Prestons Prediction

[vmax]

He doesn't sound negative here...

Baltimore Ravens camp outlook: Ray Lewis, veteran core needs more help from youth

Published Thursday, Jun 28, 2012 at 12:03 pm EDT

Mike PrestonSporting News

OWINGS MILLS, Md. — The Ravens have a good balance of veterans and young players, but the latter group needs to step up in 2012.

Ray Rice will carry load for the Ravens' running game. (AP Photo)

After a 2011 NFL season in which the Ravens came within a dropped pass or a missed field-goal attempt short of playing in the Super Bowl, they had little salary cap room. They aren't in total rebuilding mode, but young players need to play key roles because the Ravens weren't very active in the free-agent market.

The team's script for success won't change this season. Even though the Ravens may not have star pass rusher Terrell Suggs (torn Achilles tendon) for the entire season, they still have enough superstars on defense—such as Ray Lewis, Ed Reed and Haloti Ngata—to be one of the NFL's best. The offense will revolve around running back Ray Rice, with quarterback Joe Flacco available as a secondary option if the run fails.

The Ravens need to find more of a supporting cast—including another starting guard, a No. 3 receiver and a backup center on offense, as well as two starting outside linebackers and an end on defense.

What's new: Offense

 

The Ravens want to stay with the downhill running game with Rice, but they also added former Colts head coach Jim Caldwell as their new quarterbacks coach. In the previous two seasons, the Ravens tried and failed to become a passing team because Flacco was too inconsistent to carry the offense.

It will be interesting to see if Caldwell can take Flacco to the next level after spending more than a decade working with one of the NFL's best, Peyton Manning. If he can, and Caldwell gets along with coordinator Cam Cameron, the Ravens could field something special offensively.

What's new: Defense

 

The Ravens will have a third new coordinator in four years as former linebackers coach Dean Pees replaces Chuck Pagano. The key to the Ravens' defensive success has been the willingness of their coordinators to adapt to a blitzing, pressure-oriented style—instead of having the players adapt to them.

Pees is a very smart coach who excels at breaking down opponents' film. He will offer some new wrinkles to put his stamp on the unit, but the Ravens will slant and penetrate to cause problems at the line of scrimmage. They also will continue to cover up for Lewis so he can run free and make tackles. The key is if Pees can bring the same energy and passion to the defense that Pagano and Rex Ryan did before him.

Camp goals

 

1. Find two outside linebackers. The Ravens lost one starter, Jarret Johnson, through free agency and another in Suggs because of a torn Achilles. Paul Kruger has rushed the passer well at times, but there are questions about him setting the edge on running plays. Rookie Courtney Upshaw was one of college football's best pass rushers at Alabama, but no one knows if he can contribute right away in the NFL.

2. Settle the left guard battle. Bobbie Williams, a 13-year veteran, needs to beat out rookie Kelechi Osemele and second-year player Jah Reid for the starting spot. If Williams can remain healthy, he has more experience than Osemele and athleticism than Reid. It's basically Williams' spot to lose because Osemele doesn't appear ready yet. Reid has the bulk to play inside but doesn't run well, which means he could struggle pulling or making blocks at the linebacker level.

3. Find out about Jones. Third-year player Arthur Jones has spent the past two seasons turning baby fat into muscle and had another strong offseason. Now it's his time to get it done on the field because he appears to be the starting end replacing Cory Redding. Jones has bulked up to better handle the run, but it will be interesting to see if he can pressure the quarterback. He has been one of the team's hardest offseason workers since coming to the Ravens, making him a sleeper to watch this season.

Breakout player

 

Second-year cornerback Jimmy Smith, a first-round selection in '11, was hurt by the owners' lockout last season and then missed the first four games and practice time because of an ankle injury. But he has worked hard this offseason and didn't miss any organized team activities.

Smith already had great speed and size (6-2, 210), but he will become dangerous this season because of experience. He has become better at understanding defenses and coverage.

"I expect greatness from Jimmy Smith," coach John Harbaugh said. "But he expects that from himself. Jimmy has worked really, really hard, and, again, it's another guy that is showing off in the way he is playing. He is becoming a technician out there in this offseason.

"He's got all the tools—very humble, hardworking guy. The sky is the limit for Jimmy."

Bottom line

 

Because the Ravens have several holes to fill on both sides of the ball, they could get off to a slow start in 2012. But they should be much improved by midseason and develop into a strong contender by the end of the season.

Despite some personnel losses, the Ravens still return top talent at the key positions. They have the ability to finish atop the AFC North again or at the very least get back into the playoffs as a wild-card team.

Cincinnati could challenge Baltimore for the top spot in the division, but neither Pittsburgh nor Cleveland looks capable of doing so.

Prediction: First, AFC North

Mike Preston covers the Ravens for the Baltimore Sun and Sporting News.

 

Dammit! I tried to cut and paste only 3 sentences but somehow the whole article got on here.

 

Eye candy for those who can't read compliments of ER....

[Guest BallTMore]

Pretty good, but why are people writing off Pittsburgh? They still have a top defense and the O-line appears to have improved this offseason.

 

Also, Cincinnati seems to go south when they get any hype, which they have plenty of this offseason.

 

Anyway, I expect many dog fights with Pittsburgh and Cincinnati. It we end up on top again we will deserve it.

[cravnravn]

My take on Picksburg, BallT..They will be starting 2 rooks at the guard positions, and have an oft injured center, they thought Ben was sacked alot last year, wait til this year.Its going to be a learning curve for the young o-line, and its at Ben expense.

 

Troy P is not the same Troy as we used to hate, I actually felt sorry for him watching Teblow expose him.

Edited July 11, 2012 by cravnravn

[thundercleetz]

Wow, Preston predicting a first place finish? I thought for sure he'd peg us as a third place finish.

[yagersports]

The Bengals are not ready for the big time. They have some big holes to fill yet and it shows when they play teams with talent. Their schedule should be a bit stronger this year, the Bengals always have trouble once the schedule becomes legit. As far as the Steelers go, they're still good, but I don't think that have the edge they've had in years past. I just don't buy them.

[vmax]

Mike knows. This 2012 team has a lot of questions but it is also very deep and talented.

All of us will rag on the coaches but the Ravens have a very intelligent, experienced, aggressive and passionate staff. They will field a very strong and well prepared team opening day.

 

It's a dogfight every season so I don't expect it to be any different this year.

If I wanted a hobby that was good for my nerves, something that puts me in a Zen like zone of peace and relaxation then I wouldn't be a Ravens fan.

 

However...every time they beat the Steelers I feel like this...

[cravnravn]

Mikey is Dr Jekyl & Mr Hide, he was all positive for Fox, wait til he gets on the Fan or 98 Rock and throws Joe under the bus like he always does.