The Ravens talked all through training camp about how improved they expected the offense to be this year with the additions of players like quarterback Steve McNair and running back Mike Anderson.
Through two games, Baltimore has averaged 27.5 points. However, some of the team?s offensive players have been less than pleased with their collective performance. In Sunday?s 28-6 home-opening win, the Ravens scored just one touchdown in six trips inside the Oakland Raiders? 20-yard line.
The most disappointing came on the Ravens? opening drive, when they advanced to the Oakland 1. But back-to-back holding and delay-of-game penalties pushed them back 15 yards before they eventually settled on Matt Stover?s 25-yard field goal.
Ravens wide receiver Derrick Mason, who finished the game with five catches for 46 yards, may have been the team?s biggest critic, giving the offense an “F” for the day.
“We maybe had one drive when we made plays, but other than that, we really didn?t muster anything,” he said. “Our defense played tremendously, but as an offense, we have to get that mentality that the defense is going to save us out of our heads.
“If we?re going to be considered a top-rated offense, we?re going to have to carry our own weight. We haven?t, and that?s something we?re all going to have to do ? everyone, myself included.”
McNair, who has completed 33 of 60 passes for 324 yards and two touchdowns with one interception through two games, said he felt the offense took a step back Sunday after a more dominating performance in last week?s 27-0 win at Tampa Bay. He added that the offense has a lot to correct and reiterated Mason?s belief that the Ravens can?t always rely on the defense to win.
“We weren?t as focused as we should have been,” McNair said. “We miscued on some plays that we shouldn?t have, but that?s part of the business. When the offense is not clicking, the other two phases of it picked us up, and the defense played excellent.
“Overall offensively, we?ve just got to continue to move the ball. We just can?t put the pressure on our defense. That?s not our goal. Our goal is just to move the ball and score six points. Offensively, we?ve got a lot of work to do.”
RAVENS NOTES
» Kicker Matt Stover has not missed a field goal attempt since his second try in the seventh game of last season, Oct. 31 at the Pittsburgh Steelers. His current streak of 26 straight field goals is his personal best.
» One aspect of the Ravens? offense that has been a plus through two games is its ability to hold onto the ball. Baltimore has just one turnover so far, compared to nine for its opponents.
» Running back Mike Anderson?s 34-yard rushing touchdown in the fourth quarter Sunday capped the Ravens? five-play, 81-yard drive, the longest for the team this year.
» As a team, the Ravens have rushed for 241 yards on 65 carries. Jamal Lewis leads the team with 148 yards on 37 carries.
