Offseason Plan: Baltimore Ravens

Note: all images obtained from a Google image search at google.com

 

 

The Football Today podcast at ESPN.com has sent a call to the Superfan, fans who are fanatical about their teams, know football, and who’s weekly morale is determined by the outcome of each Sunday (or Monday night) game.  These people believe they have what it takes to break down their team’s games on a weekly basis should their team be featured in one of that week’s Games of the Week, and be able to represent their team against other Superfans in debates on the podcast.  I believe I have what it takes to represent my Baltimore Ravens on the Football Today podcast, so here was my submission to be the Baltimore Ravens Superfan:

2011 Draft picks, Round (overall pick):

1 (26)

2 (58)

3 (90)

4 (123)

5 (164 – Compensatory)

5 (165 – Compensatory)

6 (180)

6 (191)

7 (225)

NEEDS: CB, WR, OT, DE, FS

Possible 1^st-round fits: Jimmy Smith, CB, Colorado; Cameron Heyward, DE, Ohio State;

This guy needs to be in purple and black, character issues be damned.

Secondary help, specifically the cornerback position, needs to be of the utmost importance for the Ravens, and they could definitely go CB in the 1^st round of the draft.  Jimmy Smith of Colorado has been mentioned as a possibility here, with all the ability needed to handle the position but with his stock dropping due to character concerns.  He has been compared to Chris McAlister, and would certainly be a nice addition, especially given the strong leadership the Ravens have the defensive side of the ball.  Given the dearth of options at this position in the 1^st round, the only other possible player the Ravens could look at here would be Aaron Williams of Texas, though this is probably a little high to take him.  I believe Smith would be their first choice, but should he be off the board, GM Ozzie Newsome will likely take the best player available, and given his track record, I’m sure he’ll make an excellent choice.

Brooks Reed: Clay Matthews 2.0?

And that brings me to my next point: given the depth of defensive end/outside linebacker hybrids in this draft, it makes sense for the Ravens to look at grabbing someone at this position in the 1^st round, especially given that there are only 2 DE’s listed on the roster, and that OLB Sergio Kindle’s status remains uncertain.  With Aldon Smith (Missouri) and J.J. Watt (Wisconsin) likely off the board, I think Baltimore would do backflips if Muhammad Wilkerson of Temple were on the board at 26.  But since this also may be unlikely, a selection of either of the Camerons (Jordan from Cal or Heyward from Ohio State) would be solid.  Another possibility is Brooks Reed from Arizona, who could end up being a Clay Matthews clone (in the looks department, too).  Adding a quality defensive end will only aid the effectiveness of Haloti Ngata, Kelly Gregg, and “Mount” Cody.

Keep this kid in state, Ravens!

In the second round, addressing either of the aforementioned two needs that weren’t addressed is a possibility, but getting younger at wide receiver needs to be a priority for this franchise as well.  Derrick Mason may or may not be back, Donte’ Stallworth is a gamble to stay healthy and wasn’t productive when he was, and T.J. Houshmandzadeh is a shadow of himself (and may not be re-signed); getting quality speedy pass-catcher would do wonders for the Flacco, Rice, Boldin, and the offense.  This is why I recommend my boy from my alma mater Maryland Terrapins, Torrey Smith.  Smith was an electric kick returner, and also excelled as a receiver.  He could be excellent running deep routes while Boldin works underneath and racks up another 100-catch season with good health.  Other potential receivers at #58 overall could be Leonard Hankerson of Miami and Titus Young of Boise State.

Beyond that, supplementing depth on the offensive line, at defensive end, and in the secondary would be significant to assure this team returns to the postseason (should there be a 2011 season).   Adding a young running back and developmental quarterback could happen, too.

FREE AGENCY

Recommended Free Agents to re-sign: FB Le’Ron McClain, QB Mark Bulger, S Dawan Landry, CB Fabian Washington, OL Marshal Yanda, OG Chris Chester, OT Jared Gaither

I'd love to keep this MOUNTAIN in Baltimore, but that likely won't happen.

With DT Haloti Ngata signing his franchise tender, P Sam Koch signed to a 5-year extension (yes, Matt Williamson, this is a big deal because Koch flips field position and pins opponents inside the 20 better than any punter in the league), and with K Billy Cundiff also signed to a long-term deal, the Ravens can turn to re-upping with their next big free agent, Le’Ron McClain.  Not only is McClain solid in run blocking, but he also is crafty, strong, and elusive at times as a runner; he means a lot to Flacco and the offense.  Bringing back Washington would be nice, since he is a nice nickel back and decent #2 CB as an injury fill-in.  Additionally, LT Jared Gaither’s return from a back injury would be a tremendous boon for the offensive line, which makes it that much more perplexing that the Ravens don’t seem to be all that interested in having him back.  I could really do without most of the other free agents; Bulger would be nice to have back even though another vet like Billy Volek or Kerry Collins would be fine too, and Landry is probably expendable should Haruki Nakamura be brought back (and he’ll likely be less expensive).

This man would look good in purple should...

...#20 not come back.

However, given Ed Reed’s health questions, family issues, and retirement flirtations in past offseasons, adding a rangy safety could be just what the doctor ordered.  Eric Weddle and Quentin Mikell, though expensive, would both be outstanding additions, as would Michael Huff (though it appears his first choice is his hometown team, the Dallas Cowboys).  At corner, I obviously would love Nnamdi, and stealing Johnathan Joseph from the division-rival Bengals would also be sweet.  If Reed is back, adding the speed of Antonio Cromartie could add to the high-risk, high-reward attacking-style defense new defensive coordinator Chuck Pagano figures to employ.  Bringing Carlos Rogers north up I-95 wouldn’t be a bad thing, either.

I’ve been concerned about the offensive line for a few years now, and with offensive coordinator Cam Cameron’s increasing reliance on the pass, I think that’s really compromised the strength of the offensive line, which is their effective run-blocking capability.  Letting Gaither walk is a mistake in my opinion, and having those 2 bookend tackles would be a strength of the team and surely allow Baltimore to emphasize the run and controlling the clock more often in 2011.

At the very least, Cameron and the offensive staff must develop one core competency that they can rely on when the going gets tough.  Will it be emphasizing a power run game?  Will it be play action?  Short, quick throws?  Joe Flacco has seemed overwhelmed at key moments in playoff games the last 3 years, and coming up with one offensive strength that the offense can go to when it needs it most is critical to postseason success.