Topic 1: 36 year-old Ray Lewis tell the NFL Network he could not see playing past age 37.
The idea that Ray Lewis’ career is coming close to the end, is not exactly a revelation. However, hearing Lewis articulate that he has just a year or two left is a change. His imprint on the organization is so large this will never be a minimal side-story. It will be a year or two of, “Is this the last time Lewis plays at M&T? Is this the last time Lewis faces the Steelers?”
One of the beauties about the NFL (if your Front Office is 1/2 way competent) is that every season you can compete for a playoff spot and a chance in the post-season. The Ravens have been to the postseason in 3 consecutive years, and have won 4 playoff games. The immediate goal for this franchise is pretty clear. The franchise’s most identifiable player putting an expiration date on his career will only reinforce that goal.
What remains to be seen is will the Ravens allow this news to have any impact on their player personnel decisions, such as:
Topic 2: Houshmandzadeh wants to to return
After averaging 85 catches and 907 yards during the ’08, and ’09 seasons with Cincinnati and Seattle; Houshmandzadeh had just 30 grabs, and 398 yards for the Ravens in ’10. The Baltimore receiving core lacked an ability to stretch the field, and this was just further incentive for opponents to stack the box and take away the run.
Still, if you are building a team with just 2011 in-mind, you can argue for Houshmandzadeh’s return. His yards per reception (13.3) were well above his career average of 11.5. While James Hardy probably stands a better chance of making plays over the top; Houshmandzadeh’s experience as a veteran possession receiver makes him a better candidate to produce on a weekly basis if you were to lose Boldin or Mason for any significant amount of time.
Also, if there will not be mini-camps this off-season, it will be harder to work a new WR into the offense. In his second year in the system, Houshmandzadeh would figure to be more comfortable.
Topic 3: Best case scenario for the Ravens via Free Agency and the Draft?
Between the Draft and Free Agency (after the CBA is addressed), the Ravens will want to have their OL, DL, and CB situations settled.
In my mind, the ideal scenario for the Ravens would be the return of Gaither, Wilson, and Carr; and the drafting of DE Cameron Heyward. This would allow Baltimore to upgrade at 3 OL positions (LT, RT, and RG), give the Ravens four capable CB’s (Wilson, Carr, Foxworth, and Webb), and provide the team with a long-term DE to line-up next to Ngata, and Cody.
A second scenario would be losing Gaither, and drafting OT Derek Sherrod. I think if this happens, it is likely that Oher remains at LT, with Sherrod starting his career on the right-side, and Yanda moving back to RG. So in my eyes, you upgrade at two positions with Sherrod. If you draft Sherrod, you obviously pass on drafting one of the CB’s, or DE/OLB’s. In this situation you would again hope to resign Wilson and Carr. DE would figure to remain a weakness.
The third scenario is you draft one of the CB’s such as Jimmy Smith, Brandon Harris, or Aaron Williams (many see him as a Safety). Clearly if this happens, the Ravens would not be resigning one of Wilson or Carr, and possibly both. DE would figure to remain a weakness. You could still retain Gaither and upgrade the O-line at 3 spots.
What would be your preference?
Owner
Chris Stoner founded Baltimore Sports and Life in 2009. He has appeared as a radio guest with 1090 WBAL, 105.7 The Fan, CBS 1300, Q1370, WOYK 1350, WKAV 1400, and WNST 1570. He has also been interviewed by The Baltimore Sun, Baltimore Business Journal, and PressBox (TV). As Owner, his responsibilities include serving as the Managing Editor, Publicist, & Sales Director.