Neuheisel tinkers to create explosive solution for Ravens - baltimoresun.com
excerpt:
Soon after the draft, new Ravens offensive coordinator Rick Neuheisel will begin tinkering with the offense, much like a mad scientist in his laboratory trying to develop a new formula.
"We need bigger plays, more explosive plays," Neuheisel said. "Demetrius Williams developed into a big-play weapon for us at the end of the season, and Derrick Mason and Mark Clayton are big-play receivers. That might mean getting four receivers on or up close to the line of scrimmage, but somehow we have to create bigger plays downfield."
According to Neuheisel, the offense won't change much even though it may appear that way. With the Ravens losing free-agent fullback Ovie Mughelli to the Atlanta Falcons, the Ravens will probably use more two tight-end formations and a single running back.
As of now, the options are unlimited. Neuheisel, like most of the coaching staff, has had his head buried in the draft, evaluating many college players. Once the draft is over, he'll begin drawing up some plans.
"After the draft, you come back and formulize," Neuheisel said. "You plan on what to focus on in May and June. You have to prepare for what is your offense going to be like without an Ovie Mughelli or Edwin Mulitalo. If you're going to change, then how do we make changes? Coaches are like mechanics by nature, we can't help but tinker with things.
"Using more three-receiver sets would be a natural conclusion, but ideally you want a 50-50 ratio with run versus the pass. ... I think we want more explosive plays, but also that ability to run with power that we've had for years."
New angles
Besides college players, Neuheisel has spent a lot of time watching one player in particular, and that's newly acquired running back Willis McGahee.
"We're still looking, seeing what he has done well in the past, and what we might want to change in our offense to make all of us better," Neuheisel said. "Back in 2006, there were opportunities. Some times we hit them, some times we didn't. But we'd like to get tight ends, running backs, quarterbacks, receivers and the offensive line all on the same page so we can take advantage of as many of them as we can. Right now, there is not a play we're not looking at."
Don't be surprised if the Ravens use their versatility on the offensive line to add a few more traps, sweeps, tosses and screens. They have center-guard Chris Chester and guard Jason Brown, both fast enough to make blocks at the second level.
"We have some guys who might be better pullers," Neuheisel said. "We'll have to see what the draft provides. If we get some linemen where it helps us to pull or get better angles, then we'll make the necessary adjustments."
Neuheisel tinkers to create explosive solution for Ravens
Neuheisel tinkers to create explosive solution for Ravens
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