Ravens Have Old Man Strength

NFL Pre-Season Power Rankings (one team at a time)

5. Baltimore Ravens: Every year I think to myself that the Ravens are too old to stay healthy enough to win and every time I do they prove me wrong. They're like the fifty year old bare knuckle brawlers that just won't go down. Well, I’m going the other way this season. Brian Billick somehow gets the most from his back ups when stars like Ray Lewis and Ed Reed go down. The problem is, those backups become too good to stay backups and find work as big time free agents for other teams. I don’t know why but Billick reminds me of Bill Murray from Kingpin.

This year they brought in slasher Willis Mcgahee to compliment their increasingly improved passing game. McNair has shown what he’s capable of when he stays healthy. He wont dazzle you, he’ll just beat you and that’s all Billick cares about. Todd Heap is a top 3 tight end. Desmond Mason also drinks from the fountain of youth Baltimore must have flowing in their locker room. Mark Clayton is a capable receiver and though the line isn’t the tops in the league anymore it still has Ogden and is smash mouth enough to get it done. This offense isn’t a sports car, it’s more of a reliable Volvo that simply does what it has to in order to win games.

The calling card to the Ravens has obviously always been its defense. No need to go on about the many stars this defense boasts every year. It’s the depth that most impresses me. Ozzie Newsome knows how to draft on defense. Even losing Thomas to New England the team finds new comers who make us forget who they lost. Take Prescott Burgess for instance. I liked Burgess in the Michigan games I caught last year. He seems fast and he hits hard. Antwan Barnes I know less of but the fact remains Baltimore loves to draft LB’s and almost all of them turn out to be contributors.

It’s also good to see them draft offensive lineman high in the draft. A team that prides itself on smash mouth football knows that starters in the trenches are one play away from being sidelined from too much smashing. I feel many teams over look quality offensive line depth for sexier picks in skilled positions. Grubbs will be an eventual solid starter that can make life easier for McGahee between the tackles. Yamon Figures was considered a reach, but the guy is lightning fast and is a definite return threat. The Bears Devon Hester has shown the world the impact a good return guy can have for a team. Particularly a team that wins with field position battles.

The biggest concern will always be health with such a veteran team. McNair has had his problems and Ogden had to be lured away from retirement. Ray Lewis and Chris McAlister aren’t spring chickens and even Ed Reed has had to be forced from plenty of games. If the injury bug bites this team more than usual, the solid depth will be tested more than ever and could be a major problem in a very tough division. All things considered this is a team who knows exactly what it takes to win. A nasty defense has traditionally proven to take teams farther in the playoffs than a dynamic offense with the glaring exception of the Colts last season. Many pundits, including myself, have gone against this team time and again and ended up eating their words at the end of the day. If they can stay healthy, there’s no reason to think we wont see the Ravens in January.

top 5 recap: New England Patriots Indianapolis Colts San Diego Chargers Chicago Bears Baltimore Ravens