AFC North
Ravens Review - The Baltimore Ravens 2006 Post Season Report
By Randy Setterberg
Jan 19, 2007, 01:06

Flair McNair? - He wasn’t coveted for his withering cannon right arm nor fleet feet, but Steve McNair was everything the Ravens had hoped for - and more. His leadership was a calming presence in a locker room divided by the continuously incompetent performances by former starter Kyle Boller. The stats weren’t pretty: a TD to INT ration of 4 to 3, and a quarterback rating hovering around the 80.0 pedestrian range, but McNair’s leadership was monumental in every game this season. He directed three 4th-quarter comebacks, and none maybe as important as the one against the Chargers early in the season. That set the stage for a tremendous late season surge, with Baltimore winning nine of their last ten games. His arm isn’t what it once was, but starting 16 games for the first time since 2002 gave the Baltimore offense confidence that they could beat anybody - and they almost did. McNair, who will be 34 in February, actually shows signs of getting stronger. That is bad news for the opposition. The ubiquitous Boller seems to have found his niche in relief, throwing five TD’s in pressure free, part-time work. This is a tandem that compliments not only each other but the franchise as well. New offensive coordinator Rick Neuheisel should be under strict orders not to mess with this duo.

Making the Grade - Conversely, the running game needs some serious attention. Jamal Lewis spent more time assailing his contact than the opposition, displaying his worst average (3.6) over any of his 1,000-yard seasons. Let’s face it; Lewis is breakneck speed-impaired, and needs to be replaced. He won’t be 28 until August, but he runs like a disinterested back six years older, and is staring down a $5 million roster bonus in March that will make him expendable. And for all the insurance proceeds disbursed to bring in Mike Anderson, he only totaled 48 touches on the season. Musa Smith can’t stay healthy, once again landing on IR at season’s end. P.J. Daniels and Justin Green are training camp types and not much else. The FB is solid; Ovie Mughelli has the look of the next Lorenzo Neal, but he needs a competent back to block for. This is definitely an area of need; expect the Ravens to address the featured back position either in free agency or the draft.

Grading the Road - The backfield can’t take all the heat for the team’s poor rushing performance. Even though they set a franchise record by allowing only 17 sacks - and McNair gets most of the credit for his quick thinking and elusiveness - the offensive line had an inconsistent season. All-Pro Jonathan Ogden was nicked up periodically and is contemplating retirement after playing in 166 regular season games, all with Baltimore. Right tackle Tony Pashos is an unrestricted free agent, and will be presented with a big offer sheet from elsewhere; the Ravens are content to let him walk. Pashos was average at best, and Baltimore has other pressing needs to address with their capital. Mike Flynn has been solid at center but is scheduled to make $2 million in 2007, so Jason Brown - an absolute pleasant surprise at left guard - will probably be asked to anchor the line in the middle. Though drafted as a center, Chris Chester got his feet wet at guard (starting four games) and may very well take over full time at Brown’s old spot. Keydrick Vincent should reclaim his right guard spot, leaving Flynn as the odd-man out. And of course should Odgen make good on his full time plans for fishing, this team would be looking to secure a couple of high quality bookends heading into training camp.

EFSlant - McNair’s value is three times greater to Baltimore than he is to your fantasy franchise, but owners can still exploit favorable matchups - he excels against AFC North opponents (averaging 251 yds/game against Pit, Cle, Cin, and Ten last season). Moreover, you can probably pick up Boller for a song (this assumes he’s actually on someone’s roster). Boller has settled into the reserve role and could be used in a pinch if (when?) McNair misses a game or two in coming years. Jamal Lewis’ fantasy value is headed south; if your stuck with him on your roster, be selective and pick your spots. Your best bet is to hope for a trade; maybe a new environment (ala Travis Henry) will work wonders for the 7-year veteran. But this offense is headed in the right direction; it won’t be the juggernaut Billick controlled with Minnesota in ‘98 but improving on the league’s 11th best passing attack is a possibility. Snag a Raven offensive lineman - especially one of the young ones - and count on solid weekly scoring for 2007.

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