Todd Monken knows the Baltimore Ravens need to freshen things up if they’re going to have the NFL’s most-productive offense again in 2025, so the coordinator is looking at something new to get dynamic running backs Keaton Mitchell and Rasheen Ali more involved.
Both runners impressed during the 24-16 win over the Indianapolis Colts in Week 1 of the preseason, and their returns could lead to “more formations featuring two running backs.”
That’s according to Ravens.com Staff Writer Clifton Brown. He explained how “with Keaton Mitchell back at full strength to join Derrick Henry and Justice Hill, the Ravens may use more formations featuring two running backs in 2025. Mitchell missed part of the 2024 season after his serious knee injury in 2023, but he ran for 68 yards on just nine carries against the Colts, looking more dangerous than ever.”
Deploying two running backs in the backfield is often referred to as “pony” personnel, and Brown explained how “lining up another explosive back alongside Henry could put even more stress on opposing defenses.”
The decision about how often to use two backs will rest with Monken, but the play-caller sounds open to the idea. Especially with Ali returning to health to also be a factor along with Mitchell.
Monken told reporters, “It’s our job to get the best players on the field. We certainly have to look at that a lot more as we continue to move forward because having [Mitchell] back and also Rasheen Ali, those guys are really good players.”
2-Running Back Plan Perfect for Ravens
Making more use of the greater speed offered by Ali and Mitchell makes sense, provided they can both avoid injury. Putting more speed onto the field to complement Henry’s brute force and the elusiveness of Lamar Jackson, the NFL’s premier dual-threat quarterback, can make the Ravens unstoppable on the ground.
Opponents had a tough enough time trying to guess who was going to get the ball between Jackson and Henry last season. Adding a third game-breaking runner to the mix would put defenses in an impossible bind, especially if Monken packaged things the right way.
He could do so by taking a cue from the Washington Commanders and how they used mobile signal-caller Jayden Daniels in 2024. One of their most creative concepts was to unleash ‘pony’ personnel out of a “pistol” formation.
The pistol puts “the quarterback about three yards behind the center, and the running back about three yards behind the quarterback,” per Doug Farrar of The Guardian. Farrar also included highlights of how the Commanders used pony groupings out of this look to fool defenses and even television crews.
This would work for Jackson, who has always been a threat out of the “pistol.” It’s not as if the Ravens haven’t used something similar for No. 8 in the past.
They once had a “Heisman Package” putting 2012 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year, rushing quarterback Robert Griffin III into the backfield with Jackson. They were joined by bruising running back Mark Ingram during the 2019 campaign.
Monken can revive something similar, provided Mitchell and Ali are available consistently.
Durability Key to Todd Monken’s Plan
Unfortunately, staying healthy has been a problem for both Mitchell and Ali. The latter is already nursing a problem suffered against the Colts, according to Jeff Zrebiec of The Athletic.
Mitchell is sidelined, having missed Monday’s practice with a groin ailment, per Zrebiec, who also reported Mitchell was absent from Tuesday’s session. It’s an ominous sign for a breakaway threat who has struggled to get onto the field and stay there since tearing his ACL in 2023.
When he’s been available, like for the preseason opener against the Colts, Mitchell has been electric. His flair for stretching the field is shared by Ali, so the Ravens can’t ignore what’s possible if Monken can get one or both onto the field.
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