Courtesy: CBS Local/Baltimore
*FAN SUBMISSION by Ray in Baltimore.*
All you Ravens fans, I know what you’re thinking. “Goodbye playoffs”. Yes, the season has shown no mercy to us, and we’re staring at a 3-5 record, which seems unfamiliar. Teams used to fear playing the Purple and Black, but we find ourselves reduced to losing to the lowly Browns. However, all is not lost. The season can be saved by taking a few steps. Let’s take a look.
1. Sign Laurent Robinson
It is a well known fact that the Ravens have their struggles at WR. Torrey Smith, Marlon Brown, and Jacoby Jones are Joe Flacco’s top 3 targets, with Brown hardly known outside of Baltimore and Jones being recognized for his returning and dancing (not receiving) skills. Yes, Dennis Pitta may return this month, but Joe Flacco needs consistent targets until he comes back in order to win games. Enter Laurent Robinson. He broke out for the Cowboys in the 2011 season, with 858 yards and 11 touchdowns, and he has plenty of football left in him to be a viable No. 2 or 3 receiver.
2. Switch up the O-Line
The run game in Baltimore has struggled this year as well, largely due to the ineffectiveness of the offensive line. The unit is ranked 31st in run blocking by the Football Outsiders, and this number is not expected to get any better with Osemele likely done for the season. This isn’t the easiest situation to fix, but things could be switched up by players like Jah Reid getting more snaps.
3. Take Pressure of the Horrendous Secondary
Despite the successes of the front 7, the Ravens’ secondary has struggled mightily this season. Only Jimmy Smith and Corey Graham have registered interceptions, and Lardarius Webb has been getting burned by opposing receivers (while getting his ankles broken by Davone Bess on the side). To fix this, Baltimore must bring pressure early and force errant passes to relieve the secondary.
Well, there you have it folks: three things the Ravens could do to help turn their sinking ship of a season around. Some of them may work, some of them may not. There are many things the Ravens have to fix, but I believe that they all can be done before things get too out of hand.
