Ravens running back coach not returning
The Baltimore Ravens announced Friday that their running back coach Wilbert Montgomery will not return for the 2014 season. Many fingers can be pointed to coaches for the lack of a running game but I personally do not think that Montgomery was the problem. The offensive line was the issue and failed to open up wholes for the running attack.
Ray Rice was also injured for most of the season which did contribute to the problem. Montgomery is going to look to move up in the coaching ranks, he has proven to be a good coach.
Here is the Ravens press release on the coaching change.
RAVENS ANNOUNCE COACHING CHANGE
Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh announced Friday that running backs coach Wilbert Montgomery will not return to the team for the 2014 season.
“Wilbert has decided to pursue other coaching and life opportunities,” Harbaugh stated. “I want to thank him for everything he did for our organization. Wilbert has been a tremendous coach for the Ravens, and he has played an integral role in the success we’ve experienced over the past several seasons.
“I have a great deal of respect for the person Wilbert is – not just as a coach, but also as an outstanding family man and someone who inspires everyone around him. In addition to his knowledge of the game and ability to connect with his players, Wilbert brought a passion to the Ravens that helped our team – and the individuals on it – reach tremendous heights.”
Montgomery, a 17-year NFL coaching veteran, joined the Ravens in 2008 and spent the past six seasons coaching Baltimore’s offensive backfield, including three-time Pro Bowl RB Ray Rice. Under Montgomery’s guidance, Rice has produced 6,180 rushing yards and 3,034 receiving yards in six pro seasons. Rice’s 9,214 total yards from scrimmage rank as the most in franchise history, while his rushing yards stand second only to Jamal Lewis’ 7,801.
In 2011, Rice led the NFL with 2,068 yards from scrimmage (1,364 rushing and 704 receiving), joining Hall of Famer Marshall Faulk (four times) as the only players in NFL history to register at least 1,200 rushing yards and 700 receiving yards in multiple seasons. (Rice finished the 2009 campaign with 1,339 rushing yards and 702 receiving yards.) For his career, Rice has posted 43 total touchdowns (37 rushing and six receiving), which rank second in team history (Jamal Lewis, 47).
In 2009, Montgomery’s second season in Baltimore, the Ravens ground attack set a team record with 22 rushing touchdowns and ranked fifth in the NFL in rushing yards per game (137.5). Montgomery also guided former Ravens FB Le’Ron McClain, who earned Pro Bowl honors during both the 2008 and 2009 campaigns.
