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2008 Team Report: Baltimore Ravens

Quarterbacks

Starter: Kyle Boller
Backup(s): Joe Flacco [R], Troy Smith

Starting QB: With the retirement of Steve McNair, the Baltimore Ravens are left with Kyle Boller as their starter in 2008. Boller is signed only through this season and the drafting of Joe Flacco seems to indicate Boller's days as a Raven are numbered. Still, the team does not want to throw Flacco to the wolves right away. Moreover, Boller is motivated to perform his best. He is, after all, auditioning for a new team in 2009. It is unclear what kind of offense new HC John Harbaugh will install, but it can't create worse passing numbers than the anemic 2007 version of Baltimore's passing game. Boller has a big arm and he knows the personnel on offense, but his decision-making and leadership skills are questionable. His chance to lead this team is pretty much over.

Backup QB: The Ravens traded down from the eighth spot to the 26th spot and then back up to the 18th to grab Joe Flacco in Round 1. At 6-foot-6 and 240 pounds, Flacco is every bit as big and strong as Boller -- and just as immobile in the pocket. Flacco will do more than provide competition for the starting QB role -- he is expected to win it this year. Whether that comes during the season or before it starts is, of course, unknown. If Flacco displays better accuracy and decision-making than Boller, he will be starting for this squad on opening day. Troy Smith looked good in limited play in Weeks 16 and 17 of 2007. Nevertheless, unless the team either trades or outright cuts Kyle Boller, Smith is destined to be the third quarterback again in 2008.

Running Backs

Starter: Willis McGahee
Backup(s): Ray Rice [R], P.J. Daniels, Cory Ross
Fullback(s): Le'Ron McClain, Justin Green

Starting RB: The lone bright spot of Baltimore's offense in 2007 was Willis McGahee's effort in the running game. He had 1,438 total yards and eight TDs to finish as the No. 8 fantasy back. Entering his fifth year in the league, McGahee's career year is likely still ahead of him. His 294 carries and 49 targets (43 receptions) accounted for 32.9 percent of the team's total plays on offense. Expect that workload percentage to continue into 2008. McGahee runs with power, burst, vision and consistency. He catches the ball well, blocks and plays through injury. The 4.1 YPC he maintained in 2007 was a career high. Despite the possible retirement of 33-year-old Jonathan Ogden, the Ravens return a solid run-blocking offensive line. While backup running backs will receive a fair share of opportunities, McGahee will command the lion's share of the carries and targets. It's reasonable to expect McGahee to repeat his 2007 performance in 2008.

Backup RBs: McGahee had fewer than 300 of the team's 430 rush attempts in 2007, which leaves plenty of carries for backup RBs. With Mike Anderson gone, P.J. Daniels and rookie Ray Rice will compete for an active role in the offense. Daniels was drafted in 2006 as Chester Taylor's heir apparent, but he did not see the field. Then he spent 2007 on injured reserve. Rice was not drafted in the second round to sit on the bench. He has a nose for the end zone and runs with power and vision. He may not run away from defenders, but he has good lateral quickness. He can also catch the ball well. He would be a natural replacement for McGahee, but he does not provide much change from McGahee's pace. Whichever back is second on the depth chart holds value in deep leagues as an insurance policy against a McGahee injury.

Fullback: The fullbacks in Brian Billick's offense blocked and did little else. While it is unclear what kind of offense will be installed under John Harbaugh, it can safely be assumed that neither of these fullbacks holds much fantasy value. That said, they may be instrumental in opening holes for the RBs and in keeping Joe Flacco upright while he learns the game.

Wide Receivers

Starters: Mark Clayton, Derrick Mason
Backups: Demetrius Williams, Yamon Figurs, Marcus Smith [R], Justin Harper [R], Matt Willis

Starting WRs: Despite horrendous play from the quarterback position, the loss of Todd Heap and the poor play of his fellow receivers, Derrick Mason actually had a pretty good 2007. He bounced back from a forgettable 2006 season (and an offseason of trade requests and questions about his role on the team) with over 100 receptions, over 1,000 yards and five receiving TDs. All three statistics easily led the team. One still must question how much this 34-year-old has left and how much of a future he has on a rebuilding team. Mark Clayton, meanwhile, had a nightmare third season. He showed tremendous promise in 2006, displaying both athleticism and downfield burst, but he failed to find the end zone in 2007. He must improve on his career 55 percent reception rate if he is to earn more targets and keep his starting spot. Both receivers suffered tremendously by inaccurate and rushed downfield passes, not to mention an inability to avoid safety help. Mason averaged just 10.6 YPC and Clayton averaged 11.1 YPC. Without TE Todd Heap threatening the deep middle of the field, teams easily prevented the Ravens from having downfield threats. Both receivers have to do a better job of stretching the field if the Ravens are to have a successful 2008 season.

Backup WRs: Heading into his third year in the league, Demetrius Williams will be the team's primary backup WR. He had a promising 2006 campaign demonstrating his big-play ability. He uses his size and athleticism well as he fights for balls, but his progress was stunted in 2007 due to the anemic passing game. Moreover, he was probably misused as a slot receiver. Williams should line up as an outside receiver where he can play one-on-one against cornerbacks. It may be beneficial to the Ravens to move Derrick Mason into the slot. Seattle's Bobby Engram embraces the role and flourishes. It may be time for Mason to make that transition. If that happens, Williams will become a starter. Yamon Figurs is exclusively a PR/KR man, and he excels in that role. The team drafted two developmental WRs in Marcus Smith and Justin Harper. One might make the active roster and the other will probably be relegated to the practice squad. Unless Flacco breathes life into the passing game, approach any Baltimore backup receiver with caution.

Tight Ends

Starters: Todd Heap
Backups: Daniel Wilcox, Quinn Sypniewski, Lee Vickers, Jake Nordin

It was an injury-plagued year for Todd Heap in 2007 after top-five fantasy finishes in 2005 and 2006. He is clearly the key to the Baltimore passing game. He is versatile enough to line up anywhere in the offense. He gets off the line well both in motion and from a stance, dominates the middle of the field with his athleticism, gets downfield in a hurry, has exceptional hands and commands double teams. Without him, the passing game sputters, red zone threats disappear and the opposing defense's ability to stop the Ravens from scoring becomes, for lack of a better word, easy. Contain McGahee. Play man-on-man behind the receivers. Provide a safety to prevent the deep ball. Tighten up in the end zone. Wash, rinse, repeat. Heap must stay healthy this year if the Ravens are to have a successful season. Wilcox performed adequately when filling in for Heap in the past, but he was injured for most of 2007. He will return to his role as Heap's immediate backup and blocking TE. Sypniewski carried the load for most of the 2007 season and was decent in spots, but he is not a good fantasy option. He catches many of his targets (34 catches on 52 targets for a 65 percent catch rate), but he is unable to get downfield quickly, and he has almost no red-zone presence. Neither TE is an adequate fantasy substitute for Heap.

Place Kicker

Matt Stover, Piotr Czech : If you like consistency and accuracy in a kicker, then Stover should be near the top of your list. In 2007 he hit 27 of 32 field goals for an 84.4% average. It was his ninth consecutive year hitting at least 84%. The next closest to that current nine year streak is Nate Kaeding with a mere three years. Stover was once again perfect on PATs. He has not missed a PAT since 1996. He needs 24 more to surpass Jason Elam and Jeff Wilkins' record. The biggest question for this year is whether the new coaching staff and offense can generate as many field goal attempts as Stover typically saw during the Brian Billick era. Czech will try for a roster spot as a kickoff specialist.

Kick and Punt Returners

Kick Returners: Yamon Figurs; Cory Ross; Ray Rice; Haruki Nakamura

Although WR Yamon Figurs strength is punt returns, he also took over on kickoffs when B.J. Sams was lost for the season during opening week last year. Figurs proceeded to average 24.7 yards on 46 returns and scored a TD. When Sams went down in 2006, RB Cory Ross was the primary fill-in and he also served as a backup last year (9 returns, 16.4 avg.). Second round draft pick RB Ray Rice handled returns among many other roles in high school, but did not have a single return during his three years at Rutgers. The Ravens worked him as a returner during minicamps. Sixth round draft pick DB Haruki Nakamura had more experience during college at Cincinnati, albeit with only three returns (20.3 avg.).

Punt Returners: Yamon Figurs; Ed Reed; Tom Zbikowski; Cory Ross; Jim Leonhard; Haruki Nakamura; Ray Rice; Mark Clayton; Derrick Mason

Yamon Figurs scored twice as a senior at Kansas State and posted the fastest time at the NFL Scouting Combine In 2006. Last year as a rookie he averaged 10.7 yards on 17 returns and scored once, however he also had troubles handling the ball at times. Figurs combined punt and kickoff return numbers in 2007 ranked him as the 7th best fantasy returner. Fourth round draft pick DB Tom Zbikowski averaged 10.2 yards on 23 returns last year, and scored three times during his career at Notre Dame. Cory Ross again served as backup last year (5 returns, 7.2 avg.). Free agent acquisition DB Jim Leonhard served as Roscoe Parrish's backup with the Bills in recent years (4 returns, 9.0 avg. in 2007). Haruki Nakamura averaged 6.7 yards on 31 career college returns. WR Mark Clayton practices punt returns every year, but hasn't had one in a game since 2005. Although WR Derrick Mason had no returns the last three 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 Jared Gaither, LG Jason Brown, C Chris Chester, RG Ben Grubbs, RT Adam Terry
Key Backups: Marshal Yanda, David Hale, Oniel Cousins

Commentary coming soon.

Team Defense

After being one of the NFL's top defenses in '06, the Ravens unexpected free fall last season landed them near the bottom of many important statistical categories. They managed a few respectable stats such as a top 10 in points allowed but slumping big play production and an inability to get off the field on third downs left them struggling to compensate for a pedestrian offense. After such a poor showing changes are imminent but the Ravens did little to alter their defensive roster and will return all 11 starters. Change comes in the form of a new coaching staff but there has been no indication that the club will move away from it's scheme which includes an even mix of 3-4 and 4-3 alignments. With the exception of Adailus Thomas, personnel wise this is virtually the same unit that was so dominating in '06 so the questions are, what can we expect in '08 and was last year simply a fluke? This group has a lot of talent but also has 5 starters on the high side of 30 including team leaders Ray Lewis, Ed Reed and both starting corners. Add up all the factors including a pretty tough schedule and the Ravens should rebound some but don't count on them to return to elite status.

Defensive Line

Starters: DE Terrell Suggs, DE Trevor Pryce, DT Kelly Gregg, DT Haloti Ngata
Backups: DE/DT Dwan Edwards, DT/DE Justin Bannan, NT/DT J'Vonne Parker, DE/DT Armon Gordon

Starting DL: When Trevor Pryce joined the Ravens after the '05 season there were questions about his durability and production. In '06 he answered those questions and then some by playing in all 16 games equaling a career best 12.5 sacks. In '07 the questions returned when he missed 11 games with injury and was a complete non factor. Pryce will be 33 this season but seems to still have gas in the tank if he can stay healthy. But that's a big if. 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 leagues best every down DE/OLBs. He has 44 sacks over his 5 pro seasons and has averaged 49 solo tackles since becoming a full time player in '04. If they both remain healthy Pryce and Suggs give the Ravens a pass rush tandem that's unarguably among the best in the league. The Ravens run defense is anchored by a pair of outstanding interior linemen in third year pro Haloti Ngata and veteran Kelly Gregg. Ngata is a 340 pound road grader who does a great job of anchoring the interior of the line. He 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. Gregg has the ability to play the tackle position in a 4-3 or slide out to DE when a 3-4 is called in the huddle. The versatility of both Suggs and Gregg allows the team to shift between 3 and 4 man fronts without making substitutions that would give the call away. If they all stay healthy the Ravens front four 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. Dwan Edwards was the team's second round pick in '04 but has struggled with injuries throughout his career. Edwards moved into the lineup when Trevor Pryce was injured last season and made his first significant contribution since joining the club. He stood up well versus the run but with just 1 sack, was unable to approach Pryce's value to the pass rush. Edwards is an adequate replacement at best and a big step down from the starters. Edwards is officially listed as the backup at end but an injury to one of the starters could result in a shuffle that would land either Jarrett Johnson or Dan Cody at end when the Ravens line up in a 4-3. Justin Bannan is a career backup who spent his first 4 seasons on the bench in Buffalo and the past two backing up in Baltimore. He saw a good deal of action last year posting a career best 2 sacks. Bannan is an adequate player with enough versatility to play either tackle in a 4-3 or end in a 3-4 but he's not a guy the club wants to turn to long term. J'Vonne Parker is a project type who has the size to play at NT in the 3-4. Armon Gordon is a roster filler at best and may not even make the team. The bottom line here is a huge drop off after the starting 4. We saw it last year and an injury up front could again be real trouble for Baltimore.

Linebackers

Starters: WLB Bart Scott, MLB Ray Lewis, SLB Jarrett Johnson
Backups: MLB/ILB Mike Smith, MLB/ILB Presscott Burgess, ILB/OLB Nick Greisen, ILB/OLB Tavares Gooden [R], OLB Dan Cody, 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 14 games in '07 but has missed twenty four over the past six seasons, twice landing on IR before week seven, and he hasn't completed a full 16 game schedule sine 2003. He is a thirteen 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 Bart Scott stepped up and played very well. He parlayed his opportunity into a big contract and a starting job in '06 when 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. As the Ravens faltered last season so did Scott who had a horrible year statistically. The club is counting on him to rebound strongly in '08. When Baltimore lost Adalius Thomas and his 11.5 sacks to free agency after the '06 season, they tried to fill his shoes with Jarrett Johnson. That experiment was a resounding failure. Johnson recorded just 2 sacks and was not an impact player by any stretch. He is an adequate SLB by normal 4-3 standards but has a long way to go as an OLB when the club goes 3-4. With no better option at the moment, Johnson will get another opportunity to prove himself. Baltimore is one of a handful of clubs that uses a nearly equal share of 4-3 and 3-4 alignments. In the 4-3 Lewis mans the middle with Scott on the weakside and Johnson strong. When they shift to 3-4 Terrell Suggs moves from end to OLB allowing the club to shift alignments without changing personnel.

Backup LBs: The starting lineup remains unchanged but the Ravens have improved their depth at the LB positions. Nick Greisen is not a guy to be counted on long term but is a versatile veteran who can step in at any position and provide dependable relief with few mental mistakes. Dan Cody has struggled through multiple injuries since joining the club as their second round pick in '06. He is finally healthy and the club believes he is ready to contribute. Cody will work at SLB in a 4-3 scheme and OLB in the 3-4. If he is able to stay healthy he could very well push Jarrett Johnson for a starting role. Third round pick Tavares Gooden is a very intriguing prospect. Even though he played OLB in college, there is a great deal of speculation that he could be moved inside as the eventual heir to Ray Lewis's job. Regardless of where he plays Gooden gives the Ravens a talented young player to develop and improves their overall depth. Mike Smith, Prescott Burgess, Antwan Barnes and Robert McCune fill out the roster. These guys will compete for the final couple of roster openings with the winners likely seeing action only on special teams. All things considered the Ravens are much better off at linebacker than they were heading into '07, especially if Cody can be what Baltimore expected him to be before the injuries.

Defensive Backs

Starters: RCB Samari Rolle , LCB Chris McAllister, FS Ed Reed, SS Dawan Landry
Backups: CB Fabian Washington, CB Corey Ivy, CB David Pittman, CB Frank Walker, CB Lenny Walls, FS Jim Leonhard, SS Tom Zbikowski [R]

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. Over the past 6 seasons McAlister has totaled only 13 picks with 6 of those coming in his one breakout year of '06. 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. However, with just 5 interceptions in 38 starts for Baltimore, Rolle also falls short in the playmaking department. Together McAllister and Rolle give the Ravens a formidable tandem of cover corners but they have grown dependent on safety Ed Reed to produce game changing plays. Reed is another former pro bowl starter who followed a forgettable '05 campaign with strong '06 and '07 campaigns that produced 12 interceptions between them. He is the big play spark for this club and is a leader both on and off the field. One issue that could come into play here is that all three of the afore mentioned players are on the high side of 30 years old. It will soon be time for the Baltimore secondary to get an infusion of youth. At 6-2 and 215 Dawan Landry brings an intimidation factor to the Ravens secondary and is yet another in a long list of late round success stories for the Ravens. Landry earned a starting job as a rookie 5th round pick in '06 and made a big impression when his 5 interceptions placed him at the head of the rookie class. Unfortunately he came crashing back to earth last season when he failed to record a pick and provided absolutely no big play punch. Top to bottom this unit is solid on paper but they will need to step up if the Ravens are to be serious contenders in '08.

Backup DBs: Much like the linebacker positions the Ravens have improved their depth in the secondary. Fabian Washington came over via trade from the Raiders. He brings speed and good cover skills to the mix and could provide that youth infusion if he is able to beat out Rolle for a starting job. What he doesn't bring is an improvement in big play potential at the position. In three seasons as the Raiders starter Washington produced just 5 picks including only 1 last year. If he doesn't land a starting job Washington will step in as the nickel corner, giving Baltimore a very strong trio of cover men. Corey Ivy will contend with David Pittman, Frank Walker and Lenny Walls to fill out the roster and establish a pecking order. All of these guys are veterans with limited upside but would be very adequate 4th or 5th corners who contribute on special teams. Third round pick Tom Zbikowski will likely be groomed to take over one of the safety positions in the fairly near future and could push Dawan Landry very soon. Jim Leonhard saw extensive action with the Bills in '07 but was not particularly impressive, especially in coverage. Barring a disaster he will work only on special teams.

Last modified: 2008-06-21 06:08:22