FOX Sports Exclusive
Offseason review: Baltimore Ravens
Pre-draft needs
OFFSEASON REVIEWS
AFC East:
|
|
|
CB, WR, OT, G, OLB, DE, SS
Draft class
Round 1: Jimmy Smith, CB
Round 2: Torrey Smith, WR
Round 3: Jah Reid, OT
Round 4: Tandon Doss, WR
Round 5: Chykie Brown, CB
Round 5: Pernell McPhee, DE
Round 6: Tyrod Taylor, QB
Round 7: Anthony Allen, RB
Potential free agents of note
Marc Bulger, QB
Le’Ron McClain, FB
Jalen Parmele, RB
T.J. Houshmandzadeh, WR
Donte' Stallworth, WR
Jared Gaither, OT
Marshal Yanda, G
Chris Chester, C
Jameel McClain, ILB
Prescott Burgess, OLB
Fabian Washington, CB
Chris Carr, CB
Josh Wilson, CB
Dawan Landry, SS
Tom Zbikowski, S
Haruki Nakamura, S
Post-draft needs
G, SS, OLB (depth), OT (depth), DE (depth), CB (depth)
Analysis
The Ravens had two big needs coming into this year's draft: wide receiver and cornerback.
General manager/executive vice president Ozzie Newsome is known as one of the NFL’s best talent evaluators, but he failed to address the receiver position sufficiently last season. And because of that, Baltimore’s passing game was easier to defend, especially down field. However, Newsome did his best this time around to address the issue with the selection of Torrey Smith in the second round. Smith, who put together a very solid NFL Scouting Combine workout, will be expected to eventually replace veteran wide receiver Derrick Mason in the starting lineup. Fourth-round pick Tandon Doss, who has good size, will compete for a backup job this season, but could make an impact as a special teams returner.
Newsome addressed the offensive tackle issue with the addition of third-round pick Jah Reid. His selection will enable the team to keep Michael Oher at left tackle. If the team re-signs Marshal Yanda, who played mostly at right tackle last season, he would compete for the starting right guard job.
The Ravens could wind up looking for a new starting fullback if Le’Ron McClain becomes an unrestricted free agent once the new league year starts. If last year’s rules are in effect, McClain would be a restricted free agent. If 2009’s rules are used, McClain would be unrestricted.
On defense, it was expected that Newsome would address the depth issue at outside linebacker since starters Terrell Suggs and Jarret Johnson played 2,061 combined snaps out of a possible 2,086 last season, but that didn’t transpire. And with the with the realistic possibility that 2010 second-round pick Sergio Kindle will miss another full season, the team will have to look toward free agency to prevent Suggs and Johnson from wearing down.
Newsome addressed the cornerback issue with first-round pick Jimmy Smith. The defensive back was widely believed to be the best coverman available for this draft, but off-the-field issues pushed him down in the first round. Smith will be expected to compete for a starting job this season. Depth at cornerback could still be an issue going forward if veterans Chris Carr and Josh Wilson are not re-signed. Should one or both come back, the pressure won’t be there to get Smith in the lineup right away. Strong safety will become a big issue if the team does not re-sign starter Dawan Landry. Landry could become an unrestricted free agent if the rules from 2009 are in effect.
More Stories From Adam Caplan
Trending Now
-
Bonds faces future, can't forget past
Barry Bonds is publicly referring to himself as a convicted felon these days, and he'... -
Report: Duncan won't leave Spurs
Two-time league MVP Tim Duncan said he has little interest in testing out the free-ag... -
Mickelson in group out to buy Padres
Phil Mickelson has joined a group of investors who want to buy his hometown Major Lea... -
LeBron, Wade lift Heat to Game 1 win
LeBron, Heat get better of Celtics in Game 1. -
Manager: Boxer Williams paralyzed
Paul Williams paralyzed in crash but aims to return to ring, trainer says.
NFL Videos
Peter Schrager talks about Peyton Manning's first practice and Tim Tebow's contr...
Laura Okmin sits down with Rams RB Steven Jackson about life on and off the fiel...
Jay Glazer says Lawrence Taylor was unaware his Super Bowl XXV ring was put up f...
NFL Headlines
More Than Sports on MSN
Fox Sports Store
| itemName | itemURL | imageSrc | price | itemDescription |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nike New Orleans Saints Ladies Team Established V-Neck T-Shirt - Gold | http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_New_Orleans_Saints/browse/featuredproduct/792884/source/prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_792000/ff_792884_xl.jpg&w=100 | 27.95 | Nike New Orleans Saints Ladies Team Established V-Neck T-Shirt - Gold |
| Nike New York Jets Legend Authentic Football Font Performance T-Shirt - Green | http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_New_York_Jets/browse/featuredproduct/799723/source/prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_799000/ff_799723_xl.jpg&w=100 | 29.95 | Nike New York Jets Legend Authentic Football Font Performance T-Shirt - Green |
| Nike Arizona Cardinals Just Do It T-Shirt - Red | http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_Arizona_Cardinals/browse/featuredproduct/800436/source/prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_800000/ff_800436_xl.jpg&w=100 | 27.95 | Nike Arizona Cardinals Just Do It T-Shirt - Red |
| Nike Denver Broncos Blockbuster T-Shirt - Navy Blue | http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_Denver_Broncos/browse/featuredproduct/801105/source/prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_801000/ff_801105_xl.jpg&w=100 | 27.95 | Nike Denver Broncos Blockbuster T-Shirt - Navy Blue |
| New Era New England Patriots 2012 NFL Draft Fitted Hat - Navy Blue | http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_New_England_Patriots/browse/featuredproduct/803136/source/prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_803000/ff_803136_xl.jpg&w=100 | 34.95 | New Era New England Patriots 2012 NFL Draft Fitted Hat - Navy Blue |
| Nike Justin Tuck New York Giants #91 Replica Name & Number T-Shirt - Royal Blue | http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_New_York_Giants/browse/featuredproduct/819243/source/prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_819000/ff_819243_xl.jpg&w=100 | 31.95 | Nike Justin Tuck New York Giants #91 Replica Name & Number T-Shirt - Royal Blue |
| Nike Andrew Luck Indianapolis Colts 2012 Draft Game Jersey - Royal Blue | http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_Indianapolis_Colts/browse/featuredproduct/851313/source/prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_851000/ff_851313_xl.jpg&w=100 | 99.95 | Nike Andrew Luck Indianapolis Colts 2012 Draft Game Jersey - Royal Blue |
| Nike Robert Griffin Washington Redskins 2012 Draft Game Jersey - Burgundy | http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_Washington_Redskins/browse/featuredproduct/851315/source/prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_851000/ff_851315_xl.jpg&w=100 | 99.95 | Nike Robert Griffin Washington Redskins 2012 Draft Game Jersey - Burgundy |
| Nike Trent Richardson Cleveland Browns 2012 Draft Game Jersey - Brown | http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_Cleveland_Browns/browse/featuredproduct/851598/source/prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_851000/ff_851598_xl.jpg&w=100 | 99.95 | Nike Trent Richardson Cleveland Browns 2012 Draft Game Jersey - Brown |
| Nike Morris Claiborne Dallas Cowboys 2012 NFL Draft Game Jersey - Navy Blue | http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_Dallas_Cowboys/browse/featuredproduct/852589/source/prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_852000/ff_852589_xl.jpg&w=100 | 99.95 | Nike Morris Claiborne Dallas Cowboys 2012 NFL Draft Game Jersey - Navy Blue |






Member Comments
Please note by clicking on "add a comment" you acknowledge that you have read the Terms of Use and the comment you are posting is in compliance with such terms. Be polite. Inappropriate posts may be removed by the moderator.