Sports in America
by: volsfan_82
NFL Preview: Baltimore Ravens
Jun 11, 2007 | 6:09PM | report this

I got stuck thinking about who I would pick to win the AFC North.  The division has 3 good teams in it...and the Browns.  So, almost in a coin flip, I picked Cincinnati to win it and Baltimore to get a Wild Card berth.  Here's the preview for the Ravens

2006 Record:  13-3, 1st AFC North
Lost in AFC Divisional Round v. Indianapolis

Offense:  Balanced
Quarterback:  Steve McNair
He is a great leader and a good fit for this team.  Hell, if Trent Dilfer could win a Super Bowl with the Ravens, why can't Air McNair.  Sure he doesn't run like he used to, but he shouldn't have to with the offensive line they have.  Grade:  4 out of 5

Running Back:  Willis McGahee
Willis has not been the running back that Drew Rosenhaus talked up at the 2003 draft.  He's had one good season and now has been traded to a team that needed a change of pace at the RB position.  Look for McGahee to flurish with this line, it may be a dream come true for the Ravens.  Grade:  3.5 out of 5

Wide Receivers/Tight Ends:  Key Player-Derrick Mason
Sure he's not what he once was, but he's the best route runner the Ravens have.  The speed of Mark Clayton will open up the middle for both Mason and Todd Heap.  Look for Mason to regain his probowl form this season.  Grade:  4 out of 5

Offensive Line:  Key Player-LT Jonathan Ogden
Perhaps the best LT in all of football, maybe in the history of the NFL.  Ogden anchors this line that will open holes for McGahee and block very well for McNair.  Grade:  5 out of 5

Defense:  4-3
Defensive Line:  Key Player-DE Terrell Suggs
Suggs and Trevor Pryce make for one hell of a DE tandem, but it will be Suggs that applies the most pressure.  He played the Rush linebacker in the 3-4 for Mike Nolan's awesome defense when he was the DC and he's now back at his natural position.  Grade:  4 out of 5

Linebackers:  Key Player-MLB Ray Lewis
As long as Ray stays out of trouble, he'll be fine.  He doesn't have the playmakers around him at LB like he once did, but he's still the beast in the middle.  Grade:  3 out of 5

Cornerbacks:  Key Player-Chris McAllister
The best cornerback tandem in the NFL....Enough said!  Grade:  5 out of 5

Safety:  Key Player-Ed Reed
Probably the best free safety in football, Reed needs to show that he's more than a big hitter.  Grade:  5 out of 5

Special Teams
K:  Matt Stover
P:  Sam Koch
Stover was clutch, until the playoffs last season.  Grade:  3.5 out of 5

Overall
The Ravens are one of the better teams in the NFL, but they need to go far in the playoffs this year because you don't know how long this offense will be able to hang around. 

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volsfan_82
I am an avid sports fan who attempts to watch/read about as many games as possible. Growing up in St. Louis, I am a die-hard St. Louis Cardinals fan. Not having an NFL team for most of my life, until the Rams showed up, I am a Tennessee Titans fan and I am also a University of Tennessee fan. I am a recent graduate of Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
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