Ravens' Backfield Ready for End of Season

The Ravens' three headed monster in the backfield really increases the team's chances of not only making the playoffs, but winning some playoff games. Splitting time between Willis McGahee, Le' Ron McClain and Ray Rice has helped to keep all three fresh. They provide the Ravens with a more potent rushing attack than most teams in the NFL because they are not only good, but they aren't worn down through 13 weeks of the season.

John Harbaugh and Cam Cameron have made this team a late season threat because of their insistence to build a three person tag team to run the ball. The run game should carry the offense against tired defenses for the remainder of the year.

Return to blogging and football prominence

It has been a long time since I have written a post. I had some major surgery, but have fully recovered. I missed writing, but had to focus on the healing process more than the blog.

Now on to football...

I am proud of the team the 2008 Ravens have become. I have been watching closely throughout the season. They started the year hot, hit a serious bump in the road, and rebounded with a team effort. The team is now sitting at 5-3, in playoff contention and coming off a season sweep of the rival Cleveland Browns.

My observations thus far:

1. John Harbaugh is steady under pressure. Lets not for forget that he is one of the youngest coaches in the league, skipped the period in the normal progression of being either an offensive or defensive coordinator before being a head coach and came from the NFC to the AFC. He has butted heads with star players when needed, added humor to interviews, made positive in game adjustments, and most importantly served as an example to other young members of the team.

2. Joe Flacco's most impressive trait is his character. Sure, Flacco has the physical tools to succeed as a quarterback in the NFL. He is tall, moderately mobile and has a laser rocket arm. It is his composure, desire to learn, and sheer intelligence that will make him a successful QB for a long time. Even when he makes a mistake he comes of the field and immediately talks to coaches about what he just saw.
3. Haloti Ngata is a monster. He is the anchor of a defensive line that has continued their record-breaking streak of not allowing a 100-yard rusher against them. He has assumed the lead role, which was previously held by Kelly Gregg. Ngata is an intimidater, a bruiser, and a all-out beast. That is not to say that Trevor Pryce, Terrell Suggs, and others haven't played amazing football, but Ngata has stood out.

4. Ozzie Newsome did a great job this off-season. This year's draft class (Flacco, Rice and the rest) and other pick-ups such as Fabian Washington have made all the difference this season. Without Washington to help in a secondary that seems to be the weak point of the team there would be even more long-yardage touchdowns against the Ravens. Needless to say Chris McAllister is the biggest disappointment of this year.

Its good to be back. There will be much more to come.

Baltimore Raven OT Jonathan Ogden expected to retire

Veteran OT Jonathan Ogden is expected to officially announce that he will be retiring from professional football later this week. Most everybody was already acting under the assumption that Ogden would say goodbye to the game, but it doesn't change the fact that he leaves a void in the offensive line. There is no replacing a sure hall of famer and one of the greatest offensive linemen in history.

It is a particularly tough situation with inexperience players in the backfield. The likes of Joe Flacco, Troy Smith and Ray Rice will have to perform without what would've been their greatest ally.

Baltimore Ravens Draft Review

Well the 2008 draft has come and gone. All in all the Ravens did well, but they left room for improvement in free agency. The team adequately addressed the significant needs at the offensive skill positions, but failed to add youth at the corners.

I think the team failed overall with their defensive selections. Taveres Gooden is a quality ILB and fills a need with the team. I am confused by the selection of two Safeties. The team needed one to support Reed and Landry, but two? Corner Back was an issue that needed to be addressed with this draft and wasn’t. Both of these guys play as safeties and are built as such. I can’t imagine the Ravens will try to convert either to CB. So we entered the draft with glaring needs on the offensive lines and at CB. Unfortunately we leave the draft with the same two needs (more so the corner position than the offensive line). Even though there are some issues, I have to reiterate that the team did well with the offensive skill positions. Two wide receivers, two running backs, and a stud of a quarterback. Here is a breakdown position by position:

1. Joe Flacco,QB-Deleware (18)

6’6, laser rocket arm. He absolutely has the strongest arm in 2008 crop of QB’s. Kyle Boller also had the strongest arm in his class. Joe Flacco is talented and intelligent, but he has yet to face NFL caliber competition. He has the potential to be great, but needs some time to develop. I hope the Ravens will hold him out of the starting lineup so he doesn’t suffer from Boller or David Carr syndrome. He has some escapability issues because of his size, so the O-line will have to protect him. If he has time to pass, he can develop into an outstanding pocket passer.

2. Ray Rice, RB-Rutgers (55)

Bowling ball. Rice is quick, patient, and strong. He is a great addition as a back-up running back. Rice’s style of play differs from McGahee’s which will provide the team with more offensive option. Many people underestimate his blocking abilities as well.

3. Tavares Gooden, ILB-Miami (71)

Originally a question mark because of an unproductive first half of his college career, Gooden has developed into a prototypical Miami linebacker. He has the athletic ability to fill Ray Lewis’ shoes under his tutelage. I’m excited about this pick more than any of the others.

4. Tom Zbikowski, S-Notre Dame (86)

He hits hard! He really hits hard. Zbikowski is also a quick guy. Expect him to immediately jump to third on the safety depth chart. Good pick up for the Ravens.

5. Oniel Cousins, OG-UTEP (99)

From what the college analysts say, Cousins is a good talent. He is inexperience and raw, but can develop into a quality NFL player. Many experts compare him to the Colts’ Tony Ugoh. Hopefully, Jonathan Ogden stays on for one more year to guide Cousins development.

6. Marcus Smith, WR-New Mexico (106)

He had big numbers while playing with the Lobos. Smith is a tall guy that is willing to go up and fight for the ball. We’ll keep a close on him. He can either become great or disappear in two years.

7. David Hale, OT-Weber State (133)

I don’t know much about Hale, but ESPN seems to think he will peak as a back-up Right Tackle.

8. Haruki Nakamura, S-Cincinnati (206)

I was disappointed with this pick more than any others. I honestly question why the team drafted another safety. Granted Ozzie and others know quite a bit more than I do, but I wish we would’ve used this pick to draft a corner. He stands 5’9, lacking the necessary height to be a good corner. I think Nakamura will be a great special team’s player because of his pension for making big tackles.

9. Justin Harper, WR- Virginia Tech (215)

He is a big guy, but can get pushed around from time to time. He needs to bulk up and learn how to push off a corner at the line, but he has the athleticism to become good.

10. Allen Patrick, RB-Oklahoma (240)

I think this pick is a steal. With 927 yards in 13 games (5.8 per carry) he has impressive stats for a 7^th round pick. Patrick is a hard runner nosed runner and has faced good competition in the Big 12, so I expect him to get a chance after putting in his time on special teams.