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Baltimore Ravens: 5 interesting variables of the 2018 season

By Chris Schisler

OWINGS MILLS, MD - MAY 05: Head coach John Harbaugh of the Baltimore Ravens speaks with general manager Ozzie Newsome after a practice during the Baltimore Ravens rookie camp on May 5, 2013 in Owings Mills, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images)
OWINGS MILLS, MD - MAY 05: Head coach John Harbaugh of the Baltimore Ravens speaks with general manager Ozzie Newsome after a practice during the Baltimore Ravens rookie camp on May 5, 2013 in Owings Mills, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images) /
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PITTSBURGH, PA – DECEMBER 25: Kenneth Dixon #30 of the Baltimore Ravens rushes against Lawrence Timmons #94 of the Pittsburgh Steelers in the third quarter during the game at Heinz Field on December 25, 2016 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH, PA – DECEMBER 25: Kenneth Dixon #30 of the Baltimore Ravens rushes against Lawrence Timmons #94 of the Pittsburgh Steelers in the third quarter during the game at Heinz Field on December 25, 2016 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images) /

4. Kenneth Dixon might change the dynamic in the backfield

Kenneth Dixon’s suspension and injury hit the Ravens hard last offseason. Dixon was supposed to take the next steps and be an exciting piece of the puzzle. It is a very safe bet that the Ravens wouldn’t have brought in Danny Woodhead if Dixon wasn’t lost for the season. Losing Dixon for the 2017 season changed the dynamic in the backfield. Putting him back into the mix could do the same exact thing.

If Dixon does well, what does that mean for Buck Allen? Allen had a solid 2017 campaign. At the minimum Allen proved that he was a good complementary piece to Alex Collins, who will remain the number one back. It’s not hard to imagine Dixon competing for the number two role in the Ravens running back trio. Allen was good, but at this point he is what he is. Allen will always be a solid contributor but Dixon has a chance to match Collins as a play-maker.

Adding a third player to the mix could disrupt the good thing Collins and Allen have going from last season. Marty Mornhinweg could be so interested in determining who should be the yang to Collins’ yin, that he takes carries away from Collins. This could be a terribly problematic situation because Collins is the best play-maker the Ravens have.

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