Baltimore Ravens 2011 Offseason Preview: Coaching Staff/Offense

The Baltimore Ravens are likely to undergo a fair amount of change this offseason. Over half of the 53-man roster is up for free agency this offseason, and nearly one third of last year’s team is over the age of 30. Many tough decisions will have to be made by the front office, and the relevant variables for many of those decisions won’t be known until the NFL settles its labor dispute.

Some of the biggest “no-brainer” moves have already been made or initiated. Pro Bowl kicker Billy Cundiff was resigned to a 5 year deal. Haloti Ngata, one of the NFL’s best interior linemen, has reportedly been in contract negotiations; the Ravens have said that they consider resigning him long-term to be a top priority. The same goes for Coach John Harbaugh, whose three years in Baltimore have been among the most fruitful the franchise has experienced.

Defensive coordinator Greg Mattison moved back to the college game and will be the new DC at Michigan. That move makes a ton of sense since Mattison prefers working in the NCAA to the NFL and has an expectant daughter in Ann Arbor. Secondary coach Chuck Pagano was promoted to DC. Many defensive players expressed a sincere fondness for Pagano and expect him to aggressively blitz opponents to keep them off balance. Nothing makes a defensive player happier than getting after the quarterback. Multiple NFL teams are reportedly interviewing other defensive coaches, so several new faces could grace the sidelines in 2011.

One move that won’t be made this offseason is the firing of Cam Cameron. Many fans are calling for his head in light of the Ravens’ offensive struggles this season. Quite simply, it’s unrealistic to expect to install a new offense during a shortened offseason. A new OC would probably only have three weeks to do so. If the offense doesn’t improve next season, change will be expected once again.

It’s likely that the offense will lose Marc Bulger, Willis McGahee, T.J. Houshmandzadeh, Donte Stallworth, and Chris Chester this offseason. Depth will be needed at many positions, especially running back. The biggest needs are at tackle and wide reciever.

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The biggest reason Baltimore’s offense regressed in 2010 was that the Ravens didn’t run the ball nearly as well. In 2009 they averaged 4.7 YPC; that number shrunk to 3.8 in 2010. That number is mostly reflected in Ray Rice’s stats, but it wasn’t his fault. Coach Harbaugh has said that improving the running game by beefing up the front line is the Ravens #1 priority this offseason. Jared Gaither, Baltimore’s best lineman in 2009, missed all of 2010 with a back injury, prompting the shuffling of three positions on the line. Backup Chris Chester stepped in at right guard to replace Marshall Yanda, who replaced Michael Oher at right tackle, who replaced Gaither at left tackle. Back injuries often linger, so I don’t expect Gaither to be retained. Harbaugh believes that Oher, the subject of “The Blind Side” movie, is capable of playing either tackle position, and that Yanda is best suited at right guard.

I expect the Ravens to draft a tackle early in the 2011 NFL Draft. Potential first-round picks include Derrek Sherrod, Gabe Carimi, Nate Solder, and Anthony Castonzo, who all have the potential to be blindside protectors. If Oher is kept on the left side then someone like Joseph Barksdale or Jason Pinkston could be taken in round three.

Deep threat wide receiver is another position of need for the Ravens. Houshmandzadeh wasn’t happy as #3 on the depth chart, Derrick Mason won’t play forever, and Donte Stallworth was never really integrated into the offense. Anquan Boldin is a great possession receiver, but doesn’t have the elite speed to be a big-time deep threat. If the Ravens don’t think Stallworth can become the playmaker this offense needs then it would make sense for them to use a draft pick on one. Local product Torrey Smith would be bit of a reach in the first round, but he could also contribute as a return man, making the former Terrapin an outside possibility. Titus Young or Jerrel Jernigan in the second round could be exactly what the doctor ordered.

As far as depth, free agent Seneca Wallace is the most solid backup quarterback on the market. He won’t win games by himself, but he has consistently proven that he can manage games and play mistake-free football if needed. At this point it’s unclear as to what will happen at running back. Ray Rice is an excellent starter, but in such a physical division it is always wise to spread the load around. Willis McGahee is owed $6 million in 2011, so he will likely be released. Former Pro Bowl fullback (and free agent himself) Le’Ron McClain was Baltimore’s leading rusher in 2008 and has said that he would like to be a bigger part in the offense in 2011. Still, the Ravens will probably add another back in the mid to late rounds of the draft or free agency.

Be sure to check back for my next article, which will look ahead to potential changes in the defense and special teams.

By: Ben Jackson
ProFootball-fans.com Staff Writer