Simply put, this is the season that included head coach Brian Billick and many of the aging veteran players who were with the Ravens when they lifted their 2000 Super Bowl trophy.
No excuses at this time either. Billick, who was hailed as an offensive genius when he was the offensive coordinator of the Minnesota Vikings in the late 90s, has a starting quarterback in Steve McNair and a solid defense led by two former defensive backs. player-of-the-year”>Player of the Year‘s winners.
Whether the Ravens can all make a run for one final championship together is another question entirely. However, lack of talent will not be an issue.
Here is the skinny on the Baltimore Ravens for 2006.
QB
Baltimore’s fourth-round pick alongside former Tennessee Titans, Steve McNair, is a huge upgrade over the completely empty-handed, Kyle Boller, who immediately moved to number two on the depth chart with McNair’s arrival.
For this team to have a chance to secure a spot in the tough AFC playoffs, McNair has to stay healthy. If he does not, it will be the same old song in B-more – or shall I say; B-less.
Running Backs
My motto as a columnist has always been to call things like I see them. Having said that, I have to say that running, Jamal Lewis is an absolute disgrace. For Louis, essentially, in his roommates, he completely despised the rest because of his desire for a new contract.
If it had been up to me, Louis would never have been restrained by any means;
He was recalled, and is number one again.
However, if Louis didn’t complete the journey that he had a few seasons ago with more than a thousand yards, the Denver Broncos acquired a former 1,000-yard rusher, Mike Anderson, who will at least provide a change. They approach the speech of Louis plaiting.
Wide receiver/tight end
McNair will have a familiar target in veteran Derrick Mason, with whom he is already comfortable. Mark Clayton, last year’s No. 1 draft pick, will start on the other side, giving McNair a second best receiver — and one that will only get better with each passing game.
Tight end Todd Heaps is the best pass catcher and is healthy after playing through several nagging injuries last season.
Clarence Moore and Devard Darling will compete for the third and fourth holes respectively.
Heavy line
Although a veteran tackle, Jonathan Ogden is clearly not the player he used to be, but he is still better than 90 percent of the tackles in the league. However, I can’t say the same about the rest of the Ravens’ nondescript offensive line.
Edwin Mulitalo, Mike Flynn, Keydrick Vincent and Adam Terry are all average at best. Brian Rimpf and Tony Pashos will either come off the bench as rotation players, or earn a starting position somewhere on the lineup in this group.
Defensive line
Not bad for Baltimore. Trevor Pryce and Terrell Suggs are the glue that will hold this foundation together. Justin Bannan, Rookie, Haloti Ngata, and Veteran, Kelly Gregg rounded out the rest of the Ravens defensive line.
Linebackers
Ray Lewis may not be the player he used to be, but he’s still pretty good. Whether it will be enough to get the Ravens back into the thick of the playoff hunt in the AFC remains to be seen.
Adalius Thomas is quickly becoming a Pro Bowl-caliber player, whose growth this season is helping Lewis develop his abilities as a standout man on the sideline. Either, Bart Scott or Dan Cody will start on the other side.
Defensive Backs
Former Defensive Player of the Year, Safety Ed Reed, is the headliner for this group. Chris McAlister, Samari Rolle are certainly above average players in their respective positions. The only weak link could be safety, B.J. Ward.
Special Teams
xviii Stover solid crow rock. But the Ravens don’t have a starting punter at this point. Leo Araguz and Sam Koch will fight for that position. B.J. Sams will return several crows, both punching and kicking, with Clayton calling him back on both sides.
Coaching
If Billick doesn’t keep up his act this season, he won’t be back in 2007 – and rightly so, if I may say so. However, if the Ravens can pull off a winning season, I think he’ll get at least one more season with a competent quarterback at the helm – and I’m not talking about Kyle Boller either.
