5 QUESTIONS ABOUT THE RAVENS HEADING INTO TRAINING CAMP THIS WEEK
When they walked off the field as a group for the last time after the end of their 2015 season, the Ravens knew change was inevitable. Turnover permeates every NFL offseason, but a 5-11 finish revealed the Ravens as a team in particular need of it.
A plethora of injuries, many to prominent players, exposed the team’s lack of depth in spots. Age wreaked havoc at other positions. Even things the Ravens had traditionally counted on, such as Joe Flacco being under center and the defense harassing quarterbacks, broke down during a miserable season.
The front office and coaching staff spent the past 61⁄2 months making repairs. Veteran free agents Benjamin Watson, Mike Wallace and Eric Weddle were brought in to add production and leadership. An 11-man draft class gives the Ravens a much-needed infusion of talent and youth.
Ravens coach John Harbaugh presided over thorough offseason reviews of offensive and defensive schemes, which should result in some tweaks that might not be noticeable until the start of the regular season. The organization, which watched a team-record 20 players go on injured reserve last season, has revamped player training and recovery methods.
Thirty-two players who are expected to be on the field Thursday for the first full-squad practice of training camp were not in the organization when last season ended. Not only will the Ravens have a new look, they’ll also generate new storylines as 2016 training camp begins.