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Baltimore Ravens
Posted: Sun April 19, 1998 at 9:53 p.m.
* compensatory pick
QB - The Vinny Testaverde era came to a screaching halt when the team traded for Colts QB Jim Harbaugh... Testaverde's fate may have been sealed when #2 QB Eric Zeir came off the bench and played well late in the season. Harbaugh will finally give this team a QB who won't turn the ball over... he may not put up Testaverde type passing yds./TD's, but his Int ratio will be much better. However, for Harbaugh to succeed, they will have to be able to consistently run the football. Backup Eric Zeier is a good short term guy,,, he plays much better off the bench in a relief role. #3 Wally Richardson will try to develop this offseason in the new NFL Europe.
RB - Bam Morris' stint in Baltimore was full of off the field problems, and he won't be back either... he has a lot of talent, but the fact that he is still on the FA market is a direct result of his off the field problems. Veteran Ernest Byner is gone too. The team will bank on Errict Rhett, who they received in an offseason trade. Rhett was a 1,000 yd. rusher 3 seasons ago, and should be ready to reach that plateau again... especially behind one of the best OL's in the NFL. If Rhett should falter, they have a solid insurance plan with Jay Graham... Graham was a solid contributor last season when healthy. Could still add another RB in the middle rds. of the upcoming draft.
WR - A solid unit took a big hit with the loss of Derrick Alexander... his loss leaves them with only Michael Jackson and Jermaine Lewis... Jackson's #'s have dipped the past few seasons, and his ability to stay healthy is always a huge concern. Lewis has continued to flourish, but not as a #2, but as #3... his lack of height makes him a perfect fit as a #3 in the slot, not a #2 on the outside. He took advantage of big time mismatches in the slot last season. Backups Ryan Yarbrough and James Roe can't be considered as quality depth. Have to find a WR early in the upcoming draft if they don't add someone in FA... Will be making a big mistake if they try to use Lewis on the outside.
TE - Eric Green reemerged last season, and was rewarded with a new deal this offseason. Green has been able to keep his weight down ,and most importantly, has been able to stay healthy. He will be a favorite target of Harbaugh who loves to hit the TE underneath the coverage. Backup Brian Kinchen is also a pretty good pass catching TE... not much youth in this unit though... may look to add a TE in the middle rds.
OL - One of the best starting units in the NFL, if they can find a quality LG. In his first season at LT, Jonathon Ogden went to the PRO Bowl... OC Wally WIlliams, RG Jeff Blackshear, and RT Orlando Brown are all underrated. This unit excels in pass pro, and is also able to open up huge holes in the run game.... this will benefit Rhett, who doesn't have great COD at the LOS. The team also lost backup OC Quentin Neujahr who was signed as a RFA by Jacksonville... Biggest concern will be finding a starting LG before the season starts.
DL - Solid but unspectacular starting unit... 1997 FA acq. Michael McCrary had a good season, but not as big as his 1996 season in Seattle... Other DE Rob Burnett continues to fight injuries. Need to find another DE who can consistently get pressure off the corner. The inside duo of James Jones and Tony Siragusa is good, but neither is a big time run stuffer... may look at Jason Peter or Vonnie Holiday as possible 1st rd. picks in the upcoming draft. Larry Webster seems to have put his off the field problems behind him, and was re-signed this offseason.
LB - One of the best young up and coming units in the NFL. OLB's Jamie Sharper and Peter Boulware started as rookies, and 2nd year MLB Ray Lewis has started every game (when healthy) since they drafted him in 1996. Not only have they started, but other than Sharper, they have been productive... Sharper needs to become more instinctive, but should be much better in his 2nd NFL season. Boulware was the defensive rookie of the year in 1997. He is at his best on the blitz, but improved in pass coverage as the season progressed. Backups Tyrus McCloud and Cornell Brown were also rookies last season, so the future of this position looks very bright. May add a veteran guy before the season, for leadership purposes.
DB - Has been the achilles heel of this team the past few seasons... FA DC Antonio Langam was signed by the 49ers... he was overrated anyway, and was pumped up because he was the best DC on a bad unit. They have signed Rod Woodson, but he hasn't been the same player since his knee injury in Pittsburgh... he would have had a mediocre 1997 season, had Saints' QBs not thrown him so many Int's. Even with Woodson, they don't have a quality starter opposite... Donny Brady and DeRon Jenkins have tried to hold down that spot the past 2 seasons, but neither with any success. SS Stevon Moore can't run anymore. FS Kim Herring should improve his 2nd NFL season. Have to at least address DC in the draft... wouldn't hurt to add 2-3 quality players to this unit through the draft.
ST - The duo of PT Mike Montgomery and PK Matt Stover is solid... Stover had some inconsistent moments, but didn't get a lot of opportunities, and seemed rusty at times. The return game is in exc. hands with Jermaine Lewis who is quickly developing into one of the best return men in the NFL. A lot of youth on cover teams, but improving... ST captain Bennie Thompson was re-signed this offseason.
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