The Baltimore Ravens Are Poised To Have A Balanced Team

Will The Offense Or The Defense Be Better For The Baltimore Ravens In 2016?

The Baltimore Ravens have always been known for their defense; a side affect of having Ray Lewis as the face of your franchise for 18 seasons. In so many seasons the Ravens have had great defensive performances wasted by non-existent offenses. When the Ravens won Super Bowl XXXV it was all about historic defense. But when the Ravens won Super Bowl XLVII, it took a historic playoff run from their quarterback, Joe Flacco. The Ravens have rarely had a fair balance of great offense and great defense.

In 2016 the Ravens are poised to be good on both sides of the football. On offense, the Ravens will get back their franchise quarterback. Joe Flacco will have more weapons than ever before. The offensive line looks solid, especially if Ronnie Stanley shines as a rookie left tackle. The Ravens made big moves to insure a quality defense. At least on Paper, the Ravens look like an all around good team.

The offense has plenty of tools to work with. The Ravens may actually have to much talent to keep on the 53 man roster. Justin Forsett, Buck Allen, Kenneth Dixon, Lorenzo Taliaferro and Terrence West are all promising players at the running back position. Trent Richardson is even trying to get into the mix. Dennis Pitta is trying to make his return to the football field, after back to back season ending hip injuries. The former Super Bowl hero, joins Ben Watson, Crockett Gillmore, Maxx Williams and Darren Waller in the competition for snaps at the tight end spot. It’s hard to imagine all 11 running backs and tight ends will make the 53 man roster.

Too much talent is a good problem to have. Last season the Ravens did not have enough talent. This was especially true at the wide receiver position. When Steve Smith Sr. went down due to injury, Kamar Aiken stepped up. But now the Ravens will have both Smith Sr. and Aiken joined by Mike Wallace and perhaps even Breshad Perriman.

More from Ebony Bird

The offense now has a surplus of speed. The Ravens have high hopes for Michael Campanaro and Keenan Reynolds. Chris Moore is a big bodied wide receiver who could work his way into the equation. The Ravens offense has a chance to be pretty special. It all depends on avoiding the injury bug, but that is the case every season.

The Ravens defense looks pretty tough. The front seven is booming with talent. Brandon Williams is one of the best defensive tackles in football. C.J. Mosley is one of the most exciting young linebackers in football. Mosley will be joined by Kamalei Correa at the inside linebacker position. Correa is an instinctual football player who has great potential.

Terrell Suggs is coming back from his week 1 leg injury. When both players are healthy, Elvis Dumervil and Terrell Suggs make one of the best pass rushing combinations in football. When you consider all the talent the Ravens added to the front seven in Bronson Kaufusi, Matt Judon, and Willie Henry, everything looks good. If Timmy Jernigan has a breakout year and Za’Darius Smith continues to impress the Ravens defense could be scary good.

Getting Eric Weddle was huge for the secondary. Weddle and Webb should provide great veteran leadership in the back-end of the defense. Weddle is not only the quarterback of the defense, but a player with range and versatility. If the Ravens get the good Shareece Wright, and the fully recovered and confident Jimmy Smith, look out!

Next: The 5 Worst Decisions The Baltimore Ravens Ever Made

Overall the Ravens have a very solid roster. They have a chance to be as balanced as the team has ever been. While everything hinges on the health of the Ravens, this team has an opportunity to be everything the Ravens weren’t in 2015.

Home/Ravens News