Agree or disagree

[vmax]

Do you agree or disagree with Don Banks camp questions here...

 

 

6. Will the defending Super Bowl champion Ravens feel the effect of their offseason defections on defense or offense first?

 

While most of the focus naturally will be on the new-look Baltimore defense this season, the losses of Ray Lewis, Ed Reed, Paul Kruger, Dannell Ellerbe, Bernard Pollard and Cary Williams were hopefully offset by the Ravens' offseason additions of Elvis Dumervil, Michael Huff, Matt Elam, Arthur Brown, Chris Canty and Marcus Spears. And let's not forget, Super Bowl title or no Super Bowl title, Baltimore's aging defense really didn't live up to its lofty historical standards last season.

 

That's why many think the most important discovery to be made by the Ravens in the preseason will be on offense, where the team faces the task of replacing valuable veteran receiver Anquan Boldin, the playoff-run star who was surprisingly shipped off in a trade with San Francisco. Baltimore believes third-year man Torrey Smith is poised and ready to step into the No. 1 receiver role, but quarterback Joe Flacco and the passing game could take a noticeable step back this year if the likes of Jacoby Jones, Tandon Doss, Deonte Thompson, David Reed and LaQuan Williams aren't capable of filling the void left by Boldin. For the champs, the biggest question mark isn't how to replace Ray Lewis and Co., it's making sure the salary cap-inspired Boldin move wasn't one too many.

Read More: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/nfl/news/20130718/nfl-training-camp-storylines-to-watch/#ixzz2ZbyqSrCx

 

Right now, I think on the defense, the front end line and secondary on the back end will be very solid with a lot of playmaking ability and talent. The only questionable area is in the middle at the ILB positions. This unit will be better than the 2012 group. I think their main task will be establishing chemistry and communication. Once that happens they will be very formidable because they are loaded with playmakers.

 

So I'm going to side with Banks. During this off season we've been talking about this and we have questions. Can Torry be a #1 WR. Will it be best to use Jacoby Jones as the #3 WR so he can be the main return man. If Thompson shows up to be the player many fans think that he is, then he's the #2 guy and this offense could become scary good.

[oldno82]

The defense will definitely be better.

 

The offense will have MacKinnie back, hopefully, for the whole season.

 

Boldin's loss hurts and I still don't think we have any idea who, if anyone, will show up to take his place.

 

I love Torrey Smith but I don't think he can be a possession-type #1 WR. He can be a burner #1 WR. One of the second stringers must step up.

 

So, on the whole, I agree with Banks.

[oldno82]

And, as usual, I find myself agreeing with John Eisenberg:

 

http://www.baltimoreravens.com/news/article-1/Eisenberg-The-Ravens-Are-Still-The-Ravens/311eb243-37c6-4e68-b5c0-98b34c85c5cc

[papasmurfbell]

Torrey isn't a possesion guy. They have othrs to fill that need.

[oldno82]

They need a good hands, tough WR to go over the middle. I don't want to see Torrey doing that. It wouldn't be a good use of his other skills.

[vmax]

On question #8 Banks had this guffaw in this article...........

 

 

 

Like Arians has always liked to do, the Colts loaded it up and went deep plenty last year, with Luck standing tall in the pocket and firing it downfield like a young Bert Jones. (Don't tell me you don't remember strong-armed ex-Colt QB Bert Jones.)

Read More: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/nfl/news/20130718/nfl-training-camp-storylines-to-watch/#ixzz2ZiTAu9Di

[oldno82]

Jones was a helluva quarterback. A shame injuries and Irsay cost him a great career.