May 28, 2015; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Ravens offensive coordinator Marc Trestman (right) runs a drill with wide receiver Marlon Brown (14) during training camp at the Under Armour Performance Center. Mandatory Credit: Evan Habeeb-USA TODAY Sports
New offensive coordinator Marc Trestman is the perfect man to continue Baltimore’s quest for the Super Bowl, which Gary Kubiak started last season.
May 28, 2015; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Ravens offensive coordinator Marc Trestman walks off the field after the OTA at the Under Armour Performance Center. Mandatory Credit: Evan Habeeb-USA TODAY Sports
If you don’t know Marc Trestman, then you don’t know the man who has a notorious record for developing quarterbacks and running high powered offenses in the NCAA, NFL, and CFL. Now, that high powered offense and keen eye for developing quarterbacks has come to Baltimore.
Trestman’s offense is one that follows the west coast offense philosophy. It’s a very pass heavy, consistent, short gain offense that seeks to catch the defending secondary a step behind and open up rushing lanes.
Trestman led the Bears to the 2nd highest scoring offense in his first year as their head coach. Across 10 seasons as a coordinator or coach in control of playcalling in the NFL, 5 of those seasons have produced a top 5 scoring offense.
To paint a picture of what we can look forward to, let’s first look back at the Chicago Bears in 2014 under Marc Trestman’s head coaching tutelage and compare it to the Baltimore Ravens 2014 offensive production by position and player.
Here’s what’s worth noting.
Looking at the production of Matt Forte, it’s obvious that Trestman likes to get his running backs involved in the passing game, as Forte accumulated 535 more passing yards than the Ravens’ Justin Forsett. However, Forte wasn’t too far off from Forsett in the rushing department.
In fact, Forte took 31 more reps out of the backfield than Forsett, but came up 228 yards short of Forsett’s production on the ground. What this means for the Ravens offensive future is that Forsett could see more time coming out of the backfield to catch passes, still match his production of last season, and find himself in the end zone a bit more often.
Jan 10, 2015; Foxborough, MA, USA; Baltimore Ravens running back Justin Forsett (29) celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the New England Patriots in the third quarter during the 2014 AFC Divisional playoff football game at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports
As for the pass catchers and the quarterback production, Cutler and his receiving corps connected for an average of 20 more receptions for 137 more yards per game, leading to an average of 2 more touchdowns per game in 2014. Flacco’s poise and having Forsett to depend on led to him throwing 6 less interceptions than Cutler, and above all, this Baltimore offense still made a Divisional Playoff game appearance.
Jan 10, 2015; Foxborough, MA, USA; Baltimore Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco (5) celebrates in front of New England Patriots defensive end Chandler Jones (95) after the Ravens
Chicago’s big 3 tandem of Alshon Jeffrey, Brandon Marshall, and Martellus Bennett are very physical and aggressive pass catchers. Despite the departure of Torrey Smith and Owen Daniels, Trestman has a nice set of receivers to choose from in Baltimore.
Combine the returning and determined Steve Smith, Sr. with the rising Jeremy Butler and Kamar Aiken, Marlon Brown, and 2015 1st round pick Breshad Perriman, and Trestman once again has the physical, aggressive pass catching corps that makes his offense thrive (considering they all make the 53-man roster, which I feel 100% confident they all will).
Jan 10, 2015; Foxborough, MA, USA; Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Steve Smith (89) celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the New England Patriots during the first quarter in the 2014 AFC Divisional playoff football game at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark L. Baer-USA TODAY Sports
Trestman, nicknamed by the world of football as the “quarterback whisperer”, has worked with some greats of the past and coached/mentored some greats of the present and future. Names like Steve Young, Bill Walsh, Ozzie Newsome, Jim Harbaugh, and Bernie Kosar are just a few. Trestman is also the man behind leading the CFL’s Montreal Allouettes (formerly known as the Baltimore Stallions) to 3 consecutive Grey Cups, winning 2 of them back-to-back.
Now he gets to work with our very own franchise great, Joe Flacco, and lead the Baltimore Ravens to their 2nd Super Bowl victory in 4 years and 3rd in franchise history.
Feb 3, 2013; New Orleans, LA, USA; Baltimore Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco (5) celebrates with the Vince Lombardi Trophy after defeating the San Francisco 49ers 34-31 in Super Bowl XLVII at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports
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