Marc Trestman says Ravens will emphasize running game

Marc Trestman took a great deal of heat among Chicago sports fans and media for running a pass-heavy offense during his two seasons with the Bears.

But Trestman, now the offensive coordinator of the Ravens, says Baltimore will focus on the running game while he’s in charge.

“Ravens football starts with the running game, and that doesn’t mean you’re not going to throw the ball,” Trestman told ESPN on Sunday. “But the emphasis here is we want to be a great running football team and we have the players to do that. So that’s where we start.”

Trestman was brought to Chicago with the goal of “fixing” Jay Cutler. His reputation as a “quarterback whisperer” preceded him.

As ESPN notes, Trestman’s offenses have ranked in the top half of rushing attempts per game only twice in his 12 years as offensive coordinator and head coach. Only once did his running game finish higher than 16th.

Here’s more from ESPN:

Trestman said it’s an overblown perception that he wants to throw the ball all the time. When you have the players to do the things that you do best, you do them, Trestman said. I’ve had some very good running backs, but they weren’t the type of running back or did we have the line that the Ravens have. So, you try to utilize your personnel the best you can to achieve the things that you need to achieve.

Read the full story here.

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