Bob Haynie: Ravens May Have An Explosive Offense
Through the first four games of the 2014 NFL season, the Baltimore Ravens look like a completely different team on the offensive side of the ball. Not just from a personnel standpoint, but in regards to performance.
When Gary Kubiak was hired to be the new offensive coordinator, I was encouraged by the news, like most people. Kubiak brings years of experience and success to the position. You figured there would be improvement and, so far, the results have been outstanding.
Buoyed by a vastly improved offensive line, QB Joe Flacco has only been sacked three times this season and they came in the opener against the Bengals. With time to throw, Flacco is putting up strong numbers. He has a completion rate of 63.4% and has tossed seven TD passes.
Since the second half of the Bengals game, he has been playing very well.
Veteran WR Steve Smith, Sr. has been great for Baltimore on the field and in the locker room. Accepted by his new team, Smith, Sr. leads the way with 25 catches for 429 yards and three touchdowns. With TE Dennis Pitta out for the season, Smith, Sr. has become Flacco's go-to guy.
Minus Ray Rice, the Ravens have gone to a "running back by committee" approach and it has worked out well. Justin Forsett leads the way with 255 yards and is averaging 5.8 yards per carry. Lorenzo Taliaferro and Bernard Pierce have also chipped in as the Ravens are averaging 134.5 YPG.
The Ravens are sixth in the NFL in total offense and their 25.8 PPG is tied for seventh (NYG).
There are still some issues to be dealt with, as always. Pitta is out for the season and Jacoby Jones can't catch the football.
However, veteran Owen Daniels has stepped in for Pitta and Marlon Brown seems ready to replace Jones. Torrey Smith is off to a slow start, however, he did score his first TD against the Panthers and may be ready to break out.
All in all, the Baltimore Ravens are doing things offensively in 2014 that they struggled to do for the entire 2013 season. If they can keep it up, they will be one of the most dangerous teams in the NFL.
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