The 2008 Baltimore Ravens season definitely went better than expected for most.
However, many fans were still disappointed that the Ravens did not make the Super Bowl. The feeling was that the team had many players left over from the 2006 team that went 13-3 and could go the distance. Regardless, the 2008 Ravens basically topped their best potential ceiling and should be proud of the way they played.
With a few key additions, the 2009 Baltimore Ravens could definitely be looking at an appearance in Super Bowl XLIV. Here are the biggest questions facing the team this offseason and how they can/will answer them:
Q: Can the Ravens get a big-play receiver?
A: Now that they have the QB of the future in Joe Flacco, the Ravens’ next big offensive challenge is getting the elusive big play guy that they have missed since Shannon Sharpe signed back with Denver and Terrell Owens refused to come to Baltimore.
Many people have kept telling me “All they need to do is get a Larry Fitzgerald-type guy.” Easier said then done. How many quality receivers are out there this spring?
There’s TJ Houshmandzadeh, legendary Ravens killer but more in the mold of what they already have in Derrick Mason and Mark Clayton.
Anquan Boldin might be available for trade, but who knows if the Ravens can get him for sure? Notorious malcontents TO and Plaxico might also be on the market.
I can’t see Owens coming here but I wouldn’t mind Burress, assuming he doesn’t go to jail. He’s had his episodes but he’s not a TO-level cancer. It was easy to see how much the Giants missed him this year.
The draft is pretty slim pickings too. They might grab local guy Darius Howard-Bey, he’s got the size and the world class speed. Many think he could fall down to the Ravens too. That would be the way I’d like to see them go rather than throw away money.
They could also trade up for Michael Crabtree or Jeremy Maclin but it’s not Ozzie Newsome’s nature to do so and I’d be content with Howard-Bey, who was a big playmaker at Maryland. Either way, it’s a position that definitely needs upgrading.
Q: What’s going to happen to Willis McGahee?
A: Willis caught a lot of flack for not participating in offseason workouts, then showing up for camp out of shape. He also criticized the coaches the week of the Dolphins playoff game for not using him properly.
Keeping all of that in mind, McGahee probably isn’t going anywhere. He has a huge cap number, so if the Ravens were to cut him just to prove a point, it would hurt them.
When healthy and focused, he’s the most talented of the three running backs. Hopefully for everyone’s sake, Willis can use the offseason to participate in the workouts, keep in John Harbaugh’s good graces and start 2009 as the Ravens lead back.
Q: How do the Ravens replace Rex Ryan?
A: They are probably going to promote within and keep the same scheme that has been effective since 2003. Assistant Vic Fangio has been an early front-runner with his experience as a coordinator, but the team is also looking at linebackers coach Greg Mattison, secondary coach Chuck Pagano and defensive backs coach Clarence Brooks.
The problem with replacing Rex Ryan is he got the most out of that defense because he knew his players so well. He knew the best way to attack the offense using the players as chess pieces.
Although the scheme will remain the same, one has to be concerned that his successor will be as effective calling the plays without Ryan’s deep knowledge of his players and his pedigree. Either way, the legendary Ravens D will hopefully not miss too much of a beat in 2009.
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