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2017 Baltimore Ravens: 3 Things we don’t know about the offense

By Chris Schisler

Oct 1, 2015; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Michael Campanaro (15) returns a kick-off against the Pittsburgh Steelers during the first quarter at Heinz Field. The Ravens won 23-20 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 1, 2015; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Michael Campanaro (15) returns a kick-off against the Pittsburgh Steelers during the first quarter at Heinz Field. The Ravens won 23-20 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports /
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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 /

2. What Can The Ravens Get From Their Running Backs?

The Ravens running back situation is a bit perplexing. The Ravens didn’t get much from the running game in 2016, but they didn’t try to run the football a lot either. Terrance West was the Ravens most featured running back and he only got 193 attempts. 21 running backs in the NFL, got more carries than West. The Ravens clearly lacked confidence in the game. Was that because of the offensive line or the players running the rock?

Related Story: Ravens roster spotlight: A look at the running back position

The Ravens offensive line wasn’t bad last season. When Alex Lewis went down in week 10, it definitely was impacted. Vlad Ducasse isn’t exactly a run blocking machine. However running behind an offensive line with Ronnie Stanley, Marshall Yanda an Rick Wagner shouldn’t have been that challenging. This is backed up with statistics. Both West and Kenneth Dixon averaged over four yards per carry. The biggest problem with the Ravens running game wasn’t the players, it was Marty Mornhinweg.

I have more confidence in West and company than most seem to but the sample size is still pretty small. We don’t really know what to expect from West or the other running backs on the roster. Kenneth Dixon’s four game suspension doesn’t bring any clarity to the situation. Danny Woodhead should help in the passing game but the ground game remains a mystery.

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