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Baltimore Ravens dealing with offensive issues in offseason

By Todd Karpovich, The Sports Xchange
Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Breshad Perriman (18) makes a catch in front of former Buffalo Bills cornerback Stephon Gilmore (24) during the first half of an NFL football game at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore, Maryland, September 11, 2016. File photo by David Tulis/UPI
Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Breshad Perriman (18) makes a catch in front of former Buffalo Bills cornerback Stephon Gilmore (24) during the first half of an NFL football game at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore, Maryland, September 11, 2016. File photo by David Tulis/UPI | License Photo

OWINGS MILLS, Md. -- Most of the questions surrounding the Baltimore Ravens this offseason revolve around the offense.

Baltimore did not land a marquee receiver in free agency or through the draft. The Ravens also did not replace several key starters at fullback, right tackle and center that left for bigger paydays for other organizations.

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Nonetheless, head coach John Harbaugh and his staff are confident there are a number of players on the current roster poised to make a bigger impact this season. And besides, general manager Ozzie Newsome said the team is always in the market for additional pieces.

Harbaugh has been pleased with the number of players that have showed up for voluntary workouts. Even though Baltimore has missed the playoffs in three of the past four years, confidence is high heading into the mandatory workouts in June.

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"We're getting better," Harbaugh said on the last day of voluntary camp Thursday. "Guys are working really, really hard. I'm excited about the attitude and the mindset of our team. We have to make it translate to when it counts. Everything we're doing now is for when it counts, when we start playing games."

Receiver Breshad Perriman has created the biggest buzz in the recent OTAs. Perriman has made several difficult catches, run his routes well and shown the blazing speed the Ravens envisioned when they selected him in the first round two years ago. Perriman missed his entire rookie season with a knee injury, but was able to bounce back in 2016 with 33 receptions for 499 yards and three touchdowns.

The Ravens are relying heavily on Perriman and Mike Wallace to be key playmakers for quarterback Joe Flacco.

"I feel like my concentration level is at a pretty high level right now - an all-time high," Perriman said. "And right now, I'm just going out there, and when I'm on the field I'm not thinking about anything but football."

The Ravens have also focused on improving the running game this offseason. Baltimore rarely committed to establishing an effective ground attack last year, which put added pressure on Flacco.

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Terrance West entered the offseason as the starter after finishing with 774 yards on 193 carries with five touchdowns in 2016. He has participated in the voluntary minicamps and appears in solid shape for the second straight year.

The Ravens also signed Danny Woodhead, 32, as a free agent and he should provide added versatility because of his ability to catch the ball out of the backfield. Kenneth Dixon showed flashes of playmaking ability, but he is suspended for the first four games of the season. Buck Allen, a fourth-round pick in 2015, struggled to get on the field, but Harbaugh said he will have an opportunity to be more involved this season.

"The offense is looking good," West said at the team's most recent voluntary camp. "We have a lot of weapons in the backfield that we are going to use this year."

Tight end Benjamin Watson could be ready for training camp after missing all of last season with a torn Achilles. Watson, 36, is looking to prove he can still make plays and will battle Dennis Pitta for the starting job. Pitta, who has overcome two devastating hip injuries that almost ended his career, filled the void when Watson went down and led all NFL tight ends with 86 receptions.

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"I am not getting as many questions about my hip; that is one (difference)," Pitta said. "I feel good. I got to have a full offseason of just normal preparation. It feels good - feeling healthy."

Baltimore should also be solid on the offensive line with second-year players Ronnie Stanley and Alex Lewis back in the fold. Stanley became the first rookie in franchise history to start at left tackle and Lewis has the versatility to play multiple positions. Lewis is poised to start at left guard.

James Hurst, Stephane Nembot and De'Ondre Wesley will compete for an opening at right tackle after Rick Wagner left for the Lions. The Ravens could still be in the market for a starting center, but Harbaugh is prepared to move forward with John Urschel or Ryan Jensen, a former sixth-round pick who is now in his fifth year.

"I like Ryan Jensen as a player," Harbaugh said. "I think that at center, his skill set is probably ... It is at its best in terms of the type of player he is. He is sitting there between the two guards. He is smart, he can go in both directions. He is a tone-setter, and he really has gotten big and strong. I think (Urschel), he is not quite as big right now, but he is a little bit younger. He has done a similar job in terms of becoming what we want to see inside with our centers."

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