The Baltimore Ravens offense ranked 17th in 2006, averaging 317 yards per game and being accountable for 32 of the club's 38 touchdowns. Boasting a power running game with a premier tight end, a veteran quarterback and a potential superstar at wide receiver, there were many reasons to pay attention to Baltimore's production last season.
The same can be said as we look ahead to '07, especially with the team trading for running back Willis McGahee this offseason. With such a diverse threat in the Ravens' backfield combined with the elements already in place, Baltimore has a shot at boasting one of the more consistent offenses this year. The leader of that unit is offensive coordinator Rick Neuheisel, who has been with the club since 2005 and helps design the architecture of this unit. CBS SportsLine recently had the chance to huddle with coach Neuheisel and quiz him on what to expect from the Ravens offense in 2007.
Willis McGahee is obviously the big free agent acquisition. We know you're going to run him a lot. Do you know the specifics as to how often you're going to run him and how you want to run him?
Neuheisel: I don't think so. We're still a work in progress in terms of what formation we'll lead with because our fullback situation's a little tenuous. A year ago, we were mostly two-back (running back and a fullback) and ran downhill with Jamal (Lewis). Willis gives us a little bit more of a dimension in that he can be effective in a one-back offense as well as a two-back offense. So we're not positive how much two-back will be a part of it given that Justin Green is down with a knee and we've got a young rookie from Alabama, Le'Ron McClain, also in the running since we lost Ovie Mughelli. We're not sure -- we have to see those guys in pads. So until that time, we're comfortable because we've got two good tight ends in Todd Heap and Daniel Wilcox that we can play in the two-tight end, two-wide receiver set, and the emergence of Demetrius Williams a year ago gives us the ability to play three wide receivers. And Willis fits into both of those personnel schemes and can be an effective runner in both of them.
During McGahee's press conference, it sounded like coach Billick was really excited about using him as a receiver out of the backfield. Does that mean we'll see him on those long second downs and on all third downs?
Neuheisel: Well, there's a lot of different ways to involve a running back in the throwing game, whether it be a check-down or a screen or swinging him out wide. We'll probably have a combination of all of that.
What about the roles of Musa Smith, Mike Anderson and P.J. Daniels?
Neuheisel: A year ago, we were really high on Musa. He just got into an unlucky injury sequence and was unable to finish the season. But if he can stay healthy, then Musa gives us a great 1-2 punch along with Mike Anderson behind McGahee. P.J., in collegiate terms, was redshirted last year; we're hopeful that he can branch out and become a guy that gives us even more depth. As you know, the NFL season is long, so having all of them is important.
Is there any consideration to give Anderson a shot at fullback?
Neuheisel: He has done it before, and Mike is a very willing guy. It's not on the front burner, but should something present itself that makes it the best way to go, then we know he'd be willing to do it.
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Mark Clayton (left) and Todd Heap will be primary components of the Ravens offense in 2007.
(Getty Images)
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It's easy to not question Steve McNair's ability because he's been around for so long, but do you see him progressing further in terms of commanding the Ravens offense since he's got a year under his belt? Neuheisel: I don't think there's any question. As much experience he's had and as much success as he's enjoyed, there are nuances to every offense. He missed the offseason workouts here last year and had to learn our offense as training camp developed, and you don't get the little nuances that go with every play. We looked at our film from last year and he primarily threw to his first two options on every pattern we had. Now he can learn the entire scheme and can see not only other places to go with the ball but also the ability to take some chances down the field that present themselves when these plays are called when you get the specific coverage that would allow it. I think we're going to be further along and hopefully create even more proficiency.
Mark Clayton is one of our favorite young receivers in the league. His numbers increased significantly from his rookie year to second year. Do you expect another increase in his third season? What's your take on the theory that receivers begin peaking in their third season?
Neuheisel: I think it's like any other position -- you grow comfortable with the system, you know exactly how to do things and aren't counting steps as you're leaving the line of scrimmage. You're into setting things up -- setting one route up with another route. You've kind of learned your trade from the release standpoint in terms of the top corners and how to get off of coverage. The confidence level continues to grow, and when you're blessed with the kind of skill Clayton has, you expect him to blossom about now.
Mark is not only an explosive athlete, but he's a great kid, and he's had a great mentor in Derrick Mason. Having both of those guys back is terrific, and they're both helping Demetrius Williams. We feel like we've got a real great group with those three guys and we're waiting for someone else to bust into the mix. Devard Darling is a possibility there, as is the rookie we drafted from Kansas State, Yamon Figurs.
Is Figurs going to be used as a returner, or could he find time with the offense?
Neuheisel: We're going to have to wait and see. There's definitely a learning curve for him, but he certainly has the legs to be able to go out and make that kind of impact.
On to Demetrius Williams, who was a nice surprise last year as a deep threat receiver. What would you like to see his role expand to in 2007?
Neuheisel: I think he's capable of doing way more that what we've asked of him. The question is, How much on-the-field time will the three-wide personnel have? If he can be on the field in more first- and second-down situations rather than third down, then his route tree can expand in a big way. If we're still feeling that three-wide is going to be used on third downs and in the two-minute drill, then he's going to continue to be a downfield guy that helps Mark and Derrick get open underneath. He's got good size and tremendous leaping ability.
Thinking long-term, what role do you envision Troy Smith having in the NFL?
Neuheisel: Troy is a young quarterback that, like all of them, is going to have a chance to learn and hopefully get a lot of time in the preseason. If he goes about it the right way, he's got a chance to be a very accomplished player in the league. He certainly has the competitive fire, he's got the 'it' factor where teammates will rally around him and enjoy playing with him. He's made enough plays at the college level to know that he can create offense and isn't just relegated to what the coaches call. Will he be patient enough, and will his motion be efficient enough to not only get the ball to the appropriate receiver but get it there with enough different shapes that it can beat NFL defenses.
Does that throwing motion stem from him being six feet tall?
Neuheisel: Well, I don't know. We were talking about his motion, and he said he wanted it to be really high so that he wouldn't drop his elbow and make it a long motion. It was an attempt to quicken it up. He's proved enough people wrong in his life that I decided not to touch his motion. I'm going to let him be him and we'll see if it works. But I am pleased with his progress to date.
Asking about Todd Heap's expectations is useless since we know what he's capable of, but how have the new rules changed the way tight ends are used in offenses?
Neuheisel: Everything about the NFL is matching up. Every gameplan you start with, you say, 'OK, what personnel group do we want? Why do we want to be in it? Who plays defense when this personnel group is on the field? Who would have to cover this receiver and that receiver?' and so forth. Never do we put a personnel group on the field that Todd Heap doesn't have a mismatch. When he's in there (with a running formation), Heap's lined up against a linebacker. That's a mismatch. When we go three wide, defenses can put a DB on Todd, but now we've got an advantage in the running game because he can block that guy. So you have to pick your poison, and when you try to lean people over to help Heap because you know he's going to be a focal point of our offense, you create one-on-one situations for our other guys. With the emergence of Mark Clayton and Demetrius Williams, you can't afford to do that very often. So with the ability for Heap to do what he does, we've got a mismatch almost on every play. So now it's up to us to use it. It doesn't mean necessarily throwing to him, but it means someone else is going to have an opportunity.
Because of that, what kinds of defenses do you often see matched up against you?
Neuheisel: We see traditional looks, but they cheat to (cover Heap), which creates one-on-one opportunities, and maybe that's one of the reasons Williams had such a good year last year.
What else should we know about the Ravens offense in 2007?
Neuheisel: Our idea is to be multi-dimensional, and yet have a lot of the same concepts coming at you over and over again so that we can get proficient at them. We don't want to be reinventing the wheel on a weekly basis. We want to be able to stick to our concepts. When you look back at the real, real good offenses over the last several years, they keep doing the same thing over and over with different formations and schemes, and we want to be a lot like that. We want to utilize our weapons and make sure they are all given a chance to use their skill and beat people.
Now one of the things you have to understand about the Ravens offense is that it's on the same team as the Ravens defense. Our formula for winning is to get ahead and have the defense suck the life out of the other team. It's like the boa constrictor method -- get them around your neck and you can't breathe. You're done. That's how our defense plays, and when you're on the offense of a defense like that, you're probably not going to get as many opportunities to be as aggressive as other offenses. So you've got to be careful not to just judge us by numbers because it isn't as often that we're going to have that green light opportunity to go after people because we also need to play to our strength, which is a tremendous defense.
And because of the way that works, the running game becomes even more important.
Neuheisel: Exactly. People looked at our running game and how it ranked in the NFL last year and they'd say it was a less-than-successful year. Numbers would tell you that's the case, but in terms of the situations we were asked to run in, it was going to be uphill.
Finally, a lot of people are familiar with you and recognize you as a successful head coach in the collegiate ranks. Do you still have the aspirations to lead a team someday?
Neuheisel: Oh, absolutely. You don't do that job and have some of the thrills I've had and not want to do it again. I definitely hope to have another chance, but I'm beyond worrying about when that might happen. I am very much enjoying what I am doing right now and if somebody gives me a call, I'd love to talk. But until that time, I'm going to enjoy being here in Baltimore.
