Chemistry, Experience Are 2 Keys to an Improved Baltimore Ravens Receiving Corps

The one glaring weakness in the Baltimore Ravens' overall performance is their passing game. However, it's an area in which they can most certainly improve this offseason. While quarterback Joe Flacco's inconsistency is partly to blame for the team's struggles in the aerial game, it takes two—or in this case, more than two—to tango so, well, weakly.

Flacco's been done few favors by his receiving corps. That's not a slight on their talent—they're a young group who are still building chemistry, and they didn't have much of a chance to do so in last year's lockout-truncated offseason. 

But this year, there's little excuse. All but one of the Ravens' receiving threats have more than one year of professional experience and more than one season's time to get on the same page with Flacco. And though Flacco could use more weapons than he currently has, experience and increased chemistry will help to cure a lot of what ails the Ravens' passing offense. 

Though the NFL as a whole has become more pass-heavy, the Ravens have yet to catch up with the trend. It hasn't been a major issue—they have one of the best run games, and defenses in the league, which has helped them along to the playoffs in each of the last four years—but it's still one worth addressing.

Last season, no Raven had more than 1,000 receiving yards. Anquan Boldin led the charge with 887, but at the same time caught only 57 of the 105 passes thrown his way (contrast this with running back Ray Rice catching 76 of his 104 targets and you can see the problem). 

Boldin is also the most senior member of the Ravens' receiving corps, having had the most time to build chemistry with Flacco. However, that chemistry is still lacking. There's also the issue of Boldin slowing some with age, causing him to struggle more at gaining separation from defenders in order to catch Flacco's passes.

Further, Boldin cannot carry the weight of the entire Ravens' passing game. He needs the help of Torrey Smith, the team's ostensible No. 1 receiver, as well as greater contributions from Tandon Doss and LaQuan Williams, not to mention Tommy Streeter, the receiver the Ravens picked up in the sixth round of this year's draft and the veteran Jacoby Jones, who was signed to a two-year deal in early May.

The problem with Doss, Williams and Streeter is that they all lack experience.

Though both Williams and Doss were brought on last season, Doss didn't catch a single pass as he continued to rehab from a sports hernia surgery and Williams caught just four passes for 46 yards. Williams is now on the roster bubble after the drafting of Streeter.

Baltimore addressed their issues with their receiving corps lacking overall experience by bringing veteran Jones into the mix. Though the addition has been met with mixed reviews—Jones wasn't impressive last year with the Houston Texans when he was thrust into the No. 1 receiver spot while Andre Johnson battled injuries—Jones will prove to be extremely valuable.

The most important thing to note about Jones is that he won't be tasked with the duties of a No. 1 receiver, duties that he's not terribly suited to take up. Instead, he will be in competition for the No. 3 receiving spot, will be able to help mentor the Ravens' young receivers and help out in the return game on special teams.

Depending on what the Ravens decide to do with their passing strategy this year, it's quite possible Boldin could be moved into the slot, while Jones, Williams, Doss and Streeter duke it out for a place on the outside. 

If that doesn't work, then the younger three will be vying for limited snaps this year—Jones would likely win out to play in the slot—primarily on the outside as they become more comfortable in the offense. 

But the most important thing is for all three of these receivers to have time working with Flacco and learning from Boldin and Jones.

Smith will also need more time with Flacco; though he's clearly the No. 1 receiver, that doesn't mean his progress isn't satisfactory. More will be asked from him in his second season, especially now that he's recovered from a sports hernia surgery of his own, an injury that slowed him early on last year.

After talent, chemistry between the quarterback and his receivers is the most important thing a passing game needs. You could see it was lacking last season, through little fault of the Ravens or Flacco.

This year, Flacco and his receivers need to take full advantage of every moment they have to work together and improve. With a bit more time on the field and a bit more ease of communication, the Ravens passing game should be significantly improved in the upcoming season.

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