Baltimore Ravens: Don’t sleep on Terrance West this season
By Joe Schiller
The Ravens running back has the tools to be a very productive running back this upcoming season
If the Baltimore Ravens want to improve on offense this season, they are going to need to commit to the ground game. We saw what happens when they rely heavy on the pass and it’s not pretty. The Ravens offense is at it’s best with a solid run game and a balanced offense. It sets up the passing game perfectly for Joe Flacco. This ground game starts with running back Terrance West, who’s poised to have a very productive 2017 season.
The Towson product found himself a home with the Ravens in 2015 after spending time with the Browns and Titans. He saw action towards the end of the 2015 season because of the number of injuries the Ravens had to running backs. His real production did not come until a season later.
As we saw when given the opportunity, West excelled. Last season, the Ravens moved on from veteran running back Justin Forsett and West took over most of the carries. He racked up 774 yards and five touchdowns. This is impressive considering he did not start the first three games of the season and also shared carries with an emerging Kenneth Dixon.
With Kenneth Dixon suspended the first four games of the season, West is primed to get the majority of the carries. Danny Woodhead will see touches in the backfield, but isn’t a downhill runner that West is. He will be more involved in stretching out the field in the slot. The Ravens only averaged 22.9 rushing attempts per game. It was bad enough to be ranked 29 out of the 32 teams. This stat subject to change this season and West is going to directly benefit from that.
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Both Terrance West and Kenneth Dixon averaged a higher YAC/carry mark than the league average in 2016. West recently signed his RFA tender pic.twitter.com/n3nNxcgg1S
— PFF (@PFF) May 9, 2017
Not just a downhill runner
Most north-south runners are one dimensional backs, but Terrance West brings a lot of versatility to the table. He cannot only produce in the ground game but through the air as well. With some concerns with depth at wide receiver, this part of his game could be even more involved this season. West also has impressive lateral quickness for his size. He can make defenders miss in a number of different ways.
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Marty Morhinweg has talented backs at his disposal and he needs to take advantage of it. The Ravens have a chance to be a special team this season, but it won’t happen unless there is consistency in the run game. Terrance West is the perfect guy to handle the work load.