'Like a Bull!' Baltimore Ravens OC Todd Monken Highlights Differences Between Isaiah Likely and Mark Andrews
The Baltimore Ravens knew that without All-Pro tight end Mark Andrews, someone would need to step up in his absence, and the player who would get the first crack at it would be second-year tight end Isaiah Likely.
Against the Los Angeles Chargers, in a 20-10 win, Likely had a good first half that saw him catch four passes for 40 yards, as his RAC ability was a big factor in the Ravens moving the ball on offense.
Despite not getting a catch in the second half, Likely's work was done, as he did a decent job of covering for Andrews.
But what makes Likely different from Andrews? Offensive coordinator Todd Monken gave his thoughts.
"[Likely] probably has a little more twitch," Monken said. "He probably has a little bit, as he develops as a player, to break tackles. He can get to an edge a little bit more than Mark.
"Mark's more of a powerful [player]. Get the ball in his hands, he's like a bull, run over people and out muscle you. Where 'Zay' [Likely] is a little bit more elusive. As he keeps developing his craft, he's going to be hard to handle. It's just a matter of time. It's not a matter of if, it's just a matter of when, when we keep working through that and developing that."
Isaiah Likely (80) has stepped in for Andrews well so far.
Jessica Rapfogel-USA TODAY Sports, Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
So Andrews is the bull that can bust through tackles, whereas Likely is the tight end who can take a five-yard pass and turn it into a 20-yard gain, something that he did against the Chargers.
With Andrews sidelined for at least the rest of the regular season, Likely will see his snap count continue to increase, and if he can keep stacking good games of production, then the Ravens might not miss Andrews all that much.
While it is still early, Likely has gotten off to a good start, and we imagine that the more he showcases his ability as he did against the Chargers, Lamar Jackson's confidence in his young tight end will grow, which can only mean good things for Baltimore.
