Ebony Bird
FanSided

Baltimore Ravens roster spotlight: A look at the running backs

By Joe Schiller

Dec 12, 2016; Foxborough, MA, USA; Baltimore Ravens running back Kenneth Dixon (30) scores a touchdown against the New England Patriots during the second half at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stew Milne-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 12, 2016; Foxborough, MA, USA; Baltimore Ravens running back Kenneth Dixon (30) scores a touchdown against the New England Patriots during the second half at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stew Milne-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 3
Next
Oct 16, 2016; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; Baltimore Ravens offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg during the game against the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 16, 2016; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; Baltimore Ravens offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg during the game against the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports /

Get back to the ground game

As much potential as Terrance West and Kenneth Dixon have, they were not able to showcase it all last season. Offensive coordinator Marty Morhinweg stuck with his pass happy offense and it didn’t work to the teams favor. It’s great to throw the ball 600 times when your quarterback is Tom Brady or Aaron Rodgers, but not when it’s Joe Flacco. The Ravens finished the season ranked 28th in the run. Averaging only 91.4 yards is not going to cut it.

Next: Ravens roster spotlight: a look at special teams

The Ravens are a team that have built a reputation on running the football. In a division like the AFC North, that is how you win games. I understand the league is becoming more pass happy, but the ground game is still important. With two backs in West and Dixon who have loads of potential, getting away from the run is going to hurt this team. We saw what happens when they rely on the pass and it isn’t pretty. Joe Flacco is a solid quarterback, but only when the offense is balanced. He is much better when there is a solid run game. It helps set up the play action pass that he is very good at. As it stands right now, the receiving core still needs some help. The running backs are in a much better position to start the season.

Home/Ravens News