The injuries that have been suffered by Sergio Kindle and Domonique Foxworth should bring about a corresponding lowering expectation from fans of the Baltimore Ravens.
To be clear, lowered expectations does not equate to throwing in the towel on the forthcoming season. If the starting offensive-line can stay healthy (and keep Flacco up-right), this should be a very capable offense.
If Haloti Ngata and Terrence Cody dominate the point of attack, the entire defense will flourish.This remains a team capable of achieving their ultimate goals.
However, while the Ravens remain ‘capable’ the injuries to Kindle and Foxworth should not be casually dismissed. Baltimore was tied for just 18th in the NFL last-year in total sacks with 32. The hope was that Kindle would help address this. You also hoped his addition would pull away some of the attention focused on Suggs, giving T-Sizzle an increased opportunity to make plays of his own.
There have been reports that Suggs has reported to training camp weighing 15-20 lbs less than he played at during the 2009 season. That improved conditioning is great to hear. Still if Suggs lacks that opposite edge-rusher, will he be able to provide a consistent pass-rush?
Some of you are reading this and saying to yourself that Kindle has not been ruled out of the year. This is true and in-theory he could be healthy enough to play at the start of this season. While this is true, it is going to be hard for the Rookie to touch the field after missing all of camp. The best case scenario is that he is physically ready to play early on, and each week gets a bit more comfortable in practice. The most likely scenario in my mind is that Kindle is out for at-least all of 2010.
Of course the added benefit of being able to apply pressure to the Quarterback, is how it improves the pass defense. Essentially in the course of a week, the Ravens Secondary has loss the benefit (at-least temporarily) of a potentially improved pass-rush, and lost a CB that started every game for them last-year.
Even if Washington basically replaces Foxworth, and Webb is healthy enough to show he is the best of the 3, losing Foxworth will hurt all-year. Opposing offenses continue to spread the field with multiple wide-outs more and more frequently.
I kind of enjoyed the comments from Derrick Mason a few weeks back about this season being ‘Super Bowl’ or bust. With this collection of talent, and based over what this team has accomplished the previous two-years – the only satisfactory ending for the season will be seeing Ray Lewis hoist his 2nd Lombardi trophy. That said, I think everyone needs to dial back the expectations and solely look at improving on a week-to-week basis.
If you want to take a longer-term look, stop thinking about Festivus Maximus and think about the first four games of this season at the Jets, at the Bengals, home vs. Cleveland, and at the Steelers. That initial 25% of the season is going to be a tremendous litmus test for the Ravens.
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.