Starting over

Back to the draft as Ravens seek to rebuild

SI's Don Banks The Ravens don't have a draft board this year. They have a dart board. No matter where they aim, they can let it fly and be confident of hitting a need. Or two. Or three. When your list of need positions includes everything but holder and wedge-buster, you know things are getting a bit shallow on the old depth chart. Complete story, click here.

BALTIMORE (AP) -- The Baltimore Ravens built a Super Bowl champion by drafting wisely and signing free agents.

After decimating the team this past offseason in a series of salary-cap related moves, the Ravens find themselves in a familiar situation as they prepare for the NFL draft on April 20-21.

"Looking at the 2002 draft, it takes me back to 1997," Ozzie Newsome, the Ravens' senior vice president of football operations, said Monday. "Back then, we realized we needed an influx of young talent. We are approaching the 2002 draft in that manner."

The current Ravens hardly resemble the team that won the Super Bowl two seasons ago. Baltimore lost linebacker Jamie Sharper and kick returner Jermaine Lewis to Houston in the expansion draft, then released safety Rod Woodson, tight end Shannon Sharpe, wide receiver Qadry Ismail, defensive tackle Sam Adams and quarterback Elvis Grbac.

The Ravens also lost free agent defensive backs Corey Harris and Duane Starks.

"Given the fact that we graduated the senior class," Ravens president David Modell said with a grin, "our existing class of sophomores and juniors have to step up and perform."

The Ravens will add several freshman to the mix via the draft. Newsome has performed admirably in recent drafts, landing such stars as Jonathan Ogden, Ray Lewis, Peter Boulware, Sharper, Chris McAlister and Jamal Lewis, all of whom contributed heavily in the Ravens' run to the Super Bowl.

Now, Newsome has to do it again. But unlike before, when Baltimore's poor finishes guaranteed high draft picks, he must work his magic with the 24th, 56th and 87th overall picks.

Baltimore's first pick last year, tight end Todd Heap, had the luxury of learning the game behind Sharpe. This year's high choices will not be so fortunate.

"This draft is going to have to provide us with a lot of young talent that's going to have to come in and contribute right away -- hopefully, in a mighty way," Newsome said.

No position is a priority.

Baltimore needs offensive linemen, defensive linemen, running backs, a quarterback and defensive backs. Newsome guaranteed that he would not pick a tight end in the first round, but all other positions will be considered.

"When you've got as many holes as we have, I think any player we select in any of the rounds will have a unique opportunity to come in and play," Newsome said.

Head coach Brian Billick said he equates the current state of the Ravens to when he first arrived in Baltimore three seasons ago. Back then, the team had never enjoyed a winning season, but the Ravens improved dramatically as the young draft picks honed their game.

Now, Billick is ready to do it all over.

"The great thing about this job is the change," Billick said. "It does truly feel like we're starting over. But our expectations remain the same. We expect to be successful and to get into the playoffs."

 

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