2009 Ravens

2009 Ravens

O-Line (9)

Gaither, Grubbs, Brown, Chester, Anderson (Terry, Yanda, Cousins, Hale)

Chester played well this year in place of Yanda.. Yanda’s return will make things interesting, but will provide depth at a minimum.

RB/ FB (4)

McClain, McGahee, Rice, Neal

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 (6)

Ngata, Gregg, Bannan, Pryce (Edwards, Douglass)

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.

DB (9)

Rolle, Cmac, Leonhard, Reed (Washington, Zybikowski, Nakamura, Landry, Walker)

If you listen to the rumors, you believe that part of the reason McAlister was placed on IR, was due to a riff with Coach Harbaugh. (In addition to his injury) If that is the case, they both have blood on their hands. McAlister was not the immature kid of his early youth with the Ravens… he had showed a lot of maturation during the past two years. His cover skills might be in decline, but his athleticism and size should not be cast-out yet. Harbaugh, and the Ravens should be trying to repair the relationship from their-side, and then it will be on McAlister to decide what he wants.

The guy has had a great career, arguably worthy of Ravens Ring of Honor… the attempt to bring him back should be made.

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

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

You 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) Ryan has left the Ravens to become the Head Coach of the New York Jets, how is Defensive Coordinator addressed?
2) With the return of Gregg, and Edwards, do you go to a traditional 4-3 defense?
3) I have to believe that Scott is off to a larger deal elsewhere.
4) Resigning Suggs, and Brown are priorities 1, and 1a. It is hard to envision a scenario where the Ravens can compete next year if these two are not brought back. Though I do wonder if they would consider letting Brown walk, and move Chester to Center, with Yanda back at RG.
5) Lewis is going to be back… but how are the numbers going to work?
6) I think Leonhard earned his spot next year… return of Landry will be interesting to watch…there is a lot of safety depth with Landry, Zbikowski, and Nakamura.

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.

This is a deep, and talented draft. My hope is that the Ravens are able to select the University of Maryland’s Darrius Heyward-Bey. DHB is 6’3 195, and was a National track-star at McDonough Highschool in Baltimore.

In most mock-draft projections, he is seen as a late 1st round pick. I have the feeling that when he goes to the Draft Combine, and shows his world-class speed, that he is going to move-up the boards.

The return of Gregg, and Edwards to the D-line, and Yanda to the O-line limits the need at those positions.

If the Ravens were to lose Suggs, I would guess Barnes would find himself in a starting role. In that scenario, a 1st round LB/DE might be possible. Someone like Brian Cushing from USC.

Outside of WR, the biggest need is increased CB depth. You have a lot of safeties… and are secure there… but if you let McAlister leave, and Washington is starting with Rolle… you need to add at least two bodies there…

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.