OWINGS MILLS – The Baltimore Ravens were determined to return to their smash-mouth roots and reinvigorate their running game after regressing last season.
It was time to roll up their sleeves.
So, they signed All-Pro fullback Vonta Leach to an $11 million contract, retained gritty offensive guard Marshal Yanda with a $32.5 million deal and acquired former Pro Bowl running back Ricky Williams to back up featured runner Ray Rice.
Following a dominant season opener against the Pittsburgh Steelers where they grinded out 170 yards on the ground against the top-ranked run defense in the NFL from a year ago, the Ravens were rightfully sticking out their chests.
One week later, though, the Ravens were humbled against the Tennessee Titans’ aggressive, speedy front seven.
By halftime, the Ravens had gained only 26 rushing yards on 11 carries. They would run the football just six more times after halftime to finish with 45 yards on 17 carries as Rice was limited to just 43 yards on 13 carries.
“As a fullback, you want to run the ball, you want to be a running team and I think we should have stuck with it longer,” Leach said. “Sometimes, you’ve got to be stubborn with the run. Sometimes, you’ve got to make your offensive coordinator have confidence in the run. If you’re getting stuffed on first down, it’s kind of hard to run the ball on second down.
“You want positive yards. We had a lot of three-and-outs in the first half and we sort of got away from the run. As an offensive line, tight ends and running backs, we’ve got to get this running game going. We’ve got to somehow find some way to get it done this week.”
Circumstances and unfamiliarity with the Titans’ 4-3 scheme might explain what happened as much as anything else.
The Ravens fell behind, and all but abandoned the run.
“It has a lot to do with the game, give them credit,” coach John Harbaugh said. “They did a nice job of defending the run. We had a couple of missed assignments early on because of the different front we saw. We haven’t seen an even front much, and that got us early a couple of times. Then, we got behind. We’re a work in progress with our offensive line, and we’ll just keep pounding that rock.”
Rice rushed for 107 yards and a touchdown on 19 carries against the Steelers, also catching four passes for 42 yards and a score.
He was the lone Raven to score a touchdown against the Titans. He found the end zone on a well-executed 31-yard screen play where he broke through several tackles, including middle linebacker Barrett Ruud.
Now, opportunity beckons again for Rice.
The Rams have the worst rushing defense in the NFL statistically, ranking last in the league with an average of 177.5 yards surrendered per game.
“I don’t think a lot of adjustments have to be made to crank the running game back up,” Rice said. “We’re all professionals, so I’m sure that film has been corrected. The Rams run a similar front to what Tennessee ran. Obviously, you’re going to put some wrinkles in the run game. You’re going to try to put in a play or two to mix it up.
“As far as making any changes, I don’t think we have to change what we’re doing. We do have to execute. I’ll be the guy that’s trying to push the run game to get going. Obviously, we’ll run the ball. We’re pretty successful.”
One major change for the Ravens against Tennessee was the absence of left offensive guard Ben Grubbs due to a right toe injury that may sideline him Sunday, too.
Grubbs is arguably the Ravens’ most complete offensive lineman as a strong, mobile guard capable of pulling and walling off linebackers at the second level.
Mark LeVoir, Grubbs’ replacement, didn’t play badly, but is more of a stationary blocker.
“Obviously, anytime you lose Ben Grubbs you are losing a good football player,” offensive coordinator Cam Cameron said. “Our approach here, and it will never change: next man up. The next guy has to play at a high level.”
Through two games, the Ravens are tied for 12th in the NFL in rushing offense with an average of 107.5 yards per game.
They have set much higher goals than that for the running game.
“We always want to be able to run the football,” Cameron said. “We have a great fullback, we have great running backs. I think our offensive line is still a work in progress. I’m not scared off the running game easily, but the objective is to win the game.
“You really don’t want to come out of a game with less than 20 rushes, but you have to find a way to win when you have to do that. We’re going to do everything we can to get Ray and Ricky the ball, and get Vonta involved because we could be a very good running team. No doubt in my mind.”
Aaron Wilson covers the Baltimore Ravens for the Carroll County Times
