Football Season: Ravens Open Camp, Sans Bennett
I’m not yet ready to concede the rapid approach of fall. It’s there, I know, but I’d rather not actually acknowledge it for another month or so.
Not an option, alas, as the Ravens open training camp today, signaling the unofficial beginning of the slog that is an NFL season.
The biggest early news is that, surprisingly, the Ravens will be without recently signed wideout Drew Bennett. Citing a knee problem, the receiver called it quits over the weekend.
Therein lies one part of what I think we all know is the biggest question mark this team faces: who will catch Joe Flacco‘s passes? Will Derrick Mason change course (I’m starting to think he won’t), will there be a trade for an impact player (not Ozzie’s style), or will they bring in a band-aid or two and hope for the best?
Beyond that, I’m looking at a couple of lesser question marks:
- Do Flacco and Ray Rice continue to progress, or is there a sophomore slump?
- How real was Le’Ron McClain‘s success last year?
- Does the loss of Bart Scott matter?
These, however, are relatively minor concerns.
Much remains to be seen as training camp unfolds, so it’s not quite yet time for predictions. When we get there, though, just remember who told you last year that the Ravens were probably an 8-8 team, while everyone else predicted 4-5 wins.
I’m still holding out hope for the return of Mason. If that happens the sky is the limit for the Ravens, besides the Ravens are a running team anyway, 6th in the league last year with a better O-line this year. If Mason does not change his mind they will probably try to bring someone else in (although there are very few free agents left) but they have two very capable receivers in Clayton and Williams along with a few rookies they will be looking at during camp. I don’t think it’s just hoping for the best, the receivers they have can be effective and make a difference.
Definitely no slump for Rice or Flacco. McGahee is in the last year of his contract and is probably not going to be back in Baltimore after this year. Rice will be giving lots of reps in practice and plenty of carries in games as the coaching staff will be grooming him to become the new number one guy. Flacco will be doing the same thing as last year, letting the running game and defense win the game, he just needs to control the game and make some plays from time to time, he will have Rice to throw to out of the backfield even more this year and I bet we see the Todd Heap of old come back. Besides just look at how much improvement he showed by the end of last year.
What we saw from McClain last year was real but without resigning Neal he will need to resort back to his primary role as a true fullback. I’m sure he still runs the ball inside the 5 a few times but unfortunately no 900 yards this year.
Lastly I don’t think the loss of Scott matters that much. From what I hear Tavares Gooden is very fast and can get to and blow up blockers for Ray to make tackles as well as run with receivers in coverage.
I just hope Foxworth is as good as the staff thinks he is after giving him all that money.
ESPN 2008 Preseason Power Rankings along with 2008 final records and playoff appearances:
1. Pats (11-5)
2. Colts (12-4, AFC WC)
3. Chargers (8-8, AFC West)
4. Cowboys (9-7)
5. Jaguars (5-11)
6. Giants (12-4)
7. Steelers (12-4, AFC North, Superbowl)
8. Packers (6-10)
9. Seahawks (4-12)
10. Browns (4-12)
11. Vikings (10-6, NFC North)
12. Saints (8-8)
13. Eagles (9-6-1, NFC WC, NFC Divisionals)
14. Titans (13-3, AFC South)
15. Bucs (9-7)
16. Redskins (8-8)
17. Cardinals (9-7, NFC West, NFC Conference)
18. Bills (7-9)
19. Texans (8-8)
20. Panthers (12-4, NFC South)
21. Ravens (11-5, AFC WC, AFC Divisionals)
22. Broncos (8-8)
23. Jets (9-7)
24. Bengals (4-11)
25. Bears (9-7)
26. Rams (2-14)
27. Raiders (5-11)
28. Niners (7-9)
29. Lions (0-16)
30. Chiefs (2-14)
31. Dolphins (11-5, AFC East)
32. Falcons (11-5, NFC WC)
I guess anything can happen over the course of 16 games, eh?
man i was about to tear that poll a new asshole until i realized what it was (2008 power rankings).
derrick mason is coming back according to drew.
also i think michael vick deserves a second chance.
The Ravens are ranked 10th in 2009, not bad but should be higher.