As
the NFL offseason is in full swing, it’s a perfect opportunity to evaluate
where each team was in 2017, and where they plan to go in the New Year. Let’s
begin the review of the Baltimore Ravens.
2017 Season Recap:
As
we sit back and review what transpired for the 2017 Baltimore Ravens, most fans
will likely want to forget rather than relive it. Going into the year, the NFL
schedule makers seemed to have gifted the Ravens with an easier slate of games
which should’ve been conducive to them easily finding their way into the
postseason. With the first nine games of the season, a stranglehold could’ve
been made as seven out of nine games were definitely winnable contests. Alas,
Baltimore was exposed in games they should’ve won showing the true inadequacies
of how the roster was built for the 2017 season. With the first nine games in
the books, the Ravens possessed a record of 4-5 dropping losses to the Bears
and Titans, while adding the monstrous blowout loss to the Jaguars in London
back in week 3. The contests which Baltimore had in their grasp, and lost,
would prove to be a great challenge for this team to claw their way back into
wildcard position. With seven games remaining on their schedule, the Ravens
were forced to go 6-1 to finish the year with a 10-6 record, providing them the
best opportunity.
As
week eleven began, the improbable run the Ravens required was about to provide
their fan base with plenty to cheer about. Travelling to Green Bay to face the
Aaron Rodgers-less Packers (injury), they easily walked in and walked out of
Lambo Field with the win. Finding ways to dominate the opposition again,
Baltimore found their way to victory against the Texans and the Lions placing
them on a three game winning streak. Following their success they traveled to
Pittsburgh for a most important showdown with the Steelers on Sunday Night
Football. This content was filled with extreme excitement as both teams went
back and forth which found the Steelers narrowly finding a way to win by one
point. With that loss it placed the Ravens with a 7-6 record with three games
remaining in the season. As the Wildcard picture was beginning to take shape,
Baltimore now held most of the tie breakers making them lead dog and favorites
to punch their ticket to January football.
As
they entered week 15, the Ravens took down the Browns with ease, followed by a
week 16 dismantling of the lowly Colts and set the Ravens up in a key battle
with division foe – the Cincinnati Bengals. The story line heading into this
game was - win and you’re in for Baltimore as they hosted a Bengals team that
had been eliminated from the post season weeks earlier. What the NFL world
witnessed was something that will live in the hearts of a generational fan base
for the rest of their lives; unfortunately it wasn’t the Baltimore fan base.
The NFL flex schedule adjusted all playoff implicational games to the afternoon
slate to further the excitement. The Bengals started the game fast taking a big
lead only to see the Ravens scratch and claw all the way back to move ahead
27-24 with .053 seconds remaining on the clock. Andy Dalton had the Bengals in
a 4th and 12 at mid field, in the shotgun ready for what was
potentially the last play of the game. As Bernard moved in motion, Dalton
snapped the ball stepped up in the pocket and threw an absolute strike over the
extended reach of the zone coverage line backer hitting Tyler Boyd right in the
bread basket. In disbelief the Ravens faithful watched as Boyd caught the ball,
turned to his left and take off evading all would be Baltimore tacklers for the
touchdown! An absolutely unbelievable play to which ended the Ravens chances at
returning to the NFL playoffs. Fans were seen leaving the stadium crushed much
like the Baltimore’s defense was on that night.
Finishing
the year at 9-7 proved this Ravens team attempted to beat the odds of another
injury rattled campaign where they sent 15 players to injured reserve. This
team was built again on the strength of the defensive unit which housed
statistics in the top 15 or higher in all categories. At times it was very
clear this defense was carrying this club as they finished the year 6th
in points against (18.9 PPG), 12th in yards against (325.1 YPG).
With holes to fill and correct on defense, the offense was much more vulnerable
and inept closing the year out 27th in total yards (305.4 YPG), and
29th in the pass game (189.4 YPG). The lone bright spot offensively
was the breakout of potential star in the making Alex Collins. As the season
wore on, Collins continued to gain confidence and showed his explosive
quickness and power running ability. For the few “must mentions”, for success
on the Ravens offense in 2017, it starts and stops with Alex Collins!
2018 Offseason Workbook:
Offseason Review:
After
the heart break final game of the season a full review of the path forward is
already underway for the Baltimore Ravens. Rumors suggested early on that long
tenured Head Coach John Harbaugh was potentially on the hot seat with the
Ravens brain trust possibly looking in another direction. The end of year
meetings concluded that Baltimore would indeed bring back Harbaugh to man the
ship for at least another season while providing him with another year in his
contract extension. While Coach Harbaugh enjoys a little more job security, he
went to work adjusting his coaching staff promoting Don Martindale to be his
defensive coordinator, while adding new line backers coach (Mike McDonald), and
quality control defensive coach (Sterling Lucas), to the fold. With little
transition and movement among the coaching staff, news broke that Ravens general
manager Ozzie Newsome is preparing to step down from his post after the 2018 season.
The long grooming of his replacement has taken place as Baltimore will transfer
duties to current assistant general manager Eric DeCosta. Entering the Ravens organization
back in 1996, DeCosta began his career in entry level positions while showing
his abilities and finally being promoted to assistant general manager in 2012. DeCosta
was highly pursued to take over other organizations in the general manager role,
but chose to remain in Baltimore once the promise of taking over the operation
was given.
Roster
changeover should be on the top of the Ravens list going into the 2018
offseason, as many holes exist on a team that has created a tradition of great
defensive play and pride. Offensively should be the main focus for this club as
they dreadfully underachieved with a schedule that was extremely favorable for
them to succeed. While the belief in starter Joe Flacco might be wavering,
contractually the Ravens are stuck with the long-term signal caller until at
least 2020 where his dead money cap hit would be a more reasonable 8 million to
cut him loose. With Flacco eating up 14% of the Ravens entire cap space for 2018,
their will be many players put into cut consideration for Baltimore to improve.
Rostered Free Agents:
With
the salary cap constraints currently on the books, Baltimore only has eleven
players in need of a new contract. Mike Wallace headlines the free agent list and
he might have played his way out of Baltimore with lower production then we’ve
seen from the speedster in the past. For what Wallace brings to the table in
terms of skillset, the Ravens could easily replace him via the draft if they so
choose. Terrance West and Benjamin Watson have likely seen their last days with
the Ravens, as they look to upgrade the tight end position and the stellar performance
of Alex Collins has made West and afterthought. Wide Receiver Michael Campanaro
may bolster the most interest from Baltimore to generate a new contract. His
big play ability has been showcased with some irregularity, but the talent to
become a solid secondary target for Flacco is most definitely there. Center
Ryan Jensen should be the priority to garner a new contract, as the fifth-year
pro has played very well in his time with the Ravens.
For
Baltimore to become players in the free agent market, a slew of current players
could be receiving pick slips to help generate cap room as team friendly deals should
help the situation. Four players top the list of potential cut candidates with
a possibility of five. Jeremy Maclin is a prime choice for release as he didn’t
enjoy a season the Ravens expected. Cutting Maclin would help create an additional
5 million on the books. Safety Eric Weddle also could be looked at as someone
the Ravens could do without, as his 4.7 million in savings would be an enormous
help. Brandon Carr and Danny Woodhead are very attractive choices to receive
the call to no longer play for Baltimore next season. Carr would create a
healthy 4 million while Woodhead would produce nearly 2 million in cap savings respectively.
One player that should be looked over by Ozzie Newsome is long time Guard
Marsal Yanda. Though having a solid offensive line is mightily important, Yanda
would create nearly 6 million in cap savings to help this team move forward. If
the Ravens indeed choose to entertain releasing this group of players, they
would inherit nearly 22 million dollars on the books. Adding to there current
cap space that would generate roughly 33 million making them prime free agent
players come March 14th.
NFL Draft:
Baltimore
isn’t normally a team that does away with their draft capital, as historically they
develop the talent they pick from pervious drafts. Holding all of their 7 picks
in this years NFL draft, the Ravens will have ample opportunity to add to their
roster while having the potential to steal more picks by trading down. With a
plethora of Quarterback needy teams vying for the opportunity to select their
franchise signal caller, the Ravens could be in a position of strength holding
the 16th overall pick. It wouldn’t be a surprise to us if Baltimore entertained
many phone calls on draft day.
Again,
as history suggests under Ozzie Newsome, his drafts tend to favor the defensive
side of the ball in hopes to create a dominating unit to offset the inadequacies
of their offensive production. This year we should see a more balanced pool of
selections to help establish more of a well-rounded squad. Wide receivers,
tight ends, and defensive backs (Safeties) should be the main focus with finding
more depth to a strong defensive side. Baltimore isn’t far off from again being
a post season presence and could again find their way back with a strong draft
class.
Overall for 2018:
The
Ravens biggest issue from last season was the production of their offensive
unit with exception of the stunning play of running back Alex Collins.
Baltimore might have found a potential star in the making as his combination of
quickness, speed, and power made him a nightmare as the season wore on. All indications
suggested that Joe Flacco might have played most of the 2017 campaign injured,
thus producing some of his worst numbers since entering the league. The Ravens
will have to rectify their receiving core which they could potentially find in
a nice free agent class and potential released players.
Defensively
the Ravens still have a lot of talent behind their captain Terrell Suggs and
are always looking to sustain their formula of hard nose attacking style
defense. Playing in a division that expects close difficult contests, Baltimore
isn’t far off as they still are a great matchup for division winners in the Pittsburgh
Steelers. How Ozzie Newsome leaves this team for his understudy will be a very
entertaining story line as the offseason continues.
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