Haynie: After 5-11 Debacle, Offseason Begins For The Ravens
The Baltimore Ravens finished their 2015 NFL season with a 24-16 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals. Sunday's defeat at Paul Brown Stadium left the Ravens with a disappointing final record of 5-11.
Baltimore was swept by the Bengals this year and has now dropped five-straight games to their AFC North rivals. Since John Harbaugh arrived in 2008, the Ravens are 2-6 in Cincinnati. As the Ravens thrive against the Pittsburgh Steelers, they continue to struggle with Cincy.
While the Bengals get ready to face the Steelers in the playoffs, the Ravens will begin their offseason earlier than a lot of people anticipated they would back in August. Instead of getting ready for a Super Bowl run, Baltimore will begin to bounce back from their first losing campaign since 2007.
The Ravens will pick 6th in the 2016 NFL Draft. This will be the first time Baltimore has had a pick in the top ten since 2003 (Terrell Suggs) and their highest selection since they chose RB Jamal Lewis at number five overall in 2000.
What the Ravens will do with the 6th pick remains to be seen. The could use a disruptive pass rusher, a stud in the secondary and another wide receiver. Maybe they could even go for help on the offensive line.
They need a difference maker. Baltimore's lack of playmakers has been evident throughout this tough season.
QB Joe Flacco will be back from knee surgery, Suggs will be recovered from his torn Achilles and WR Steve Smith, Sr. is returning. Obviously, this a good thing. But these three players will not ensure that Baltimore will return the prominence in 2016.
The roster needs to be upgraded.
With pending free agents like OL Kelechi Osemele, LB Courtney Upshaw and K Justin Tucker, the Ravens will have some decisions to make as far keeping players around.
Well run organizations don't stay down long. The Ravens have proven that they are one of the best there is in the NFL. However, after missing the playoffs two of the last three seasons, this is the biggest offseason they will face in a long time.
We will stay tuned to see how it all unfolds.
