2009 Ravens 2

On Jan 19th, I previously took a look at how I thought the 2009 Ravens would shape up…

http://baltimoresportsandlife.blogspot.com/2009/01/2009-ravens.html

Obviously have been some changes since then, lets reevaluate based on what is known as of today.

O-Line (8)
Gaither, Grubbs, Chester, Yanda, Anderson (Terry, Cousins, Hale)

RB/ FB (3)
McClain, McGahee, Rice

*Neal is a FA, and his return is up in the air.

WR (4)
Mason , Clayton, Williams (Smith)

TE (3)
Heap, Wilcox

Will have to see how Sypniewski looks in camp… if he is healthy, he might make the team over Wilcox… or maybe they carry all three.

QB (3)
Flacco (Smith, Bouman)

D-Line (5)
Ngata, Gregg, Bannan, Pryce (Edwards)
The return of Gregg, and Edwards will really help the D-line depth, and could even have the Ravens move to a 4-3.

LB’s (6)
Suggs, Lewis, Gooden, Johnson (McClain, Barnes)

The organization is very high on Gooden, there will be a lot of pressure on him to replace Scott… but he should provide the LB core some fresh legs.

If Lewis does not return, maybe that will be another reason to use the 4-3 base.

DB (8)
Washington, Foxworth, Reed, Landry, Rolle, (Zybikowski, Nakamura, Walker)
There appears to be a high likely-hood that Rolle will be cut at this point.

Special Teams (5)
Koch, Figures, Ayanbedjo, Jones

Biggest question is Stover… if he is not brought back, where do you turn?

Also have to wonder if the team attempts to upgrade the return game, and replace Figures?

Home
Cincinnati W
Cleveland W
Pittsburgh W
Denver L
Kansas City W
Chicago W
Detroit W
New England L

Away
Cincinnati W
Cleveland L
Pittsburgh L
Oakland W
San Diego L
Green Bay L
Minnesota W
Indianapolis L

= 9-7
I continue to believe that the Ravens should win the Division games at home.
Should split with Denver and KC at home. Should beat Chicago and Detroit at home… Can beat New England, but will call a loss at this time.

You should split with Cincinnati and Cleveland on the road, should lose at Pitt. Oakland will be improved, and that will be a huge swing game. I expect San Diego to be healthier next year and contend… that is likely a prime-time game. You will need to split against GB and Minnesota, and both cities are hard places to play. I have little confidence of the Ravens winning in Indianapolis.

There will be more prime-time games, which means a more up and down schedule.

They have two West Coast trips, which are always difficult.

Issues facing the team:
1) Does Ray come back?
2) With the return of Gregg, and Edwards, do you go to a traditional 4-3 defense?
3) What about Stover?
4) Will Chester be able to handle the Center position this time?
5) Will the team be working on long-term deals for Clayton, Gaither, and Ngata?
6) If Landry is not able to physically return, is the team comfortable with Zbikowski or Nakamura starting?
7) Will the team attempt to bring back Neal?
8) Does the signing of Foxworth, make it more likely the Ravens will pursue a WR in the 1st round?
9) Is the team comfortable with Troy Smith as the backup? Is there any chance Boller could be retained to compete for the backup role?

Draft Thoughts:
The Ravens will continue their practice of taking the best available player, and not drafting for need.If you look at the roster, the most glaring need is a game changing WR that can stretch the field. The return of Williams can help that, but I look for the 1st round pick to be a wide-out.

I had hoped the Ravens would be in position to take Maryland’s Heyward-Bey, but just as I suspected, his profile was raised significantly at the Draft Combine.

The D-Line in 2009 should be very good, but it is a bit of an older group… some new blood there would help.

With the departure of Brown, the O-line could use another body.

If the team cuts Rolle, drafting another CB seems likely at some-point. With both Foxworth, and Washington being relative non-factors in run-support, a Gary Baxter esque CB would be intriguing.

Lastly, the team does not have a lot of faith in Figures, and you have to believe they will be looking for another return man in the draft… especially with Leonhard likely out the door….