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5 Things the Baltimore Ravens Must Do Well Schematically in 2016

By John Sarianides

Dec 6, 2015; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Baltimore Ravens head coach John harbaugh directs his team against the Miami Dolphins in the first half at Sun Life Stadium. Miami won the game 15-13. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Innerarity-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 6, 2015; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Baltimore Ravens head coach John harbaugh directs his team against the Miami Dolphins in the first half at Sun Life Stadium. Miami won the game 15-13. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Innerarity-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Baltimore Ravens are looking to bounce back after a disastrous 2015 season in which they finished 5-11 and out of the playoffs.

Coach John Harbaugh and his Baltimore Ravens will be looking to bounce back from a disastrous 2015 season. The season was marred by Inconsistency and  injuries to key stars like quarterback Joe Flacco and outside linebacker Terrell Suggs.

Related Story: 5 Things the Pittsburgh Steelers Must do Well in 2016

If there is one franchise in the NFL that can turn things around and flip their record, it’s the Ravens.

John Harbaugh leads one of the best staffs in the NFL. It’s a passionate group of coaches that has a lot of experience. I can promise you that this coaching staff will not allow what happened in 2015 to repeat itself in 2016.

Here are five things must do schematically in 2016.

1. Get Back to Playing Physical on Both Sides of the Ball: When the Ravens were good, it was because they played physical. They were tough to play against on both sides of the ball. John Harbaugh and his staff need to emphasize the running game and be more aggressive on defense. If the Ravens are going to contend for a Super Bowl, they need to get back to playing 60 minutes of tough, physical, football.

2. Balance on Offense: The Ravens are healthy and they have an abundance of skill on offense. Offensive coordinator Marc Trestman is at his best when he can use multiple formations, multiple personnel and spread the ball around. He will need to take a more balanced approach with this offense. It is imperative that Trestman is patient with the running game and that he uses it to set the passing game. Especially the vertical passing game.

3. Eric Weddle Must Be Used in All 3 Levels: Defensive coordinator Dean Pees will enjoy coaching newly acquired free safety Eric Weddle. Pees can do a lot schematically with the veteran safety. The Ravens must use Weddle in all three levels of the defense. They must line him up at free safety, as a big nickel in sub packages and blitz him off the edge on long down situations. Weddle is a Swiss Army knife if you will. He can a variety of things. The Ravens must use him effectively on all three downs.

4. Bring the Heat: Assuming the Ravens are healthy defensively, they must bring more pressure. Baltimore lines up in a 3-4 base defense but out of that, they play a variety of fronts and coverages. They need to bring more heat. Getting back Terrell Suggs and having Elvis Dumervil helps but it’s not enough. The Ravens need to blitz more.

must read: Baltimore Ravens: The Bests...and the Worst in 2016

5. Generate Match Ups With the Tight Ends: Offensive coordinator Marc Trestman could do a lot with tight ends Benjamin Watson, Maxx Williams and Crockett Gilmore. Even Dennis Pitta could factor into the Ravens plans offensively if he’s healthy. Look for Trestman to utilize a lot of 12 personnel (2 TE’S, 1 RB, 2 WR’s) and 13 personnel (3 TE’S, 1 RB, 1 WR) in an effort to get the tight ends on the field more. Trestman will able to generate a lot of different match ups with this group.

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