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2005 Team Report: Baltimore Ravens
Quarterbacks
Starter: Kyle Boller
Starting QB: The Ravens gave up first- and second-round picks to select Boller with the No. 19 overall pick in 2003. He has the physical tools to be a very good NFL quarterback, but his passing numbers so far have been meager. He shows nice touch on underneath passes and can be accurate when he gets into a rhythm, but despite his good arm strength, he struggles to throw the ball downfield accurately. Boller has excellent mobility and is a threat to run once he leaves the pocket. For a young quarterback, he does a nice job of throwing the ball away instead of forcing it into coverage or taking a sack - although when he does take a sack he is prone to fumble. Boller's anemic passing numbers in his first two seasons can be blamed partly on the Ravens' run-oriented playcalling and the lack of quality receivers. That will change in 2005. New offensive coordinator Jim Fassell will install a more balanced offense, Todd Heap returns healthy at tight end, and the Ravens have upgraded the WR position by bringing in veteran Derrick Mason and rookie Mark Clayton. Consider this a make-or-break year for Boller.
Backup QB: Anthony Wright is an adequate short-term backup quarterback who can come into a game and make something happen with his athleticism. He quarterbacked seven regular-season games for the Ravens in 2003, and despite completing just 52.8% of his passes, he ran the offense successfully and led the team to a 5-2 record. Wright is a threat to turn a broken play into a nice gain once he gets outside the pocket and starts to improvise. He is a below-average passer, however, who lacks both arm strength and the judgment to avoid throwing into double coverage. His upside potential as an NFL quarterback is therefore limited. The Ravens selected Derek Anderson in the sixth round of this year's NFL draft, and he will likely make the roster as the Ravens' third QB. Anderson is too raw to challenge for playing time this year, but even though he lacks mobility, his excellent size and arm strength give him the long-term potential to develop into a classic drop-back passer. If Boller shows inadequate improvement this year, Anderson could get a shot in 2006.
Running Backs
Starter: Jamal Lewis
Starting RB: Jamal Lewis followed up his magical 2003 season in which he rushed for 2,066 yards with a somewhat forgettable 2004. Lewis was in and out of the lineup last year due to injuries and a league suspension for an off-the-field incident. When Lewis did play, he displayed the physical ability that makes him such a special running back: the rare combination of power and speed that allows him to run over defenders or run away from them. Lewis is quick through the hole and has tremendous power inside, he gains more yards after contact than anyone else in the league. He has routinely faced eight-man fronts throughout his pro career, but his running style will wear a defense down. Many of his long runs have come in the second halves of games. Lewis is limited as a pass-receiver and as a blocker, but when he is healthy and focused, he has the pure running skills to carry the Ravens' offense. Lewis may never have another 2,000-yard season, but if he can put last year's off-field distractions and nagging injuries behind him, he should reclaim his status as a top ten fantasy running back. Backup RBs: With Jamal Lewis and Musa Smith both missing time last year, Chester Taylor played a significant role in the Ravens' offense and proved to be a very capable running back. His vision and deceptive power make him a competent inside runner, while his quickness and acceleration make him an excellent outside runner and receiver out of the backfield. Because of his proven production in 2004 and because teammate Musa Smith is still rehabilitating a badly broken leg, the Ravens matched the Browns' one-year, $3 million offer sheet for Taylor, who will return as Jamal Lewis' primary backup. Musa Smith is not quite as fast as Taylor, but is a similarly quick runner with good moves and fine receiving skills. In limited action last year, Smith flashed potential as a playmaker, but he did not always find the hole if it wasn't where he was expecting it. His season was cut short in week 11 when his foot got caught in the turf as he was dragged down from behind, the result was a gruesome broken leg that required surgery. B.J. Sams is a smaller back who is primarily used as a return specialist.
Fullback: Alan Ricard doesn't have prototypical size for a fullback, but has plenty of power and has developed into a solid lead blocker. He has the agility to hit a moving target as a run-blocker, and can slide his feet as a pass-blocker. He has good straight-ahead speed for a fullback, and has contributed on special teams in the past. As a fourth-round pick in 2003, Ovie Mughelli was often compared to Sam Gash, but he received very little playing time in 2003 and did not play at all in 2004. He is considered a disappointment by some, and will be pushed for his roster spot by rookie fifth-round pick Justin Green. Green is a 250-pounder with excellent run skills for a fullback.
Wide Receivers
Starters: Derrick Mason, Clarence Moore
Starting WRs: The Ravens have a new look at wide receiver this year. Last year's starters, Travis Taylor and Kevin Johnson, are no longer on the roster. In their place are Derrick Mason, a free-agent acquisition from the Titans, and Clarence Moore. Mason brings quickness and run-after-the-catch ability to the wide receiver position that the Ravens have been lacking. He had over 1,000 yards receiving in each of his past four seasons with the Titans. He doesn't have the sustained speed to be a true deep threat, but he is very quick out of his cuts and runs great patterns. His sure hands and ability to get separation on short routes make him a nice red zone target. Clarence Moore's 6'6" height, fine leaping ability, and soft hands make him a natural red zone target and natural complement to Mason. Moore isn't a true burner, but he does have deceptive speed and can get open deep. While Moore excels in some areas, he lacks the quickness to be a complete receiver who can get separation from man coverage on intermediate routes. He also must improve his ball concentration when he knows he is going get hit. Moore is probably a short term solution, until rookie Mark Clayton is ready for a full time role. Backup WRs: Mark Clayton, a first round selection in the April draft, has a good chance of starting opposite Mason at some point this year. Like Mason, Clayton is a smallish, quick receiver who runs good patterns, has excellent hands, and can get yards after the catch. While rookie wide receivers often struggle, Clayton is much more polished than most. Randy Hymes is big receiver at 6'3". He has a knack for finding the soft spot in a short zone. Hymes lacks the speed to be an every-down receiver, but can be useful in a third-down possession role. While he is not an elusive runner after the catch, he does have the strength to break tackles and get yards after contact. Devard Darling was a third-round draft pick a year ago, but saw almost no playing time in his injury-plagued rookie season. He showed very good speed and jumping ability in college at Washington State, but inconsistent hands. Patrick Johnson had a surprisingly strong training camp, ultimately convincing the Ravens to carry six receivers on the 53-man roster.
Tight Ends
Starters: Todd Heap
Todd Heap is one of the best pass-catching tight ends in the league when he is healthy. He is a great athlete who runs good routes and has exceptional hands. He also has the body control and leaping ability to go up high and out muscle defenders for the ball. He gets downfield well and is one of the few deep threats in the league from the tight end position. He is not a very good blocker, but that doesn't affect his fantasy value. Heap struggled through an injury-marred 2004 season, but returns healthy this year. When Heap was unavailable last year, Terry Jones, Daniel Wilcox, and Darnell Dinkins all rotated into the lineup. Jones is the best blocker of the Ravens' tight ends. Wilcox has more potential than Jones as a receiver (and had a big game in week 17 last year with six catches for 72 yards), but he has inconsistent hands and will drop some easy balls. Place Kicker Matt Stover : He may not be the first kicker that comes to mind, but Stover is possibly the best in the NFL today. He has hit at least 84% of his FGs every year for the last six years. No one else has. He's averaged 119 points per year over those six years - ranking in the top ten five times. He has not missed an PAT since 1996. Everyone else has. Kick and Punt Returners Kick Returners: B.J. Sams, Chester Taylor, Derrick Mason Special teams coordinator Gary Zauner envisioned the future while scouting at McNeese State last year. He convinced the team to bring in undrafted free agent B.J. Sams. He convinced the team to not place Sams in IR when he was injured in preseason. It paid off. Sams went on to set numerous team return records in 2004. He returned 59 kickoffs for 1251 yards. Backups include RB Chester Taylor who returned 23 kicks in 2003 and newly acquired WR Derrick Mason who occasionally returned kicks for the Titans. Punt Returners: B.J. Sams, Deion Sanders, Derrick Mason, Mark Clayton Sams fared even better on punt returns (55 returns, 10.5 yard average). His 578 yards was tops in the NFL, and he scored twice. Sams' combined KR and PR numbers made him the top ranked fantasy returner. Unretired and formerly electrifying Deion Sanders backs him up (5 returns, 8.2 avg. last year). Derrick Mason led the Titans with 24 returns in 2004 but averaged a meager 3.9 yards. First round draft pick WR Mark Clayton from Oklahoma has also been practicing punt returns. Offensive Line
Projected Starters: RT Orlando Brown, RG Keydrick Vincent, C Mike Flynn, LG Edwin Mulitalo, LT Jonathon Ogden
The Ravens have one of the top offensive lines in football and are anchored by one of the best linemen in the game in Jonathon Ogden. Huge, aggressive players (who explode off the ball to dominate their opponents) and good experience are balanced throughout the starting five. The Ravens added talented rookies in center Jason Brown and tackle Adam Terry (both of whom could eventually be great). Center Mike Flynn is a great fit in the middle with great tenacity and experience, and Edwin Mulitalo is one of the best drive blockers in the NFL with his awesome size. The addition of Keydrick Vincent from the Steelers gives the Ravens another gifted run blocker (although it should be noted that the Steelers didn't try very hard to retain his services). Ogden and company will have a strong 2005 season. They should pave the way for RB Jamal Lewis to reclaim his spot as one of the top running backs in the game. Team Defense The Baltimore Ravens were once again one of the better defenses in the NFL in 2004, but they continue to fall short of the loftier expectations given to the team since they won Super Bowl XXXV. However, they still were ranked sixth in the NFL last year in total defense. The Ravens promoted Rex Ryan, the defensive line coach since 1999, to Defensive Coordinator this offseason. Ryan comes from a famous football family, his father being the legendary Buddy Ryan and his twin brother Rob the defensive coordinator for the Raiders. Ryan follows Mike Nolan, who became the San Francisco 49ers head coach. There is plenty of speculation that the team will revert back to a 4-3 defensive alignment, especially after the loss of LB Edgerton Hartwell. Ryan has even commented that the '46' defense, which his dad made famous, is not out of the question. As always, LB Ray Lewis leads the defense, but he's joined by several other Pro Bowl caliber performers including CB Chris McAlister, CB Samari Rolle, LB Terrell Suggs and DT Kelly Gregg. Defensive Line
Starters: DE Terrell Suggs, DT Kelly Gregg, DT Dwan Edwards, DE Anthony Weaver
Starting DL: One big question out of Baltimore is, will they use a 4-3 or continue with the 3-4 alignment? The answer to that question helps determine where Anthony Weaver lines up. Weaver is a highly regarded DE/DT 'tweener that could end up playing either spot this season, although we believe he'll line up at defensive end, especially since the Ravens lost Marques Douglas to free agency. The other DE spot will go to Terrell Suggs, a DE in college who has been playing as a pass rushing linebacker the last two seasons. Suggs is a pass-rushing machine and a topnotch fantasy performer at any position he plays. The interior is manned by the run stuffing Kelly Gregg. Although unspectacular, Gregg has been a solid fantasy performer among DTs the last two seasons, and he has the heart of a lion. Baltimore drafted Dwan Edwards with their first pick (second round) in the 2004 draft. Edwards is a run stuffing specialist that might be making his move toward replacing Douglas. He seems more ideally suited to play at the nose tackle position, though. He's a blue-collar player who's likely to get a shot somewhere soon, despite being a bit of a disappointment in limited time last year. Backup DL: If Weaver doesn't start as mentioned above, he is a versatile backup. One key backup in the interior is the huge Ma'ake Kemoeatu, who will start at DT if Dwan Edwards doesn't. Kemoeatu is 350 pounds and is a classic run stuffer (what a surprise). He played a little last year when Kelly Gregg was hurt and looked pretty good. But Kemoeatu might not be quick enough to have a prolonged career in the NFL. Also at DT is Abrayo Franklin. Franklin possesses good foot speed and uses his hands well. The coaching staff is high on him too, but Franklin has some glaring weaknesses in his game. DE Jarret Johnson is another blue-collar type but it's doubtful he ever becomes a starter. Roderick Green played LB in college but the Ravens are converting him to DE and will use him primarily as a pass rush specialist. A learning disability slowed his progress last year, but Green has an excellent combination of speed and strength and could make an impact this season.
Linebackers
Starters: MLB Ray Lewis, SLB Adalius Thomas , WLB Tommy Polley
Starting LBs: LB Ray Lewis leads the linebacking corps, as always, in the middle. He remains one of the very best LBs in the game and still strikes fear into opponents' hearts. Any LB corps with Lewis in the middle is a disruptive unit. Lewis had 146 total tackles in 2004, including 100 solo. At 30-years old he is not quite the intimidator he once was, but there remain few better. Losing Edgerton Hartwell to free agency, however, would be a blow to any defense. Hartwell's loss is one reason the team is moving back to a 4-3 aligment. At the strong side, Adalius Thomas will start despite the decision to re-sign Peter Boulware. Thomas played well in Boulware's absence last year and is the more complete player at this point in their respective careers. Tommy Polley is a free agent signee from the Rams. He has had some encouraging moments, but the Rams weren't always pleased with his production. He's had some durability issues, but when healthy he has outstanding speed and quickness and makes plays sideline to sideline. Backup LBs: Peter Boulware couldn't find any takers in free agency, as team's were scared off by his injury history and asking price. When rookie Dan Cody was lost for the season (he's on IR), the Ravens became interested in bringing Boulware back and the feeling was mutual. If Boulware is able to stay healthy, he gives the team a devastating edge rusher to pair with Terrell Suggs. Bart Scott is an athletic player and has good speed, but he'll make his impact on special teams. Jim Nelson is a quality contributor on special teams and played well when called upon in Indianapolist last year.
Defensive Backs
Starters: FS Ed Reed, SS Will Demps, CB Samari Rolle, CB Chris McAlister
Starting DBs: With the addition of free agent CB Samari Rolle, this will be a dominant unit. S Ed Reed has quickly established himself as the game's most proficient playmaking safety. Reed is also a fantasy dynamo, leading many leagues last year in scoring amongst safeties. Across from Reed is the reliable, if unspectacular, S Will Demps. Demps might only have average talent, but his job is secure for now. Demps proved to be a decent fantasy scorer too, and should produce better this year with a switch to the strong safety position. As for Rolle, the former Pro Bowler was considered by some to be the best free agent on the market, and the Ravens were thrilled to sign him to replace the departed Gary Baxter. Across from Rolle is CB Chris McAlister. McAlister did not have his best year in 2004, but he is still a big-time talent. With the addition of Rolle, the defense is expected to use the 46 defense in an aggressive mode, as they can rely on Rolle and McAlister to handle all coverage duties. Backup DBs: Safety Chad Williams is an intense competitor with good speed and strength, but he's more of a role player, serving mostly as a backup and on special teams. Williams is not a current threat to replace Demps (even though Demps is a replaceable player), so Williams has little value. Deion Sanders gives the Ravens three corners with shutdown capabilities. Anytime Sanders is on the field, a big play can never be ruled out. Dale Carter is now 35 years old, is recovering from a blood clot in his lungs and has a history of substance abuse problems. If needed (and healthy), Carter can start on a limited basis, but his fantasy value is minimal.
Last modified: 2005-09-06 10:31:05
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