Baltimore Ravens: 3 lessons they have clearly learned

The Ravens have missed the playoffs three seasons in a row and failure is a good teacher. Here are three things the Ravens have learned from coming up short of the postseason.

1. You need reliable pass catchers:

One thing the Baltimore Ravens have obviously learned is that the Ravens need reliable pass catchers. The Ravens learned this lesson the hard way. Jeremy Maclin disappointed last season and Breshad Perriman regressed to the point where he can’t be expected to catch a pass. The Ravens passing game was abysmal last season, but a big part of that was a lack of sure hands. The Ravens solved that problem.

Baltimore drafted two tight ends whose number one attribute is consistent catching. The Ravens signed Michael Crabtree, Willie Snead and John Brown this offseason. While the Ravens bought low on all three of these free agents, Baltimore should feel good about the signings. Each free agent addition has their concerns and are coming off down years, but hands aren’t the problem with any of them. The one thing the Ravens were sick of more than anything was dropped passes. They brought in players who are not plagued by drops.

In re-configuring the offensive play-maker positions, Newsome also managed to grab players who can go up and get the football. Hayden Hurst and Mark Andrews are both 6’5″. Crabtree is one of the best red zone receiving threats of this generation. Baltimore reloaded and they did so with tough receivers and tight ends who they can depend on.