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Baltimore Ravens: Chemistry will be key to success

By Chris Schisler

BALTIMORE, MD - DECEMBER 31: Quarterback Joe Flacco #5 of the Baltimore Ravens stands on the field in the fourth quarter against the Cincinnati Bengals at M&T Bank Stadium on December 31, 2017 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
BALTIMORE, MD - DECEMBER 31: Quarterback Joe Flacco #5 of the Baltimore Ravens stands on the field in the fourth quarter against the Cincinnati Bengals at M&T Bank Stadium on December 31, 2017 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) /
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There is something that you just can’t put your finger on when it comes to great teams, but you know it when you see it. Today we’re talking about chemistry in the BaltimoreRavens locker room and how it will be key to a great season:

Other than Joe Flacco and Alex Collins, the Baltimore Ravens’ play-making positions are completely different. Flacco got used to leaning on Mike Wallace and now he’s gone. Benjamin Watson was another reliable weapon Flacco could count on to catch the football. While the Ravens upgraded at wide receiver and tight end, they have a completely new group. Chemistry will be key in the Ravens early season success.

Miscommunication is the biggest way to kill success on the offensive side of things. If Michael Crabtree thinks he’s supposed to cut in, but Flacco thinks he’s running a corner route, that play isn’t leading to anything good. When players are used to each other, they can improvise together. When players don’t know each other as well, the connections aren’t as quick, and less automatic.

Lots of new:

Counting the two draft picks and the free agent pickups, the Ravens have five new wide receivers. The Ravens drafted two tight ends. Flacco is the kind of quarterback that builds chemistry with the players he can lean on. We’ve seen it with Steve Smith Sr., Dennis Pitta, and we’ve seen it all the way back to Derrick Mason. When Flacco trusts his receivers, good things happen, a la the audible pass on a third and one to Anquan Boldin, in the Super Bowl.

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One thing that could help is that the Ravens want to start a completely new offensive approach. A more aggressive passing game that uses two tight ends and a lot happening in the slot would be just as new to Flacco as anybody else. He went from leaning on a role player like Wallace to having a viable cast around him. Crabtree is the number one receiver. Hayden Hurst, Mark Andrews, Willie Snead and John Brown will all play a role in the offense. More weapons means more possibilities, and more creativity. Everything feeling fresh to everybody could help with continuity, and cohesiveness on offense.

The Bottom Line:

This is something to think about defensively as well. Don Martindale is supposed to bring a breath of fresh air to the defense with a more aggressive and less coach driven defense. The players are going to be able to do what they do best, and with that freedom comes a desperate need for players to be on the same page.

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The good news for the defense is that with a few exceptions it is the same group. This should help the change over to Martindale as the defensive coordinator. Chemistry could make or break the Ravens, who desperately need to start something fun when week 1 gets kicked off. The Ravens have so many new faces in town. The roster has much more talent then it did last year when the team fell short, that talent just needs to gel together.

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