Through two games for the Baltimore Ravens, other than red zone efficiency there’s been little to complain about offensively.
Quarterback Joe Flacco appears to be growing in Gary Kubiak’s offense, the usage of tight ends has increased as expected, Steve Smith Sr. has made an instant impact, Justin Forsett has fared well, but most importantly, the offensive line looks much improved.
From a healthy Kelechi Osemele to a not-so bad first two games from Ricky Wagner, all five offensive line positions look to be reliable commodities as the team heads into Week 3 of the season.
The most important component of the offensive line, though, may be the center position, and new addition Jeremy Zuttah has answered the call thus far.
Replacing Gino Gradkowski, – probably the worst starter on the Ravens last season – pretty much anything Zuttah provided would have been welcomed, but so far, his impact has been felt, and he has been an obvious improvement over Gradkowski.
CBS color commentator Phil Simms may say a lot of things that don’t make sense, but he did make one agreeable statement during Thursday night’s Ravens-Steelers matchup.
Simms noted that no offense can have success without good play from the center, and as has been the case with Baltimore’s offense this season, that statement has been validated.
Some say left tackle is the most important offensive line position, but much more responsibility lies on the center, and quite frankly, the center’s duties in both pass and run blocking make him the most important piece of the line.
Having Zuttah, someone we knew was going to be a good addition from day one, has done wonders for Baltimore’s offense through two games, and should be a year-long stable option in the middle of the offensive line.
Baltimore’s offense by no means strikes fear in the hearts of opponents, but it has certainly improved over last season, a necessary step to improving on last year’s 8-8 finish.
Let’s take a look at how Zuttah’s presence has been a valuable one in Baltimore.
What needs to be noted with Zuttah is that he isn’t dominating the opposition, but he’s been adequate enough to hold his own on plays in which a slip-up on his part would ruin a play for the offense.
On plays in which Gradkowski struggled last season, Zuttah’s skill set has been enough to give Flacco ample time to make throws from the pocket, a rarity in 2013.
For example:
On this play, Zuttah deals with two blitzing standup linebackers – Vontaze Burfict and Emmanuel Lamur – from the interior.
Certainly not an enviable situation for Zuttah, who can’t block them both.
Luckily for him, the presence of running back Justin Forsett in the backfield eases the pain, but off the snap, Zuttah must win against at least one of the two blitzing linebackers before Forsett even steps up in the pocket.
A comfortable pocket forms for Flacco as Forsett steps up to take on Lamur, who switched toward the left side of the defense after engaging with Zuttah initially.
Zuttah successfully grabs ahold of Burfict enough to gain positioning and give Flacco time.
The play doesn’t exactly separate Zuttah from any other good centers in the NFL, but it is one that displays the improvement at the position over Gradkowski.
With two blitzing athletic linebackers lining up over Gradkowski, how confident would you be that Flacco would have a clean pocket and get the throw out on time?
Probably not very confident.
Zuttah’s presence calms things down for the offense; Flacco can feel more comfortable and patient in the pocket.
Here’s another example from the Bengals game, with Zuttah lined up head on with extra-talented defensive tackle Geno Atkins.
Off the snap, Atkins easily gets going faster and gains the leg up on Zuttah.
Flacco hasn’t even received the ball yet and Atkins has already flown out of his stance and begun his pursuit of the passer.
At this point, things don’t look good for Flacco, who has barely secured the football.
With this view, it looks like Atkins will end up with a clear shot at Flacco before the play even gets going, right?
Zuttah regains his balance quickly, though, and slides enough to his left in order to extend his arms and throw Atkins off.
By getting a hand on Atkins and shifting his body weight – as well as the fact that Flacco is passing to the right – the defender attempts to beat Zuttah on the inside, but as Flacco readies his throw, Zuttah is in prime position to hold Atkins off.
Plays like these are the reliable ones needed from a quality center.
Pass blocking is nice, but being a difference maker as a run blocker is needed as well.
In the game against the Steelers, Zuttah routinely struggled holding blocks as a run blocker, sometimes leading to a poor run play due to his struggles.
However, he came through big when the team needed him most in that game.
On a 4th & 1 situation in the first quarter, the Ravens opted to go for the first down, with a quarterback sneak being the play call.
The play was designed to run directly behind the center, and Zuttah didn’t disappoint.
Initially, Flacco simply follows Zuttah, as the center leads the way on the first push.
At this point during the play, the first down has already been obtained, but how about a few more yards?
Flacco follows Zuttah even further downfield on the play, picking up extra yards thanks to the reliable play from his center.
Why was this such a key play?
Not only was it a fourth down, but by picking up the first down, the offense was able to complete a touchdown drive that set the tone for the game.
It’s easy to notice the improvement at the center position in Baltimore.
Zuttah isn’t in the upper echelon of NFL centers, but he’s good enough to be a valuable piece for the offense this season.
His play through one eighth of the season provides confidence in consistent quality play from the offseason addition.
