I've heard many callers on talk radio saying that we need to remember McNair for his accomplishments on the football field and ignore this promiscuous endeavor that led to his demise. That won't happen. We as humans are hard wired to remember such things, that is what we do.We will look back on the career of Steve McNair and remember his accomplishments as a quarterback, but we will remember his death just as much, and how needless it was due to his promiscuity. That's a shame, but that is what we will remember at the end of the day.

Hopefully his death, and the circumstances that surrounded it will serve notice to all of us. Watch out for what you think you want, because it could end up being a decision that you never bargained for.

Rest in peace Mr. Steve McNair, and may God's love be with you, and with the family you apparently took for granted. 

I've taken in the talk on sports radio and I've read the feedback submitted by Ravens fans and clearly the opinions vary on how McNair will be remembered.

When I think back, I recall the nickname Air McNair as the former Alcorn State Brave emerged on to the NFL scene as the third overall pick by the Houston Oilers in the 1995 NFL Draft. At the time I thought the nickname was a bit unusual since his legs can be credited with most of his early success.

Right around the time McNair was maturing as a professional my son Tyler, to the delight of his proud Dad began to really develop an affinity for the NFL and in large part the credit for that can be attributed to McNair and his long-time teammate Eddie George. As a parent, I loved the idea of my son attaching himself to two players who I considered to be professional, classy, hard working and obviously successful.

As time went by and the Ravens' rivalry with the Titans heated up my competitive nature prevented me from rooting for the two players because their success could directly affect that of my team. Yet when the duo began to rack up awards and post season appearances I found it hard to begrudge them given their reputations as stand up guys on the field, in the locker room and in the community.

My son would eventually don jerseys for both players and despite the fact that I was building my livelihood around the Baltimore Ravens, he was young and impressionable and it didn't bother me all that much. After all he could have chosen a Randy Moss or a Terrell Owens jersey.

Ty would eventually become a full-fledged dyed-in-the-wool Ravens fan yet he has always harbored an affinity for McNair and George.

When I heard the news of McNair's passing I called Ty to see if he had heard and if so how he was dealing with the tragedy. He was unaware of the news and I could tell he was a bit stunned.  He's now taking it in stride just like most of us who admired Steve McNair.

During a recent radio appearance on Delmarva's ESPN Radio, I was interviewed by New School host Shan Shariff and asked about my first thoughts upon hearing the news...

"I thought first about McNair's family - his four boys and his wife and I can't imagine the pain they must be feeling. I then wondered how and why someone who to the outside observer had it all could even put himself in such an uncompromising position."

The four days since have allowed the events to marinate a little for me and my thoughts are a bit clearer.

From what I've been told, McNair's wife Mechelle is a caring and strong woman. That coupled with what Steve McNair was able to provide his family through his success will carry them forward and they will likely lead happy lives.

Of course they will miss their Dad. Perhaps Mechelle will look past the grief and anger and one day miss what once was as well. My wish for them is that the goodness of Steve McNair, his smile, his positivity, his success, his leadership, friendship, compassion, community-centric ways, generosity and love will endure for them and for all of us who are now questioning his choices - choices that apparently led to an abrupt end to a wonderful life.

Clearly McNair made mistakes and the truth be told we may never know the extent of those mistakes. Perhaps he and his wife were separating and the extra-marital relationship was a byproduct of that separation. Maybe he was ending a relationship with his girlfriend. Whatever it was the time he needed to cure the issue was taken from him. And now some of his survivors are questioning his motives, his morals.

Do we really have that right?

Who among us has never erred?

Who among us never had a chance to correct mistakes?

At the end of the day, it's possible that none of us ever real knew the real Steve McNair. Most never met the man and consequently there's only the public persona to base opinions on.

If that's all you have, then clearly what he's given, the good that he's done far outweigh the indiscretions that ended his life. One only needs to listen to and read the unwavering solidarity of those who played with him supporting their fallen teammate.

Clearly he has made mistakes but hasn't he now paid the ultimate price for those?

My son and I will remember you fondly Steve.

Tony Lombardi covers the Baltimore Ravens at Profootball24x7.com

Whenever an NFL player becomes available who might be a match for the Ravens on the field yet is a problem off the field or in the locker room, fans inevitably look to Ray Lewis and conclude that he can be the voice of reason and stave off any potential issues.

Fans think that Ray can turn a drama queen into his own little dancing queen who will march to his beat on demand. Look up babysitter in the NFL Glossary and fans expect to see the willing and smiling face of Ray Lewis.

And given this widely held belief among fans, they precipitously conclude that the problem child flavor of the month can be the missing ingredient for the Ravens - particularly if the player is a wide receiver.

Plaxico Burress - bring him on!

Brandon Marshall -  no worries, besides what has he been CONVICTED of...

If either gets out of line, Ray will be there to B-slap some sense into him.

Gee, that theory really worked well with Chris McAlister didn't it?

It's working well with Willis McGahee, right?

Look it isn't Ray's job to be a babysitter. And how could he even affect a player on offense? During the week, the offense installs their game plan and all of the unit meetings, film study, etc. are conducted independent of the defense. During the game, Ray is on the field when the offense isn't and vice versa.

How and when is the mentoring to actually take place assuming Ray and/or his protégé  are willing?

The truth is players like Brandon Marshall and Plaxico Burress seldom listen to anyone. They are coddled and have been coddled for so long. Things come easily to them and when they don't they push back.  There's resistance.

Warren Sapp, one of my personal favorites among the new player-turned-studio-analyst added recently as reported by SI's Peter King that the game is different and the respect that young players have for the veterans has changed. He used Vince Young as his case in point.

"Look at Vince Young. Why wouldn't he listen to Kerry Collings? I'm sure Vince thinks, 'Nobody's been through what I'm going through. Nobody's been through my kind of pressure.' Are you kidding me! Kerry Collins, fifth pick in the draft, has all the ups and downs, gets benched, makes those racist comments, has the alcohol problems, moves from team to team, comes back, has success ... Vince Young should suck up all the knowledge Kerry Collins has to offer! There's no better role model for him.''

If the Ravens take a chance on a player like Burress or Marshall (and the bet here is that it will NEVER happen) they will do so because the risk v. reward ratio works.

Not because Ray Lewis'  presence will help turn a malcontent into a choir boy. 

Tony Lombardi covers the Baltimore Ravens for Profootball24x7.com

This article was written by Tony Lombardi of Ravens24x7.com

The Ravens are just a wide receiver away from overtaking the Steelers in the AFC North.

How many times have you HEARD that?

If the Ravens had a true No. 1 receiver they may have advanced to and won Super Bowl XLIII.

How many times have you SAID that?

The Ravens would love to have a player in the mold of Larry Fitzgerald or one with the skills of Brandon Marshall. But is that the only way for the Ravens to take that next step? Can they take that next step with the wide receiver talent currently on their roster provided they improve in other areas?

That's a reasonable assumption don't you think?

But before we go there, let's look at the receiving talent the Ravens do have heading into the 2009 season.

Derrick Mason: It's safe to say that Mason can at least duplicate what he did in 2008 given that he expects to be fully recovered from a shoulder injury that limited him last season when he still managed to haul in 80 catches for 1,037 yards and 5 TD's. As a point of reference Anquan Boldin, the end all be all No.1 wide out for the Ravens in the eyes of many had 89 receptions for 1,039 yards and 11 scores.

Mark Clayton: Yes he's been a disappointment but isn't it logical to conclude that his productivity could improve now that he's had some experience with Joe Flacco and now that he'll have a full training camp with the second year signal caller? Let's not forget that Flacco did not run with the first team offense in camp last summer.

Demetrius Williams: The big "IF" in this corps of receivers...if Williams can stay healthy, his skills immediately improve the unit.

Kelley Washington: A big target with a solid work ethic and familiarity with the AFC North.

Marcus Smith: Raw talent, a former running back now more familiar with his surroundings...through experience a better player.

This group certainly won't make you forget the targets Kurt Warner throws to in the desert but one could reasonably conclude that they are at least marginally better.

Is that improvement alone enough to elevate the Ravens above and beyond the Steelers?

Probably not, but there are other ways to close that gap without dramatically improving the receiving corps...

Last season the Ravens were victimized by a Steelers' hat trick, dropping three games by a total of 16 points. Can those losses be pinned on the team's receivers?

Seems to me that the Ravens were beaten on the line of scrimmage and they were unable to get their running game untracked. Perhaps they just failed to remain committed to the run. In either case it allowed the Steelers to unleash their impressive pass rush.

Not wanting to expose his quarterback, offensive coordinator Cam Cameron held Todd Heap in to support in pass protection. He even held in his tailback to try and keep Flacco clean and that in turn allowed the Steelers to cover three receivers with six defenders. Troy Polamalu, primarily responsible for Todd Heap was allowed to track Flacco's sight lanes and jump routes.

Defending the Ravens became too simple for the Steelers.

If the Ravens had a No. 1 receiver would the Steelers alter their defensive game plan? Well not if the Ravens are unable to keep James Harrison and Lamar Woodley off Flacco.

The Ravens spent their first pick in the '09 Draft on a right tackle adding to a young and developing offensive line. The addition of Michael Oher might enable the Ravens to get more receivers out in patterns presenting a greater challenge to opposing defenses. They've also added six-time Pro Bowl center Matt Birk.

The Ravens spent their second pick on a player (Paul Kruger) who will give the pass rush a boost. The third pick was invested in a player (Lardarius Webb) who can provide a spark to the return game and add depth to the secondary.

The Ravens made a couple of free agent moves to build even more depth to the back end of the defense. S Dawan Landry returns from a season ending spinal concussion; S Tom Zbikowski and S Haruki Nakamura are more seasoned; DT Kelly Gregg is chomping at the bit to get back on the field after a season on IR (knee) while DT Justin Bannan has grown as a player; DT Haloti Ngata is more accomplished and was an absolute beast against the Steelers in the AFC Championship Game.

Joe Flacco is now battle tested and ready to absorb more of Cameron's playbook. RB Ray Rice is stronger and more rested. The team's improved depth bodes well for better special teams play.

Add it up and the Ravens are a more solid football team today than the one that walked off Heinz Field as losers this past January.

Do the Ravens need a No. 1 receiver? Of course they do.

Would that make them a better team? Absolutely!

Must they have such a player to achieve greater things in '09? Absolutely not!

Winning in the NFL is all about improving as a team, exploiting opponents' weaknesses better than they exploit yours and controlling the line of scrimmage.

And you CAN do that without a prototypical No. 1 receiver.

Need proof?

Go back and take a peek at the roster of the Super Bowl XXXV winners...

http://www.baltimoreravens.com/media_library/Videos/2009/01/Behind_the_Bench_Defense_at_Titans_Divisional_Playoff_Round.aspx?id=de10f40cbefc42f4841bb0e8e4a45933

1. Start planning your football festivities now. Remember last year when you had friends over and there was a few things missing? Don't let that happen again. Let everyone know you are the King when it comes to game day partying. Let's say the Ravens are going to be playing the Bengals on the Sunday you're having friends over. Try having the appropriate game day decorations around, such as a stuffed tiger with his throat slashed and ketchup stained stuffing hanging out. Things like this can be the difference between having a so so party and one your friends will remember. For Steeler games you should double the effort.

2. Play football with the kids. It doesn't matter that they are only 14 months, and 2 years old, just pick them up and put them where you need them to hone your passing skills. You may want to use a Nerf football for this as kids that age can have a hard time actually catching the ball with their hands. Most times they'll try and use their head to gather in the football.

3. Paint your house purple, paint your car purple, paint your bedroom purple, just paint SOMETHING purple! It will help ease your Summer football withdrawal. After all purple can be a calming color, as well as one to be feared.

4. Go on vacation to get your mind off of Ravens football. Try a trip to some sunny destination like Punta Cana, a place I've been to several times and have fallen in love with. But you must wear your Ravens gear when you  go there, because you'll have the natives coming up to you and saying, " Pájaro", and pointing to the Raven bird on your shirt, Pájaro being the Spanish word for bird. You reply "ave de rapiña" which means Bird of prey. Instantly they'll think you speak fluent Spanish and will start having a conversation with you in their native dialect. Just nod yes every once in awhile and you'll be fine. 

There are many ways to pass the time before the Ravens hit the gridiron once again, so feel free to enlighten all of us with your suggestions, because brother, we're all chomping at the bit to get this season started, and anything that can help pass the time would be appreciated. 

Rave on........    

There's a good chance that Marshall may be suspended by the league after he goes to trial for a domestic battery charge, and that doesn't bode well for a team looking to improve their passing game. Marshall seems to be more of a punk than a team player and the Ravens don't need those kind of distractions.

The Ravens finished last season with the 28th rated passing attack in the league, and the clamor for more weapons for Joe Flacco have reverberated loud and clear throughout the media, at the local tavern, and the office water cooler. While I understand people's concern I think it may be unwarranted.

Consider the following; The comfort level for Joe Flacco has went from having Cam Cameron stand behind him in practice telling him the plays, to Flacco aligning his linemen and receivers with audibles seconds before a play is run. Ray Rice has shown immense improvement from last season in his blocking skills, his route running, and his overall speed. This could be a breakout season for him. Add to that an offensive line that has matured from the point of needing the tight ends to stay in for pass protection on nearly every play to being able to protect the quarterback on their own. This is the opinion of Cam Cameron as he recently stated that the offense will be able to utilize more three receiver, and two tight end sets this season.

While the team may not have a so called number 1 receiving threat that doesn't mean that they can't be a better passing team. Give any quarterback more time to scan the field, and a receiver more time to get open and you'll see definite improvement. While you may not see Raven receivers breaking off 80 yard touchdown runs the team knows how to move the ball down the field, after all they are a smash mouth run oriented offense first and foremost. Move the ball down to the Red Zone and throw out Todd Heap and L.J. Smith on a crossing pattern, add Rice streaking from the outside, and Mason zig zagging his way into the seam, as a defense who are you going to cover?

Newcomer Kelley Washington should also provide a viable option on short yardage and Red Zone situations. Add to that a healthy Demetrius Williams and a rejuvenated Mark Clayton and I believe the Ravens offense has plenty of solid weapons at their disposal. And if you think that Cameron hasn't spent the offseason thinking up new formations and new wrinkles then you're kidding yourself. This offense will improve from last years ranking, one by the way that was able to get them to the AFC Championship game along with a lights out defense and stellar Special Teams play.

Have no fear, this will be a better team this season, barring major injuries of course, then the one that thrilled us week in, and week out last year. I've got a feeling we ain't seen nothing yet! 

One of the biggest reasons Flacco was able to get better as the season progressed is his dedication to be the best he can be. Sure, lots of players claim to want to be the best, but few put in the hard work necessary to achieve that goal. Not so with Flacco. During the season he was the first to arrive at the Ravens training facility, and often the last to leave. The coaches would fax him the game plan on Thursday evenings, and Flacco would study them to the smallest detail so that come game day he knew it by heart. If any of it overwhelmed him, he certainly never let it show. His fellow players, and his coaches marveled at his calm demeanor, giving him the moniker "Cool Joe".

Recently, Flacco admitted that last season was tough. He didn't know his team mates very well, and didn't know the coaches that well either. It was a huge learning process, and one that is now behind him.

So, what will be the expectations for "Cool Joe" going into his sophomore season?  

2009 Baltimore Ravens Preview

Prediction: 11-5 (Second AFC North)

Head coach: John Harbaugh (Second year)

Offense

QB Joe Flacco: At 24, he's one of the bright quarterbacks in the NFL.

RB Willis McGahee: Was hurt all of 2008, and returns healthy in 2009. If he can shine in 2009, he may play out his entire contract.

FB Le'Ron McClain: After an All Pro season in 2008, it'll be difficult for McClain to repeat.

WR Derrick Mason: One of the most consistent receivers in the NFL.

WR Mark Clayton: At 5'10", he's small, but can make an impact.

TE Todd Heap: The team drafted OT Michael Oher, so Heap will have more of an impact on the passing game.

LT Jared Gaither: The 22-year old had a good season last year and has All-Pro potential.

LG Ben Grubbs: The 2007 first-round pick has shown durability the last two seasons.

C Matt Birk: At 32, he's aging. But six Pro Bowls speak for themselves.

RG Marshal Yanda: He's underappreciated, but makes an impact on the line.

RT Michael Oher: There is a battle between Anderson and Oher, and due to youth and versatilty, the rookie takes it.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

QB Troy Smith: Had he not gotten sick, he would have started last season.

RB Ray Rice: One of the best third-down backs in the league, and when McGahee leaves, he's the running back.

WR Demetrius Williams: Can be a reliable No. 3...when healthy.

WR/KR/PR Yamon Figurs: One of many track athletes in the NFL.

TE L.J. Smith: Leads league in dropped passes, injuries, and missed blocking assignments every year.

OG Chris Chester: The Oklahoma alum is the backup guard and can even be the Ravens future center.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

DEFENSE

DE Trevor Pryce: Entering the last year of his contract and could end his career a Raven - in 2009.

DT Kelly Gregg: Had a solid 2007, missed all of 2008.

DE Haloti Ngata: Played defensive tackle in 2008 and was snubbed of a Pro Bowl. Shifts back to DE with Gregg returning.

LB Tavares Gooden: The Miami alum will replace Bart Scott.

LB Jarret Johnson: A converted defensive tackle was a constant in the backfield in 2008.

LB Ray Lewis: Does anything need to be said?

LB Terrell Suggs: With contract issues, this could be his last year with the Ravens.

CB Domonique Foxworth: The Baltimore native signed a four-year contract with the Ravens the day free agency began and has great playing speed.

FS Ed Reed: Does anything need to be said?

SS Dawan Landry: After solid 2006 and 2007 seasons, Landry missed most of 2008. It'll be huge to have him back.

CB Fabian Washington: A great cover corner, Fabian needs to work on tackling.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

DE Dwan Edwards: The former second-round pick is starting to blossom.

DE Paul Kruger: Has a high motor and great character.

LB Jameel McClain: Known as the "safety machine." That would be a good thing.

Could even steal Gooden's spot.

LB Antwan Barnes: Can make impact as a pass-rushing linebacker.

LB Jason Phillips: Was an emotional leader in college and quietly productive.

FS Haruki Nakamura: Provided some great play on special teams and appears to be the guy at free safety when Reed leaves.

SS Tom Zbikowski: Like Nakamura, is a good special teamer, and if Nakamura isn't ready when Reed leaves, can prove to be a good replacement.

CB Lardarius Webb: The rookie is small, but versatile and can do whatever it takes.

CB/KR Chris Carr: Signed for a bargain, and provides great return presence, as he carried the Titans special teams last year.

2009 Ravens Draft Class

1 (23) - Michael Oher, OT, Mississippi.

2 (57) - Paul Kruger, DE, Utah.

3 (88) - Lardarius Webb, CB, Nicholls State.

5 (137) - Jason Phillips, LB, TCU.

5 (141) - Davon Drew, TE, East Carolina.

6 (185) - Cedric Peerman, RB, Virginia.

The Ravens fell in love with Oher's great personality, versatility, and work ethic. They may even decide to throw him into the fire immediately. Now, it's unlikely they will call for a position switch and put Oher at left tackle and Gaither on the right side, but since Oher is so versatile, the team will likely decide to put him at right.

That is, if he earns a job. Kruger is a speedy defensive end who, if Trevor Pryce leaves after the year, may start in 2010.

Webb was a confusing decision because the Ravens have stocked up on cornerbacks the last two offseasons, but Webb can play corner, safety, and can make a significant role in the return game. Phillips may end up being the future emotional leader of the Ravens, as he was at Texas Christian. He's not very athletic, but is very productive.

Davon Drew was an odd selection with Cornelius Ingram on the board, but Drew is productive, can block a lot better than Ingram, and offensive coordinator Cam Cameron can utilize his tight end like no other offensive coordinator can. Peerman was even more confusing, with all the running backs the Ravens had, but he was the best player available.

The Ravens went into this offseason with a busy road ahead of them. The dominant linebacking trio of Ray Lewis, Terrell Suggs, and Bart Scott were scheduled to become free agents.

After undergoing a clump of trade rumors, the Ravens and Ray Lewis agreed to terms, as the future Hall of Famer signed a seven year, $44.5M contract. But don't be fooled. This is really a three year, $22M deal.

Terrell Suggs had a breakout season in 2008, but wasn't awarded with a long term extension, as he was again slapped with a franchise tag. The odd-man out turned out to be Scott, who signed a six year, $48M free agent contract with the New York Jets, reuniting with former defensive coordinator and current Jet head coach Rex Ryan.

Offense

Say what you want about quarterback Joe Flacco getting tons of help from a dominant defense and a great run game, Joe flat out made plays. Flacco has an incredibly strong arm, exhibited great poise, and isn't fast, but shockingly mobile.

The Ravens have some good backups, with Troy Smith, a former Heisman Winner and a very athletic guy, and John Beck, who reunites with Ravens offensive coordinator Cam Cameron.

Smith is a truly sad story. After Kyle Boller faded off during the preseason, it looked as if it was Troy's job to lose. However, he got sick, lost tons of weight, and didn't return until Week Eight, only to see Flacco manning the quarterback position.

Now, his spot as a backup is in jeopardy. Beck, 27, is a Brigham Young native who dominated throughout his college career, but it hasn't yet translate to the NFL. While he may get his shot elsewhere, his best chances are as a backup. Beck has a legitimate shot to beat Troy Smith for the backup job. Talk about the difference of a year.

As previously stated, the Baltimore Ravens had a powerful run game, and some claim the strong ground attack opened up the passing success Flacco had. The Ravens received most of their help on the ground from fulllback Le'Ron McClain, who ran the ball 232 times for 902 yards and scored ten touchdowns.

At fullback, those numbers are almost Madden-like. Not only does McClain do a great job in the backfield, the Ravens also have Willis McGahee and Ray Rice. McGahee had a strong season in 2007, running 294 times for 1,207 yards and scoring seven touchdowns.

Unfortunately, the Ravens went 5-11 and finished the season losing nine of 10. In 2008, the Ravens turned their season around, but McGahee battled injuries all year long and run for just 671 yards.

If McGahee can stay healthy, he's one of the most effective running backs in the league, and during the last two games of the season and throughout the playoffs, he exhibited that.

Ray Rice did a phenomenal job last year as a third-down back. He missed some action after suffering an injury in a 24-10 win over the Washington Redskins. With McGahee talking his way out of Baltimore, Rice could project as a No. 1 back in the future, and the one time he did start, he ran for 154 yards on 21 carries.

Going into the offseason, many Ravens fans wanted that big play wide receiver to help out Joe Flacco. However, the Ravens opted not to do so in the draft or via free agency, and decided to add depth to the offensive line.

The Ravens have an incredibly consistent wide receiver in Mason, who gained 1,037 yards last season and was like a security blanket for the rookie Flacco. As the year progressed, Flacco started utilizing his other targets more, such as Mark Clayton, who had amazing showings against the Bengals and Jaguars.

Demetrius Williams returns healthy, and can be one of the most reliable No. 3 receivers in the NFL--when healthy. The Ravens don't have a clear cut No. 4 receiver and have some candidates in Marcus Smith, Ernie Wheelwright, Yamon Figurs, and undrafted free agent signee Eron Riley.

The Ravens added depth to the tight end position over the offseason, signing free agent L.J. Smith to a one year, $1.5M deal and drafting East Carolina alum Davon Drew in the fifth round with the 141st overall pick.

The Ravens now have four guys who can potentially start at tight end--Todd Heap, L.J. Smith, a now healthy Quinn Sypniewski, and Drew.

With Oher drafted, Heap won't be blocking as much, and we can see the Todd Heap of old, the one who is easily a Pro Bowler and can gain anywhere from 600-800 yards. With Cam Cameron at the helm at offensive coordinator, it's quite possible.

We all know what Cameron turned Antonio Gates into. Smith will play a very minimal impact this season. He has an uncanny ability to consistently lead the league in dropped passes, missed blocks, and injuries.

Sypniewski, on the other hand, comes back from an injury that forced him to miss all of 2008. At 27, he's got a bright future ahead of him. In 2007, he had a respectable year, catching 34 passes for 246 yards and scoring one touchdown. I call it respectable with Kyle Boller throwing to him.

At 6'6", 270, he's a physical specimen and could be the Ravens' future tight end. Davon Drew is the leading candidate to be the Ravens future at the position. He doesn't have the size or long arms Sypniewski has, but is productive (43 catches, 695 yards, 3 TD as a senior) and with assistance from Cameron, can develop into a good tight end.

After Jonathan Ogden retired in the 2007 offseason, the Ravens offensive line would look weird. It does look weird--it's one of the best offensive lines in football, something it never has been.

The Ravens have great youth on the line. Jared Gaither, 23, is one of the bright left tackles in all of football, and despite the team drafting Oher, the Ravens have opened contract extension negotiations with Gaither and strongly detest letting him go.

In the 2007 Draft, the Ravens addressed offensive line immediately, adding former Auburn left guard Ben Grubbs. Grubbs has been great with the Ravens in his first two seasons, and didn't miss a start last year. While the Ravens have great youth on the line, the center position is where they decided to add a veteran.

Literally one hour after re-signing Ray Lewis, it was announced that six time Pro Bowl center Matt Birk had signed a three year, $12M contract with the Ravens. Birk, 32, is in the latter stage of his career, but can definitely still play and is among the more elite centers in all of the NFL.

On the right side, the Ravens will have youth. Marshal Yanda, 24, was drafted in the third round of the 2007 Draft by the Ravens and despite rarely being talked about, is an asset on the team. He is the future of the Ravens at right guard, and has the versatility to play center.

Right tackle is a very interesting situation.

Last year, the team brought in Willie Anderson as a last second free agent signee. The signing worked out perfectly, as Anderson succeeded on the right side throughout the year. However, Anderson is 34 years old, and it is very seldom offensive lineman last that long. The Ravens decided to add some youth, bringing in Oher, who I project to start.

Defense

The Ravens had an off year in 2007, especially defensively. In 2008, however, the team rebounded to post a dominant year in which they, yet again, didn't allow a 100-yard rusher, while forcing turnover after turnover after turnover.

The Ravens' defense should go into 2009 even better. On the defensive line, Trevor Pryce is going into a contract year, Kelly Gregg is coming back 100 percent healthy, and Haloti Ngata is playing his natural position--defensive end. The Ravens actually have some capable backups, in Dwan Edwards, Brandon McKinney, and now, Paul Kruger.

The Ravens linebacking core has always been dominant. 2009 should be no exception. Ray Lewis goes into the season playing under a new contract, Terrell Suggs goes in trying to earn the long term extension he wants, Jarrett Johnson is developing into a very good linebacker, and Tavares Gooden should benefit immensely under the tutelage of the trio.

Unfortunately, the Ravens weren't able to retain Bart Scott, but as Terrell Suggs said: "you can't always have your big brother fight for you."

This Baltimore team finally has young, stingy cornerback play. Last year, the Ravens had Samari Rolle and Chris McAlister lined up to start before the season. But now, it's 25 year olds Fabian Washington, Domonique Foxworth, and possibly Chris Carr if injury occurs.

The comforting thing for the Ravens is that these corners can make up for it with playing speed. If Chris McAlister or Samari Rolle get burned, you can basically forget about the receiver getting tackled. With Foxworth or Washington, you can count on it.

Ed Reed is a playmaker. We know this.

But something that will be crucial for the Ravens as a defense going into next season is the health of Dawan Landry. He was victim to a concussion last season in a 28-10 victory over Cleveland in Week Three, but returns healthy for 2009.

Folks, remember, this is a Dawan Landry who had 70 tackles, five interceptions, and scored a defensive touchdown as a rookie in 2006. Ed Reed, we don't have to worry about. He's going to get his seven interceptions, block his punts, and score his three defensive touchdowns.

Special Teams

One of the interesting things to follow on the Ravens is the kicking situation. Who will the kicker be? Will it be Steven Hauschka or undrafted free agent signee Graham Gano? Gano was a steal in the undrafted free agent period, to say the least.

The No. 1 kicker going into the draft, he didn't even get drafted, and now has a chance to start. Hauschka has the range, but it's always good to have competition, especially at such a vital position.

The Ravens have one of the best punters in football in Sam Koch. Koch seemed to have an uncanny ability to pin the opponents deep, and was recently signed to a second round tender. The Ravens now have a strong return game, as well.

Jim Leonhard departed, but Chris Carr signed a free agent contract, Lardarius Webb was drafted in the third round, and Tom Zbikowski and Haruki Nakamura will make impacts on the return game as well.

Myth Buster

The Ravens will miss Bart Scott

Folks, this isn't true. Bart Scott was a good linebacker in his tenure for the Baltimore Ravens, but at the same time, we've seen countless defensive stars leave the Ravens (Adalius Thomas, Jamie Sharper, Tommy Polley, etc.) and never really dominate the league like they did in Baltimore.

The Ravens have five guys who could step in Scott's role (Jameel McClain, Tavares Gooden, Brendon Ayanbadejo, Prescott Burgess, and Jason Phillips). Like they always have, I expect one of these guys to play as well as Scott.

Open Thought

I think because Jim Leonhard had a good season last year and truly became another product of the system, Baltimore Ravens fans forgot about Dawan Landry. In 2006, as a rookie, he had 70 tackles, and five interceptions. His 2007 season wasn't as good, but he managed to compile 82 tackles.

He was on pace for another good 2008 until he got hurt. People forget about Landry, but he is a better safety than Leonhard.

Last year, the Baltimore Ravens proved they were a well-coached team. Head coach John Harbaugh led the team to a solid 11-5 record and AFC Championship Game appearance. Let's profile that coaching staff, shall we?

Head coach John Harbaugh: On Jan. 19, 2008, the Baltimore Ravens found their third head coach in franchise history--John Harbaugh. Harbaugh, 46, starred as an assistant head coach and defensive backs coach for the Philadelphia Eagles from 1998 to 2007 under his mentor, Andy Reid.

Harbaugh comes from a football family. Born on Sept. 23, 1962, in Toledo, Ohio, John had to get used to football early. When he graduated from Pioneer High School in Ann Arbor, Michigan, his dad was an assistant head coach at the University of Michigan under the legendary Bo Schembechler. But John knew he could play.

John went on to play for the University of Miami as a defensive back. While he didn't get the attention to play in the National Football League, he knew where his future was - coaching.

From 1984 to 1986, he didn't stray far away from home, serving as a running backs and linebackers coach for Western Michigan University. From 1987 to 1997, John found jobs wherever he could, whether it be at universities like Pittsburgh, Morehead State, Cincinnati, or Indiana.

He did a stellar job for Indiana, a job so well done he landed a job with the Philadelphia Eagles, where he would finally find some stability, remaining on the coaching staff for a decade.

During his tenure, 15 Eagles won Special Teams Player of The Week awards, Reno Mahe led the league in punt return average (12.8) in 2005, and three Eagles special teamers (LS Mike Bartrum, K David Akers, and LB Ike Reese) earned Pro Bowl berths.

Harbaugh turned countless undrafted free agents into good players, including P Dirk Johnson and K David Akers. Harbaugh did a good job last year putting his players in a position to win, challenging calls, and helping his troops rebound after tough losses.

Offensive coordinator Cam Cameron: The Ravens rebuilt their coaching staff last season, and arguably the best hire was when the team added offensive coordinator Cam Cameron. Cameron was born in the same town that Hall of Fame pitcher Mordecai "Three Finger" Brown originated from (Terre Haute, IN).

Cameron was a two sport star at Terre Haute South Vigo High, was an All-American quarterback as a senior, and also made All State twice. He was also a star on the hardwood, leading the basketball team to three state championships. As you could imagine, he fielded numerous scholarship offers.

Cam decided to stay local, committing to the University of Indiana. Unfortunately, he injured his knee during his senior season, ending his playing career.

Like Harbaugh, Cameron knew his future wasn't on the field--it was on the sidelines--as a coach. In 1983 and 1984, Cameron spent his time as a graduate assistant to Michigan's Bo Schembechler--at the age of 22 and 23, respectively. He earned some respect around campus and fellow coaches knew he had a profound knowledge of the game, and he was the quarterbacks coach at Michigan from 1985 to 1993.

He coached several future NFL players, including Amani Toomer and Derrick Alexander. In 1994, his NFL coaching career began. Because of his ability to produce good quarterbacks at Michigan, he became the quarterbacks coach for the Washington Redskins, where he developed future Pro Bowler Gus Frerotte and a star in the making in Trent Green.

After leaving Washington, Cameron had to find a job. It didn't take him long, as he came back home to Indiana, becoming the head coach for the University of Indiana's football team.

He again showed his offensive prowess, as he developed Antwaan Randle El into a solid player, and the Hoosiers averaged 435.3 yards per game in 55 contests. However, most importantly, the Hoosiers were just 18-37 during his tenure, and he returned to the NFL in 2002.

The San Diego Chargers knew that Cameron was an offensive genius, so they decided to hire him--wisely, as an offensive coordinator. From 2002 to 2006, Cameron worked wonders for the Chargers offense, developing future stars like Drew Brees, LaDainian Tomlinson, Antonio Gates, and Philip Rivers. In 2004, just Cameron's third year in San Diego, the Chargers scored 446 points, which was third in the NFL.

But Cameron was not a one year wonder. In 2005, the Chargers were fifth in the league in scoring, and in 2006, running back LaDainian Tomlinson broke the rushing touchdown record and Philip Rivers won 14 of his 16 starts. However, the Chargers weren't able to extend him, and Cameron left for the Miami Dolphins, where he became a head coach.

Miami knew he struggled at Indiana as the head man, so they were taking a risk. It was a high risk, high reward deal. In Cameron's first and last year with the Dolphins, he had one win and 15 losses.

However, it didn't take him long to find work - with the Baltimore Ravens--as an offensive coordinator. Cameron played a key role in developing Joe Flacco, Le'Ron McClain, and Ray Rice. He does a tremendous job at not putting his players in uncomfortable situations and setting them up for success.

Defensive coordinator Greg Mattison: The Ravens suffered a big loss moments after the AFC Championship letdown when defensive coordinator Rex Ryan left Baltimore to become the head coach of the New York Jets. The Ravens knew there aren't guys like Rex Ryan floating around looking for work.

So, the Ravens decided to promote from within, making linebackers coach Greg Mattison the new defensive coordinator. Mattison was born in, ironically enough, Madison, Wisconsin on Nov. 15, 1949.

He attended Madison East High School from 1963-1966, and instead of going to a big name school, he attended Wisconsin-La Crosse University, where he played football and wrestled. Mattison graduated in 1971, and immediately got into coaching, and again, didn't stray far away from home.

Mattison coached at Riverdale High School in Wisconsin from 1971 to 1973 before finding another job at Logan High in 1974 and 1975. The next year, 1976, was a truly pivotal year for Mattison. He got into the college ranks, where he truly made a name for himself.

He was a graduate assistant at the University of Illinois, and then his career skyrocketed. After coaching the defensive line at Cornell (1977), and Northwestern (1978-80), he had an enjoyable stay at Western Michigan as a defensive coordinator and linebackers coach.

Not only did he have success, it was the first time he really stayed anywhere for longer than three seasons. However, he was shown the door and moved on to become an assistant for the Navy.

From 1989 to 1998, every team he coached went to a Bowl game. In 1991, his Texas A&M Aggies had the best defensive line unit in the nation (222.4 yards allowed per game).

Over the decade, he coached at football schools with tradition, like A&M, Michigan, and Notre Dame. He even oversaw the development of current superstar Giants defensive end Justin Tuck. Mattison is rumored to be even more aggressive with blitzing schemes than Rex Ryan, which is hard to imagine.

Special Teams coordinator Jerry Rosburg: One of the other fairly new Ravens coaches is Special Teams coordinator Jerry Rosburg. Rosburg was born on Nov. 24, 1955, in Fairmont, Minnesota. He attended Fairmont High and emerged as a great linebacker and fielded many scholarship offers, but decided to commit to North Dakota State.

There, he was an All American linebacker, but didn't get any NFL interest, so he did what Cameron, Harbaugh, and Mattison did--coach. Rosburg's first job as a coach was as an assistant for Fargo Shanley High School in Idaho. He didn't stay there for very long.

In fact, he stayed from just 1979-80. The Minnesota native then took a job as an assistant at Northern Michigan University, and earned his degree there in education administration.

Rosburg strayed from job to job throughout the years, including a stint as a head coach at Western Michigan, four years at the University of Cincinnati, a year at the University of Minnesota, and two more campaigns for Boston College. He always seemed to have moderate success, but never seemed to be able to stick in one place for several years.

That was until he landed a job with the Cleveland Browns and stayed there for six years. The Browns had an elite special teams game under Rosburg, who can be credited for developing Josh Cribbs into an elite kick returner. During his tenure in Cleveland, Rosburg's unit was consistently near the top in the NFL in special teams. After spending 2007 with the Falcons, he reunited with Harbaugh.

Being that Harbaugh was a special teams coordinator in Philadelphia, he definitely would want to find an effective coach to run the Ravens special teams.

That's when he found Rosburg, a guy who coached with Harbaugh at Cincinnati, and Western Michigan. Rosburg was promoted to Assistant Head Coach when Rex Ryan departed for the Big Apple. Rosburg did a good job last year with the Ravens, and can be credited for the great job Sam Koch did punting the ball in 2008.

The Ravens have a solid staff of guys who aren't experienced, but proved last season that they can handle the wear-and-tear of an NFL season.

Week 1 - Kansas City Chiefs vs. Baltimore Ravens (1:00, CBS)

The Baltimore Ravens open their season at home against a Kansas City Chiefs team that certainly improved this offseason, adding Matt Cassel, Monty Beisel, Bobby Engram, and Tyson Jackson.

The Ravens also improved this offseason, adding some good players like Domonique Foxworth, Matt Birk, Michael Oher, Paul Kruger, and Lardarius Webb.

The Ravens shouldn't have much of a problem with the Chiefs. Matt Cassel is obviously a Pro Bowl-caliber quarterback, as he proved throughout the 2008 season.

However, the Ravens held some good quarterbacks to nothing in 2008, including Tony Romo, Chad Pennington, and Jason Campbell.

The Chiefs will be forced to go to the air early, as the Chiefs don't have a legitimate No. 1 back and the Ravens have an incredible run defense. That shouldn't work for them.

The Ravens added three cornerbacks in the offseason, all 25 or younger, in Chris Carr, Domonique Foxworth, and Lardarius Webb.

In addition to that, the Ravens already had Fabian Washington lining up at corner, and Ed Reed and Dawan Landry at safety, certainly a dangerous safety duo.

I fully expect the Ravens to walk away with an easy win on Opening Day.

W (1-0)

Week 2 - Baltimore Ravens vs. San Diego Chargers (4:15 PM, CBS)

The San Diego Chargers have a tendency to start slowly, but I don't expect that to resume next season. The Chargers added a solid defensive end in Larry English, have one of the best young quarterbacks in Philip Rivers, and have a good 1-2 punch of LaDainian Tomlinson and Darren Sproles in the backfield.

The Ravens can certainly handle the Chargers offense, but I don't see the Ravens winning this game purely because they are on the road against the Chargers, who play very well at home.

The Ravens are capable of winning this, because Joe Flacco showed he could win on the road throughout the 2008 season, but San Diego, with a healthy Shawne Merriman, along with Larry English and a resurgent Antonio Cromartie, could cause some problems for the Ravens.

The key for the Ravens to win is stopping Rivers, plain and simple. If they can limit him, they can easily win this.

While the Chargers have a good 1-2 punch, it's not a great one, as L.T. has clearly lost a step and there are still questions on whether Darren Sproles can handle a big workload.

L (1-1)

Week 3 - Cleveland Browns vs. Baltimore Ravens (1:00 PM, CBS)

It'll be interesting to see who wins the quarterback battle for the Cleveland Browns. It could be Brady Quinn, but it could also be Derek Anderson. I don't think the Ravens care, because they can give both quarterbacks headaches.

The Browns traded multiple times in the 2009 NFL Draft and ultimately decided to add California center Alex Mack with the 21st overall pick. I'm not sure the Ravens care about that, either.

I fully expect the Baltimore Ravens to win this game. Flacco didn't have a good game the first time against the Browns last year, but was 13-for-19, and in his second game against Cleveland, he won AFC North Offensive Player of the Week.

The Browns lost some weapons over the offseason, losing Donte Stallworth, Kellen Winslow, and being at odds with receiver Braylon Edwards. If the Ravens can handle Edwards and Winslow healthy, they can certainly handle a disgruntled Edwards, and an unknown No. 2 wide receiver.

The Ravens not only are a much improved team, but the Cleveland Browns are a team with even fewer offensive weapons than they had last season.

W (2-1)

Week 4 - Baltimore Ravens vs. New England Patriots (1:00 PM, CBS)

The New England Patriots are obviously a Super Bowl contender. With Tom Brady returning healthy, Patriots Nation fully expects a Super Bowl run. The Ravens are also a team who could go all the way, but stopping the New England Patriots is no easy task.

It wouldn't surprise me if the Ravens came out victorious in this game, as the Ravens did almost beat the hated New Englanders in 2007, but some tough penalties and breaks led to a loss.

However, I'm not expecting a Ravens win in Week 4. Especially not if Baltimore plays at Gillette Stadium, where the Pats are practically unbeatable.

The Ravens will need to be able to limit Randy Moss, not an easy task. Despite being up there in age (turned 32 in February), Moss appears to be at the top of his game.

He adjusted to a new quarterback in 2008, and still managed to catch 69 passes, gain over 1,000 yards, and score 11 touchdowns. It wasn't comparable to his record-breaking 2007 campaign, but it was definitely a solid year.

On top of that, the Ravens will need to watch for Wes Welker. I see this game being a close one, but the Pats coming out on top.

L (2-2)

Week 5 - Cincinnati Bengals vs. Baltimore Ravens (1:00 PM, CBS)

Earlier in the week, Bengals quarterback Carson Palmer made a likely unrealistic prediction, saying his team would be 6-0 after six games and 10-2 after 12 games. I'll be honest, I laughed. 

The Bengals return linebacker Keith Rivers 100 percent healthy and also have Rey Maualuga, which will be big. Adding Andre Smith with the No. 6 overall pick was a wise decision, as the reason for Palmer's injury troubles was his lack of protection.

However, the Bengals don't have a top ten caliber defense, and despite adding Smith, don't yet have a good offensive line. On top of that, they lost T.J. Houshmandzadeh, and Chad "Ocho Cinco" Johnson continues to express his discomfort.

I expect the Ravens to take this game in a cakewalk. The Bengals did improve as the year progressed, but not to a point that they were a playoff team. The Ravens are a Super Bowl caliber team, and the Ravens embarrassed Cincinnati in a Week 13 matchup, 34-3.

The Bengals have no run game whatsoever. Cedric Benson is a capable back, but mustered just 19 yards on 10 carries in the second Ravens/Bengals contest.

The Ravens will have to commit a huge gaffe to let this one slip away, especially if the guy who has owned them for so long, T.J. Houshmandzadeh, is long gone.

W (3-2)

Week 6 - Baltimore Ravens vs. Minnesota Vikings (1:00 PM, CBS)

The Ravens stole a great Viking offensive lineman when they acquired free agent center Matt Birk, agreeing to terms with the six-time Pro Bowler on a three-year, $12M deal. The Vikings hope to get their vengeance on the Ravens by beating Birk's new squad.

The Ravens will visit the Vikes in the Metrodome for a Week 6 matchup that will feature two great defenses, two young quarterbacks, and two powerful running games. I think the Ravens have the advantage in all three.

The Ravens did lose Bart Scott, but it doesn't appear as if the loss will be as devastating as some pictured, and the Ravens consistently have a better defensive unit than Minnesota.

There is almost no argument for Tarvaris Jackson when you compare Flacco and Tarvaris, and while Adrian Peterson is the best running back in the NFL, he fumbled nine times, most for any running back.

The Vikes also don't have the depth the Ravens have in the backfield. The Ravens can look to four guys to pick up the slack. Le'Ron McClain, Willis McGahee, and Ray Rice proved last year they can play well at the NFL level.

The Ravens also added Cedric Peerman in the draft, a guy who looked sharp in minicamp, and the Ravens rushing offense will only be stronger with Michael Oher, a solid offensive lineman, lining up on the right side.

W (4-2)

Week 8 - Denver Broncos vs. Baltimore Ravens (1:00 PM, CBS)

Last year, the Denver Broncos and Baltimore Ravens were polar opposites. The Broncos relied on a strong aerial attack, featuring now departed quarterback Jay Cutler, wide receivers Brandon Marshall, Eddie Royal, and tight end Tony Scheffler.

However, the Broncos had no stability in the backfield, had a poor defense, and lived and died by the pass.

The Ravens, on the other hand, used their solid defense and run game to their advantage and looked to rookie quarterback Joe Flacco on occasion for a big play.

However, that has changed. While the Broncos defense isn't yet great, it definitely has improved, adding Brian Dawkins, Andra Davis, and Andre Goodman.

They also added to their backfield by drafting Knowshon Moreno and signing Correll Buckhalter. Moreno appears to be a great Rookie of the Year candidate, as he has a good offensive line, led by Ryan Clady, and will start.

Nonetheless, the Ravens are at home, and due to the fact that the Ravens defense and run game is plainly better than Denver's and are also at home in this contest.

W (5-2)

Week 9 - Baltimore Ravens vs. Cincinnati Bengals (1:00 PM, CBS)

The Ravens again meet up with the Bengals, who, in Carson Palmer's book, will at this point be 7-1. I don't see it.

The Ravens played a good, solid game on Opening Day in 2008 against Cincinnati in 2008, coming out victorious at home, 17-10.

However, they looked considerably better in a Week 13 matchup again against Cincy (this time on the road) in a 34-3 shellacking.

The Bengals, I think, will be hit hard by the loss of T.J. Houshmandzadeh, who is one of the most reliable targets for a quarterback. Even with an unstable quarterback position last year, he managed to catch 92 passes and gain 904 yards.

Along with that, people can say what they want about Carson Palmer's productive career thus far, but he has carried the Bengals to ONE playoff appearance despite having wide receivers to throw to that some would drool over.

I expect the Ravens to come away with this one in a cakewalk. The Bengals don't have a bright outlook for the 2009 season, and the Ravens do, and I would be very surprised if the Ravens walked out of Cincy defeated.

W (6-2)

Week 10 - Baltimore Ravens vs. Cleveland Browns (8:30 PM, ESPN)

For the first time, the Ravens will appear in prime time, facing the Cleveland Browns on Monday Night at Browns Stadium. Like I said, the Browns aren't anything to scare the Baltimore Ravens defense.

They have two quarterbacks who were very below average last season, have no consistency running the ball, and lost one of their main targets in Kellen Winslow.

This is a game the Ravens should be licking their chops for, especially Joe Flacco, who succeeded in his second game against Cleveland in 2008, winning AFC North Offensive Player of the Week.

The Browns will have to establish a flashy aerial attack, because, let's face it, Jamal Lewis is far past his prime. I don't see a scenario in which the Browns have considerable success throwing the football, especially considering the speed the Ravens corners have.

After all, the Ravens have Ed Reed back at safety, and Dawan Landry returning, who was a playmaker in 2006 and 2007 before getting hurt in the second game of the 2008 campaign. I expect the Ravens to win this game...without breaking a sweat.

W (7-2)

Week 11 - Indianpolis Colts vs. Baltimore Ravens (1:00 PM, CBS)

We Baltimore Ravens fans all remember the tragedy that was the Week 6 matchup between the Colts and Ravens in 2008. We all know the story: Colts win 31-3, Peyton Manning carves up the Ravens secondary.

However, this time, the Ravens have corner play that is considerably better, have an improved Joe Flacco, and an offensive line that can match up with just about anybody in the NFL.

The Colts lost Tom Moore, their genius offensive coordinator, and Tony Dungy, who is the mastermind behind the Indianapolis Colts.

However, I don't see the Ravens winning this game purely because the Ravens have always had troubles against the Colts, and that includes a 15-6 loss in the 2006 playoffs, that coming after the Ravens magical 13-3 season.

While losing both Moore, Dungy, and wide receiver Marvin Harrison will hurt Indianapolis, they still have the best quarterback in the game in Peyton Manning, a star receiver in Reggie Wayne, and a good tight end in Dallas Clark.

L (7-3)

Week 12 - Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Baltimore Ravens (8:20 PM, NBC)

This is the game Ravens fans want the most, I'm sure. Right now, it's pretty obvious the Ravens and Steelers are going to finish atop the AFC North. In what order has yet to be determined.

This matchup features two teams with incredible defenses, well coaches squads, and clubs with a history. Both teams respective fanbases are bitter. For now, the Steelers have bragging rights.

They beat the Ravens three times last year, if you include the AFC Championship. However, much of that is due to the constant duress Joe Flacco was under during those games.

While you wouldn't think a rookie drafted 23rd overall would make such an immense impact, offensive tackle Michael Oher would change that.

We know he's not going to completely limit James Harrison and LaMarr Woodley, both extremely good pass rushers, but we can expect Oher will stop the bleeding, and give Flacco some time to find the open receiver.

That was such a huge problem last year, as Flacco often had to automatically lob the ball to Derrick Mason by default when under pressure. That should change, and I expect a win in Week 12.

W (8-3)

Week 13 - Baltimore Ravens vs. Green Bay Packers (8:30 PM, ESPN)

This is a game I'm intrigued by. While the Green Bay Packers are a team who finished just 5-11 last season, I see them as a team who can turn it around.

They have a good back in Ryan Grant, a bright young quarterback in Aaron Rodgers, two solid receivers, and while the Packer defense was miserable last year, they did add Clay Matthews and B.J. Raji into the mix.

While I'm expecting the Ravens to leave Lambeau Field victorious, I wouldn't be surprised if the Ravens, in such an environment, fall short.

While Packers fans can use the excuse that Flacco, a young quarterback, will get rattled, that point is invalid. As you may or may not remember, this is a guy who went into Heinz Field (on Monday Night Football, in his third career start) and threw for nearly 200 yards, a touchdown, and no interceptions.

However, I see Green Bay as a surprise team and if the Ravens and Packers have identical records going into this game, I would not be very surprised, as the Pack definitely have potential.

W (9-3)

Week 14 - Detroit Lions vs. Baltimore Ravens (1:00 PM, FOX)

Unless you lived under a rock during the 2008 NFL season, which if you're a Lions fan, you probably considered, you'd know the Ravens have a clear advantage going into this game.

The Martin Mayhew/Jim Schwartz era in Detroit appears to be a better one than that of Matt Millen/(insert name). While it's unclear whether Matthew Stafford will emerge as the franchise quarterback, he certainly has the potential, and the Lions finally have some direction.

However, that direction in this game will be straight into the ground. The Lions have a dismal pass AND run defense. While they improved that during the draft by adding Louis Delmas, adding one second round safety can only do so much.

Unless the Ravens are 12-0 going into the game and prepared to tank the season, I'd be shocked if the Ravens fell in this game.

While teams like the Falcons, Ravens, and Dolphins turned it around last season, they had solid offensive lines and legitimate defenses, and in the Ravens case, great defenses.

However, I don't see the Lions as a team to have such a dramatic turnaround, as they don't have a legitimate defense or a good offensive line, and I don't see them coming out victorious...especially not in Baltimore.

W (10-3)

Week 15 - Chicago Bears vs. Baltimore Ravens (1:00 PM, CBS)

The diva of this offseason was Jay Cutler. He went through a rift with the management of the Denver Broncos, and ended up getting traded to the Chicago Bears.

The Bears haven't had a true franchise quarterback in quite some time, and at 25, Cutler is that guy. He'll need more targets, but finally has the running game so that Jay doesn't have to carry the team on his shoulders.

However, passing the ball on Baltimore is no easy task, not even to Jay Cutler. The 25-year old has a rifle arm, but he is not Peyton Manning, who was the only quarterback who had flashy numbers against the Ravens in 2008.

I expect the Ravens to come away with a victory. The Bears have no deep threats that the Ravens need worry about, and Matt Forte is a good halfback, but so are Ronnie Brown, Joseph Addai, Marion Barber, Brian Westbrook, Steve Slaton, Maurice Jones-Drew, Willie Parker, and Chris Johnson, all guys the Ravens completely halted during the 2008 regular season, and the Ravens defense, if anything, has improved. I don't expect the Bears to pose much of a threat, and the Ravens should win this game.

W (11-3)

Week 16 - Baltimore Ravens vs. Pittsburgh Steelers (1:00 PM, CBS)

The Ravens finally play a game in Pittsburgh not in prime-time. The Ravens have been surprisingly equal with the Steelers the last three seasons, as the total score in 2006, 2007, and 2008 games between the two is 117-90 Ravens.

However, when you weigh in that the Ravens outscored the Steelers by a score of 58-7 in 2006, the Steelers do have the advantage.

The Ravens almost never seem to win at Heinz Field, but who does? I expect the Steelers and the Ravens to be in a dog fight for the AFC North in this contest, as they always are.

Again, I think the Steelers will win the game. The Steelers have an incredibly easy schedule going into the season. In fact, the Ravens have the 28th hardest, while Pittsburgh's S.O.S. (strength of schedule) stands at 29th.

The Steelers and Ravens, I believe, will both make the playoffs, but the Steelers will again crawl out of the season as AFC North Division champions.

It'll be close, but the Steelers always seemed to come out with last minute victories, whether it be in the Super Bowl or against the Ravens.

L (11-4)

Week 17 - Baltimore Ravens vs. Oakland Raiders (4:15 PM, CBS)

The Baltimore Ravens have beaten the Oakland Raiders the last two meetings by a combined score of an embarrassing 56-10.

However, both those games were in Baltimore at M & T Bank Stadium. Playing in Oakland is certainly a frightening experience. The fans will, as NFL Films put it: "Raiders fans will eat your baby."

That may be a bit of a stretch, but Oakland Raiders fans take their football seriously, and come Sunday, they come to the game with intent to intimidate their opponent.

However, I doubt Joe Flacco is frightened of Oakland Raiders fans after he has faced the Steelers multiple times.

Al Davis again proved he should seriously consider retiring when he drafted Darrius Heyward-Bey, the fastest receiver available, instead of Michael Crabtree, the BEST receiver available. It was downright shocking.

The Raiders have some offensive support for JaMarcus Russell, and he is on the brink of a breakout. But against the Ravens? The Raiders never have success against the Ravens, and I don't see a change.

W (12-4)

Have sesonal injuries become so severe that players can't rehab during the roughly 4 months of down time these guys get? Now I realize that some have had extensive injuries but still the number seems excessivly high. If the team is this banged up before training camp begins God help them after they have to endure 4 preseason games.

I don't seem to remember this many key players reporting to practice at this time of year having so many problems. Is this some sort of omen for what the coming season holds? No, let's not even go there. This may actually be some sort of blessing in disguise, you know, all of these guys get their problems straightened out before the serious work begins.

Let's hope this is just an anomoly, and everything is going to be fine come July 31st. After all, if we dwell on it too much it will ruin our Summer, and Summer is a seson to rejoice in.

Three of the spots are already filled by Derrick Mason, Mark Clayton, and Demetrius Williams, but there are a least two more spots, and possibly three, there for the taking. It will be interesting to see which of the remaining players really step up and stake their claim. And that process is being played out as we speak, with the ongoing passing camp now in progress.

Thus far free agent acquisition Kelly Washington has opened the most eyes of the coaching staff. He isn't blazing fast but he runs good routes, and maybe this is his time. Washington spent time with the Patriots and the Bengals, and both times he was behind the likes of Randy Moss, Wes Welker, Chad Johnson, and T.J. Houshmandzadeh, so he didn't get the opportunity to see much playing time. Perhaps now he'll get that chance, and make the most of it.

Marcus Smith has been making a showing of his own so far in these OTA's. Smith is primarily a slot receiver and would compliment Derrick Mason whether he spelled him for a series or lined up along side of him. Smith has a physical style of play that the Ravens want, and  could make a big impact with a decent amount of playing time.

Justin Harper knows that this may his last chance to make an impression on the Ravens coaches, and he has to prove that what he was capable of in his college career at Virginia Tech he can translate to the big leagues. Harper has to have a great training camp to make this team and these OTA's are the first step in showing his worth to the team.

Erine Wheelwright was unstoppable as a Minnesota Golden Gopher, finishing 2nd on Minnesota's career receiving TDs list (26) and tied for 3rd with 6 100-yard receiving games. In his senior season in 2007, he registered the 2nd-most catches in Minnesota history, 66 to be exact. Wheelwright has the size at 6-5, 220 to be a dominant receiver on the outside, and like Harper he has to make a name for himself in these workouts and in training camp.

Both Eron Riley and Isaiah Williams are free agent rookies who could prove to be a real find. Riley finished his college career at Duke with an outstanding season, hauling in 61 catches for 693 yards and 8 TDs. At 6'3", 200 he also has ideal size for an outside receiver, and is said to be a very coachable player. Williams didn't put up the kind of numbers that Riley did, but much of that can be blamed on the lackluster quarterback play the Terps have shown the past two seasons. Williams matches Riley in size, 6"3", 200 lbs. but may be a step faster. In my opinion though Williams may have the steepest hill to climb of all the receivers in camp, and he has to be flawless to keep his hopes alive.

That leaves Yamon Figurs. It's hard to judge Figurs, who started out as a good kick returner but then suddenly lost his nerve. He only had one reception last season, though it was  good for a touchdown, but wasn't used much in a receivers role. Next to Williams, Figurs may have the second steepest hill facing him. He needs to regain the spark he had in 2007 and prove that last year was a fluke. The question though is can he? The team has other players ready to take over the kick return duties if Figurs fails, but I'm sure they would much rather see him return to his form of old.

Would the Ravens still be interested in bringing in someone like an Anquan Boldin? Doubtful, unless the price was too good to pass up on. I believe the team thinks they have more then enough talent at the wide receiver position already in camp. After all the Ravens are still going to be a running offense for the most part, and though they expect Joe Flacco to expand the passing game this year they aren't going to suddenly become the Indianapolis Colts, or the Arizona Cardinals anytime soon. Just the return of Demetrius Williams could be all they need to make a bigger impact through the air, and add in any of the others mentioned here and the receiving corps should be just fine.