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Baltimore Ravens Training Camp: 3 things the team doesn’t need to fix

By Chris Schisler

BALTIMORE, MD - DECEMBER 31: Running Back Alex Collins #34 of the Baltimore Ravens carries the ball 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: Running Back Alex Collins #34 of the Baltimore Ravens carries the ball 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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BALTIMORE, MD – DECEMBER 3: Free Safety Eric Weddle #32 of the Baltimore Ravens returns an interception for a touchdown in the fourth quarter against the Detroit Lions at M&T Bank Stadium on December 3, 2017 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
BALTIMORE, MD – DECEMBER 3: Free Safety Eric Weddle #32 of the Baltimore Ravens returns an interception for a touchdown in the fourth quarter against the Detroit Lions at M&T Bank Stadium on December 3, 2017 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) /

2. A healthy turnover ratio

The Ravens were +17 in the turnover battle. While you would like to see less turnovers committed by the offense (looking at you Mr. Flacco) the Ravens almost always won the turnover battle in 2018. The Ravens defense forced 16 fumbles and had 22 interceptions. That was the most interceptions in football last season. The Jacksonville Jaguars came close with 21 picks and their secondary is considered elite. While we’re going on about the positive statistics, the Ravens had the second most interception return yards in the league.

Baltimore needs to continue to see such a high volume of turnovers for their defense to boast about. Turnovers win and lose games. Outside of points, a turnover is the most valuable thing a team can attain during a game. The Ravens have a chance to be even better in 2018. Don Martindale is a new defensive coordinator, and let’s not pretend that he doesn’t have the tools to work with. Jimmy Smith is a great cornerback when he’s at full health. Marlon Humphrey is in the process of becoming a top-tier cornerback in the league. Eric Weddle is a free safety coming off a six pick season and the Ravens are deep at the cornerback position.

The Ravens could have an elite secondary in 2018. If the Ravens learned one thing last season is that when playing aggressive teams, you have to go for it even harder. Martindale is going to crank up the pass rush and let his stars in the secondary do some great work. A more efficient offense should help Flacco and his unit avoid costly turnovers. The defense is set to get those all important takeaways.

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