O-Line
Gaither, Grubbs, Birk, Yanda, Oher (Terry, Chester, Cousins, Hale)
Optimistic
The starting line is as big and rugged as any line in the league. Terry provides a good backup at either Tackle position. Chester got a lot of time at RG last year, and should be able to produce if needed.
Negative
Chester previously struggled at Center, if Birk goes down to injury – can he handle the position this time? How does Yanda rebound from his injury? Are Cousins and Hale more ready to contribute in 2009?
Full-back
McClain
Optimistic
McClain had a full year to work with Neal, who is one of the best lead-blockers in the history of the game. With McClain figuring to get less carries in 2009, he should be even better in goal-line situations.
Negative
McClain had 232 carries, and 902 yards in 2008. He had at-least 18 carries per game from Week 12 through the end of the season. How will he respond if he is a less of a focus point of the offense?
WR
Mason , Clayton, Williams (Washington, Smith)
Optimistic
Mason again holds back Father Time, and has 80+ catches, and 1,000 yards. Clayton builds on the 17 yards per reception he had in 2008, and is even more in-sync with Flacco, during Flacco’s 2nd year. Williams stays healthy, and provides a deep threat that can take advantage of Flacco’s arm. Washington has caught 20 passes in the last 3 years combined. I think the best case scenario is that you are not forced to need him to produce in 2009. Smith enters his 2nd year in the league, and should be more comfortable running routes, and in the offense.
Negative
Williams has played 16 combined games in the past two years. If he goes down to injury in 2009, it will again be difficult to stretch the field.
TE
Heap, Smith, Drew
Optimistic
Heap is not required to say at the line and pass-block, and Flacco continues to become more comfortable using the middle of the field. Smith caught 15 of his 37 receptions in December last year, maybe he will be hungry to perform in a new city.
Negative
Smith has missed 9 games to injury the past two seasons.
RB
McGahee (Rice, Peerman)
Optimistic
Rice showed he could be the Ravens Maurice Jones-Drew in 2008, and was a threat out of the backfield. Rice arrived to mini-camp in better shape. Peerman had the best 40 time for RB’s at the combine. McGahee only had 170 carries in 2008, which had to limit some of the wear and tear. As a Miami Hurricane product, you know he has some pride. I would expect a better year out of him in 2009.
Negative
McGahee will only have a better year if he has more burst than he showed last year. As he had arthoscopic knee surgery in the off-season, you wonder how much he was able to train.
QB
Flacco (Smith, Beck)
Optimistic
Flacco had 16 regular-season starts last year, and 3 more in the playoffs. Going to Pittsburgh will no longer be a new experience for him. He showed an ability to orchestrate drives, and hit the homerun. With those experiences and another year of camps – he should be in position to take another step-forward in 2009. Obtaining former 2nd round pick John Beck, will allow the Ravens to continue to use Troy Smith in the ‘Suggs’ package.
Negative
I do not see a negative here. There is not a team in the league that would not be affected by losing their starting QB, and that is true in Baltimore as well. Having Smith, and Beck backing up Flacco is as good as anyone else.
D-Line
Ngata, Gregg, Edwards, Pryce (Bannan, Kruger, McKinney)
Positive
Ngata is a dominating force in the middle. The return of Gregg, and Edwards give the Ravens the ability to rotate in lineman, and keep everyone fresh. Kruger has to put on weight, but gives the line fresh legs.
Negative
Gregg feels great, but you will not know for sure until the pads come on. Pryce has 6.5 sacks in his last 21 games, raising the question of how much does he have left?
LB’s
Suggs, Lewis, Gooden, Johnson (McClain, Barnes, Phillips)
Positive
You lose the experience of Scott, but you add the athleticism of Gooden. Johnson had his best year at LB in 2008, and McClain, Barnes, and Phillips provide good depth.
With improved depth on the D-line, Lewis should again have a big year.
Negative
Suggs is still looking for a long-term deal, and it could impact his play if the team slumped unexpectedly. Barnes is a superior athlete, but he has 2 sacks in 27 games. His best attribute is speed of the edge, he needs to get the QB in 2009.
Secondary
Washington, Foxworth, Reed, Landry, Rolle, (Zybikowski, Nakamura, Webb, Walker)
Positive
Reed is the best play-making defensive player in football. The CB depth is deep with guys that can run and cover. Having Rolle as a nickelback is a strength.
Negative
Washington and Foxworth are not going to help in run-coverage very often. Landry is back, but what you get out of him remains in question.
Special Teams
Koch, Hauschka / Gano, Figures, Ayanbedjo, Jones
Positive
Hauschka and Gano both have strong legs… if they stick, the Ravens will not need a kickoff specialist. If either is not up to the task, Stover remains in the wings. Figures does have big play ability.
Negative
I have visions of Hauschka or Gano missing a big kick, that would be automatic with Stover. Figures has big play ability, but he also has limited confidence and poor hands.
KC – W, Chiefs will be improved.. but Ravens should win at home.
@SD – L, Crowd will not intimidate Baltimore, but West Coast trip against a talented team.
Browns – W
@Pats – L, NE is aging and this will be a winnable game.. but should not expect to win on the road vs the Pats.
Bengals – W, I am sure Cinci will not be as inept as they were in 2008.. but at home this is a W.
@Vikings – L, Solid team… dome…
Denver – W, glad Cutler is gone… swing game with conference implications for Ravens
@Bengals – W, Bengals had a nice draft… could certainly lose here.
@Browns – W, MNF… probably should call for the loss… division game on the road, on prime-time… just expect Ravens find a way to win.
Colts – L, Until shown otherwise, I will not believe Baltimore can beat Peyton Manning.
Steelers – W, Sunday Night game… think there will be hype during this week?
@GB – L, Monday Night… Lambeau… Prime-time.. not feeling a win.
Lions – W, Detroit can only be improved… but they are not coming to Baltimore and winning.
Bears – W, Another swing game for the Ravens… Chicago will be used to the cold… Cutler will give them a chance.
@Steelers – L
@Raiders – W, West Coast weather will feel good late in the year… facing Oakland at the end of the year, might not.
Positive
I have the Ravens at 10-6 for the 2009 season. You could argue that with the experiences of two playoff victories, and playing in the AFC Championship, the Ravens are prepared to take the next step in 2009. If the Ravens get to the playoffs, they are not a team that will need homefield advantage to advance.
Negative
I am glad the Ravens have multiple options at RB, I would feel better about the Ravens chances if they had 1 stud RB though. I see a good team, with a lot of good parts. I am not sure I see enough playmaking talent to be a legit Super Bowl contender.
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.