‘That’s the silliest sh*t I’ve ever heard in my life’ — Ravens offensive coordinator Todd Monken goes to bat for a projected starter facing a huge year in 2025
Ravens offensive coordinator Todd Monken was having none of the criticism around one of his starters after last weekend’s preseason opener.
The Baltimore Ravens always seem to figure it out. It may not look pretty in the summer but by late fall and into the winter, this is a team that has their trenches settled. This year should be no different — although there are questions that continue to linger about the interior spots on the Ravens’ offensive line as the 2025 season quickly approaches.
Those questions were amplified by an especially poor looking rep from right guard Daniel Faalele against the Colts that saw the quarterback sacked and Faalele picking himself up off the ground. But offensive coordinator Todd Monken went to bat for the fourth-year pro on Tuesday, opting to view the projected starter through a wider lens than one play.
Ravens offensive coordinator Todd Monken vouches for starting guard Daniel Faalele
“I’m so proud of Daniel (Faalele). I mean, he worked hard in the offseason, came in (to camp) in great shape. I think I was talking earlier that we’re excited for Daniel. He’s come a long way. He is a really, really good football player. In today’s day and age, shock value — whatever is seen for one shot on the internet — doesn’t make a man. Or a great play doesn’t make a man…they picked out one clip of it. That’s not Daniel. Daniel’s been outstanding throughout all of camp and has played his rear end off. We’re excited about where he’s at now and where he’s going to continue to grow…it was one play. It was one example. I can’t imagine any of us, one example of something in our life and that’s who they are. That’s the silliest shit I’ve ever heard in my life. Just the way it is, the world we live in. ”
— Ravens offensive coordinator Todd Monken on right guard Daniel Faalele
Monken is right, too. The play in question for Faalele appeared to be spurred on by the guard being tripped by a teammate while trying to anchor a pass rush, which caused him to fall backwards and concede space to the quarterback. Is Faalele a Pro Bowl guard on the spectrum of NFL offensive guards? No, he isn’t. But he’s in the best shape of his playing career as a second-year starter and he’s sandwiched between perhaps the best center in football and a promising second-year tackle.
No one is going to point to Daniel Faalele in December and January as the root cause of any issues the Ravens run into. Offensive line play is an unglamorous position and more often than not the only times you’re getting your name called are for mistakes. Faalele is hard to miss as is, and that’s before he goes careening onto his back to give up a negative play.
He’ll bounce back. And the Ravens will be fine up front. Just ask Todd Monken.
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