It’s been hard to attach words to the Baltimore Ravens‘ 1-2 start. Most that can be imagined or restated aren’t descriptive enough.

Words and phrases that do make sense have been overworked. How many times can we discuss ‘disappointment’ or ‘underachieving’? How often must we discuss faltering on the big stage before it becomes tiring?

Advertisement

It’s too late. We’re well beyond that, but the Ravens have come too far. They’re too close to a third Lombardi Trophy for us to dismiss this as the same old tired story, so we won’t and we’ll ask that you do the same.

This team is well-run. Eric DeCosta has done just about as good a job as anyone could have asked or hoped for. This team has stars or stars in the making at every level of the offense and defense.

Now, those stars have to dig a little deeper. Coaches have to work a little harder, and yes, the self-inflicted issues need to be addressed very quickly.

Ravens OC Todd Monken isn’t concerned about Derrick Henry’s fumbling issue.

A fine line separates success and failure in this league. Winning and losing at this level could come down to one or two plays. That’s a lesson Baltimore has proven several times over and twice this season.

Advertisement

Derrick Henry was excellent in Week 1. He notched 169 yards and two rushing TDs on 19 carries. He caught a pass for 13 yards, but that won’t be remembered. Instead, we’ll discuss his lost fumble and a squandered Baltimore Ravens lead.

It was a disappointing finish to an outstanding night, but no one panicked. He’ll bounce back. That’s what we told ourselves. Again, this is Derrick Henry, and Derrick Henry never fumbles.

However, he fumbled again the following week. That was ignored because Baltimore jumped on the loose ball. Week 3 came. The King put one on the turf again. As was the case in Week 1, the mistake would prove to be costly.

After fumbling a total of three times in 2024, Henry has fumbled in each of Baltimore’s first three games. Todd Monken addressed the issue by saying that there is no issue.

“[Derrick Henry] works on it on his own. There’s nothing I have to [say]. He knows that. He’s a very conscientious pro. No one takes anything that we do more seriously on the offense than Derrick Henry. That’s why he has had the career he’s had. That’s just something that he’s been working on, and something we’ll continue to work on with all of our players.”

Those were Monken’s words on Thursday as he spent some time with the Baltimore media. He’s as equipped to answer questions about potential ongoing issues as anyone. If he dismisses a couple of bad plays as bad luck, perhaps the rest of us can breathe easy, but three fumbles are three fumbles, even if they come from Derrick Henry.

Advertisement

People pay more attention to bigger stars. Seeing something once makes it an outlier. Seeing it twice means there is potential for it to become a pattern, but it doesn’t sound like the Ravens’ offensive coordinator expects more hiccups.

That’s a good thing. A tough stretch of football approaches, and if we don’t know anything else, it’s this. If Baltimore goes anywhere this season, they’ll need the King. If he is performing at peak level, the Ravens will be in the mix. Let’s hope they don’t eliminate their margin of error before we arrive.

This article originally appeared on Ravens Wire: Todd Monken downplays the concern over Ravens turnover issues