Ravens are #4 in power rankings

Bill Simmons, ESPN's Sports Guy, put out his most recent NFL power rankings. He placed the Ravens at #4 in a group with the Steelers and Panthers. Simmons' only knock on the Ravens was a rookie QB at the helm. What he fails to realize is that rookie QB is playing better than a lot of veterans around the NFL.

I can catch the ball better than you

We all know ESPN knows everything when it comes to sports. They can predict games with ease, without hesitation tell the viewers who will win the MVP, or rank players as if they're cattle (I kid, I kid). Well now they have an article ranking the top 64 wide receivers in the NFL.

Before I get to the Ravens on the list, let me say this, you cannot have a ranking of the top receivers in the NFL with Marvin Harrison out of the top 10. Yeah that's right, Harrison is ranked 13th by the worldwide leader in sports. I understand that he was injured last year and is getting up there in age, but as long as he can hobble from hashmark to hashmark he will be in the top 3 of NFL receivers.

Okay on to the Ravens. Derrick Mason heads up the list at #41. With 103 catches in 2007, but a lack of other impressive stats I respect his ranking. Mark Clayton is next at #49. He had a rough year because of injury, but proved his potential in 2006. I do have a problem with Clayton being ranked directly behind the Viking's Sidney Rice. Rice is unproven and has minimal experience. Obviously I am biased, but I think you have to give the edge to Clayton. Finally, Demetrius Williams rounds out the Raven's receiving core at #57. I'm just happy that ESPN and the rest of the country have taken notice of Williams athletic ability. He was the Raven's only deep threat in 2007 and earned his spot on this list.

Todd McShay knows his stuff

I just sat down and chatted with ESPN's draft wonder boy, Todd McShay. Well I didn't sit down and chat with him, I took part in a live chat with about 1,000 other people, but I did get my question in. I asked, "Do you think the Raven's will use their first round pick on a CB or QB?"

Todd's Response:
"If they stay at No. 8 I don't see them drafting a QB. Ryan will be gone and it's too early for Brohm (or any other QB for that matter). In all reality, I think the Ravens are in a tough spot at No. 8. They have to hope one of those six elite prospects (I listed earlier) falls to them, but that's an unlikely scenario at this point. CB is the biggest need otherwise. Problem is no CB in this class jumps out as top-10 worthy in my opinion. There are a lot of good ones (like Troy's McKelvin, Kansas' Talib and S. Fla's Jenkins), but I would try like hell to trade out before I used the eighth overall pick on one of those guys."

Very true, but I actually disagree. I think Troy McKelvin is worth a first round pick considering the personnel the Ravens currently have. I would then draft Chad Henne or another large athletic and experience QB second round. Build for the future my friend.

Suggs needs some hugs

Terrell Suggs may be the next linebacking leader of the Raven's defense, but only if he is actually in a Raven's uniform. Ozzie Newsome recently said that Suggs will be labeled with the franchise tag if he can't otherwise workout a long-term deal with the team. This means that Suggs would stand to make $8.065 million in 2008, but would become an unrestricted free agent after completing that contract.

Though Suggs has been known to get a penalty or two, he is invaluable to the Raven's defense both on and off the field. He can stop the run, protect against the pass, fill holes, and rush the QB. He can also be the eventual replacement for Ray Lewis in the linebacking core. Suggs is only in his fifth year, which means he has at least seven years left in the league barring any injuries. If the Ravens were able to lock down both him and Ed Reed in long-term deals, they would be the face of the franchise until their days are done in the NFL. Defense is the cornerstone of the team and Suggs is a cornerstone of the defense. It would be truly disappointing if Newsome isn't able to work out a deal to keep Suggs around for a long time. For more info check out ESPN's take.