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OWINGS MILLS, Md. — The Ravens like their offense and are not bashful about telling you.
"We're definitely going to be better," offensive coordinator Cam Cameron said Monday. "It's just a matter of how much better. The sky's the limit for this team."
Could offense now be the Ravens' strength?
If so, that would be a stunning change. During the past 10 seasons, the Ravens never have finished a regular season ranked higher than 13th in total offense. Meanwhile, in nine of the last 10 seasons, their defense has ranked sixth in the NFL or better.
However, the roles could flip this year. A look at three reasons why the Ravens' offense could overtake the defense and have its best season ever:
1. The Anquan Boldin(notes) effect. With the Cardinals, Boldin surpassed 1,000 yards receiving in four of the past five seasons. And Boldin became more important Saturday after No. 3 receiver Donte' Stallworth(notes) broke his foot, an injury which will sideline him for about two months.
Quarterback Joe Flacco(notes) still has an array of targets in Boldin, wide receiver Derrick Mason(notes), tight end Todd Heap(notes) and running back Ray Rice(notes).
"We were just watching a tape of 'Q' (Boldin) blocking somebody 20 yards downfield," reserve wide receiver Mark Clayton(notes) said Monday. "His attitude is great, he's very physical and he's a humble dude.
"He's not about stats and all that. He's about winning football games."
The attention Boldin will demand from opponents should create opportunities for others. Baltimore is 3-0 in preseason, and Flacco has spread the ball around. Heap and Mason each have eight catches, rookie tight end Ed Dickson(notes) has seven, Boldin has six and four others have five.
Perhaps the biggest beneficiary of Boldin's presence could be Heap, a two-time Pro Bowl tight end who is having a superb camp and preseason.
"He's the best that we've seen him since we've been here," Ravens coach John Harbaugh said. "I think Todd's going to have a really, really strong season."
Entering his 10th season, Heap never has been on a team with this many weapons.
"The defense has to account for everyone, and you see positive matchups on the field," Heap said. "We have a lot of guys that can step up and make plays."
2. The maturation of Flacco. He has three playoff wins in two seasons, and there was no sophomore slump for Flacco in 2009. He threw for more yards, had more completions, threw for more touchdowns and had a higher quarterback rating than he did as a rookie.
At age 25, Flacco should continue to improve because he has a strong work ethic and more talent surrounding him. More is expected of Flacco this season, but he seems ready to handle the responsibility with teammates who should make his job easier.
3. The versatility of Rice. He emerged as a star last season, and he is so difficult to defend because he is dangerous in so many ways. He runs inside. He runs outside. He makes people miss. He breaks tackles. He has tremendous hands.
Imagine all the ways the Ravens can use Rice this season — in an offense that has more overall talent. Even if the Ravens are not as dependent on Rice in 2010, he still will be one of the NFL's best all-around backs.
"It may not be measured in stats, but Ray's a better football player," Cameron said, "and he's going to keep getting better."
Heap hopes the Ravens' offensive potential translates into points. But when people talk about the Ravens being an impressive team, they are not just talking about their defense.
"A lot of people look good on paper and have not gotten the job done," Heap said. "Potentially, we're good. We just want it to show up when it counts."
"We're definitely going to be better," offensive coordinator Cam Cameron said Monday. "It's just a matter of how much better. The sky's the limit for this team."
Could offense now be the Ravens' strength?
If so, that would be a stunning change. During the past 10 seasons, the Ravens never have finished a regular season ranked higher than 13th in total offense. Meanwhile, in nine of the last 10 seasons, their defense has ranked sixth in the NFL or better.
However, the roles could flip this year. A look at three reasons why the Ravens' offense could overtake the defense and have its best season ever:
1. The Anquan Boldin(notes) effect. With the Cardinals, Boldin surpassed 1,000 yards receiving in four of the past five seasons. And Boldin became more important Saturday after No. 3 receiver Donte' Stallworth(notes) broke his foot, an injury which will sideline him for about two months.
Quarterback Joe Flacco(notes) still has an array of targets in Boldin, wide receiver Derrick Mason(notes), tight end Todd Heap(notes) and running back Ray Rice(notes).
"We were just watching a tape of 'Q' (Boldin) blocking somebody 20 yards downfield," reserve wide receiver Mark Clayton(notes) said Monday. "His attitude is great, he's very physical and he's a humble dude.
"He's not about stats and all that. He's about winning football games."
The attention Boldin will demand from opponents should create opportunities for others. Baltimore is 3-0 in preseason, and Flacco has spread the ball around. Heap and Mason each have eight catches, rookie tight end Ed Dickson(notes) has seven, Boldin has six and four others have five.
Perhaps the biggest beneficiary of Boldin's presence could be Heap, a two-time Pro Bowl tight end who is having a superb camp and preseason.
"He's the best that we've seen him since we've been here," Ravens coach John Harbaugh said. "I think Todd's going to have a really, really strong season."
Entering his 10th season, Heap never has been on a team with this many weapons.
"The defense has to account for everyone, and you see positive matchups on the field," Heap said. "We have a lot of guys that can step up and make plays."
2. The maturation of Flacco. He has three playoff wins in two seasons, and there was no sophomore slump for Flacco in 2009. He threw for more yards, had more completions, threw for more touchdowns and had a higher quarterback rating than he did as a rookie.
At age 25, Flacco should continue to improve because he has a strong work ethic and more talent surrounding him. More is expected of Flacco this season, but he seems ready to handle the responsibility with teammates who should make his job easier.
3. The versatility of Rice. He emerged as a star last season, and he is so difficult to defend because he is dangerous in so many ways. He runs inside. He runs outside. He makes people miss. He breaks tackles. He has tremendous hands.
Imagine all the ways the Ravens can use Rice this season — in an offense that has more overall talent. Even if the Ravens are not as dependent on Rice in 2010, he still will be one of the NFL's best all-around backs.
"It may not be measured in stats, but Ray's a better football player," Cameron said, "and he's going to keep getting better."
Heap hopes the Ravens' offensive potential translates into points. But when people talk about the Ravens being an impressive team, they are not just talking about their defense.
"A lot of people look good on paper and have not gotten the job done," Heap said. "Potentially, we're good. We just want it to show up when it counts."
