Baltimore Ravens: Offseason More Important to Offense or Defense?
Baltimore Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco (5) led the team to set offensive records in 2014. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports
The Baltimore Ravens’ offense and defense have interesting storylines this offseason as organized team activities, or OTAs, begin. With rookies and veterans coming together, the work that needs to be done becomes more apparent.
The team looks to continue its stellar offensive numbers. They put up the best numbers since 2009 by finishing 12th in total offense with 364 yards per game.
Joe Flacco led the team to a team record of 365 yards per game, which was previously held in 1996 with 357 yards per game. The record came after Gary Kubiak took over as offensive coordinator and implemented his West Coast style offense.
After leaving to coach the Denver Broncos, the Ravens hired former Chicago Bears head coach Marc Trestman who is known to work well with quarterbacks. With the successful West Coast offense, BaltimoreRavens.com staff writer Garrett Downing reported they would keep the offense despite the change in personnel.
This report is good news because Flacco, who is used to having to adjust to new personnel, will not have to learn a new offense. However, he will have to learn it the way Trestman works with it. Even if it is the same offense, that aspect doesn’t mean it will be exactly the same.
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So far, the Ravens’ quarterback has participated in the voluntary workouts the offseason has to offer. He should continue his attendance with OTAs as he continues to grow his relationship with the new offensive coordinator and his new rookie receivers.
On the other side of the ball, the defense looks to move on from one of the most impactful staples of the defensive line in Haloti Ngata. As they do this, they try to maintain a dominant run defense, while the team tries to improve its pass defense after ranking 23rd in the NFL.
They lose experience with the five-time Pro Bowl selection and with the new rookies; the defense has an average of 3.7 years of experience. With key draft selections such as Timmy Jernigan, C.J. Mosley and Carl Davis, the defense has begun to grow younger as it looks to the future.
The superb offensive showing from the team is a new occurrence. The defense has been a part of the team’s identity since the franchise began. So, which aspect of the team is more important?
The defense has been a part of the Ravens’ identity since the franchise began.
The Ravens have consistently been a playoff team without a stellar offense. They have always had a consistent defense throughout the years. However, with Flacco’s MVP performance in their recent Super Bowl championship postseason, the offense pushed the team through.
Despite what the offense has shown of late, I cannot dismiss what the defense has meant to Baltimore. Even without Ray Lewis and Ed Reed, the hard-hitting men of black and purple will always be the heart of the team. This offseason, the defense needs to work to maintain its presence in the NFL more so than the offense.
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