Baltimore Ravens: 3 Things to Look for against the Philadelphia Eagles
By Phil Naegely
Mandatory Credit: Evan Habeeb-USA TODAY Sports
2. Lorenzo Taliaferro
In week 1 of the preseason, Taliaferro led the team with 12 carries on 36 yards. He scored a touchdown, but his longest run was only nine yards. Flacco had the longest run of the day with 17 yards; he’s not a fast quarterback who can scramble like Michael Vick mainly due to his height, but in a pinch defenses better watch out when he takes off. The same can be said about the quick-footed Taliaferro. Overall, the Ravens has 38 passing attempts and 39 rushing attempts on the day, so the play calling was fairly balanced.
For the Ravens to find success in 2015, the rush game needs to find longer runs than nine yards. This will also come if Flacco can connect on some short and long passes, which will cause the defense to back back off a tad when expecting a pass. Last season, Taliaferro rushed for 292 yards on 68 carries. That’s not too shabby for a rookie running back, but he must be more involved and successful with the Ravens offense this season.
Just like a season before, Taliaferro will play back-up behind Justin Forsett. Yet, having two successful and dangerous components on the rush game is better than one. Taliaferro 1,266 yards on 235 carries in 2014 and his production level most likely won’t decrease, but the number of carries Taliaferro sees in 2015 could increase if the running game’s success is at a high level. Neither Taliaferro nor Forsett are Ray Rice, but their importance on the team is just as equal.
If the run game finds success, Flacco’s job as quarterback is made easier. If not, there more pressure on Flacco to find success and more passing plays may be called. A double-edged sword is more dangerous than only one side; The Ravens are much more dangerous with being a double-edged offense with the run and passing games clicking than just one and Taliaferro is a key part to the offense succeeding despite his spot on the depth chart.
2014 saw a clear shift on where must of the touchdowns were scored; 16 were scored by ground and 27 by air. In 2015 that may shift towards the run as the receivers are younger and less experienced than in the past.
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