The preseason has ended, and now the final countdown to the opener September 13th in Denver has begun for the Baltimore Ravens. To help preview the season, Baltimore Sports and Life has reached out to Vinnie Iyer (Sporting News) for his thoughts.
Our thanks to Mr. Iyer for taking the time to respond.
(You can discuss this on the BSL Board here.)
Baltimore Sports and Life: The Ravens have been to the Playoffs 6 of the last 7 years. If you are choosing one, who gets the most credit for that consistency – Flacco, Harbaugh, or Newsome?
Iyer: It has to be Newsome. They have had a lot of moving parts around coach and quarterback, and could have been down further after that one missed playoff season. But their defense rebuild was very impressive, as well as reinventing their offense first with Gary Kubiak and now Marc Trestman. It wouldn’t have been possible without hitting on the right personnel at the right time, such as Justin Forsett.
Baltimore Sports and Life: Marshall Yanda is recognized as one of the NFL’s premier guards. Joining Yanda as starters are LT Eugene Monroe, LG Kelechi Osemele, C Jeremy Zuttah, and RT Rick Wagner. The local perception is that this is one of the premier O-lines in the game, do you agree with that?
Iyer: In terms of run blocking in this league, the Ravens rival what they have up front in both Dallas and Philadelphia. Monroe’s addition and resurrection also had made them a premier pass protecting team again. This is definitely a top-five line overall, and you can see that in the production of Flacco and Forsett booming.
Baltimore Sports and Life: Overall offensively, I see a lot of useful contributors. At RB (Forsett, Taliaferro, Allen), FB (Juszczyk), TE (Williams, Gillmore), and WR (Smith Sr, Perriman, Campanaro, Aiken, M. Brown, Waller); there are numerous guys who should be capable of helping. What is lacking is elite play-making talent. Guys you definitively know will win 1×1 match-ups vs. anyone. As you project out the Ravens 2015 season, how much of a concern is that (the lack of elite skill position talent) for you?
Iyer: The Ravens will need to get a little creative with Trestman to make it happen. Forsett should be a lot more involving the passing game to get him into open field. Perriman and Williams have disappointed with both their slow development and injury. So formation and wrinkles will be key to find the right matchups rom game to game. It is a concern, because it will take a lot of firepower to win the AFC over New England, Denver, Indianapolis and PIttsburgh.
Baltimore Sports and Life: It appears that knee injury suffered by Jernigan in the exhibition loss to Washington was not serious. With him, Brandon Williams, and Carl Davis the Ravens have 3 young D-Lineman with high ceiling. Do you like the D-line’s potential or believe that losing Ngata will be a year long detriment?
Iyer: Ngata had definitely lost something after being banged up, and wasn’t the same dominant player he was very early. The Ravens have always been able to be strong with whatever mix on their three-man front, and they will hold up well.
Baltimore Sports and Life: Elvis Dumervil and Terrell Suggs combined for 29 sacks last year. They are also entering their 10th, and 13th seasons in the league. Should the Ravens be looking for situations (particularly early in the year) where their snaps can be reduced, to keep them fresher for the second half? How do you rate them as a pass rushing duo league wide?
Iyer: They need keep trusting them as the studs outside. There are few better 1-2 punches, and they play off each so well. I think you manage their snaps situationally, but don’t hold them back much.
Baltimore Sports and Life: Do think it’s important for Rookie Za’Darius Smith to prove himself as an adequate 3rd down replacement for Pernell McPhee?
Iyer: Definitely. McPhee really cashed in Chicago after a great all-around season. Smith must come up with some big plays there.
Baltimore Sports and Life: C.J. Mosley had an extremely impressive rookie season. What can he improve on in Year 2?
Iyer: He’ll need to help more in coverage, because he’ll be leaned on more on the second level in that area.
Baltimore Sports and Life: One of the reasons the Patriots were able to come back (twice) against the Ravens in the post-season last year, was the limitations in Baltimore’s Secondary. It is hoped that with a returning Jimmy Smith (who was playing at a very high level prior to his injury), the addition of Kyle Arrington at Nickle, and Kendrick Lewis at Safety; that the Secondary will be improved. If the pass rush in front of this group is sustained; can this Secondary become a team strength?
Iyer: Yes. They were totally decimated there and couldn’t recover. They’re better positioned to do that this year.
Baltimore Sports and Life: In addition to the AFC North, the Ravens play the NFC West, AFC West, Miami, and Jacksonville. Will the Ravens return to the playoffs for a 7th time in 8 years? Who wins the AFC North, and the AFC as a whole?
Iyer: I like the Ravens to both win the North and make the playoffs for a 7th time in 8 years. They will be right there in the mix to win the AFC with those four other powerhouses, and I can see them setting up a playoff rematch with the Patriots. Right now, New England is my favorite to repeat, but Baltimore would be a strong runner up.
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