Last year just about everybody and their brother felt that the Baltimore Ravens were going to be a contender. After all, they had displayed the same kind of oppressive defense and methodical offense in 2006 that helped them win a Super Bowl in 2000. However, the team's fate did not go according to plan, and they looked more like a group in need of a rebuild than one on the verge of any championships. The forecast is not so sunny for the Ravens offense this year; NFL Betting odds at SBGglobal.com have them at +750 odds to win the AFC North.
Brian Billick was finally shown the door after his team finished at 5-11 last year. The rumors had been swirling for a couple of seasons, but Billick bought himself some good will with the team's strong showing in 2006. In steps John Harbaugh, the club's special teams coach last year. Harbaugh will be expected to do something Billick, even in his Super Bowl season, never did — create a productive offensive unit. The coach made a good move in that direction by hiring offensive guru Cam Cameron to be his coordinator.
To aid Harbaugh and Cameron in their quest for offensive greatness will be a capable set of skill position players. Receivers Derrick Mason and Mark Clayton are certainly competent enough to have a positive impact, as is tight end Todd Heap. At running back the team has a confident and aggressive Willis McGahee. While McGahee did not get in the end zone as much as he or the team would have liked in 2007, he is an effective back. The Ravens also picked up Rutgers powerhouse Ray Rice in the draft. Rice will, without question, make an impact in one form or another.
So, it would appear the Ravens are in good shape offensively if a discussion of the offensive line and the quarterback position is avoided. Unfortunately for the new coach those two things are fairly critical to success. What Harbaugh has here is more questions than answers. The club does not really know what to expect from Kyle Boller. He certainly has the arm but he has never shown a whole lot of poise in the pocket. Boller will again get a shot to win the job, but the club's first round draft pick — Joe Flacco out of Delaware — will be breathing down his neck. Perhaps Boller can thank an offensive line that gave up 39 sacks last year for his second chance.
Speaking of the offensive line, they will be without perennial pro-bowler Jonathan Ogden who retired in the off season. They also released center Mike Flynn back in February. The group left is extremely young, which explains why they only picked up one lineman in this year's draft. The Ravens are no doubt hoping for some rapid development in order to keep Boller and/or Flacco off their backs.
NFL Betting odds at SBGglobal.com are not giving Baltimore much of a chance largely due to the questions concerning the offense. The Ravens are listed at +2500 odds to win the AFC Championship, +5000 odds to win the Super Bowl, and -130 odds to finish under 6 wins.
Prediction: 4th Place AFC North.
