2008 season preview: Baltimore Ravens

Quarterback: Kyle Boller. Troy Smith. Joey Harrington. Todd Bouman.

It'll be at least two or three seasons before we know whether or not Ozzie rolled the dice on the right guy.

Joe Flacco.

Ozzie's track record at this position has been terrible, and if he strikes out again, it may be time for him to move on. Especially considering that Ozzie traded up to draft Flacco.

Offensive line: The organization has invested a lot in the O-line over the past two offseasons. Jared Gaither. Ben Grubbs. Marshall Yanda. But there hasn't been enough consistency (i.e. too much shuffling between positions) and the veterans (Jason Brown, Chris Chester, Adam Terry) haven't ever played up to their full potentials.

With a rookie quarterback at the helm, the O-line is pressured to step up its game. They need to execute the gameplan and play smart. In order to be succesful, they'll need to say goodbye to the false starts that became a hallmark of the Billick era.

Does anyone feel like doing some research? I bet you the Ravens ranked near the top of the league in false-start penalties over the past five or so years.

Running back: I've enjoyed giving Willis McGahee a hard time this offseason. I think I even wrote an article blasting him for coming into camp four pounds overweight. Talk about misguided anger. McGahee is one of the few bright spots on an otherwise bleak offense. With the addition of rookie Ray Rice, expect Big Willie Style to be even more productive this season.

Running back is the only position on offense where there are no worries on paper.

Tight end: Todd Heap will be injured at some point this season. Happens every year.

Wide receivers: There isn't too much reason for excitement here, at least in part because of the question marks under center. Demetrius Williams represents the promise of a deep threat. Unfortunately I think most of his promise is tied up in Kool-Aid. Drink it. Mark Clayton is a serviceable slot receiver when healthy. Last season he struggled with an ankle injury. If healthy, I expect an uptick in his production. Derrick Mason still catches balls, but rarely for more than a few yards.

Fullback: Does anyone really care? The most I can say about Le'Ron McLain is that I had to Google his name to make sure I spelled and punctuated it properly. I never had to do that for Ovie Mughelli.

Defensive line: Haloti Ngata and Kelly Gregg are both way too solid, amongst the best in the league at their positions. If Trevor Pryce and Terrell Suggs can stay healthy, this defensive line should be able to defend well against both the pass and the run. I've given Sizzle a hard time here before, and arguably rightfully so, but when paired with Pryce he's a beast. Albeit an overpaid one.

Linebackers: Ray's supporting cast needs to step up its game. Jarret Johnson and Bart Scott, I'm looking at you. It'll also be interesting to see how Tavares Gooden and Antwan Barnes develop. Ray Lewis is still the king, of course. The linebackers will be solid. They always are. The addition of Brendon Ayanbadejo should help the special teams.

Defensive backs: Stay healthy, Ed Reed. Everything fell apart last season when Trevor Pryce was injured: no pash rush, no pressure, no pass defense. Fabian Washington joins the Ravens from Oakland, where he struggled making tackles and he never lived up to his first-round billing. Washington has silly speed, and his addition to the team is obviously a plus. Samari Rolle struggled last season with epilepsy, and he missed a bunch of games. Chris McAlister is still the cornerstone. Last year this unit struggled, but this year I expect them to return to form. Or at least approach it.

Coaching and special teams: John Harbaugh is not Brian Billick. That's a good start. Hopefully he can instill some discipline into an otherwise historically undisciplined franchise. This team needs to right its ship, and when Joe Flacco starts throwing pick after pick after pick and pick, it's going to be the defense and details that keep them in ballgames. Harbaugh is going to sweat the small stuff, and he's going to hold his players accountable. Ray Ray, Fast Eddie, C-Mac, Big Willie Style... everyone.

At least I hope so.

I have a feeling it's going to be a long year in B-more.

Wins and losses
WEEK 1 (Cincinnati Bengals): Loss
WEEK 2 (at Houston Texans): Win
WEEK 3 (Cleveland Browns): Loss
WEEK 4 (at Pittsburgh Steelers): Loss
WEEK 5 (Tennessee Titans): Win
WEEK 6 (at Indianapolis Colts): Loss
WEEK 7 (at Miami Dolphins): Loss
WEEK 8 (Oakland Raiders): Win
WEEK 9 (at Cleveland Browns): Loss
WEEK 10 (BYE)
WEEK 11 (at New York Giants): Loss
WEEK 12 (Philadelphia Eagles): Loss
WEEK 13 (at Cincinnati Bengals): Loss
WEEK 14 (Washington Redskins): Win
WEEK 15 (Pittsburgh Steelers): Win
WEEK 16 (at Dallas Cowboys): Loss
WEEK 17 (Jacksonville Jaguars): Loss

Prediction: 5-11