The Ravens have parted ways with inside linebackers coach Mark DeLeone, according to KPRC-TV, the first shakeup of coach John Harbaugh’s staff this offseason.
DeLeone joined the Ravens last offseason after a short stint as a defensive analyst at Kansas. In Baltimore, he reunited with Ravens inside linebacker Roquan Smith, whom he’d worked with while serving as the Chicago Bears’ inside linebackers coach. DeLeone, who took over for first-year defensive coordinator Zach Orr, also had worked for the Kansas City Chiefs and Detroit Lions over the past decade.
DeLeone’s lone year in Baltimore produced mixed results. Smith struggled in coverage at times over the first half of the season in his new partnership with Trenton Simpson, who was replacing Pro Bowl pick Patrick Queen. Simpson’s playing time fluctuated in his first year in Orr’s system as he struggled with execution against the run and pass and was effectively benched toward the end of the year.
But the Ravens’ linebacker play stabilized late in the season, with Malik Harrison helping to shore up the run defense and Chris Board helping on obvious passing downs. Smith, meanwhile, earned his second straight All-Pro nod after finishing fifth in the NFL in tackles.
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Harbaugh said at Wednesday’s season-ending news conference that it was “still pretty early” when asked how his staff might evolve this offseason.
“Whatever chances they get, they’re most deserving of, and I’m happy for them,” he said. “Of course, I’d love to keep them. I tell them, I say, ‘I’m rooting for you, and I’ll definitely tell people how great you are, because you deserve it, but if it doesn’t work out for you, I’m really happy that you’re staying with us.’ And our players, I’ve talked to a lot of our players, and I know our players feel the same way.”
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