They motgaged the future last year to try and return to the super duper, now they pay the price in spades. One third of the ravens total salaries this year will be in dead cap money ($22mil). The next closest team is dead by $15mil. Further, they've cut over one half of their super squad starters (14 total).
Coaching.
Billick the offensive genius (supposedly) is in tough shape. It was the defense of Marvin Lewis that won him the games, and now lewis has left for washington, replaced by veteran Mike NOlan. The rest of the staff is in tact for the most part (new dline coach), but the loss of lewis looms, especially since Billick has hardly proven he is above average offensively. Also, Serious inabilities to draft offensive players of caliber.
Big downgrade.
QB.
Exit Grbac, promote Redman. Young kid who has not shown he's ready for the big show yet. Hasn't played a game since 2000, can't scramble and likes to act tough, which may mean the end of him early (no fb and no right side of oline for protection). Thus Exit Redman, enter Jeff Blake from the saints, who can scramble, but had just a miserably terrible accuracy problem last year in pre's, losing his newly acquired starting job.
Can you downgrade from Grbac? Sure.
RB.
A glimmer of light as Jamal Lewis returns from injury, but will he be well? Watch closely because as his fortunes go so do the team's. Absolutely no backup as brookins was kicked out for being fat and slow. And they had to dump the venerable Sam Gash, so no fb either to block for Lewis.
Upgrade unknown.
WR.
Had to send Quadry ishmail and shannon sharpe to cap heaven, ishmail 74 catches, sharpe 73. YIKES. Trav Taylor, one of Billicks draftees in 2000 has done nothing so far, so will probably start again, but this his 3rd year so may develop. Brandon Stokely, another huge underperformer likely to man the other spot.
They blew some late round draft picks here, so may get really lucky. The one guy who is pro bowl is TE todd Heap, super rookie year.
Large Downgrade.
Oline.
Managed to protect 4 out of 5 starters (bye leon Sercy, 2nd best player)). Jon Ogdon the pro bowler, but after that I don't rate them very highly. Bernie anderson in only his second year, Mike Flynn solid if nothing above that, Edwin Mulataldo has upside, watch for him, he's a great tandem with ogdon on the run blocking. But Jason Thomas at right tackle is a nobody, 2nd year, never played. the right side may be a sieve. Also, NO DEPTH.
Slight downgrade 'til the injuries set in.
Defense is sporting a new 3-4, due to lack of dline.
dline.
What dline, might as well skip this section. Lost 3 out 4, but may get Adams back as he's currently in negotiations with every team in the league. Adams is a key in the 3-4 allignment, without him, they have no middle stopper, the only way to make the 3-4 successful. In the meantime backup Kelly Gregg is getting the NT call.
Mike Mcrary the only returnee, and he's too small for the 3-4 gig, but slated for one end, and 2nd round rookie Tony Weaver, the other.
Spectacular Downgrade (depending on Addams).
Linebackers.
they just paid a fortune to get this unit back, but still lost Jamie Sharper. Lewis moves inside in the 3-4 allignment, with boulware in the outside rush position, a perfect spot for his talent. Joining him is Adalius Stevens, very quick, in 3rd year, coaches very high on him. then they've got 2nd year, 4th rounder, never played, Edgerton Hartwell joining Lewis. Lewis may kill this kid when he keeps fu*king up.
So they have more lb's but less talent. Slight Downgrade.
Secondary.
Holy Smokes. More guys I never heard of. CB Chris Mcalister, a very fine talent is the only guy returning. S Ed Reed is a 1st rounder who will learn on the job (had an outstanding college career at miami), former S gary Baxter, 2nd year 2nd rounder, who only played in 6 games last year, moves over to cb, and Tony Mitchel, 3rd yr backup, undrafted free agent from powerhouse football college Tuskegee gets the nod at the other safety.
Dare I say it. MAJOR downgrade.
kicks.
Stover mr. Dependable on fgs, but not much leg. Rookie punter.
Conclusion:
This team is in shambles. They are probably the most overrated team in the league right now, and although I don't usually make predictions on total wins, they are a prime under candidate.
Further, fortunate enough to win the super duper, then make last years 2nd round of the playoffs, they are going to be in the fav. role early on this season. Imho, a fantastic fade.
Coaching.
Billick the offensive genius (supposedly) is in tough shape. It was the defense of Marvin Lewis that won him the games, and now lewis has left for washington, replaced by veteran Mike NOlan. The rest of the staff is in tact for the most part (new dline coach), but the loss of lewis looms, especially since Billick has hardly proven he is above average offensively. Also, Serious inabilities to draft offensive players of caliber.
Big downgrade.
QB.
Exit Grbac, promote Redman. Young kid who has not shown he's ready for the big show yet. Hasn't played a game since 2000, can't scramble and likes to act tough, which may mean the end of him early (no fb and no right side of oline for protection). Thus Exit Redman, enter Jeff Blake from the saints, who can scramble, but had just a miserably terrible accuracy problem last year in pre's, losing his newly acquired starting job.
Can you downgrade from Grbac? Sure.
RB.
A glimmer of light as Jamal Lewis returns from injury, but will he be well? Watch closely because as his fortunes go so do the team's. Absolutely no backup as brookins was kicked out for being fat and slow. And they had to dump the venerable Sam Gash, so no fb either to block for Lewis.
Upgrade unknown.
WR.
Had to send Quadry ishmail and shannon sharpe to cap heaven, ishmail 74 catches, sharpe 73. YIKES. Trav Taylor, one of Billicks draftees in 2000 has done nothing so far, so will probably start again, but this his 3rd year so may develop. Brandon Stokely, another huge underperformer likely to man the other spot.
They blew some late round draft picks here, so may get really lucky. The one guy who is pro bowl is TE todd Heap, super rookie year.
Large Downgrade.
Oline.
Managed to protect 4 out of 5 starters (bye leon Sercy, 2nd best player)). Jon Ogdon the pro bowler, but after that I don't rate them very highly. Bernie anderson in only his second year, Mike Flynn solid if nothing above that, Edwin Mulataldo has upside, watch for him, he's a great tandem with ogdon on the run blocking. But Jason Thomas at right tackle is a nobody, 2nd year, never played. the right side may be a sieve. Also, NO DEPTH.
Slight downgrade 'til the injuries set in.
Defense is sporting a new 3-4, due to lack of dline.
dline.
What dline, might as well skip this section. Lost 3 out 4, but may get Adams back as he's currently in negotiations with every team in the league. Adams is a key in the 3-4 allignment, without him, they have no middle stopper, the only way to make the 3-4 successful. In the meantime backup Kelly Gregg is getting the NT call.
Mike Mcrary the only returnee, and he's too small for the 3-4 gig, but slated for one end, and 2nd round rookie Tony Weaver, the other.
Spectacular Downgrade (depending on Addams).
Linebackers.
they just paid a fortune to get this unit back, but still lost Jamie Sharper. Lewis moves inside in the 3-4 allignment, with boulware in the outside rush position, a perfect spot for his talent. Joining him is Adalius Stevens, very quick, in 3rd year, coaches very high on him. then they've got 2nd year, 4th rounder, never played, Edgerton Hartwell joining Lewis. Lewis may kill this kid when he keeps fu*king up.
So they have more lb's but less talent. Slight Downgrade.
Secondary.
Holy Smokes. More guys I never heard of. CB Chris Mcalister, a very fine talent is the only guy returning. S Ed Reed is a 1st rounder who will learn on the job (had an outstanding college career at miami), former S gary Baxter, 2nd year 2nd rounder, who only played in 6 games last year, moves over to cb, and Tony Mitchel, 3rd yr backup, undrafted free agent from powerhouse football college Tuskegee gets the nod at the other safety.
Dare I say it. MAJOR downgrade.
kicks.
Stover mr. Dependable on fgs, but not much leg. Rookie punter.
Conclusion:
This team is in shambles. They are probably the most overrated team in the league right now, and although I don't usually make predictions on total wins, they are a prime under candidate.
Further, fortunate enough to win the super duper, then make last years 2nd round of the playoffs, they are going to be in the fav. role early on this season. Imho, a fantastic fade.
