Given the end result, it’s hard to argue with the way the Ravens did business last year.
But their moves this offseason make it clear they want to go about things differently.
The Ravens were a statistical oddity while winning the Super Bowl last year, allowing 38 sacks while registering 37. According to Matt Vensel of the Baltimore Sun, that made them the first champion since the 2001 Patriots with a negative sack ratio.
Much of that statistical glitch had to do with the fact the Ravens were playing with a one-legged Terrell Suggs for half the season, and weren’t consistent on the offensive line until late.
Getting Suggs back healthy this year, along with their aggressive move to sign Elvis Dumervil, should help them put up bigger sack numbers this year.
And by retaining left tackle Bryant McKinnie, who anchored a line that improved as the postseason arrived, they’ve taken steps to cut into the punishment Joe Flacco absorbs.
While they also won a Super Bowl from the wrong side of the sack differential in 2000, the practice of taking fewer hits while doling out more is clearly something they’re working on.