Joe Flacco, Ravens Super Bowl Hopes Seem Legitimate

It’s difficult to ignore “what could have been” for the Baltimore Ravens last year.

If it weren’t for an exuberant amount of injuries on the back end in the secondary, Joe Flacco and John Harbaugh would have been playing for an AFC Championship against Indianapolis rather than the Patriots, with a chance to reach their second Super Bowl in three seasons and completely wipe the Patriots’ DeflateGate scandal completely from public eyes.

The defense surrendered 35 points, just enough to wipe clean Flacco’s 292-yard, four touchdown performance.

Now, in what some would call the prime of the former Delaware Blue Hen’s career, Joe Cool is looking to add the final stamp needed to officially mark an “elite” career.

Two rings = no question.

Weapons Aplenty

Ozzie Newsome wasn’t shy in early offseason pressers. He acquired more weapons for Joe Flacco, even cutting ties with Torrey Smith to replenish the arsenal.

• Rookie WR Breshad Perriman (first round, NFL Draft)
• Rookie TE Maxx Williams (second round, NFL Draft)
• Rookie TE Nick Boyle (fifth round, NFL Draft)
• Rookie WR Darren Waller (sixth round, NFL Draft)
• Rookie RB Buck Allen (fourth round, NFL Draft)

Not a bad group of fresh legs — not to forget about other young receiving threats in Michael Campanaro, Kamar Aiken, Marlon Brown and Crockett Gillmore.

Oh yeah: Dennis Pitta and Steve Smith Sr. are pretty legitimate, too.

Brown could be the threat to watch once all is said and done. The Ravens seem to like his progression combined with a massive 6’5″, 214-pound stature. Heading into his third year, he’s primed to take on the WR3 role behind Smith and Perriman.

Defensive Improvements Spell More Reps

“The sky’s the limit for us… We know we have the pieces. Now we’ve just got to put in the work and go out there and do our job.” – Justin Forsett  (BaltimoreRavens.com)

It’s a simple logic: more on-field time produces more points.

With a bolstered secondary, Baltimore looks to have an opportunity to thrive more than ever. Newsome worked to add Kendrick Lewis, Kyle Arrington and Cassius Vaughn. With a Tray Walker draft pick and growth in those like Jimmy Smith and Matt Elam, this group may prove to be the best it’s been in seasons.

Throw in a decent rushing attack and top-five offensive line — the weight is officially off of Joe Flacco’s shoulders.