Joe Flacco is 'excited' about the Ravens additions this offseason. (USATSI)
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2013 wasn't quite as good a season for Joe Flacco as 2012. Two years ago he won a Super Bowl and got real paid and last year he and the Ravens simply struggled.
Flacco deserves some blame, of course, but he didn't have nearly enough weapons around him and dealt with an offensive line that couldn't block very well. This offseason the Ravens sought to rectify those problems and added free agents Steve Smith and Owen Daniels while bringing back Eugene Monroe and Dennis Pitta.
Flacco, naturally, is pretty excited to nab some "explosive players" who are expected to have a big impact early.
"No doubt about it, these guys are some explosive players," Flacco told the Baltimore Sun. "We're going to expect them to come in and help us out and be pretty good. These guys are ready to go and work and build on what we have.
"These guys are going to do nothing but help. They're proven players from across the league, and it will be interesting to see how they come in and fit in and help us out."
The Ravens also saw a change as Jim Caldwell, their offensive coordinator, left to take the Lions job. He was replaced by former Texans coach Gary Kubiak, whose offense could be a nice fit for the big-armed Flacco, especially with the addition of those players.
"I like it so far," Flacco said Kubiak's new offense. "I'm just trying to grasp as much of it as I can before I get back and we really start going through it together. That's when I'll really start to understand it a little bit better."
2013 was the first time the Ravens missed the postseason with Jim Harbaugh and Flacco in town. Needless to say there's some expectation they'll return in 2014.
That would probably be an unfair presumption especially since there are several new faces plus the adaptation of a new offensive system. But Flacco's right: the new guys on this roster can produce right away.
Baltimore (and Flacco) should have heightened expectations after an impressive but not outlandish offseason.
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TE Owen Daniels joins Ravens
The Houston Chronicle's John McClain reported via Twitter today that former Texans tight end Owen Daniels has agreed to a one-year deal with the Baltimore Ravens. The deal will reunite Daniels with Gary Kubiak, Baltimore's new Offensive Coordinator. Kubiak was Houston's head coach from 2006-2013, which is the same time frame that Daniels was with the Texans.Daniels played in 5 games for the Texans in 2013, catching 24 balls for 252 yards and 3 touchdowns. He was released by the Texans March 11.
The good news is definitely for the Ravens, as they now have two of the top pass-catching tight ends in the game. Based strictly on fantasy points per game, Daniels (13.4) and Dennis Pitta (10.7) were both in the top 14 in PPR leagues last year. Granted, they missed a combined 23 games. But, when playing, they were effective. Both players have had success prior to last year as well, so it's not like it's a fluke thing. They're good players.The bad news for FANTASY owners is that the Ravens now have two of the top pass-catching tight ends in the game. This is a fact that will more than likely diminish both player's value.More than likely, Daniels will be Pitta's backup, but will also play in two tight end sets. Kubiak likes him. Quarterback Joe Flacco likes PItta, as evidenced by the chemistry they showed in Pitta's last full season. In 2012, Pitta caught 61 balls for 669 yards and hauled in seven touchdowns. He missed most of the 2013 season due to a fractured and dislocated hip suffered in the preseason.The Ravens drafted two receiving tight ends (Pitta and Dickson) the same year the Patriots did with Gronk and Hernandez, so they have wanted this dual threat TE role for quite some time, but odds are Pitta will be a low-end TE1 and Daniels will be a Bye Week filler. Don't be surprised though, if Daniels still has something left in the tank.
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