The Known and the Unknown going into Week 1.

[vmax]

And they're off!

 

And I just don't know......how well they will do.

 

Rankings have the 2019 Ravens in the middle of the pack around #16. I can agree to that for now, because everything that we have seen is vanilla.

I haven't seen most of my concerns about this team answered in the preseason. So here's my unknowns and it serious because there are a lot.

 

1. I'll start with Lamar. He's an upgrade at QB. This whole team is rallying behind him. They are excited to have him and they believe in him. His leadership is evident. He's animated and talks with everybody. His work ethic and commitment to winning is contagious. And....the hard work that he's done this off season to be a pure passer in the NFL is paying off. His mechanics are good. He's not a QB who can carry this team on his arm and win. Not at this point, yet he is a QB who can carry this team on his arm and legs and win. We saw some of this in the 4th quarter rally against the Chargers when his line bonked. He's better now. How well he will do depends on #2...his unproven receiving corps.

 

2. WR. Lamar has excellent weapons at TE and Ingram out of the back field. That will help this unproven receiving corps. They looked good in the pre season yet everything changes now. He has big targets in Byokin and Scott. They have good hands and a huge catch radius....and they have speed. Snead will help in the slot and be a chain mover. Brown is the big question mark. He showed great speed and good hands yet he is very raw. Can these players develop into solid route runners and get the timing down with Lamar? If...once again this is a Big IF....if they do, then it's lights out and playoffs because the team will run the ball at will. The fact that teams will stack the box against the run should allow for a lot of 1 on 1 match ups. Win these and life is good!

 

#3 and #4 are big concerns because the game is won in the trenches.

 

#3. Offensive line. They can run block in Roman's scheme as proven last year. Pass protection is another issues. Depth is an issue. Experience at LG is an issue...center too. Lamar will need a pocket. He can't be effective if he's running for his life every passing play.

 

#4. D line. They will continue to be stout against the run, yet nobody has emerged as a sack daddy. I'm sure they will bring a lot of heat by blitzing. It's they only way that I see them getting to the QB. That hurts the coverage on the back end. Tavon Young being lost for the season will hurt because this secondary will have to be awfully good given the lack of a pass rush.

What I know.

 

#1. This will be one fun and exciting team to watch. Just like last year, yet I feel even better with the roster DeCosta's is creating. He has a vision for some new twists to Ravens football.

#2. This roster and team balance gives the 2019 Ravens the opportunity to win against any opponent they face this year. Don't forget Parity. Every team in the NFL has weaknesses. There's no "gimme" Wins but I see no sure losses. Of course they will lose some games. I'm seeing 10-6. What matters to me is that they will be competitive.

#3. Harbaugh will have his squad focused, ready, prepared and fired up every week. They will get better week to week They will grow and evolve as the season wears on and find ways to win.

#4 Speed. This team will play very fast. 2000 fast. With Lamar, Hill, Brown and Ingram any defender that blinks loses. Andrews and Hurst are fast, big and physical. The linebackers are very fast. Same for the DB's. Few teams in the NFL have this much speed.

 

 

The 2018 Ravens team was very flawed yet they won the AFC North. I'm not counting the 2019 team out. They are better. Everybody else got better. Somethings got to give.

So it's time to compete.

 

Edited September 3, 2019 by vmax

[oldno82]

Great analysis! I'm really charged up about this season because of all the major changes going on. Youth and speed abound.But I worry most about the lack of a 4 man pass rush. Teams that live by the blitz can die by the blitz too.I have a lot of confidence with Martindale. If he can pull off a number 1-5 defense it will be something to see. I'm hoping for organized chaos.

 

One last thing...the AFC North is gonna be one bloody battlefield for every game they play against each other this year. I don't think I've ever seen before what I expect is going to happen.

[tsylvester]

I agree aboutthe defense, pressure on the qb and the lack of depth on the defensive line. Sure, the secondary on paper looks good, but how long can they cover? If blitzes are needed, this defense might get shredded.

 

The offensive line is also a big question on my mind. If they can't give Lamar time to find an open receiver down field, we will be back to dink & dunk, run for a chunk and settle for field goals.

 

 

So many questions, time will tell us many things this year.

[papasmurfbell]

If lamar can't find wrs down field he will be running.

[vmax]

I'm getting so excited to see the Ravens Sunday.

There's been a lot of turnover this year. They are young, fast and physical. New to each other. With a lot of talent. It will be fun to watch this team grow and develop this year.

Then...next year..Eric fills up the O and D lines....and.......look out.

[oldno82]

That is exactly how I'm approaching this season. Hoping to enjoy the youth and speed and all the potential big playmakers. Then attacking the defensive pressure and offensive line next year...all leading to a deep playoff run in 2020!