Ravens produce franchise-low interception rate in 2014

In all seriousness, the Ravens secondary obviously suffered a devastating spate of injuries, especially to their principal playmakers. This degraded their turnover production (22) and interceptions (11) to franchise lows. The team did have its third best season in sack production though, which usually helps the secondary but not so this year in terms of interception rate.

Below are Baltimore's three best years by interception rate and three worst years under that.

The 2006 Ravens intercepted every 19th pass against them, averaging just under two per game. They also had 60 sacks, creating a perfect storm of defensive lethality. The 2014 Ravens intercepted every 54th pass. Haloti's diving tip drill against Pittsburgh might have been the best (though Will Hill's pick six perhaps the most impactful to game outcome).

Our eyes told us that our secondary needed help despite the unlucky concentration of injuries. The data confirms that they were holding on for dear life.

While pulling another Corey Graham out of thin air might be optimistic, the Ravens nevertheless should approach the offseason with a particular eye towards considering how to specifically improve the playmaking ball skills of its secondary whether by draft or free agency.

Certainly a full season of Will Hill is a great start as he proved to be an immensely farsighted move by Newsome (much as Graham was two years ago). Brooks possesses high upside, and most of all, a healthy year from Webby and Jimmy Smith is paramount to turning this around. All of that alone may be enough. But the Ravens' GM rarely rests on his laurels.