Power Rankings: Post-Draft Offenses (26-32)

Dec 29, 2013; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Baltimore Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco (5) passes the ball against the Cincinnati Bengals in the second half at Paul Brown Stadium. Cincinnati defeated Baltimore 34-17. Mandatory Credit: Mark Zerof-USA TODAY Sports

Baltimore Ravens
Last Season’s Rankings: #29 Overall Offense (307.4 total yards per game) #18 Passing Offense (224.4 passing yards per game) #30 Rushing Offense (83.0 rushing yards per game)

Only reason that the Ravens can be blamed for their 8 losses this season would have to be their offense and their offense alone.This season the Ravens offense ranked 29th in the entire league, averaging approximately 307 total yards per game (224.4 passing yards per game-ranked 18th, 83.0 rushing yards per game-ranked 30th in the league). To say that the Ravens made a huge step down would be a huge understatement. Going from Super Bowl Champions to bottom of the league in offense was perhaps one of the worst collapses in the AFC this season (the Falcons/Giants were far worse than the Ravens, at least the Ravens had somewhat of a defense).

Ray Rice for many years has been a perrenial Pro-Bowler and all around beast. This season the 6th year man out of Rutgers ran for only 660 yards and 4 rushing touchdowns on 214 attempts (average of 3.08 yards per carry) along with 321 yards receiving. Although he has been forced to split carries with Bernard Pierce (436 yards on 152 carries, a 2.9 yards per carry) for most of the season, a lot of the reason Rice didn’t perform up to satisfaction in 2013 can be attributed to his offensive line. If the offensive line had been stronger, Rice would for sure have had another 1,000 yard season under his belt and maybe, just maybe, the Ravens would have made it to the playoffs. 2014 is definitely not looking any better for the Ravens’ rushing offense considering the entire Ray Rice situation. The only way that the Ravens could see improvement is if Pierce steps up his game and if the offensive line actually plays well. The Ravens drafted RB Lorenzo Taliaferro out of Coastal Carolina so hopefully Pierce and Rice cooperate. If not, 2014 could be yet another long season in Baltimore.

Where the Ravens troubles all started were with their offensive line. In 2013 the Ravens offensive line was one of the worst in the league, giving up a horrendous 48 sacks which ranks tied for 4th worst in NFL with Buffalo. Had the Ravens offensive line actually protected franchise and overpaid QB Joe Flacco, perhaps he wouldn’t have thrown 23 interceptions and only 18 touchdowns this season. Maybe the fact that Dennis Pitta and Anquan Boldin were not playing on the team had something to do with the lack of production from Flacco, but the long and the short of it is that his offensive line let him and his team down. The offensive line problem doesn’t totally excuse Joe Flaccos 23 interceptions, those were on him. However, an offensive unit cannot function unless the QB has adequate protection in the pocket. Regardless though, the Ravens were able to sign a great off-season acquisition. Fast, speedy, quick, and merciless against opposing corners; Steve Smith is perhaps the best free agent WR pickup of the 2014 off-season. Besides kick-off specialist Jacoby Jones and Torrey Smith, the Ravens hardly have any receivers to their name. With Smith, the Ravens get some attitude along with some of the best hands/feet in the league. Ever since Smith burst onto the scene with the Panthers in 2001, he has caught 836 passes for 12,197 yards and 67 touchdowns. With that experience along and lightning speed, Smith’s surprisingly quick and reliable despite being in the league 13 years. Consider him a gray beard, but it is often the oldest and underrated guys that can make the biggest difference. I think that he will most definitely have some bright spots in 2014. Other receivers include burner Torrey Smith (1,128 yards, 65 receptions and four touchdowns in 2013), sleeper Marlon Brown (524 yards and seven touchdowns on 49 receptions), and return-specialist Jacoby Jones (37 receptions for 455 yards and two touchdowns). I think that the Ravens definitely do have weapons with Smith, Brown and the other Smith, the question is whether or not Joe Flacco is going to utilize those weapons properly. Rookies QB Keith Wenning, TE Crocket Gillmore and WR Michael Campanaro should help out the offense at least somewhat. Obviously it is going to be hard without a solid offensive line and no running game, but they don’t pay Flacco an average yearly salary of almost $21 million for nothing.