2011 NFL Season Preview: Baltimore Ravens

Baltimore Ravens

Front Office:

Owner: Steve Bisciotti

GM: Ozzie Newsome

A: Newsome has made the Ravens into a perennial winner since arriving on the Mayflower. This is a man who has built this team from the ground up. Newsome has mastered the art of drafting for talent and filling holes in FA and trades. I fully expect Newsome to have one more Super Bowl Ring before he steps down as General Manager of the Baltimore Ravens.

Coaching Staff

HC: John Harbaugh

OC: Cam Cameron

DC: Chuck Pagano

B+: I like this coaching staff, but sooner or later they will need to pass the Steelers or go to the Super Bowl. Cam Cameron has been given one more year to produce better results for the Ravens. He and Harbaugh brought the Ravens from the bottom of the league in offense to the middle…problem is they are stalled there. More speed from the past two drafts on offense should help. DC position is a revolving door. Most do so well they move on to HC positions (Nolan and Ryan) or go back to coach for their college (Greg Mattison).

QB: B+

Joe Flacco is a rock. He remains healthy,and he does not make many mistakes. He is adept at stretching the field. Problem he has is two fold: one Flacco takes too many sacks and needs to learn to make quicker reads or throw the ball away. Two, he does not play well versus the Steelers. Most do not, but in Baltimore it is demanded that the Ravens knock off those darn Steelers. Backup Marc Bulger and young player Tyrod Taylor provide depth, excitement, and knowledge.

RB: B+

Ray Rice is a personal favorite of mine. His size, running style, and versatility make him unique. He is unseen because of his height, bounces off defenders because of his compactness, and thrives in the passing game with his ability to run good routes and pick up blitzes. Ricky Williams was signed to provide a breather for Rice and pickup tough yards. Best signing for the Ravens this off season was Vonta Leech. Vonta provides a semi-truck sized opening from when he plows over LB and DB’s.

WR/TE B-

This was a solid but unexciting group. Ravens released Heap and Mason in order to get more playing time for Ed Dickerson and Torrey Smith. While neither has the body of work that Mason and Heap had, both share one thing that neither Mason nor Heap shared: speed. Dennis Pitta is also showing the ability to pair with Dickerson to give the Ravens weapons at TE. Anquan Boldin had a down year and many think he is declining, but let’s see what he does this year. I would have liked to see the Ravens obtained a FA WR like Sidney Rice or Braylon Edwards…though the Ravens did just trade for Lee Evans. It remains to be seen how much Evans has left in the tank as he was floundering in Buffalo.

OL: B-

Michael Oher was a little off last season. If there is one thing I know about the Blind Side Protector…is that he will not be down again. With Pro Bowl talent at both RG and LG in Ben Grubbs and Marshall Yanda and a solid veteran Center in Matt Birks…4/5^th of the OL is set. Losing Jared Gaither was big but the Ravens had no choice, but to let him go. Ravens hope raw, but talented, Jah Reid can claim that spot and not be a sieve in pass protection. Oniel Cousins will battle with him for the starter spot at RT.

DL: B

Haloti Ngata is holding onto the role of best DL in football…at least until Suh gets a little older. He hs excellent power and technique. Ravens released Kelly Gregg and believe Terrence Cody is ready to shine at NT. The two of them make up around 700 pounds, and that should allow them to keep the LB’s clean. The other spot at the moment is Cory Redding’s, but that could change. Depth could be a problem for this group.

LB: B

Ray Lewis is unlike any player I have ever seen. He just doesn’t drop off. He is the heart and soul of the team and still scares the crap out of me. Next to him and up and coming Ja’Mal McClain mans the spot. He is a solid pass rusher and is a physical run stuffer. Terrell Suggs is still a 10+ sack contributor. It would be nice to gain another pass rusher. Jarrett Johnson is solid in all phases of the game, but not a real pass rushing threat. Sergio Kindle could be their next weapon, but a fractured skull in his rookie season has put his career in limbo…can he return? Will he be as effective? I hope so.

DB: B

Jimmy Smith is a head-ache. An extremely talented head ache. Three things he has going for him. One he did stay out of trouble his Junior and Senior years at Colorado. Two, he is one of the more talented physical prospects manning the CB position. Three, he went to the Baltimore Ravens. The Ravens know how to work with guys like Jimmy Smith….have Ray Lewis take care of him. Ravens also have Dominique Foxworth, Chris Carr, and Ladarius Webb at CB. Ed Reed still is a major threat at FS. At SS Tom Zbikowski and other young safeties will battle it out.

2011 NFL Draft:

Jimmy Smith was a great selection and a great match for both player and team. Torrey Smith provides electricity to both the offense and ST’s. I like the potential of Jah Reid, but he needs major technique work. Pernell McPhee and Tandon Doss provide depth. Don’t go against the Newsome. B/B+

Offensive/ Defensive Sleepers

Ray Rice has been a very good RB. He is the man in PPR leagues. So why do I have him down as a sleeper? He is about to explode. I am betting he is going to be the top Fantasy RB player. For one Willis McGahee is gone, and while Ricky Williams will snag TD’s from Rice…he will not snag as many. Vonta Leech is here, my friends, and with him comes an increase in rushing statistics. I am expecting 1400 yards rushing, 8 TD’s and 60 receptions. So take around 2,000 total yards and 11 TD’s.

Kelly Gregg was a fan favorite in Baltimore. He was hard working and effective. So there had to be reasons besides Salary Cap why he was let go. Terrence Cody is that reason. While his stats won’t be high, I expect him to be the next big thing….hahah I am hilarious. In all serious though he will be a Pro Bowl NT in the near future.

2012 Season Prediction: 11-5

This team is in a tiny transition. Leaving are Willis McGahee, Derrick Mason, Todd Heap, Kelly Gregg, and Dawan Landry. Matt Birk, Ray Lewis, and Ed Reed are winding down their HOF careers. The Ravens are expecting a lot out of their exciting young core. However, with young players comes inconsistency. Playoffs are a certainty, but taking down the Steelers isn’t. I hope for Ray Lewis they win the Super Bowl this year. I hope, if not, he isn’t a fan of this site and/or reads my columns.

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