The Cure for Offensive Anemia

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May 28, 9:08 AM

by Phil Macek, Baltimore Ravens Examiner

 

 

Consider the facts from last season: the team ranked 28th in the league for touchdown receptions (13) and last in both yards per catch (9.7) and receptions of at least 20 yards or more (23).

That is anemic.  Having said that, there can be a lot of explanations for those numbers: poor blocking by the O line, poor play calling by Coach Billick, and poor execution from the quarterbacks.  And I would say that, in part, all three help explain the numbers.

But let's focus on the receivers.

The lone consistent producer was Derrick Mason.  He managed to set a team record with 103 catches, which were good for 1,087 yards.  The surprising statistic is that Mason averaged just a shade over 3 yards after making the catch.  There was little hope of breaking tackles and producing some big plays--the kind of plays that spark an offense.   In contrast, Mark Clayton, hampered by injuries, finished with 48 catches, and Demetrius Williams caught 20 passes and saw his average yards per catch drop from 18 to 14.5.

Enter Marcus Smith and Justin Harper.

Smith, a fourth-round draft pick from New Mexico, is a 6"1" leather magnet.  Last season, he posted 91 catches for 1,125 yards and 4 touchdowns.  He had two 11-catch games, one against UTEP and one against Arizona.

Harper, a 6'4" seventh round pick, caught 41 balls last year for the Hokies.  He recorded 635 receiving yards, snared 5 touchdowns, and had a gaudy 15.5 yards/catch average.

These guys both have the size, speed and strength to get open down the field.  Cam Cameron must be salivating at the thought of sending these two vertical, which should draw the attention of both the strong safety and the free safety.  This would, obviously, open up the underneath passing game and increase the likelihood of Mason and Heap breaking tackles and getting down the field.

It is time to get rid of the dink-and-dunk passing game and take some real shots down the field.  Smith and Harper should help the Ravens do that.  Welcome to Baltimore!

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