Baltimore Ravens: How to Get the Run Game Going

The Baltimore Ravens need to get the running game going. How do they do it?

In 2017, the Baltimore Ravens finished 11th in total rushing yards and 10th in rushing touchdowns. This was without Marshal Yanda, the team’s best offensive lineman and leader of the group. Alex Collins finished with close to 1,000 yards after taking over the starting role early in the year, and seemed to be poised for an even better year with a fully healthy offensive line this year.

With Greg Roman coming back after successfully implementing a zone running scheme similar to the one Gary Kubiak had in 2014, it seemed as if the team would pick up right where they left off. However, through three weeks, Baltimore has struggled to replicate that success. They are currently 26th in rushing yards (260) and 31st in yards per rush (3.1). So the question remains, what can this team do to get back on track.

Left guard seems to be the biggest question mark among the offensive line. Alex Lewis has done a fine job in the run game, but has struggled mightily pass blocking. A solution could be moving James Hurst, who has started at right tackle the first three weeks, back to guard where he had great success filling in for an injured Lewis last year. But who moves to right tackle in that case? If only there was a young offensive tackle on the roster that has the ability to absolutely maul defenders…

Orlando Brown Jr., who we all know is a right tackle that was drafted in the third round, had a successful preseason blocking in the run game. He is massive and moves fairly well for his size, not to mention he is extremely strong.

Moving Brown to right tackle seems to be the most logical thing to do, while you can move Hurst to left guard and Alex Lewis and Matt Skura could battle for the center position. Skura seemed to win the center job by default this preseason with little competition, but Lewis could push him for the starting job if Hurst were to take over at left guard.

Little blame can be put on the running backs, as they haven’t had clean holes to run through. Collins and Buck Allen are having to get a lot of his yards after early contact. The failure to run the ball effectively has put offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg in a bind, and he is forced to throw the ball more than he would probably like to.

Something needs to be done to help the running game get back on track. Once that part of the offense becomes successful, it opens up the field for Joe Flacco to use his big arm to throw the ball downfield. Sounds simple, right? We all know it’s much easier said than done, but shuffling the offensive line could be a step in the right direction.