Baltimore Ravens: Why 5-11 Could Turn Into 11-5
The Baltimore Ravens Will Get Back To Their Winning Ways
The Baltimore Ravens aren’t sulking about their 5-11 season. Their 2015 campaign may have been dipped in rich mediocrity and sprinkled with disappointment, but the Ravens are moving forward. They signed three free agents, breaking their reserved methodology in March. The NFL Draft is coming and the Ravens have another chance to improve the roster. Don’t be surprised if the Ravens turn 5-11 into 11-5.
The Ravens offense could look entirely different in 2016. With the insertion of speed that they’ll get from Mike Wallace and Breshad Perriman, Marc Trestman will have no choice but to change as a play caller. With a healthy Steve Smith Sr. joined by a now proven Kamar Aiken, the Ravens will have options they didn’t have in 2015.
The Ravens offensive line is actually an area that looks pretty good. When Eugene Monroe is healthy he is not a bad left tackle. John Urschel is a very solid replacement of Kelechi Osemele. Jeremy Zuttah is a good center. Marshal Yanda is a hall of fame worthy right guard. Rick Wagner has played very well. Is it perfect? No. Could they use more depth? Absolutely. But at the end of the day the Ravens offensive line has the potential to get the job done and the Ravens will address their depth at these positions.
The Ravens are going to go back to what made them successful under the tutelage of Gary Kubiak in the 2014 season. We’re going to see a heavy role from the tight ends in the offense. That’s why the Ravens signed Ben Watson. Watson is a fast tight end with a big body that makes him a mismatch for many defenders. Crockett Gillmore will take another step towards being a star as well. The Ravens are going to get back to running the football with authority and opening up the play-action game for Joe Flacco.
How do I know all this? Well it is just common sense. The Ravens signing offensive talent implies they want to change offensively. The most sensible change would be going back to what worked in the 2014 season. That’s what Trestman was hired to do in the first place, keep a good thing going. Trestman didn’t have the tools in 2015. Next season there should be no excuses.
The Ravens defense will also be changed for the better. Eric Weddle was a big time signing for the Ravens. The secondary now has a leader and that was one of the biggest problems the team had. Weddle will be a force to be reckoned with and he will elevate the performance of his teammates.
I am convinced that the defense is the Ravens biggest focus going into the draft. They need a pass rusher and a cornerback, and I wouldn’t be surprised if they got both. The Ravens have a top-10 draft pick. If they keep that pick it is highly likely that they draft a pass rusher. It is a deep cornerback draft. They can get a very solid cornerback in the second round.
Next: 2016 NFL Draft: 5 Cornerbacks For Ravens To Target
The Ravens have a proven track record. They have been to the playoffs in six of the past eight seasons. They have a coach who knows how to win in John Harbaugh. They have a franchise quarterback in Joe Flacco, who should be ready to go in week 1. They have a lot of young talent and a core of veteran leadership. This is a team that has a lot going for them.