The Baltimore Ravens are hoping that some fringe players will step up to take on some of the receiving load this season as the depth at the position leaves much to be desired. They have a solid number one and two receiver but after that, they are woefully thin. The Ravens are notorious for the running game but without perennial stud Jamal Lewis to turn to, the flaws in the passing game will be evident.
Mark Clayton had one of those breakout seasons last year and give the Ravens a dependable source of catches at the number one receiver slot. Clayton blossomed in every category for the Ravens in 2006, and opened eyes throughout the NFL. Though small by today’s standards at 5 feet 11 inches, he showed a propensity to make the big catch. The one category that he needs to improve on is touchdown receptions, as he had only 5 in spite of catching 67 passes for just under 1000 yards on the season. He will be relied upon heavily this season to come up with the big catch and he appears ready to step to the next level.
At the number two slot is eleventh year man, Derrick Mason. A reliable player that will catch the ball consistently, he has began to slow a step or two. His yard per catch dropped to a career low of only 11.0 yards. This is one of the universal signs that a player may be beginning to slow. Mason has always been a class act, and is certainly still an asset to a young Ravens ball club.
The potential players that may fill the third spot in the lineup is a band of guys that have been up and down through the years. The man most likely to fill the third spot will be Clarence Moore. Moore is a huge guy with soft hands. Standing 6 feet 6 inches, Moore began his Ravens career with a bright future in 2004 with 4 touchdowns on 300 yards receiving. The last two years however he has had limited playing time, and had some injury problems. Look for him to surprise some people this year.
Demetrius Williams is the one player expected to truly reach new heights this year as he had a pretty productive rookie season in 2006. This rookie had 300+ yards on only 22 catches his rookie year. Nine of those catches were for 20+ yards, however, and he showed he can make a big play. This is one guy that has a ton of upside and the lack of depth at the position should allow him some needed experience.
All in all, the Ravens are short in this particular category, and it will show this year unless someone steps up out of nowhere as Clayton did last year. It should be interesting to see how they shape up in the tough AFC against some of the teams that light up the scoreboard.
