Baltimore Ravens 2015 Preview: Q&A with Brett Foote, Ebony Bird Editor
By Joe Wedra
To continue with our FanSided “Around the Network” NFL previews, we sit down with Brett Foote of EbonyBird.com to discuss Baltimore Ravens and their 2015 outlook.
Cleveland Browns 2015 Preview with Tom Moore
Joe Wedra: Joe Flacco. He’s the guy everyone wants to talk about in Baltimore. Did the team set him up for success this season?
Brett Foote: I think the Ravens did a good job upgrading the talent around Joe this offseason, particularly via the draft. Losing Torrey Smith and Owen Daniels might seem a little scary on the surface since they were such a big part of the offense last season, but Breshad Perriman and Maxx Williams should prove to be upgrades and they offer much more upside. Perriman is literally a bigger, faster, stronger version of Smith.
Williams may not make as big an impact in year one, but the Ravens have enough depth at wide receiver to compensate if he doesn’t.
More from NFL News
- Patriots News & Rumors: Ezekiel Elliott talks fun in Foxboro; Mills to Packers?
- NFC East Buzz: Isaiah Simmons trade, Deuce Vaughn praise, Eagles rumors & more
- Should Trey Lance be considered an NFL draft bust?
- Jonathan Taylor trade rumors: 3 most alluring fits for Colts star running back
- Tua Tagovailoa: keep ‘my name out of your mouth’; Dolphins QB sends strong message
JW: How will the defense respond in the post-Ngata era?
BF: I feel like they will be just fine. When Ngata missed the last four games of the 2014 season, Timmy Jernigan filled in and did a fantastic job. As a matter of fact, he finished last season as Pro Football Focus’ 6th best 3-4 defensive end in run stop percentage (Ngata finished 31st) and the 2nd best in pass rush productivity, behind only J.J. Watt.
If he can stay healthy, it looks like Jernigan has massive upside as a full time player. Not to say that Ngata’s loss won’t be felt after he was such a franchise stalwart for so long, but the Ravens are very confident in their current depth along the defensive line.
JW: Aside from Breshad Perriman, who is the rookie to watch for in the 2015 campaign?
BF: I’m not 100% confident that Maxx Williams can make a first year impact (which is quite rare for rookie tight ends) despite the hype surrounding him. I wouldn’t be surprised to see Carl Davis, who has gotten little press to date, have perhaps the biggest impact behind Perriman.
Davis was considered by many to be a first round talent, and he admittedly has a chip on his shoulder after sliding to the third. Combine that with the Ravens’ willingness to rotate their young defensive linemen and give them significant snaps, and it adds up to a potentially significant rookie season.
Live Feed
Ebony Bird
JW: Can Justin Forsett duplicate his 2014 performance?
BF:I think he can, though it will be tough. Forsett has the benefit of coming in as the unquestioned starter this season, which gives him a leg up on last year, when he had to wait for Bernard Pierce to faceplant before he got significant snaps.
The Ravens have said that they are keeping the zone blocking scheme intact, and they are returning their entire starting offensive line for the first time in team history. He’s also pretty fresh for a budding 30 year old after playing a bit role most of his career. But no opposing defense is going to underestimate him in 2015, that’s for sure.
JW: Give us your prediction for the 2015 Baltimore Ravens.
BF: It’s hard to come out and say that the Ravens will exceed what they accomplished in 2014, which saw them come very close to another Super Bowl appearance. But the secondary is much deeper and more talented this season, the offense features more weapons, and the defensive front seven looks to be as good as ever.
It really boils down to how the loss of Gary Kubiak ultimately effects them. People often forget how badly this offense face planted in 2013, when the o-line couldn’t open holes for any running back and did a horrible job in pass protection. If Marc Trestman can keep things moving like they did last year, a Super Bowl isn’t out of the question. At a minimum, they should be playoff bound again.