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Baltimore Ravens: A Quick Fix For The Offense

By Chris Schisler

Oct 11, 2015; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Ravens offensive coordinator Marc Trestman during the game against the Cleveland Browns at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mitch Stringer-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 11, 2015; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Ravens offensive coordinator Marc Trestman during the game against the Cleveland Browns at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mitch Stringer-USA TODAY Sports /
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The secret to unlocking the Baltimore Ravens rushing attack is actually in the passing game:

What if I told you that the Baltimore Ravens passing attack was the biggest problem for the Ravens offense? It may sound counter intuitive, after all I always preach that it all starts with the ground attack. Let me explain how the rushing attack is being bottled up because of the passing game.

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Trestman loves to have Joe Flacco throw the football. In two games the Ravens have had 136 passing attempts, while Joe Flacco has handed the ball of just 54 times. This is partly skewed because the Ravens had to play catch up against Cleveland. However Trestman has a long history of being a pass happy coordinator.

Sep 11, 2016; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco (5) throws to wide receiver Mike Wallace (17) for a second quarter touchdown against the Buffalo Bills at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 11, 2016; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco (5) throws to wide receiver Mike Wallace (17) for a second quarter touchdown against the Buffalo Bills at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports /

The problem is that Trestman’s passing attack is incredibly predictable. While the Ravens have plenty of speed to stretch the field, Trestman leans on the short pass. Defenses play the Ravens tight because of all the short passes. Essentially, the passing game acts as the running game in Trestman’s version of the west coast offense. He keeps the defense in the box, it’s ready for the running back, even if they’re expecting a short pass.

So the magic trick to opening rushing lanes for Justin Forsett and Terrance West is actually by passing the ball. The Ravens have to attack down the field more. It’s not like the Ravens don’t have the weapons to do this. Mike Wallace is a big play waiting to happen. Breshad Perriman and Chris Moore have big frames and plenty of speed. Don’t forget that Steve Smith Sr. is a do it all player at the wide receiver position.

The Ravens have a great set of weapons and a strong armed quarterback. Flacco is at his best when he’s allowed to go for it. Dink and dunk offense isn’t ever going to be one of Flacco’s favorite things. The Ravens need to spice up their passing attack. Early and often they need to take shots down the field.

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Normally you set up the run with the pass. Normally you set up the deep passing attack with short passing. In Trestman world, the passing game will always be the answer. Therefore we need to work backwards. When the Ravens throw the ball deep with some regularity, defensive coordinators have to be ready for it. This loosens things up for both the short passing game and the rushing efforts. It also gives the Ravens a more balanced attack that uses all of their weapons instead of just a few.

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