OWINGS MILLS — The Baltimore Ravens’ primary objective entering this offseason was to improve on offense after ranking fourth-worst in the NFL in total offense last season.
Three months since their season ended, they feel like they have done that.
At their season-review news conference in early January, Baltimore owner Steve Bisciotti said that the front office planned to look at the offense with the same fine-toothed comb that it looked at the defense with last offseason.
And three months later, the offense has been revamped similarly to how the defense was around this same time last year.
Last year, the Ravens signed Pro Bowl outside linebacker Elvis Dumervil, free safety Michael Huff and defensive linemen Chris Canty and Marcus Spears.
They then took defensive players with each of their first picks in the NFL draft.
This year, they re-signed three core offensive players — tight end Dennis Pitta, left tackle Eugene Monroe and wide receiver Jacoby Jones — and they have since added former Pro Bowl wide receiver Steve Smith, center Jeremy Zuttah and former Pro Bowl tight end Owen Daniels.
“Those were some big, key parts we picked up to help the team,” defensive tackle Terrence Cody said after re-signing with the Ravens Friday, later adding, “[We] just made some great moves, picking up a lot of great players.”
There is still work to do.
The Ravens don’t have a clear starter at right tackle after losing Michael Oher as a free agent.
They also have question marks at running back. Ray Rice is facing an aggravated assault charge and could be suspended be suspended by the NFL depending on the outcome of his case. Backup Bernard Pierce, meanwhile, had shoulder surgery in January and will be sidelined until at least the beginning part of training camp in late July.
However, the Ravens have added weapons for quarterback Joe Flacco. They also feel like they should be better along the offensive line, which was a consistent problem area throughout last season.
They also have a new offensive coordinator in Gary Kubiak.
Kubiak was the Denver Broncos’ offensive coordinator from 1995 through 2005. He was then the head coach of the Houston Texans from 2006 until being fired in December.
During Kubiak’s 11 seasons with the Broncos, Denver led the NFL in yards per game (365.0) and points per game (25.2). His offenses in Houston, meanwhile, ranked among the top-seven in the NFL every year except one from 2008 through 2012.
Read more about the new additions at The Carroll County Times…
