As the Ravens work through offseason minicamps, they have two priorities for the offense heading into training camp, which opens in late July.
The Ravens want to improve their scoring inside their opponents' 20-yard line and their third-down efficiency.
Last season, the Ravens were ranked No. 25 in the NFL in scoring inside the red zone. Of the team's 51 possessions inside the 20, the Ravens recorded only 24 touchdowns and 20 field goals. The top-ranked team was the Indianapolis Colts, who had 50 possessions inside the 20 and produced 34 touchdowns and 11 field goals. The Carolina Panthers were No. 2 with 32 touchdowns and 14 field goals in 49 possessions.
The Ravens were 15th in the league in converting third-down opportunities.
"We want to continue improving in every area," Ravens offensive coordinator Cam Cameron said, "and we can do that with technique and tightening up on our fundamentals. But we've got to get better on third downs and inside the scoring zone because they are two major areas. We've got to get more explosive because the main objective is to always score as many points as possible."
The Ravens should be able to improve with the play of quarterback Joe Flacco alone. The Ravens were cautious with Flacco in his rookie season, especially in the red zone early in the year. The offense should be more open in 2009.
Two other keys, according to Cameron, are getting 10 to 11 players healthy for the start of training camp and developing the offensive line, which has two new starters in rookie right tackle Michael Oher and Pro Bowl center Matt Birk.
"We've got some new people up front, including a rookie right tackle," Cameron said. "Right now, we're just trying to get them as comfortable as possible."
Birk goes to work
Birk is a 12-year veteran, and most players his age don't like to attend minicamps. Birk isn't one of them.
"I'm not to the point where I'm comfortable," said Birk, a former Minnesota Vikings standout. "Every day presents a new situation. It is very important for me to be here as much as possible to go against our defense and assimilate game situations. Football is still football; you have to get to your guy but know how to get to him.
"But you also have to feel comfortable with the group and then integrate yourself within the group."
Oher looks imposing
The media haven't had a lot of opportunities to look at Oher, but the tackle out of Mississippi is a specimen. He also runs well, has good movement and good bend in his knees.
