Ravens Offensive Units – Brief Thoughts

After Sunday, the Ravens will be done with nearly 40% of their 2009 Regular-season. Here are some brief thoughts on what we have seen so far, by unit.

Quarterbacks:
The visible development in Flacco’s game is obviously the most important thing that has occurred for the Ravens this year. Through 5 games, he has a QB rating over 90, and has two games with over 300 yards passing. He has been much more confident using the middle of the field, and continues to seem unflappable. When you combine that mental mind-set, with his physical gifts, you have a legitimate franchise player in the making. Flacco simply makes throws that the great majority of NFL QB’s are incapable of. If you were going to nit-pick, it would be that Flacco sometimes forces the issue because of his confidence in his arm. Flacco has left points on the board each of the last two-weeks, with turnovers before half-time.

I have been very surprised that Troy Smith is not being used at-all. With the signing of Beck, I thought Smith would have the opportunity to become increasing involved with the ‘Suggs’ package. Smith is a pending FA, that does not figure to return. Why not try and utilize some of his skills while you have him? At a minimum it would give opposing defenses something else to focus on.

Running-backs/Full-backs:
Ray Rice is averaging 72.8 yards a game rushing, while averaging just 12.6 carries. He is also averaging 41.6 yards a game as a receiver. That is 114 combined yards a game. Adrian Peterson is averaging a combined 108.6 yards a game.

I have been very lukewarm about Willis McGahee the previous two-seasons. I always respected McGahee for the rehab he did dealing with his gruesome college injury, and emerging as a Pro Bowl caliber back. When he joined the Ravens in 2007, I found myself underwhelmed with his athleticism. I just did not see the burst of a legitimate top-caliber back. I warmed to McGahee in the AFC Championship Game last-year, when he gave up his body to make several excellent blocks. He followed that up, by coming to all of the off-season camps and showing an improved attitude. Who knows if it is that new-found improved attitude, or the fact he is being limited to 7.6 carries a game; but McGahee is also showing more power. His yards per carry average has increased from 3.8 last-year, to 5.2 this year. He has also been a touchdown machine, with 7 trips to the end-zone. His legs are obviously fresh, it will be interesting to see if his carries increase down the stretch. Limiting him to 13 combined carries the past 3 weeks, seems like a waste of his talents.

A waste of talent is also how I would describe how the Ravens are currently using Le’Ron McClain. The guy rushed for 900 yards, and 10 touch-downs last year. I understand that Neal is gone, and that the Ravens have McClain as the lead-blocking back. That is fine. What is not fine, is for McClain to have 14 carries in 5 games. You do not have to give the ball to him 20 times a game, but he has to be used more. Several times this season there have been short-yardage situations which demanded McClain’s power, only for the Ravens to get ‘cute.’ Interestingly, McClain does have 11 receptions, after 19 receptions in 2008. The fact that McClain can also catch out of the backfield, gives the Ravens options.

Wide Receivers:
When Thanksgiving comes, one of the things I will be ‘thankful’ for, is that Derrick Mason decided to not retire. While he was blanked against the Bengals, that was more of the result of how he was used in the offense; in-addition to battling soreness, and sickness. Mason continues to run great-routes, and his relationship with Flacco is clear.

So far in 2009, Mark Clayton is best remembered by Ravens fan for his drop in New England. He has to deal with that reality, but the shame is that Clayton also had 3 major receptions on that final-drive. He is averaging a solid 42.6 yards per game, but his yards per reception has decreased to 12.5 from 17 last-year. At 5’10, Clayton is not the ideal stretch the field receiver, but he did haul in several bombs from Flacco down the stretch last-year. He should have had another this past week vs. the Bengals, but Flacco missed him. I think it is important to give Clayton continued chances to make plays against single-coverage.

Kelley Washington had 20 receptions combined the past 3 years, and has 17 so far in 2009. I was completely wrong about how much he would bring to this team. His theatrics after every reception, shows how much he is relishing this role. The 6’3 receiver has kept a number of drives going with his ability to make himself a target. While I appreciate what the Ravens have gotten out of Washington, I would like to see him become less of a weapon going-forward. Demetrius Williams is younger, and I believe possesses better physical talents. Washington has been a very-solid possession guy, I think Williams can hit the home-run.

Is there anything David Tyree can give you, that Justin Harper can not? The answer for the Ravens is ‘yes.’ They have to believe that Tyree can contribute on Special Teams, in a way that Harper can not. Myself, I would rather have Harper off of the practice squad, being used as the 5th WR, over carrying Tyree. In the pre-season, Harper gave away as much as he caught; but he still showed an ability to make a play. We will see if Tyree can do the same if called on.

Tight-Ends:
Todd Heap played in all 16 games last-year, but was limited to just 35 catches. Part of that was Flacco being uncomfortable with working the middle of the field, and part of that was the need for Heap to stay on the offensive-line and block. Through 5 games this year, Heap has 21 receptions. His yards per game has increased to 42.2, from 25.2 in 2008. He is still mostly matched against LB’s that do not have the speed to cover him. I would like to see him get a few more opportunities to make plays vertically.

LJ Smith is in his 7th year in the NFL. In his previous 6 seasons, Smith has had at-least 22 receptions in every year. In 4 seasons, Smith has caught at-least 34 receptions. So far in Smith’s first-season with the Ravens, he has 1 reception. To be fair, Smith has only played in 3 of the 5 games as he has dealt with hamstring issues. I am perplexed by reports that Smith has not learned the playbook. How can that be possible for a player in his 7th year in the League? Are you telling me that Cam Cameron does not have any plays in his offensive play-book, that resemble what the Eagles were running for Smith? Smith’s 1 reception was a 26 yard game, where he flashed long-strides and some real athletic skill. Getting him healthy, and involved has to occur.

Offensive-line:
The offensive-line is exactly who we thought they were. A big, athletic, and physical group that often man-handles the opposition. Flacco and Rice emerging like they have, would not have occurred if the offensive-line was not producing.

There are reports today that Gaither is still having trouble moving his neck side to side. With that news, you have to expect Gaither will be benched again this weekend. You would want to give him this week, plus the bye next-week to improve. Gaither has all of the tools necessary to be considered among the league’s best, but he has to want it every-down. There have been a few occasions where he has struggled defending a speed-rush, but ask San Diego Charger Defensive End Shawne Merriman how good Gaither is. Gaither completely eliminated Merriman as a threat. There have also been a couple of McGahee touchdown runs, where Gaither was 5 yards into the end-zone. I am looking forward to seeing how Gaither handles other challenges such as Dwight Freeney with the Colts, and the Steelers pass-rush off the edge.

The interior of the Ravens offensive-line with Grubbs, Birk, and Chester are fun to watch, because they are not limited in what they can do. I like that they can trap, and pull; and also provide for straight-ahead rushing.

Michael Oher on the right-side is making a huge difference. I do not think having a dominating RT is a necessity for a right-handed QB, but it sure does not hurt. Having him control his position on the line of scrimmage, is allowing the Ravens to get Heap off the line, and not be limited to blocking only. That itself is great value. Combine that with his ability to play LT in-place of Gaither, and the Ravens have to be very happy with their investment.