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2007 Team Report: Baltimore Ravens

Quarterbacks

Starter: Steve McNair
Backup(s): Kyle Boller, Troy Smith [R]

Starting QB: Steve McNair returns for his second campaign as the Ravens signal caller after leading them to the playoffs in 2006. He held up pretty well last year - starting all 16 games for the first time since 2002. Still, he only turned in a pedestrian fantasy season with just over 3,000 yards and only 16 TD passes. Early in his career, McNair was a major rushing threat, but that is no longer the case. His receiving corps remains intact, and he now has the added bonus of RB Willis McGahee. If the Ravens can recharge their ground game, McNair could possibly rank as a borderline fantasy starter, but his upside seems limited.

Backup QB: Kyle Boller is in the final season of his contract. Should he see action, he will likely be auditioning for next year's gig. He hasn't realized his considerable potential. Heisman Trophy winner Troy Smith is the third QB and must overcome long odds to figure into the team's long-term picture.

Running Backs

Starter: Willis McGahee
Backup(s): Musa Smith, Mike Anderson, B.J. Sams
Fullback(s): Justin Green, LeRon McClain

Starting RB: Jamal Lewis has moved on to greener pastures paving the way for Willis McGahee, who the team traded for in the offseason. McGahee should be a vast improvement over an old Jamal Lewis and gives the Ravens a true feature back that should be able to handle 75-80 percent of the touches. However, McGahee hasn't had a special season since his 2004 rookie campaign when he was a top-10 fantasy RB. In the last two years, he has averaged only 3.8 ypc and scored only 11 total TDs while surpassing 1,000 yards once. That is not the resume of a stud back. However, the QB play in Buffalo during that span was less than stellar as neither Kelly Holcomb nor J.P. Losman struck fear into opposing defenses. Playing behind Steve McNair should be a boon to McGahee's stats.

Backup RBs: Musa Smith and Mike Anderson both return to serve as backups in the Ravens backfield, but little can be expected from either. Smith put up modest numbers before succumbing to a neck injury that put him on injured reserve last year. Anderson did little to assert his role as the primary backup last season and it seems like his best football is behind him. With McGahee in town, neither back should be expected to have any fantasy value except as a handcuff to McGahee in very deep leagues.

Fullback: With FB Ovie Mughelli moving on to Atlanta, the Ravens are likely to abandon the fullback in many offensive sets. LeRon McClain and Justin Green hold the roster spots, but neither holds any fantasy value.

Wide Receivers

Starters: Mark Clayton, Derrick Mason
Backups: Demetrius Williams, Devard Darling, Yamon Figurs

Starting WRs: The Ravens entered 2006 with veteran Derrick Mason and sophomore standout Mark Clayton as the clear starters. Clayton asserted himself quickly last season and is now the clear No. 1 WR on this team. Mason is starting to slow down and the Ravens attempted to shop him in the offseason after he voiced concerns about his reduced role in the offense. The 2006 season saw him catch the fewest passes since 2000 and produce the fewest yards since 1999. Mason may be pushed for a starting role by Demetrius Williams as the season progresses.

Backup WRs: Demetrius Williams showed big-play ability in his rookie campaign and could end the year as a starter. Even as the WR3, he will likely see plenty of action this season. Devard Darling is speedy, but hasn't showed consistency. Yamon Figurs, who was sure to make the team as a special teamer, played well enough to figure into the WR corps, as well.

Tight Ends

Starters: Todd Heap
Backups: Daniel Wilcox, Quinn Sypniewski

Todd Heap is one of the best pass-catching tight ends in the league when he is healthy. He is a great athlete who runs good routes and has exceptional hands. He also has the body control and leaping ability to go up high and outmuscle defenders for the ball. He gets downfield well and is one of the few deep threats in the league from the tight end position. He is not a very good blocker, but that doesn't affect his fantasy value. Heap posted solid top-five TE numbers last year and is a central cog of the Ravens passing game. When Heap is unavailable, Daniel Wilcox provides some assistance. Wilcox has potential as a receiver, but he has inconsistent hands and will drop some easy balls.

Place Kicker

Matt Stover : If you like consistency and accuracy in a kicker, then Stover should be near the top of your list. In 2006 he hit 28 of 30 field goals for a 93.3% average. It was his eighth consecutive year hitting at least 84%. The next closest to that current eight year streak are Nate Kaeding and Jeff Wilkins with a mere two years. Stover was once again perfect on PATs. He has not missed a PAT since 1996. The Ravens have finished in the top ten in kicker scoring in seven of the last eight years. Only Denver and Indianapolis can match or better that claim. Lloyd spent the spring in NFL Europa and will try for a roster spot as a kickoff specialist.

Kick and Punt Returners

Kick Returners: B.J. Sams; Yamon Figurs; Corey Ivy; Mark Clayton; Mike Anderson

DB B.J. Sams had a stellar rookie year in 2004, and a solid follow-up in 2005. He was doing very well last year (30 returns, 25.7 avg.) up until a fractured ankle sidelined him for the final four games. He also had off field troubles with a second DUI charge, although we was acquitted during the offseason. Even if he's fully recovered from his foot surgery, he faces a potentially strong challenge for his job from third round draft pick WR Yamon Figurs out of Kansas State. He posted the fastest time at the NFL Scouting Combine, and was considered by some to be the best returner in this year's draft. He averaged 22.6 yards as a senior, and scored once as a junior. DB Corey Ivey was also considered, but had only one return for 14 yards. WR Mark Clayton handled a few punts in 2005, and could also be called upon for kickoff returns if needed. RB Mike Anderson returned a handful of kickoffs during his Broncos career and could serve as a backup.

Punt Returners: B.J. Sams; Yamon Figurs; Corey Ivy; Mark Clayton; Derrick Mason

Although Sams handles both KRs and PRs, he is better on punt returns. Last year he averaged 10.6 yards on 29 returns before his injury. Yamon Figurs strength is punt returns. Last year he averaged 14.7 yards on 22 returns, and scored twice. He had a third one in the Hula Bowl, but It was negated when he was incorrectly ruled out of bounds. Corey Ivy averaged 3.5 yards on two returns. Mark Clayton had the only other PRs aside from B.J. Sams in 2005 (6 returns, 5.0 avg.). Although WR Derrick Mason had no returns the last two years, he has plenty of experience returning punts from his years with the Titans (career 182 returns, 8.7 avg., 2 TDs).

Offensive Line

Projected Starters: LT Jonathan Ogden, LG Jason Brown, C Mike Flynn, RG Chris Chester, RT Adam Terry
Key Backups: T Jared Gaither [R], G Ben Grubbs [R]

The Ravens lost two starters to free agency this year, but the offensive line will be much younger and more athletic this season. The good news is star LT Jonathan Ogden has agreed to come back for at least one more season; the bad news is he has missed most of the preseason on the PUP. At left guard, Jason Brown returns to the role he took over midway through the 2006 season. At center, Mike Flynn is a hard worker and will definitely start the season with the first team, but could eventually give way to Chris Chester depending on how quickly rookie Ben Grubbs progresses. For now, Chester will start at right guard, but Grubbs could earn the RG spot, allowing Chester to man the middle. Adam Terry starts at right tackle. Supplemental draft pick Jared Gaither has been a pleasant surprise and is starting in place of Ogden at left tackle.

Team Defense

It's easy to make the argument that Baltimore was the best defense in the league last season. They were #1 in yards allowed, #1 in scoring defense, led the league in takeaways with 40 and their 60 sacks fell just 1 short of the league leading Chargers. That is going to be a hard act to follow but the Ravens return 10 starters and could prove every bit as good in '07. The only defection was Adalius Thomas who cashed in his chips and left for a big money contract in New England. Thomas is a special player and the Ravens will miss his 11.5 sacks. Jarrett Johnson will move into the lineup at SLB but those are big shoes to fill for the former 4th round pick who has just 6 total sacks over his previous 4 seasons. The '06 Ravens were extremely fortunate when it came to injuries so their one weakness, lack of depth, was never exposed. The '07 club is in a little better shape but still has issues at all three levels. An injury at defensive end, safety or any of the linebacker positions could create a real problem.

Defensive Line

Starters: DE Terrell Suggs, DE Trevor Pryce, DT Kelly Gregg, DT Haloti Ngata
Backups: DE Dwan Edwards, DT Justin Bannan

Starting DL: When Trevor Pryce joined the Ravens last season there were questions about his durability and production. He answered those questions and much more. Pryce played in all 16 games equaling a career best 13 sacks and is a very solid run defender. Pryce will be 32 this season but obviously still has plenty of gas in the tank. Terrell Suggs has demonstrated his versatility since joining the Ravens. He's been successful both at OLB in a 3-4 and at DE in the 4-3. Though he's a little smallish at 260 pounds, Suggs has emerged as one of the league's best every down ends. He has 39 sacks over his 4 pro seasons and has averaged 48 solo tackles since becoming a full time player three seasons ago. Together Pryce and Suggs give the Ravens a DE tandem that's unarguably among the best in the league. The Ravens #2 rated run defense is anchored by a pair of outstanding interior linemen in youngster Haloti Ngata and veteran Kelly Gregg. The club traded up last year to land Ngata and the return on their investment was immediate. As a rookie he didn't make a big splash statistically, but the 338 pound road grader certainly made his presence felt. Ngata has the ability to neutralize multiple blockers while holding his ground, allowing Ray Lewis room to operate. Gregg is the more mobile and productive counterpart to Ngata. At 310 pounds he can also stand his ground well when called upon to do so but his quickness combined with Ngata sucking up most of the double teams, allows Gregg to make a more visible impact. He is annually among the leagues leading tacklers at the interior positions. As a unit the Ravens front 4 is nothing short of exceptional.

Backup DL: The defensive line will remain a strength for the Ravens so long as there are no serious injuries. Former tackle Dwan Edwards has shifted outside to backup the end positions but this is more a matter of bodies needed than a case of his being a good fit there. Edwards was the team's second round pick in '04 but has been a complete bust to date. Due mostly to injuries, Edwards has been active for only 23 games in three seasons and has yet to record his first sack as a pro. Justin Bannan is a career backup who spent his first 4 seasons on the bench in Buffalo.

Linebackers

Starters: WLB Bart Scott, MLB Ray Lewis, SLB Jarrett Johnson
Backups: MLB Mike Smith, OLB Dennis Haley, OLB Gary Still, OLB Dan Cody (inj), OLB Antwan Barnes

Starting LBs: Ray Lewis is the unquestioned leader and the face of the Ravens defense. When healthy he is among the best to have ever played the position. Unfortunately he has found it increasingly difficult to stay on the field in recent years. Lewis played 15 games in '06 but has missed twenty two over the past five seasons, twice landing on IR before week seven. He is a twelve year veteran with a lot of mileage, but still has the burning desire to be the best. When Lewis was lost during the second half of the '05 season, the Ravens discovered a star in Bart Scott. Scott parlayed his opportunity into a big contract and a starting job in '06. He proved that '05 was no fluke by not only finishing as the teams second leading tackler, but adding 9 sacks and a pair of interceptions. Adalius Thomas contributed a career high 11.5 sacks for Baltimore in '06. He is a rare breed and the empty shoes he left will be very difficult to fill. Jarrett Johnson will get the first crack at this daunting task. Johnson is a 4-year veteran who has just 3 career sacks. His credentials don't speak highly of his chances but then neither did those of Scott before his opportunity came. Apparently the Ravens believe Johnson can succeed. They made little effort to bring in another option for the position. If all goes according to plan the linebacker position will be solid as ever.

Backup LBs: Before the '05 season no one had heard of Bart Scott but once given a shot he proved to be an excellent player. The club entered last season with no proven backups at linebacker and with no starter missing much time, they will enter '07 in basically the same situation. Ravens have already been forced to insert one unknown commodity in Jarrett Johnson. If they should lose a starting linebacker to injury this year, will lightening strike again with Mike Smith or Dennis Haley? Former Kansas City special team ace Gary Stills was signed off the street in '05 and is the only backup with significant game experience that hasn't come on special teams. In fact he is the only backup on the roster who has been in the league for more than two years. Dan Cody will start the season on the PUP list again after another knee injury in OTAs. Antwan Barnes has missed some time with a foot injury midway through camp, but the teams thinks he can grow into an Adalius Thomas multiple threat defender in time. With the Ravens track record of plugging in unknown backups, one doesn't want to say that they have nothing in reserve but on paper the LB corps is very thin and at best unproven.

Defensive Backs

Starters: RCB Samari Rolle , LCB Chris McAllister, FS Ed Reed, SS Dawan Landry
Backups: CB Corey Ivy, CB David Pittman, CB Ronnie Prude, FS Gerome Sapp, SS Jamaine Winborne

Starting DBs: Chris McAllister is a big physical shutdown corner with the ability to take away an offenses top receiving threat. The only snag in his game had been a lack of interceptions. McAllister had just 2 picks to show for the '04 and '05 seasons but broke out big in '06 with a total of 6. He is a pro-bowl type corner who can take away a team's top receiver but needs to be more consistent in the big play department. Samari Rolle was a mainstay at the corner position in Tennessee for seven years before going to Baltimore in '05. He is not the physical type but runs like a deer and matches up well with the leagues speed receivers. Together McAllister and Rolle give the Ravens a formidable tandem of starting corners. Ed Reed is another former pro bowl starter who followed a forgettable '05 campaign with an outstanding '06. Reed's 7 interceptions was a team high and placed him among the league leaders in that category. At 6-2 and 215 pounds Dawan Landry brings an intimidation factor to the middle of the Ravens secondary. Yet another late round success story for the Ravens, he earned a starting job as a rookie 5th round pick in '06 and made a big impression. Landry's 5 interceptions placed him at the head of the rookie class and cemented him as the Ravens starter. Top to bottom this unit is solid as they come.

Backup DBs: Much like the linebacker positions, the Ravens are paper thin in the secondary. Former undrafted free agent Corey Ivy enters his 4th season and will likely land the nickel corner duties. The #4 corner job will be decided in training camp with last years third round pick David Pittman, third year undrafted free agent Evan Oglesby and and second year undrafted free agent Ronnie Prude battling for position in the pecking order. There simply isn't much proven talent here. Depth at safety is just as bad with journeyman type Gerome Sapp being the only backup who isn't a rookie free agent. The club could look to add some experience in the secondary once training camp cuts begin.

Last modified: 2007-09-01 20:50:42