Projections (9/02/03)

Passing Stats

Rush Stats

Receiving Stats

Fantasy

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Quarterbacks
Starter - Chris Redman
Backups - Kyle Boller, Anthony Wright

Starting Quarterback: The quarterback situation in Baltimore is scary. If you had a fantasy draft today, there is no reason to draft a Raven quarterback simply because it is impossible to know right now which guy will be given the nod at center. The early indicator is that Redman will start week one but he will have not only rookie Kyle Boller breathing down his neck but also 5th-year guy Anthony Wright. Redman has some skills but has been battling back injuries for a while now and there is not guarantee he'll start more than a few games, let alone all season. He is perhaps the riskiest quarterback in the league to pick up in fantasy football at this time and is ranked way down the Footballguys.com rankings. He didn't have very good passing numbers last year except that he did throw for 7 touchdown passes against only 3 interceptions. That is encouraging from a young quarterback.

Backup Quarterback(s): Both rookie quarterback Kyle Boller and veteran quarterback Anthony Wright may be given the chance to step onto the field and contribute in 2003. It is almost a certainty that Boller will see playing time throughout the season to get his feet wet. I wouldn't expect too much from either of these players though.

Update - 8/28: Boller started the preseason contest against the Redskins and (by all accounts) was unimpressive in his first action against an opposing first-string defense. He admitted being 'nervous' so maybe that had something to do with the lackluster performance. We now believe that Boller will indeed begin the season as the starting QB.

Running Backs
Starter - Jamal Lewis
Backups - Chester Taylor, Musa Smith, Dameon Hunter
Fullbacks - Alan Ricard, Harold Morrow, Ovie Mughelli

Starting Running Back: Jamal Lewis came back from his second major knee injury to mount an impressive 2002 campaign, carrying the ball 308 times for 1327 yards and 6 scores, while catching 47 balls for 442 yards and 1 more score. He enters 2003 as the unchallenged starter, and has looked good during mini-camps. One concern about Lewis is the situation at quarterback - either journeyman Chris Redman or rookie Kyle Boller will be under center in 2003, so the passing offense isn't going to be particularly potent - which may end up Lewis' opportunities in the red-zone. Still, the Ravens are a run-first team, so don't expect Lewis' carries to drop below 300 in 2003. As of 6/29/03, we see him toting the rock 320 times for 1344 yards and 8 scores, with another 320 yards and 2 touchdowns tacked on via 45 receptions. That slots Lewis as our #13 ranked fantasy back, a marginal #1 in very large leagues but a solid #2 RB for any franchise in 2003.

Backup Running Back(s): Chester Taylor is the #2 guy heading into training camp, with Dameon Hunter and rookie Musa Smith figuring into the mix as potential back-ups to Lewis. Their position on the depth chart will be subject to change depending on their respective training camp performances.

Fullback(s): Alan Ricard carried the ball 14 times for 58 yards and 2 scores with 10 catches for 60 yards in his first season. Harold Morrow and rookie Ovie Mughelli are #2 and #3 on the depth chart at this point. None of these players look exciting from a fantasy perspective.

Update - 8/28: The situation in Baltimore's backfield remains essentially unchanged since late June/early July, although Jamal Lewis' projections have been tweaked up - currently #11 on our board with 330/1403/9 rushing and 45/320/2 receiving. Smith will be sidelined for a couple of weeks after undergoing knee surgery on Monday.

Wide Receivers
Starters - Travis Taylor, Frank Sanders
Backups: Marcus Robinson, Ron Johnson, Randy Hymes

Starting Receiver(s): Travis Taylor, a first-round pick in 2000, had been slow to develop early in his career but finally started to come on at the end of last year. Taylor is a fine all-around athlete with big-play potential, but is still too inconsistent to be the team's go-to receiver. (TE Todd Heap filled that role last year.) Frank Sanders, a veteran possession receiver who's spent the last eight years with the Cardinals, has terrific hands, but lacks speed and explosiveness. His reception totals have declined in each of the last four years.

Backup Receiver(s): Former Chicago Bear WR Marcus Robinson is trying to make a comeback after suffering torn ligaments in his knee two seasons ago. He played in 16 games last year for the Bears, but was strictly a backup. When healthy, Robinson has a nice combination of size and speed and can make the acrobatic catch downfield. If he comes close to regaining his pre-injury form, he will beat out Frank Sanders for the starting job opposite Taylor. Second-year receiver Ron Johnson could be a sleeper. He has fine size and overall athleticism, but dropped way too many balls last year. If he plays up to his potential, he could be a solid possession receiver. Former college QB Randy Hymes fills out the roster. He is a good athlete with excellent size and very sticky hands, but lacks speed and quickness and is still not a polished route-runner.

Update - 8/28: Frank Sanders dislocated several of his toes, but is still expected to start once the regular season rolls around. Marcus Robinson has been starting in Frank Sanders' absence during the last several preseason games, but has failed to make any sort of impact.

Tight Ends
Starter - Todd Heap
Backup(s) - Terry Jones
Todd Heap was projected to be a top 10 tight end last season. If you waited to draft Heap until later rounds you reaped the benefits of the number 1 scoring tight end in 2002. If you want Heap on your roster this season, be prepared to draft him in the top three along with Jeremy Shockey and Tony Gonzalez. Heap possesses great hands and leaping ability. He is easily the best pass catching option on the Baltimore roster. If the Raven wide receivers can be more of a threat, Heap may be even better in 2003. However, if the Raven wide outs struggle, look for a linebacker and safety to start doubling up on Heap.

Update - 8/28: Heap is still the man!

Place Kicker
Matt Stover: Stover is an accurate kicker playing with a poor offense. Over the past four seasons he has been consistent and reliable. Helping him out this year, punter Dave Zastudil may take on the kickoff duties so Stover can focus on field goals.

Offensive Line
C-Mike Flynn; G-Bennie Anderson; G-Edwin Mulitalo; T-Jonathon Ogden; T-Orlando Brown
The Ravens offensive line was in a state of flux last year but managed to play better than expected. They still are blessed with Ogden who is the best offensive lineman in the AFC. Likely it is his presence that helped this mediocre group play better than many thought they could. This group is definitely stronger at run blocking than pass blocking and that doesn't bode well for the Ravens at quarterback.