The Baltimore Ravens found a diamond in the rough with fullback Patrick Ricard. Initially a defensive lineman, Ricard played a hybrid defense-offense role for the team before transitioning full-time to fullback, where he’s become an All-Pro.
There were many questions about Ricard’s role in 2023 when Baltimore switched from Greg Roman to Todd Monken at the offensive coordinator position. However, he still contributed in a big way last season, and when asked about his role for 2024, head coach John Harbaugh said it will evolve as the offense goes, but there’s always a need for someone like Ricard.
“It’ll evolve kind of the direction it goes, in terms of where the offense goes and what we need, but there’s always going to be a requirement for a guy like Pat [Ricard], if you have a guy like Pat. The questions last year were pretty much kind of debunked. He played a lot, and I think it’s going to be the same thing this year. You’ve got a good football player; you have to put him out there. He’ll be out there playing, and we’ll find a lot of great roles for him to do. The nice thing is, he can actually run routes and catch the ball, and that’s something that people kind of take for granted that he wouldn’t be able to do. I can remember Coach [Wade] Phillips out here – I love Coach Phillips – when he was [the] defensive coordinator for the [Los Angeles] Rams, basically saying, ‘Don’t cover [No.] 42, he’s a defensive lineman.’ The very next play, he caught a touchdown pass in the flat. That’s right, don’t cover [No.] 42.”
Ricard has paved the way for the Ravens’ running backs and quarterback Lamar Jackson. During his time in Baltimore, he caught passes, scored touchdowns, and much more. Not many offenses still use the role of a conventional fullback, but Ricard can do many other things that still provide value.
