Ravens expect challenge from new Browns quarterback Jameis Winston
OWINGS MILLS — Ravens offensive coordinator Todd Monken worked closely with Browns quarterback Jameis Winston when they were with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Winston was named the starter for the injured DeShaun Watson, who tore hias Achilles last week against the Cincinnati Bengals.
Monken can’t offer much advice on how to defend Winston because it’s been six years since they worked together. However, Monken knows the Ravens need to be prepared for a tough competitor when they travel to Cleveland for an AFC North showdown on Sunday.
“I love Jameis. He loves football,” Monken said. “You have to love guys that love football. He loves football. People say that they love football, but that dude loves football. He loves his teammates; he owns it. When we were at Tampa, he never threw the coaches under the bus, he owned it, he works awfully hard. There’s a lot to love about Jameis Winston.”
Monken was the Buccaneers’ offensive coordinator from 2016-18. The team ranked third in first downs per game (22.5), second in passing yards per game (279.5) and first in third-down conversion percentage (44.4 percent) over that stretch. Tampa Bay also averaged a league-high 10.3 yards per pass attempt and ranked second in yards per completion (12.4).
Monken credits Winston for that success.
Winston was selected by the Buccaneers with the first overall pick in the 2015 NFL draft and played four years in Tampa Bay. In his final season for the Buccaneers in 2019, he threw for 5,109 yards with 33 touchdowns, and 30 interceptions.
Winston spent four years with the Saints before signing with the Browns before this season. Over his 10-year career, Winston has thrown for 22,187 yards with 142 touchdowns and 99 interceptions.
Winston has a strong arm and will challenge the Ravens’ pass defense, which is ranked last in the NFL, allowing 287.1 yards per game.
“Jameis is a very talented guy,” Ravens coach John Harbaugh said. “He’s a guy that our coaches have a lot of … Our offensive coaches have a lot of connections with. [Offensive assistant coach] Danny Breyer and he are best pals. Not that that tells us much more than they’re both great guys.
“He’s a great quarterback; very talented quarterback over the years – [a] highly touted [and] highly decorated quarterback; [has] played a lot of football; can throw the thing all over the field for sure; push the ball downfield; does a great job with the reads.”