2006 Ravens preview

Updated: September 5, 2006, 3:55 PM ET

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THE BOTTOM LINE

By Michael Smith, ESPN.com

The Lewises -- Ray and Jamal -- are back and healthy and so are the Ravens as legit contenders in the AFC. Baltimore made one of the biggest trades of the offseason, acquiring its first franchise QB (even if he hasn't played at the level the past two seasons) in former Titans star Steve McNair. The Ravens' offense, for the first time under head coach Brian Billick, has a shot to be special. There's a confidence in the offensive huddle that simply wasn't there with Kyle Boller calling the plays.

Ray Lewis and Ed Reed look ready to compete for another defensive player of the year award (Lewis won it in 2003, Reed in 2004). They've known how to play defense around here for a long time. If Baltimore can get better play out of its offensive line -- and despite not making any major moves up front, the team believes it can -- and if McNair can stay healthy, the hot seat Billick is on should be a lot more comfortable by season's end.

SCOUTS TAKE

By Matt Williamson, Scouts Inc.

The addition of Steve McNair is huge both on and off the field and he will certainly make this team better. The Ravens also get back a lot of big-time starters on both sides of the ball who were injured much of last season. The offensive line will not be great, but it should be improved from last season, and the running game will be solid with two physical backs. This offense has a chance to be very dangerous and the defense is still loaded with many talented playmakers who can change a game.

The biggest worry -- and it is a substantial one -- is the Ravens' depth. It is rather awful across the board and a key injury or two could cripple this franchise. There is a lot to like here, but also a great deal to be concerned about. This is probably the third-place team in the division and a team that is capable of beating the big boys when fully healthy or being beaten by mediocre teams once injuries set in.

Prediction: Third in AFC North.

SCIENTIFIC METHOD

By KC Joyner, ESPN.com

The key to Baltimore's offense in 2006 will be how well the right side of the offensive line can run block. Last year, the trio of Brian Rimpf, Tony Pashos and Keydrick Vincent gave the Ravens the worst success percentage of any right side offensive line combination in the NFL. All three had blocking success percentages of 60 percent or less.

If Chris Chester, the rookie right guard from Oklahoma, can come in and block at merely a 70 percent to 75 percent success rate, it could plug a big hole in the Ravens' front wall and help Jamal Lewis and Mike Anderson to very successful seasons.

From ESPN The Magazine

The Big Number

3.4 Although Jamal Lewis is just 27, he's showing major signs of wearing down. He averaged 5.3 yards per carry in 2003, was down a full yard in 2004 and dropped all the way to 3.4 last season -- the lowest yards per carry of any RB with at least 250 carries

STRENGTH

Never you mind the departure of FS Will Demps -- this D has gotten better. Free-agent DE Trevor Pryce can hold ground versus the run and get to the passer. And with rookie Haloti Ngata occupying multiple blockers at the line of scrimmage, Ray Lewis (left) won't have to fight through as much traffic to get to the ball. If nothing else, this unit can't possibly be as snakebitten as last season's, when Ed Reed missed six games and Lewis missed 10.

WEAKNESS

The Ravens upgraded at QB and running back but ignored help where they need it most: on the line. The front five was mediocre at best last season, and three of the projected starters -- Mike Flynn, Edwin Mulitalo and Jonathan Ogden -- are in the twilight of their careers. Entrusting them to protect a fragile QB and open up holes for a weary lead back (see below) is a recipe for three and out.

PROSPECTS

When a team is aging rapidly, what's the logical move? Add veteran leadership. At least that's how the Ravens see it. Waiting for wooden QB Kyle Boller to develop into a viable starter before Lewis (31) and Ogden (32) joined AARP was no longer an option. "We have a two-year window," says coach Brian Billick. So he got Steve McNair (left) to run the team. Brilliant, if the former MVP can stay on the field. And if the D can avoid the injury plague and special-teams guru Frank Gansz can coax more TDs and TOs from his unit, the Ravens could very well make a run for the playoffs. Of course, everything will crumble if the creaky O-line doesn't hold. Sadly, it's an age-old issue.

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