2008 Baltimore Ravens NFL Predictions

The Ravens fell off miserably in 2007 after 13 wins in 2006. First year head coach John Harbaugh and new offensive coordinator Cam Cameron will look to get the Black Birds right back in the playoff picture this season. Find out if Jimmy Boyd is buying in his 2008 Baltimore Ravens predictions and season preview.
 

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Offense

Without Steve McNair under center, the Ravens will likely look to Kyle Boller. Boller is just 18-21 as a starter, but he has experience and has shown the capability, at times, of being a starting NFL QB for years to come. He has good size, arm strength, and mobility. Former Heisman Trophy winner Troy Smith presents his biggest competition, but Smith is still considered a raw project. If the Ravens don't like the direction the team is headed with either one of these guys, they could jump right in with rookie Joe Flacco. At 6-6 with one of the best arms you'll see, the kid has a major upside. However, the NFL figures to be a big jump from playing at a small college.

Willis McGahee appeared to have plenty of mileage left on his legs last season, rushing for 1,207 yards and seven touchdowns. The Ravens selected Rutgers' Ray Rice as McGahee's backup. You don't hear much about fullbacks in this league but Le'Ron McClain was fantastic as a lead blocker for McGahee a season ago.

Many of you probably couldn't name one receiver on the Ravens and that's because this group has been a disappointment. Derrick Mason set a franchise record with 103 catches, but he is becoming more and more of a possession receiver and the Ravens don't have the deep threat to go with him. Mark Clayton and Demetrius Williams were nowhere to be found for much of last season. The Ravens missed tight end Todd Heap in 2007 who was suffering from a hamstring injury. He'll return healthy and assume his role as one of the best tight ends in the game again this season.

The retirement of left tackle Jonathan Ogden leaves a huge hole in the line. Luckily, they'll still have guard Jason Brown on the left side. He is on the verge of becoming a Pro Bowler. Right guard Ben Grubbs is solid as a rock and right tackle Mashall Yandan is known by team personnel as the toughest lineman.

Defense

The Ravens have one of the best, if not the best, defensive fronts in the league. Trevor Pryce is a devilish pass rusher. Haloti Ngata is one of the top young defensive lineman in the league. Kelly Gregg is often overlooked, but few nose tackles clog the middle better.

The Ravens need their linebacker unit to make more big plays this season. Ray Lewis still leads this unit, but he does not have the same speed and explosiveness that he once had. His great instincts still make him a major force against the run. The Ravens expect more out of Bart Scott and Terrell Suggs than they got last season. The duo combined for just six sacks in 2007 after tallying 19 in 2006. Jarret Johnson is solid on the outside, but the Ravens will still be missing Adalius Thomas at this spot.

With starting cornerbacks Chris McAlister and Samari Rolle back healthy, the secondary should get back to its dominant ways. Ed Reed is a monster at safety and is coming off another Pro Bowl season.

Special Teams

This will be an area of major emphasis for Harbaugh, who is a former special teams coach. Signing two-time Pro Bowl special teams player Brendon Ayanbadejo is a good indication of that. Matt Stover is still one of the NFL's most accurate kickers. Sam Koch is a good punter, but could use some touch lessens on pinning opponents inside the twenty. I've always said, why don't they just angle it out of bounds?

Prediction – 2nd in AFC North

After a down year, the Ravens should get back to their winning ways. The Bengals' franchise is in shambles and the Steelers have a brutal schedule ahead of them. I expect the Ravens will battle it out with the Browns for the top spot but will fall just short because Cleveland has more offensive explosiveness.

Sign up for a low-cost NFL picks package this season and find out for yourself why so many sports investors are teaming up with Jimmy Boyd to beat the NFL odds this year. It will be the best decision you've ever made.

Check out the official site of the Baltimore Ravens and for more great sites on the team check out these fan sites:

• Ebony Bird - everything you want to know about the Baltimore Ravens.
• B-More Bird's Nest - the unofficial blog of Charm City.

July 1st, 2008