We got a huge boost on this preview from our friend Tony over at Ravens 24×7.
Heading into the offseason the Ravens had three big question marks: defensive backfield; quarterback; and offensive tackle. So far they’ve failed to provide answers.
In defense of the front office, the additions to the secondary on paper look solid for the most part. Rookie safeties Haruki Nakamura and Tom Zbikowski have both played well as have veteran newcomers Fabian Washington and Jim Leonhard. Frank Walker at this point is a case of subtraction by addition and has been far outplayed by Corey Ivy.
Health is a big issue for this unit. If Chris McAlister, Ed Reed, Samari Rolle and Derrick Martin can all return from injuries, the Ravens will then have addressed this offseason question mark. But that is a big if.
The position of quarterback remains questionable at best and probably won’t be fully addressed in the ’08 season. Answers will follow the learning curve of Joe Flacco. The usually available Kyle Boller has been ducking out of the locker room during the times made available to the media since the announcement to start Troy Smith against the Rams was made. Boller has always been a team-first guy. It is understandable that he could be seething since word is he may not play at all against St. Louis, a very strong indication that Smith will be the starter in the regular season opener unless he goes down like Frazier.
As for offensive tackle, the Ravens are in discussions to bring veteran Fred Miller to Baltimore. If the Ravens emerge as winners from a field of five teams vying for Miller’s services, it will probably force a move of Adam Terry to left tackle. Terry is more comfortable and more efficient as a left tackle and if successful, perhaps that will help jump start Jared Gaither’s ambition or lack thereof. Chad Slaughter and Mike Kracalik are back-ups at best and rookie Oniel Cousins is raw.
With so many question marks at these positions along with a lack of depth at receiver and tight end and so few answers, it is difficult to be very optimistic about the Ravens chances for a post season berth this season. But then again, there are questions throughout the AFC North and the divisional winner could be the first team to 9 wins.
Tony Lombardi covers the Baltimore Ravens for ProFootball24x7.com.
Our take? Tony hits the nail right on the head. The Ravens have some big questions in their secondary, which got absolutely torched by the Steelers in prime time last year.
The Ravens signed a guy named Nakamura?
Hiro is excited.
Heroes Season 3. September 22.
The Ravens started 2007 in much the same way they ran through their 2006 schedule, getting out to a 4-2 start. However, the Ravens proceeded to lose 9 consecutive games, including a loss to the winless Miami Dolphins in overtime. The Ravens mustered a Week 17 win over the Steelers JV team to add a bit of a bright spot to the end of their season.
The offseason brought some changes in Baltimore, including the release of coach Brian Billick and the hiring of John Harbaugh. The Ravens were unable to move up to select Matt Ryan in the draft, so they traded down and ended up taking Delaware gunslinger Joe Flacco, who left Pitt so he wouldn’t have to compete with Tyler Palko a few years ago. Flacco seems to be making solid progress for a rookie in camp, but he certainly isn’t at the same point Roethlisberger was when he came in as a rookie and took the Steelers to the AFC Championship. Another thing hindering Flacco from a Roethlisberger-type year is his supporting cast. Ben had solid players all around him and a solid offensive line to keep him protected. The Ravens have questions along the offensive line and a receiving unit that has a hard time stretching the field.
Willis McGahee, who was brought in from Buffalo to provide a boost to the offense has certainly done that. He was the leading rusher in 13 of the Ravens 16 games last season. Unfortunately, the Ravens lacked the offensive firepower to stick with their opponents. The Ravens lost about half (5 of 11) of their games by less than one score. On the other end, the Ravens won four of five by less than one score. The Ravens inability to put teams away hampered their efforts last season and will continue to plague them until they can come up with an answer at quarterback.
Derrick Mason and Mark Clayton are solid receivers, but neither of which presents a huge down-field threat, both being more possession receivers. Todd Heap-of-#*&@ provides another dimension for this offense when healthy from the tight end position, but he may be called upon to block more in the event of the Ravens struggles on the offensive line. The Ravens also brought in Ray Rice from Rutgers to compliment McGahee. Rice has shown flashes of potential thus far, and will probably see time as a third down back this season.
On the other side of the ball, the Ravens defense is about to apply for social security. Ray Lewis, the best 3rd-man-to-the-ball tackler in the league, has been hampered by injuries and should be retiring soon. Terrell Suggs may be parting ways with the team after this year as he just ended a 23-day holdout by becoming the team’s franchise player for this year and signing the one-year contract that comes with the tag. Jarrett Johnson was a disappointment for the Ravens last season, showing that he could not fill the rover role that Adalius Thomas had played to perfection. The Ravens corners have played solid in the past, but both Samari Rolle and Chris McAllister, who has an ongoing feud with Hines Ward, have suffered from injuries. Behind the starting four in the secondary, the Ravens severely lack depth, which will create match-up problems if teams try to spread them out.
As Tony said, the winner of this division may very well only have 8 or 9 wins this season. With that being said, the Ravens get to face Miami and Oakland, giving them a huge advantage over teams like the Steelers who must play New England and San Diego. Could those two games make a difference, if not for the Ravens then for another team in the division? Possibly.
Finally, let’s not forget about our guarantee here at The Steelers n’at. Michael Phelps will win more gold medals at the 2008 Olympics than the Ravens will win games this season.
Phelps currently leads 8-0.
John’s 2008 Prediction: 6-10
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