Baltimore Ravens:          

2013 RECORD: 8-8  
2012 RECORD: 10-6   
2011 RECORD: 12-4   
2010 RECORD: 12-4   

TEAM OVERVIEW: Anquan Bolden. Sure, the Ravens needed to pay Joe Flacco, and sure they knew many solid players would be tough to retain, but the hasty decision to trade Bolden despite being not so far off in contract money was the biggest blow to the team. Bolden is an amazingly sure-handed WR who made the big 3rd down catch all season long, and played lights out in the playoffs. His absence contributed to these Ravens not moving the chains as well and to Flacco’s sudden turnover tendencies. What looked like a train wreck last March did turn better by draft time as Baltimore drafted well and added some experienced talent once out of cap “jail”.

Clearly, losing Ray Lewis hurt in more ways than one, but expectations are that these Ravens will not be in transition long. All eyes will be on the draft once again as Baltimore looks to rebound from an off year in their offensive performance (running and passing the ball) as well as regain some swagger with their defense. 

KEY STATS: For at least the previous 19 years the run D has been super.  The ’13 version continued their run at allowing under 4.0 per carry. The pass D% stayed stout at under 57% (4^th). Opponents completed just 33% on 3rd down. The offense lagged behind. Baltimore allowed 48 sacks, tied for 29th. The overall offense was also 29th. The team had leveled off running the ball but hit a new low in ’13. They were last at 3.1 per carry and 30th at 83 yards per game. Flacco threw 22 interceptions, causing the usually decent turnover ratio to slip to -5. Spread-wise, Baltimore dropped to 10-2 off a bye, remained 13-6 as a MNF host, and by losing their final road game saw their spread record in that situation fall to 7-16. 

2013 DRAFT REVIEW: LB, OC, WR and safety were listed needs in ’13. LB Brown had just 15 tackles but should be better in ’14.  No center was added.  WR Mellette was not the answer but undrafted WR Brown went 49-524-7, helping to fill a huge void. Safety Elam did fine. I liked small school prospect DT Williams and look for him to have a chance to succeed.

1-32, SS Elam: Specializes in getting into the backfield. Just 5’9”. 77 tackles with 15 starts.

2-56, LB A Brown: Bit small, but has great short area speed. Should play more in ’14.  

3-94, DT B Williams: 335 pounder is super strong and may be a legit 3-4 NT, Athletic. 6 rookie tackles.

4-129, DE Simon: Sacker but too light to stay at DE.  Overachiever w/limited athleticism.  4 rookie tackles.

4-130, FB Juszczyk: Nothing as a rookie but could start in ’14

5-168, OT Wagner: Limited foot speed may spell versatile backup.  Played all year, with 2 starts.

6-200, DE Lewis-Moore: Strong with decent productivity.  Run stuffer tore ACL in BCS title game so sat in ’13.

6-203, OT Jensen: May go to OC, he’s got some quickness.  No action in ’13.

7-238, WR Mellette: Big-bodied WR, who lacks elite speed and strength.  Nothing as a rookie.

7-247, CB Anthony:  3 year starter who can’t be left alone in coverage.  Footwork is an issue. With Tampa.

2012 DRAFT REVISITED: Upshaw went from 60 tackles down to 30. That has to change. Osemele moved to OG in the ’12 playoffs and in his career has played in and started 23 games. He went on IR with a back injury in the middle of ’13. RB Pierce was used often but like Rice, couldn’t find running room, as his 2.9 per carry figure shows. He also averaged just 5.2 yards per reception. NR rated OG Gradkowski moved to OC with Birk’s retirement and started all 16 games. He is learning on the job.  Two of the remaining four draftees are gone, with Asa Jackson doing very little (5 career tackles) other than serving an eight game suspension.  * rated Tyson (7-236) played in 13 games (10 tackles).  Undrafted PK Tucker has been outstanding (68-74).

TOP STRENGTH AND WEAKNESS PRIOR TO THE DRAFT: Baltimore is strongest now defending the run, which they have done quite well for about 20 years in a row!  There is no major weakness on this team but the OL is slipping and provided absolutely no running holes in ’13.

FREE AGENCY ANALYSIS AND STAFF NOTES: As of March 24th. This section was expanded a year ago with so many changes.  The biggest acquisition so far in ’14 is signing solid WR Steve Smith. Baltimore has lost OT Oher, FB Leach, DE Arthur Jones, LB McClain and CB Corey Graham. All of these guys are decent but not elite players. Gary Kubiak is the new Offensive Coordinator and this is a good role for him. 

2014 DRAFT NEEDS: Draft Needs as of March 0th.  1-2 OL, 1-2 DB’s, LB, WR, DL depth, shifty RB.  Baltimore needs to replace RT Oher and find a quality interior starter. Jimmy Smith is the 2nd best DB, ahead of Lardarius Webb and James Ihedigbo. More is needed to make this unit complete. Baltimore is not necessarily hurting at LB but someone can be added to the mix. Even with Steve Smith a solidly rated WR can easily upgrade this unit and make it more dangerous. DL youth is strongly recommended.  A RB with some speed might help diversify things in a backfield which underachieved in ’13.