Baltimore Ravens Season Preview

The Ravens look like a very pedestrian team entering the season but with an easy division and relatively weak schedule they should be able to compete for a playoff birth. They said goodbye to lots of players from last year's team which might be for the better but they were key pieces. John Harbaugh is one of the league's better coaches but if they miss the post-season again he could be on the hot seat.

Arrivals/Departures:

Arrivals: Brandon Carr, Tony Jefferson, Jeremy Maclin, Danny Woodhead
Departures: Kamar Aiken, Vladimir Ducasse, Elvis Dumervil, Lawrence Guy, Timmy Jernigan, Kyle Juszcyk, Kendrick Lewis, Zachary Orr, Steve Smith, Ricky Wagner, Shareece Wright, Jeremy Zuttah.



Offence:

Joe Flacco will return as the Ravens' quarterback but with the three past seasons average at best he better start showing he is worth his massive contract. The running game will be weak again with starter Terrance West continuing in the role he didn't do well at last year. Pass-caching specialist Danny Woodhead joins him fresh off missing 15 games last year with Lorenzo Taliaferro. The Ravens' top receiver last year was Steve Smith but he retired so they went and brought in recently cut Jeremy Maclin who will take over as Flacco's number one target. Speedsters Mike Wallace and Breshad Perriman will be the next options at wide receiver with Chris Moore, Michael Campanaro and Chris Matthews behind them. Even with Dennis Pitta injuring his hip again causing for Ozzie Newsome to cut him, they still have Benjamin Watson, who missed all of last season, Crockett Gillmore and Maxx Williams. Marshal Yanda has been the best guard in the NFL for at least the past five seasons and will continue to be among the elite players at that position. Ronnie Stanley will look to improve on his solid rookie season while the rest of the line that includes Alex Lewis, John Urschel and James Hurst needs improvement.



Defence:

The defence collapsed late in the season causing for the Ravens to miss the post-season once again but it looks improved from last season. Brandon Williams returns at nose tackle to stuff the opponent's run game again fresh off a new contract extension. The defensive end and defensive tackle spots will be given to whoever performs better between Brent Urban, Willie Henry, Michael Pierce and rookie Chris Wormley. Sack specialist Elvis Dumervil took his talent to the 49ers this off season but longtime Raven Terrell Suggs returns after a good season with future star middle linebacker CJ Mosley. Kamalei Correa and Albert McClellan will start at the other linebacker spots and Za'Darius Smith joins a pair of rookies in Tim Williams and Tyus Bowser as depth options. The secondary is the most improved group of this team as Eric Weddle returns after posting the best safety numbers according to Pro Football Focus last year with pro bowler Tony Jefferson coming over from Arizona to play alongside him with Ladarius Webb playing as the backup safety. Jimmy Smith will continue to play the number one receivers from other teams while Brandon Carr was added from Dallas and their first-round selection was used to select Marlon Humphrey out of Alabama.



Special Teams:

Justin Tucker is the best kicker in the game only missing one field goal last year but it was blocked so it was not his fault. If I had one kick to make for a Super Bowl, I would either want Justin Tucker or Adam Vinatieri in the slot. Sam Koch is a very good punter as he gives the Ravens the best special teams duo in the league. Chris Moore will return kicks while Michael Campanaro will return punts.

Starters:

Offence	Defence
Jeremy Maclin	Willie Henry
Mike Wallace	Brandon Williams
Breshad Perriman	Brent Urban
Ronnie Stanley	Terrell Suggs
Alex Lewis	CJ Mosley
John Urschel	Kamalei Correa
Marshal Yanda	Albert McClellan
James Hurst	Brandon Carr
Benjamin Watson	Eric Weddle
Joe Flacco	Tony Jefferson
Terrance West	Jimmy Smith

2017 Draft:

16. Marlon Humphrey
47. Tyus Bowser
74. Chris Wormley
78. Tim Williams
122. Nico Siragusa
159. Jermaine Eluemunor
186. Chuck Clark

Top 10 Players:

10. Justin Tucker

9. Jimmy Smith

8. Brandon Williams

7. Tony Jefferson

6. Jeremy Maclin

5. Terrell Suggs

4. Joe Flacco

3. CJ Mosley

2. Eric Weddle

1. Marshal Yanda

Season Prediction: 8-8 (Second in AFC North)
Last Year: 8-8

Photo credit for Jeremy Maclin goes to http://www.chiefs.com/. Joe Flacco, CJ Mosley and Jimmy Smith goes to http://www.baltimoreravens.com/.