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Strong Offseason Helped Baltimore Ravens 2-0 Start

By Chris Schisler

Sep 18, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Mike Wallace (17) and Baltimore Ravens inside linebacker Zach Orr (54) walk off the field following the game against the Cleveland Browns at FirstEnergy Stadium. The Ravens defeated the Browns 25-20. Mandatory Credit: Scott R. Galvin-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 18, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Mike Wallace (17) and Baltimore Ravens inside linebacker Zach Orr (54) walk off the field following the game against the Cleveland Browns at FirstEnergy Stadium. The Ravens defeated the Browns 25-20. Mandatory Credit: Scott R. Galvin-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Baltimore Ravens Added Key Pieces To The Puzzle

The Baltimore Ravens front office can thank themselves for their 2-0 start. The Ravens made several key  additions to this team. These highly successful pick ups have allowed Baltimore to win two tough games.

Related Story: Ravens Beat The Browns: The Good, Bad & The Ugly

First we have to talk about Mike Wallace. So far Wallace has seven receptions for 132 yards and three touchdowns. The veteran wide receiver is the Ravens biggest game changer. Wallace has made big plays two weeks in a row. He is averaging 18.9 yards per reception. Wallace gives the Ravens a big play threat that was missing last year.

Eric Weddle had his first interception as a Raven yesterday. Weddle has had a huge impact on defense. The Ravens defense gave up huge plays in the first quarter of the Browns game. After the storm by the Browns, the defense pitched a shutout. The Ravens can thank Weddle and Webb for taking the big play away from Josh McCown. Dean Pees was able to make the adjustment that took away the Browns offensive fire power. It is only because he had the players to do it.

Rookies Michael Peirce and Matt Judon have played sensationally. Pierce was an undrafted free agent out of Samford. He wasn’t expected to make the team, now he’s making plays. The big defensive tackle seems to be an unstoppable force when he gets on a roll. He is a nice rotational player. Judon has made a huge impact. Last year the Ravens lost Terrell Suggs and the world collapsed for the defense. This year Elvis Dumervil has yet to play and the outside linebacker position continues to thrive.

Getting healthy was another benefit of the offseason. The Raven don’t beat the Cleveland Browns without Dennis Pitta. Pitta had nine receptions for 102 yards on Sunday. The Ravens could have easily let the Super Bowl XLVII hero go. When back to back hip injuries end a player’s season two years in a row, it’s almost unimaginable that he would be able to comeback. The Ravens have been rewarded for their patience.

Speaking of patience, the Ravens also have gotten good play from Breshad Perriman. It seemed that the Ravens 2015 1st round pick was never going to play. When Perriman took the field in the final preseason game, it was incredibly exciting. Last week Perriman had one huge leaping grab. This week  Perriman had two receptions for 32 yards.

Next: Dennis Pitta Shines As Ravens Beat The Browns

Now the Ravens have key ingredients that they were lacking last season. Now the Ravens are a team that is mostly healthy. The Ravens all the sudden have a little depth and the close games are going their way. 2-0 seems so impossibly good after last season. When big acquisitions are making big plays, good things happen.

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