Baltimore's failure to make the playoffs a year ago can largely be blamed on their pitiful offense, which was 25th in scoring, 29th in yards, and especially bad (30th) in rushing. Will 2014 see a turnaround?
The team hired Gary Kubiak to run its offense, and he brings zone-blocking concepts that have been successful in Denver, Houston and Washington, among others, the last few years. Baltimore also traded for a new center, Jeremy Zuttah from Tampa Bay.
As for the running backs who flopped last year (Ray Rice and Bernard Pierce), both got off to promising starts in the exhibition opener. Team beat writers offer up their review at this link.
Ray Rice, who slimmed down in an effort to reclaim some of the quickness missing last year, looked good. Bernard Pierce, who figures to start the first two games and have a bigger role in a committee with Rice, was impressive; Kubiak's offensive system is similar to what Pierce played in in college.
Those in dynasty leagues also need to consider fourth-round rookie Lorenzo Taliaferro. The rookie probably won't do anything this season, but he displayed a hard-nosed, decisive running style last night while working against deep reserves. Should Rice or Pierce get hurt, Taliaferro could find himself with a role in the offense.
The biggest fantasy issue is whether Pierce, who will have the job to himself the first two weeks of the season with Rice suspended, can play well enough that he earns a large share of a committee from Week 3 on. Based on the first exhibition game, it looks like he can.
Speaking of rookie running backs, Carlos Hyde in the same game looked pretty capable. He probably won't play much as long as Frank Gore stays healthy, but Gore has to break down eventually.
--Andy Richardson