The concept worked to perfection, but like most of the Ravens’ best runs, Ricard was indispensable.
Patrick Ricard Restoring Ravens’ Strength
Ricard’s return from a lingering calf injury has arguably been as big a boost for the Ravens as two-time NFL MVP Lamar Jackson’s comeback. Having their star quarterback on the field provides a major lift in confidence and standards, but Ricard is restoring the engine that truly powers Baltimore’s offense.
It’s a smash-mouth running game built on physicality, seizing ownership of the line of scrimmage and putting defenders on skates at the point of attack. Few do the latter better than 6-foot-3, 300-pounder Ricard, and No. 42 finished his assignment perfectly to clear Delpit out of Andrews’ path.
This was the signature moment of Ricard’s night, but he made other notable blocks. Including leading Henry up the gut for a 59-yard run.
Henry’s breakaway was a rare big play for the Ravens on the ground, but they needed their running game to overcome a sluggish performance from a not completely healthy Jackson. He was under siege from Browns all-world pass-rusher Myles Garrett, who backed up his pre-game plans with a four-sack performance, so Jackson had to lead on the ground attack.
Fortunately, Ricard delivered, while offensive coordinator Todd Monken saved his creativity for when it mattered most.
Ravens’ Trick Play Worked Perfectly
Andrews had been making the ‘tush push’ work for the Ravens as a short-yardage play, but Monken added a new wrinkle to overcome a growing weakness. His offense wasn’t finding enough joy between the tackles in obvious running situations, so Monken trusted Andrews’ athleticism to exploit the edges.
That’s why Monken had drawn up what Andrews called “Hurricane,” per Shaffer. Incredibly, the Ravens “just put it in this week. Practiced it a couple of times,” according to Ricard.
It’s little wonder Delpit and the Browns looked confused, when the Ravens were barely familiar with the play. What the Ravens did know how to do was get on their blocks in a hurry.
Ricard led the way, but Ravens.com Editorial Director Ryan Mink correctly praised backup tight end Charlie Kolar (88) for blocking “two guys to help seal that edge.”
This many big bodies working in perfect symmetry up front can power the now .500 Ravens to the playoffs.
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