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AFC North
Utopian Expectations:
How do you follow up a 13-win, second-seed, had Indy on the ropes 2006 season that ended in disappointment? You don’t - unless you happen to be Brian Billick, who views Baltimore’s chances through rose colored glasses. He called his team the most “mature” he’s ever coached. Mature? How about downright old; nine of their 22 returning starters are 30 years of age or older. He calls their passion “muted.” Muted? Detached is more accurate; with 18 of 22 starters returning, it’s business-as-usual for this Ravens’ team. They will field the status quo, and expect similar results. Good luck with that from this indifferent bunch. Finally, Billick has said that he is very pleased with what Willis McGahee has done. What McGahee has “done” is rush for 35 yards on a total of 14 carries this preseason. Granted, the preseason is not the best barometer for assessing a new feature back’s progress, but that’s not exactly the stellar effectiveness this franchise was expecting when they coughed up two-third rounders and a seventh for Buffalo’s dirty laundry.
It ain’t happening, folks. Though Cincinnati has questions on defense, they can score with anyone in the NFL. Pittsburgh is bound to rebound from their disappointing .500 season. And Cleveland, though not yet placing fear in the mind of defensive coordinators, will challenge and attack you defensively with a nothing-to-lose mentality. Jonathan Ogden probably wishes he’d have followed through on his retirement dreams, because his hyperextended toe will be the least of his concerns before 16 games are in the book. The defense is seasoned, experienced, and another year older; Ray Lewis is talking Super Bowl, but double digit wins and a wild card berth would be a superb accomplishment for a team who, for all intents and purposes, exceeded even their own expectations in 2006.
Selections Stick:
All of Baltimore’s draft picks survived The Turk. This is a very good thing; the Ravens need to get younger - yesterday. Ben Grubbs is slated to start, and he should be a fixture at right guard for years. Figurs will return kicks and play on special teams while polishing his receiving skills over the next couple of years. Yanda’s role is currently as a backup, but he will probably replace Ogden whenever the All-Pro’s retirement plans become effective. Barnes will see action this year, and could supplant Jarret Johnson before Halloween. McClain was drafted to start at FB, but Justin Green held him off - for this year. McClain will contribute on special teams, give Green a blow, and be injected as the starting FB in 2008. Billick wants to give Troy Smith an additional once-over before cutting ties, but he’s got to step it up. And Prescott Burgess may prove the Baltimore brass infinitely intelligent by waiting until the sixth round to select him; he’s a special teams demon who will compete for a linebacker’s gig by 2009.
EFSlant:
McGahee should be productive, but I wouldn’t depend on him week in and week out. Hopefully you have other options at the running back position. Spot-start McGahee has needed, taking advantage of favorable match ups against Cleveland, Indy, and Seattle. This may be Ogden’s last year, and his pride won’t permit him to exit with a less-than-stellar performance this season. Offensively, however, the Ravens may take a step back - and they only finished 17th overall last season. If you’ve got any of the Ravens’ rookies on your roster, be patient; they all could pay dividends at some point, with Grubbs, Yanda, and Barnes providing quicker than expected fantasy value.
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