After the offseason that the Baltimore Ravens have had, this year should prove to be very exciting. Baltimore's front office has been making moves all offseason in order to build a stronger attack that compliment it's defense. Various players are entering this season with a "win it all" mentality. Last year, the Ravens went 9-7 with a 6th seed playoff berth. Baltimore traveled into Foxborough and defeated the New England Patriots, 33-14. The first play of the game turned out to be an 83-yard touchdown run up the middle from Ray Rice to get things going.
The Ravens are hoping to replicate their results from last season and improve even more. The Ravens drafted many potential stars in this year's draft, as always. The list of draftees signed includes DT Terrence Cody, TE Dennis Pitta, TE Ed Dickson, WR David Reed DT Arthur Jones, and OT Ramon Harewood. Many have said the players that look to be the most influential this season would be the pair or tight ends and Terrence "Mount" Cody.
In addition to drafting many appealing rookies, Baltimore also made a blockbuster trade and made a good pick up to greatly improve the wide out position and help the team's offense.
QUIET! OFFENSE AT WORK!
This year's campaign marks the third year for quarterback Joe Flacco. If his progression continues to grow as it has in the past two years, the team should have no worries at the QB position. This past offseason marked one of the biggest upgrades the wide receiver that the team has ever seen. On February 16th, 2010 Donté Stallworth signed a one-year $900,000 deal with the team. However in the third preseason game against the New York Giants, Stallworth broke his left foot while running a streak-route. Head coach John Harbaugh has said that Stallworth could possibly return in week 8 of the regular season.
In addition to signing Donté Stallworth, Baltimore made a blockbuster trade at the receiver position. On March 5th, 2010 The Arizona Cardinals traded Anquan Boldin and a 2010 5th round draft pick to the Baltimore Ravens. In exchange, Baltimore sent 3rd and 4th round picks in the 2010 NFL Draft. Upon arrival Boldin agreed to a three-year deal worth $25 million plus the one year he had left on his current deal which comes to four years worth $28 million, $10 million guaranteed.
In 2009, while Donté Stallworth was serving a year-long suspension for vehicular manslaughter, Boldin caught 84 receptions for 1,024 yards. Baltimore Ravens Fans are very optimistic about their offense this year.
ORGANIZED CHAOS
Although the depth at defensive back may be thin, the Raven defense can still prove the be the perennial powerhouse that it usually is. The defensive line has gained a recruit by the name of Terrence Cody who can provide some depth and some extreme blocking skills. Some are calling the package that includes the likes of Haloti Ngata, Terrence "Mount" Cody, Kelly Gregg and Terrell Suggs, "Mount Crushmore". Yes it is true, Baltimore's defensive front now weighs in over 1,000 lb.
Terrell Suggs (260) + Kelly Gregg (315) + Terrence Cody (360) + Haloti Ngata (345) = 1,280 pounds.
Ray Lewis and co. return for what is sure to be another prosperous and thriving year for the team's linebacking squad. The only question that remains is in the defensive backfield. Some say that the team's cornerback position is extremely lacking. CB Fabian Washington and CB Lardarius Webb are both coming off season ending ACL injuries. However, in the time that the backers played, they fared quite well. In 10 games Washington recorded 35 tackles while in 14 games Webb recorded 32 tackles and a sack.
Both DB's have something to prove this season as the try to get back to being completely healthy and successful.
THE FORGOTTEN
Although it may not be apparent there is a heated battle going on at the kicker position. The two candidates, Shayne Graham and Billy Cundiff, have been at it all offseason pounding the ball through the uprights. Both have missed from different places so there really is no clear cut winner at this point. Although by the time week 1 rolls around, only one will remain. Both can double as a kick off specialist which helps save a roster spot for another position that may need more depth.
Possible kick-off and punt returners have included Mark Clayton, Lardarius Webb, Chris Carr and Donté Stallworth. However, with Stallworth's recent injury, he can be counted out until late in the season.
On August 13th, 2010 Long-Snapper Matt Katula was released by the Ravens with intentions of keeping rookie LS Morgan Cox, out of Tennessee. Katula had been suffering from a lingering injured elbow and was about to enter the third year of his 5-year contract extension that he signed in 2008.
PREDICTION:
The Baltimore Ravens will go 13-3 this year, with their only losses being to the Cincinnati Bengals (Away), New England Patriots (Away), and the New Orleans Saints (Home). To some it may seem like a stretch, however I think that it could prove to be quite accurate.
Back to the AFC North season preview
Comments
This is the biggest piece of garbage I've ever read. Seriously, this is third-grade type stuff. If you don't understand football, don't do people a disservice and make them read this kind of crap.
Every team has a "win it all" mentality. The kicking competition is apparent. Seriously, you're a freaking joke.
-Its ... not "it's." LEARN GRAMMAR. Quotes also go outside the period...LEARN PUNCTUATION.
It's sad that websites publish this crap.
I believe the Ravens will go at least 13-3 as well. They have a solid running game and an much better passing game as well. The only area for concern that I see is at the conerback position. I would really consider on trying to sign a veteran corner such as Chris McCalister an lock down corner they had in the past.
This is a joke. "Quiet, Offense at Work." Take that Washington Redskins garbage back down the BW Parkway. Ravens fans don't need to be told when to be quiet and when to make noise.
This article sucks. Thanks for continued crap, Examiner.
How do you possibly get hired for sh$t like this?
What happened to real journalism? U suck
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