The Baltimore Ravens start their 2009 season September 13th against Kansas City.
This might come as a surprise to many, since it appears most of Baltimore believes the season actually starts Week 2 vs. San Diego.
Obviously this is a game that the Ravens should (and really have to) win. However, the Chiefs are improved, and I hope the Ravens are mentally prepared to face them.
Matt Cassel might have just been a product of Josh McDaniels’ New England offense, but he started 16 games in the league last-year, and threw for 3,700 yards.
He is not going to be the guy that steps on the field intimidated to play Baltimore.
KC has a number of bigger receivers with Dwayne Bowe (6’2, 221), Amani Toomer (6’3, 203), Mark Bradley (6’2, 200), and former Raven Devard Darling (6’1, 215).
That set of receivers could pose an interesting match-up for the shorter Raven CB’s. Foxworth is 5’11, 180, Washington is 5’11, 180, Rolle is 6’0, 175, and Webb is 5’11, 206.
Chief Running-back Larry Johnson, is much maligned, but he is coming off a 2008 season where he did average 4.5 yards per carry. Johnson is supposed to have dropped some weight, and appear quicker this year.
I do not fear any RB against the Ravens Run-defense, but Johnson’s legs (not to mention the backup Jamaal Charles) will be fresh in Week 1. If KC winds-up spreading the field with their receivers, this will pull Raven defenders out of the box, and give KC a chance to gain some yards on the ground.
Their O-line is lead by by one of their two 2008 1st-round picks; Branden Albert.
Outside of the KC receivers vs. our CB’s, the other match-up I am interested in is the Chief front-seven vs. our o-line.
Kansas City spent their 2009 1st round (Tyson Jackson), and 3rd round (Alex Magee) picks on beefing up their d-line. Jackson will join his college-teammate Glenn Dorsey (their other 2008 1st-round pick) on the starting-line, along with Tamba Hali, their 2006 1st-round pick.
Going into the 2009 season, I am extremely excited about the talent of the Ravens starting o-line of Gaither, Grubbs, Birk, Chester, and Oher. Watching our young o-line, vs. their d-line should be fun.
The potential wild-card in that match-up is the KC line-backing core. In the off-season, KC brought in 36 year-old Zach Thomas, and 34 year-old Mike Vrabel, to joing their 2005 1st-round pick Derrick Johnson.
I am not sure how much Thomas, and Vrabel have left, and I expect that the Ravens will be able to expose them sideline-to-sideline, but I could see those veterans making a play or two on a blitz.
In the secondary, their CB Brandon Flowers, and SS Bernard Pollard are solid, but the overall depth is lacking. If the Ravens can keep Flacco standing, Baltimore should be able to attack down the field.
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.