BALTIMORE RAVENS
2009 Record: 9-7-0
(2nd in AFC North)
HEAD COACH: John Harbaugh
Key Additions: WR Anquan Boldin (trade/Arizona), WR Donte' Stallworth (FA/Cleveland)
Key Losses: DT Dwan Edwards (FA/Buffalo), OT Adam Terry (FA/Indianapolis), DT Justin Bannan (FA/Denver)
Offense: The Ravens are looking to improve the offense once again in 2010 and quarterback Joe Flacco will look to improve in his third season as the starter.
Flacco threw for 21 touchdowns last year and amassed 3,613 yards passing while being intercepted just 12 times. That was a huge improvement from his rookie season in 2008.
A new addition to the Ravens air attack will be former Cardinals wide receiver Anquan Boldin, who had 84 catches for 1,024 yards and four TD in '09. Along with Boldin, Derrick Mason (73 catches for 1,028 yards and seven TD) will be a big target for Flacco as will Tight End Todd Heap, who made 53 catches for 593 yards and six touchdowns.
The running game ranked fifth in the NFL last year with 138 yards per game.
Ray Rice gained 1,339 yards (5.3 yards per carry average) and scored seven TD to go with 78 catches, which led the Ravens in 2009.
Along with Rice is touchdown machine Willis McGahee (544 yards and 12 TD) and fullback Le'Ron McClain, who saw his carries more limited a year ago as Rice emerged as the rushing leader for Baltimore.
The offensive line will have Matt Birk at center, guards Ben Grubbs and Marshall Yanda and tackles Michael Oher and Jared Gaither.
Defense: This has been THE strength of the Ravens for a decade now and last year was no exception as the Ravens finished third in the NFL in total defense, allowing 300 yards per game.
The run defense allowed 93 yards per game and is led by perennial All-Pro linebacker Ray Lewis, who is 35 years old entering the 2010 campaign.
The pass defense allowed 207 yards per game, which ranked eighth while intercepting 22 passes.
Up front are defensive tackles Kelly Gregg and Haloti Ngata and ends Cory Redding and Terrell Suggs.
The linebackers include Lewis, Dannell Ellerbe and Jarret Johnson.
The Ravens' secondary is led by Ed Reed (free safety), who was injured and missed games last year and still might not be 100 percent entering this year.
Strong safety Dawan Landry led the Ravens with four interceptions in 2009 and will be back for this season. The cornerbacks are Lardarius Webb and Fabian Washington, who will be filling the void for Domonique Foxworth (co-leader for Ravens with four picks in '09).
Foxworth may miss the entire 2010 season after injuring his knee earlier this week in training camp.
OUTLOOK: While the defense is showing signs of age and injuries, they continue to perform at a high level.
That has been the signature of the Ravens for ten years now and should continue once again in 2010.
On offense, look for the team to open it up as Flacco now has Boldin to throw to along with Mason, Heap and the plethora of running backs.
The trio of Rice, McGahee and McClain should continue to roll along behind a stellar offensive line.
Head Coach John Harbaugh is expecting big things from his team this year and along with Cincinnati and Pittsburgh contending in the AFC North division, nothing will come easy for the Ravens.
If the offense can keep opponents guessing and Flacco continues to mature at quarterback, this team could go far in the post-season in 2010.
Look for Baltimore to raise the AFC North banner this season at 11-5, but once again fall short of reaching the Super Bowl.
TEAM SCHEDULE:
Week 1- at NY Jets
Week 2- at Cincinnati
Week 3- vs. Cleveland
Week 4- at Pittsburgh
Week 5- vs. Denver
Week 6- at New England
Week 7- vs. Buffalo
Week 8- Bye Week
Week 9- vs. Miami
Week 10- at Atlanta
Week 11- at Carolina
Week 12- vs. Tampa Bay
Week 13- vs. Pittsburgh
Week 14- at Houston
Week 15- vs. New Orleans
Week 16- at Cleveland
Week 17- vs. Cincinnati
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