Here at Glenn Clark Radio, after Ravens games, we always reflect in a more jovial manner. In retrospect, we like to choose five players on the team who — depending on the outcome of the game — deserve a Pat On The Ass or Slap To The Helmet.
Alas, the Ravens were on bye in Week 13, so Glenn and Griffin decided to dish out some season-long Pats and Slaps, following the same rules we have all season: pick two players on defense, two players on offense, and one “wild card” (an offensive player, defensive player, special teamer or coach) who stuck out from the pack.
We’ll give our top five for both Pats and Slaps, counting down in sequential order…Without further adieu:
Glenn’s season-long Pats:
5. S Kyle Hamilton
Tough choice between him, Patrick Queen and Jadeveon Clowney but holy hell he’s just been such an alien.
4. OL Kevin Zeitler
Three games where he hasn’t allowed a single pressure, a combined two pressures over his last five games. I was struggling on who to make the second offensive player because Edwards, Andrews, Zay and Linderbaum were all deserving too.
3. LB Roquan Smith
He’d have a strong argument to be Team MVP again.
2. QB Lamar Jackson
He’ll probably be Team MVP because, you know, Lamar Jackson. He hasn’t been flawless but he’s been tremendous.
1. DL Justin Madubuike
He’s my choice for Team MVP today.
Griffin’s season-long Pats:
5. WR Zay Flowers
Making a huge impact at a position that the Ravens historically have been quite frankly cursed.
4. QB Lamar Jackson
Feels weird because he isn’t putting up video game numbers, but the Ravens would not be here without him.
3. DT Justin Madubuike
Career year. Inspiring football, made it really, really hard to leave Roquan Smith off this list.
2. Safety Kyle Hamilton
He’s a unicorn, can line him up literally anywhere on the field and he’ll make a play.
1. DC Mike Macdonald
I was most concerned over the defense coming into the season. It’s the thing I have the most confidence in now. I hope he’s not coaching in the AFC next year.
Now to the negative…
Glenn’s season-long Slaps:
5. EDGE David Ojabo
It’s almost impossible to find defensive players to put on the list. It’s not Ojabo’s fault that he’s hurt but we were really hoping to see him take a step forward this season and obviously haven’t.
4. S Marcus Williams
I don’t think Williams has played poorly, per se. But there have been times where it has seemed like he has been limited due to only playing with one arm. Again, it was nearly impossible to find defensive players for the list.
3. K Justin Tucker
I’m not trying to panic. But there’s a standard and the standard has not been met to this point. Hopefully that changes ASAP.
2. OT Ronnie Stanley
Speaking of standards, this. Hopefully his issues are health related and they too can be fixed quickly.
1. RB Justice Hill
No player on the team has had a bigger disparity between opportunity and reality. The mesh point stuff is brutal and rightfully cost him snaps.
Griffin’s season-long Slaps:
5. OLB David Ojabo
It doesn’t feel good, it’s unfair, but he was touted as a first-round rusher, coming up on what will be two years since that and we haven’t seen anything even remotely close to resembling that.
4. Safety Marcus Williams
Hate to pick on the banged up guys, but it’s a testament to how good the defense has been. There is no clear answer, and Williams hasn’t looked right.
3. WR Rashod Bateman
The drops early in the season stick out, can’t have that for a first-round WR, he’s been better of late and will have to be without Mark Andrews. This is a 9-3 team, it’s tough to find guys that really, really deserve scorn here… except for the next two.
2. LT Ronnie Stanley
It just hasn’t been there this season, he doesn’t look fully healthy but his struggles appear to go beyond that.
1. HC John Harbaugh
In no way is this a call for his job, but he’s almost solely responsible for two of the three losses, and we’re on the heels of the horrendous decision-making in the Chargers game (that we won).
On Monday, we also recapped the weekend in the GCR football picks contest… not a good week for Griffin and Jeremy Conn, here’s a look at the updated standings:
To listen as Glenn and Griffin dished out the Pats and Slaps, click play below:
Photo credit: Kenya Allen/PressBox
