Clayton has us at 10-6

[cravnravn]

BALTIMORE RAVENS: The Ravens came within a dropped pass of getting to the Super Bowl, and nothing has gone right since that painful AFC Championship Game. The key is how the AFC North champions respond to the loss of linebacker Terrell Suggs. The reigning NFL Defensive Player of the Year partially tore his Achilles in April and is expected to miss a significant portion of the season. Suggs, who had a career-high 14 sacks last season, will be replaced by Paul Kruger, who has 6.5 sacks in his three-year career.

 

Baltimore is also dealing with the expected no-show of running back Ray Rice (franchise tag) this offseason, the unexcused absence of safety Ed Reed at mandatory minicamp, the weight issue of offensive tackle Bryant McKinnie and the loss of guard Ben Grubbs in free agency. The Ravens hope that Reed will report to training camp on time and McKinnie will lose the 9 pounds needed to get back on the field. There is no timetable for Rice, who could sit out most of training camp if he doesn't get a long-term deal by the July 16 deadline.

 

http://espn.go.com/blog/afcnorth/post/_/id/49963/afc-north-more-or-less

 

 

I dont know where he gets his 411 at, but nowhere have I heard that Rice will be sitting out "most of camp"

[papasmurfbell]

That is what I am figuring right now.

[cravnravn]

14-2 Loss at San Diego.

 

[papasmurfbell]

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1216589-2012-nfl-power-rankings-now-that-free-agency-is-over#/articles/1216589-2012-nfl-power-rankings-now-that-free-agency-is-over/page/18

 

16. Baltimore Ravens

 

 

I can guarantee you that if you scan the Internet for 2012 power rankings, you will never find a list with the Ravens this low on it.

Now, before you get all "Internet tough guy" on me in the comments, listen to my reasoning.

The Ravens had the worst offseason out of any team in the NFL. Free agency was not kind to Baltimore, as the Ravens have lost three starters in Ben Grubbs, Cory Redding and Jarret Johnson, as well as backup safeties Tom Zbikowski and Haruki Nakamura.

Their best player, Terrell Suggs, will probably not return for the 2012 season after getting hurt playing basketball (allegedly). Ray Rice may not report to camp on time, and we have seen what that can do to star running backs.

What else do the Ravens have? Ed Reed and Ray Lewis are getting old (especially Ed Reed). Haloti Ngata is still a stud, but can he produce at the same level without Suggs around?

Worst of all, Cam Cameron is still the offensive coordinator.

Joe Flacco is going to have to work some magic in order for the Ravens to get back to where they were a year ago.

 

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1218919-2012-nfl-predictions-win-loss-records-for-every-team#/articles/1218919-2012-nfl-predictions-win-loss-records-for-every-team/page/3

Cincinnati Bengals*

Predicted Record: 11-5

The Bengals bring back their core group from an improbable run in 2011. Add in a full offseason for Andy Dalton and A.J. Green to improve, plus a better interior offensive line, and Cincinnati has the look of a major player in the NFL.

 

Baltimore Ravens+

Predicted Record: 10-6

How well the Ravens respond to the injury of Terrell Suggs is the key to their season. Their first pick in the draft was spent on Courtney Upshaw in early Round 2, who will be asked to step in as Suggs heals. But the defense could see a major dropoff without the reigning Defensive Player of the Year in the lineup.

The offense is again solid, and Joe Flacco is good enough to get the Ravens to the Super Bowl.

 

Pittsburgh Steelers

Predicted Record: 8-8

Don't be surprised—this has been coming for some time now. The Steelers secondary, offensive line and run game are all concerns on paper at this point in the summer.

The defense may be younger this year, but they are also less experienced and are relying on many raw players to step in for established veterans.

 

Cleveland Browns

Predicted Record: 3-13

Cleveland is again, or still, going through a rebuilding phase. This time, it is with Brandon Weeden at quarterback and Trent Richardson at running back.

The Browns are on the right track, but the holes on the offensive line, at wide receiver and at outside linebacker are still too big to overcome in the AFC's toughest division.

[cravnravn]

I like Claytons 8-8 for the Bengals..Thats about right.

[reddog271]

I love the hate for Cam... I like how make Evens drop that ball and he missed the kick too right?

[yagersports]

As far as Cam goes, I hope Harbs is telling him to add more wrinkles to the offense. There were a few articles talking about how vanilla we were last year. However......we did play in the AFC championship game, and we were a dropped pass from the Super Bowl.

[vmax]

I'll play this game although it's way too early for predictions and any chance of being right. Teams you think will be tuff in 2012 won't be (like Eagles last year) and teams that you look at as wins, end up being very good. Of course injuries change everything too.

 

Ok...here we go...

 

Get used to the Bengal hype...other than playing the Ravens and Steelers, their first 7 games are a cupcake. They should be looking strong up to that point. The media doesn't realize they can't beat teams with winning records. They could lose 7 out of their last 9 games. Another 9-7 year.

 

I can see 8-8 for the Steelers. Tomlinson will begin to look like less of a genius now that the team he inherited is dwindling away.

 

4-12 for the Brownies. Other than Indianopolis I don't know who they can beat.

 

10-6 Ravens. That's 2 less wins which is a lot considering the talent, depth and experience on this team. I love the Ravens schedule. It's hard. They are used to hard. That's how you get in playoff shape.

 

I can see the Ravens and Bengals making the playoffs.

[RavenMad]

I can't say I understand the Steelers description. Last year everyone was saying they were too old on D so they get younger on D and now they are too inexperienced. The offensive line has been a concern for years so they go out and get a couple of nice young parts and it's still a concern.

 

If I have learnt 1 thing from the AFC North it's that you never discount the Steelers.

[cravnravn]

I can't say I understand the Steelers description. Last year everyone was saying they were too old on D so they get younger on D and now they are too inexperienced. The offensive line has been a concern for years so they go out and get a couple of nice young parts and it's still a concern.

 

If I have learnt 1 thing from the AFC North it's that you never discount the Steelers.

 

 

Well, you have Pouncey at center that gets injured at the worst times, ususlly when the season is on the line and they will be starting 2 rookies on the O-Line. Ben was sacked 41 times last year..So you can agree with the 8-8 call, but on the other hand if they go 12-4 it wouldnt suprise me either.

[yagersports]

14-2 Loss at San Diego.

 

 

There's the crav I know. And.........I concur.

[papasmurfbell]

I can't say I understand the Steelers description. Last year everyone was saying they were too old on D so they get younger on D and now they are too inexperienced. The offensive line has been a concern for years so they go out and get a couple of nice young parts and it's still a concern.

 

If I have learnt 1 thing from the AFC North it's that you never discount the Steelers.

 

It takes some time to season new players. They are biting the bullet now.

[thundercleetz]

I hate to play negative Nancy, but I am just not feeling it this season. Extremely tough schedule, for us to be great the offense has to take off. Defense will be as good as last year IMO, but the quality of offenses we are going against this year will be a lot more difficult. I hope I am wrong, but I am feeling an 8-8, 9-7 year

[cravnravn]

8-8 cleet? Come on

[vmax]

cleetz: Plug into things like this....

 

The defense was winning 11-on-11 drills at Ravens minicamp last Wednesday when somehow, the offense scored an easy, long touchdown.

 

It was rookie undrafted free agent wide receiver Deonte Thompson who not only blew by Baltimore’s secondary, but busted out a leaping celebration for emphasis.

 

Considering there’s little contact during Organized Team Activities (OTAs) and minicamp, the wide receivers are an easy position for the media to evaluate. They’re either getting open or they’re not.

 

Despite a crowded wide receiver position full of talent, and another rookie in sixth-round pick Tommy Streeter, it was Thompson who often stood out.

But one thing hasn’t changed through it all. Thompson is crazy fast.

 

He said his best 40-yard dash time is 4.23 seconds. He ran indoor track at Florida his first two years, and reached the SEC championship in the 60 meters.

 

“I’ve got some wheels,” Thompson said with a laugh. “I think they haven’t seen my knack for big plays. I feel like every time I touch the ball, there’s a possibility of something big happening.”

 

Thompson’s speed and elusiveness are also being utilized in the Ravens’ return game. He said he’s been fielding kickoffs, which would put him in a competition with Jacoby Jones and David Reed, who is returning from knee surgery.

http://www.baltimoreravens.com/News/Articles/2012/06/Deonte_Thompson_Is_Turning_Heads.aspx

 

The passing attack was 19th...not this year!

The running game was 10th...not this year!

 

Kick returns and punt returns were 14th and 15th...not this year!

 

And this ain't changing!

[yagersports]

I hate to play negative Nancy, but I am just not feeling it this season. Extremely tough schedule, for us to be great the offense has to take off. Defense will be as good as last year IMO, but the quality of offenses we are going against this year will be a lot more difficult. I hope I am wrong, but I am feeling an 8-8, 9-7 year

 

I just gotta a feeling that after that last drive by NE Joe and this offense have finally turned a page. It may be the tinted glasses I'm wearing lol. I just think that Joe has really demonstrated some awesome comebacks last year and he was on the cusp of something special.

 

Now, he did have some eggs, no doubt, but the games against NE and Pitt just have me thinking that he's ready to take that next step. I even thought he played well against SF, not making the errant throw against a very tough D.

[cravnravn]

Im agreeing with Yeagerbomb..Folks said Joe cant move a team to win a game, he did it a couple of times last year and still his critics wont shut up, AND he did it on the National venue vs Pitts on a Sunday nighter, and in the AFCCG.

 

 

I guess we should be thankful that Joes wife dosent have a big yap like Bradys wife has, I recall her mouthing off to the media that Skirts cant catch the ball too

[thundercleetz]

Like I said, I sincerely hope you guys are right. I just do not have a good gut feeling about this season. I have a hard time seeing the offense break out with how weak our offensive line is.

[cravnravn]

Like I said, I sincerely hope you guys are right. I just do not have a good gut feeling about this season. I have a hard time seeing the offense break out with how weak our offensive line is.

 

 

The quicker we get Gino in the line up the better off we will be..As our buddy Sock would remind us about Flynn..Birk is heading down that same path. The center position is the key to the line, if the center is solid, it will help his guards ..

[papasmurfbell]

I don't know if Gino will be ready this yr.

[cravnravn]

And week 1 in 2008, did anyone thing #5 would be ready..Maybe its something in the water in Delaware..fingers and toes are crossed

[papasmurfbell]

Word is he was horrible at the OTA.

[cravnravn]

Word is he was horrible at the OTA.

 

 

And in 2008, #5 couldnt beat out KYLE FRIGGIN BOLLER and Whatshisname? Joe was 3rd on the depth chart at QB.

[papasmurfbell]

Yeah but one of the things is being physically able to stand up to DL's. Is he ready for that? We will see in time. I really know very little about him. I do not believe he was in any of the draft mags I read. If he was he didn't impress them. I never saw him in the OL ratings on the net. He transfered from a major program so ther had to be something there to start with.

[vmax]

Don't be burying these guys because of their draft status, school or college conference. The majority of starting offensive linemen in the NFL are 4th-5th round picks or higher. They start out as developmental projects.

And as much as we worry about the Ravens offensive line, they consistently rank in the top 3rd in the league. We're hard on them as fans (me included).

They will show up and kick some ass this year.