We’ve seen a different offensive approach from the Ravens this summer.
After years spent running an offense that tilted toward the conservative, the no-huddle offense has arrived in Baltimore. The Ravens used it extensively against the Jaguars in the third preseason game and saw a great deal of success from the look.
It wasn’t the only offensive scheme they showed during the exhibition season, but, in an interview for Peter King’s Monday Morning Quarterback column on SI.com, Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco said that he views the offense as being “total no-huddle” this season. It is a development that Flacco likes quite a bit.
“I think the no-huddle can add a couple of minutes to the game for us,’' Flacco said. “I think we could get another possession per game out of it. The bottom line is, I’m happy we’re doing it. Very happy. Defenses have gotten so complicated. When you slow it down and get into a huddle before every play, you’re playing into their hands, allowing them to dictate the tempo of the game. This way, we take control of the game.”
Flacco’s desire for a new contract was a big storyline this summer and it will continue to be one as long as the Ravens don’t lock the quarterback up for the long term. This season is setting up as one long opportunity for Flacco to state his case for that long-term deal.
A more aggressive offense is going to put more of the responsibility for success on Flacco’s shoulders. The defense has some aging stars, but it is going to be missing Terrell Suggs for at least the majority of the season and that puts more pressure on the offense than in past Ravens seasons. That will fall on Flacco as well, which means there shouldn’t be too many questions left unanswered about the quarterback by the time all is said and done.